SCV happenings

Community Tree Lighting
Parking lot of Henry Mayo
Newhall Memorial Hospital
23845 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 253-8089
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2 p.m. - Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital will officially kick off the holiday season with the annual Community Tree Lighting. The three-hour event begins at 2 p.m. and features holiday entertainment, refreshments, children's crafts and activities, and letters to Santa. Santa arrive at 2:30 p.m. and will be available for photos from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The conclusion of the event will take place at 5 p.m. with the lighting of the tree. For more information, call Henry Mayo's marketing department at (661) 253-8089.

Holiday Toy Express
(800) 371-5465
Sunday, Dec. 5, 7:30 - 8:15 p.m. - Newhall Metrolink Station, 24300 Railroad Ave., Newhall, CA 91321.
The Holiday Toy Express will be fully decorated with festive lights and décor as always, and will stop at 12 stations, over a six-night period. This year, member agencies and station cities are being asked to host a unique community event - with the Holiday Toy Express as the "backdrop" at each Metrolink station. Santa Claus will arrive on the train, make his way down to the station, and stay with all of the guests for photo opportunities. Metrolink and station hosts are planning the evening's festivities, such as local school bands, dancers, plays, booths, etc. Bring an unwrapped toy or stuffed animal to be presented to local Firefighters as part of the ABC7 Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Follow The Star ... to Bethlehem
Bethlehem Lutheran Ministries
27265 Luther Dr.
Canyon Country, CA 91351
(661) 252-0622
Dec. 10, 11 and 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Follow the Star...to Bethlehem tells the story of Jesus Christ with actors, animals, dramatic music and dialogue. Guests may view the pageant by walking at their own pace or from the comfort of their car. Multiple scenes are presented that depict the life of Jesus. The final scene brings you back to today with a family sharing the Christmas story from the Bible in their own living room. Donations accepted of non-perishable food and personal items for the charitable organizations that feed and care for the needy in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center
at College of the Canyons
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Valencia, CA 93551
(661) 362-5304
Friday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. - COC Music Annual Holiday Concert
Saturday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. - COC Music Winter Spectacular
Sunday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. - Go Country 105 Acoustic Holiday Concert "Gloriana"
Friday, Dec. 10, 8 p.m. - Great Performance Series, Mariachi Los Camperos De Nati Cano - Festival Navidad
Saturday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. - COC Music Choir Holiday Concert
Friday, Dec. 17, 8 p.m. - Santa Clarita Ballet "The Nutcracker"
Saturday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Santa Clarita Ballet "The Nutcracker"
Sunday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Santa Clarita Ballet "The Nutcracker"

Canyon Theatre Guild (CTG)
24242 Main St.
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 799-2702
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19 (at 8 p.m., 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively, with 2 p.m. shows on Dec. 11 and 18 ) - "A Christmas Carol"

Repertory East Playhouse
24266 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 288-0000
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 12 (at 8 p.m., 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively) - "Amadeus"

Santa Clarita Master Chorale's Sleighbells and Sandals
Valencia United Methodist Church
25718 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 254-8886
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. - The Santa Clarita Master Chorale celebrates the holidays with Sleighbells and Sandals. This family-friendly concert will offer classic favorites such as "Silver Bells," "Jingle Bells," "Christmas Bells are Ringing" and "The Christmas Song" as well as a collection of songs with a Southwest flavor that are perfect for a California Christmas. The Santa Clarita Children's Honor Choir will join the chorale for the African-American carol "Children, Go Where I Send Thee."

Come Christmas Sing Concert Series
Bross Gymnasium
The Master's college
21726 Placerita Canyon Road
Newhall, CA 91321
(800) 568-6248
Tuesday, Nov. 30 through Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. as well as Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. - Visit the website for tickets and prices. Concert features Rutter's "Gloria."

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Holiday Home Tour
Holiday Home Tour, Saturday, Dec. 4 - The tour, hosted by the hospital's Home Tour League, will offer visitors an opportunity to tour homes that have been lovingly decked in unique themes of old-world finery and festive holiday décor. 
Holiday Boutique, Saturday, Dec. 4 - The Holiday Home Tour events also include an indoor holiday gift boutique at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Assembly Hall. The boutique is free of charge and open to the public 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gentle Barn Winter Wonderland
15825 Sierra Highway
Canyon Country, CA 91390
(661) 252-2440
Sunday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - To Support the rescued animals and violence prevention program, activities include sled rides and play in real snow, food, holiday gifts, music and more.

Outside the SCV

Fillmore & Western Christmas Trains
351 Santa Clara St.
Fillmore, CA 93015
(805) 524-2546
The Fillmore & Western Railway offers holiday season fun with a variety of train rides:
Nov. 27 through Dec. 12, Saturdays and Sundays - Christmas Tree/Holiday Train.
Nov. 27 through Dec. 27 Wednesdays through Sundays - The North Pole Express.
Dec. 10 and 17 - Dinner with Santa.
Dec. 18 and 19 - Santa's Shopper Holiday Train
Dec. 4 and 18 - Murder Mystery Dinner Train - The Holiday.
Nov. 27 and Dec. 11 - Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Train - Xmas Bugle Boy Murders of Co. C - The 40's.
Dec. 31 - Bring in the New Year aboard Fillmore & Western Railway.

Fillmore Christmas Parade
Check in at Second St. and Shields Drive, in Fillmore
Saturday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m.

Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights
Ventura Harbor Village
(805) 477-0470
Dec. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. - The 34th annual Ventura Harbor parade of Lights will feature a Holidays in Whoville theme. The two-day celebration includes a carnival early in the day, with Santa greeting kids between 5:30 and 8 p.m. Fireworks immediately following the parade.

Chanukah Festival at the Harbor
Ventura Harbor Village
(805) 382-4770
Dec. 5, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., with grand menorah lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. - Live music, hot latkes and boutique, plus a BMX bike stunt show.

Hollywood Christmas Parade
Sunday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m. - The parade steps off at Holly wood Boulevard and Orange Street, traveling east toward Vine Street, then sough on Vine to Sunset and west on Sunset back to Orange. Ticket prices are $35, with group discounts available. Special reserved seating is available and can be purchased by calling (866) 727-2331.

Los Angeles Children's Chorus Winter Concert
Pasadena Presbyterian Church
585 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 793-4231
Dec. 5 and 12, 7 p.m. - A program spotlighting the choral music of 20 composers from 10 nations spanning five centuries.

Holiday Pops Holiday Concert
Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 793-2122
Dec. 4, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Snow Queen Ballet
Glendale Community College Performing Arts Theater
1500 Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208
(800) 938-3006
Dec. 17, 18 (7:30 p.m.) and 19 (2 p.m.) - The Snow Queen marks the 13th annual presentation of a great holiday and winter-time fairy tale presented by the professional non-profit company, California Contemporary Ballet. The professional principal cast will be accompanied by the California Contemporary Youth Ballet. Alyssa Thompson of Canyon Country stars as the Snow Queen.

Nutcrackers and More

Santa Clarita Ballet performs ‘The Nutcracker'
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Valencia, CA 91355
Call (661) 251-0366 or (661) 251-6844 for tickets
Dec. 18 at 8 p.m., Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. - With its 16th annual performance of "The Nutcracker," the Santa Clarita Ballet presents a classic program and favorite holiday tradition. Complete with beloved characters, magical staging and exquisite costumes, this production features guest professionals as well as company dancers.

Bob Baker's ‘Nutcracker'
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
1345 W. First St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 250-9995
Nov. 26 through Jan 31, 2011 - The famous, yet funny version of the Nutcracker featuring the Baker marionettes.

Long Beach Ballet ‘Nutcracker'
Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 793-2122
Dec. 22 and 23, 7:30 p.m.
Long Beach Terrace Theater
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
La Mirada Theatre for the
Performing Arts
14900 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
(562) 944-9801
Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - Featuring spectacular sets and beautifully costumed Russian dancers, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is a holiday treat for the whole family.