It's that time of year again. Ho, Ho, Ho. Or, for most of us, it's Go, Go, Go. So, pencil in some time to enhance your Christmas glow by attending at least one of these holiday weekend musical events held at public and parish venues around the Southland. There's only three weekends left before Christmas, ya know!

Dec. 3-5
Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula will present its annual Advent concert Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Commons on the campus. The free event will feature musical selections from Stamitz, Bach, Mozart and Telemann sung by a 40-member college choir. A 24-piece chamber orchestra comprised of students and members of the California Chamber Ensemble will accompany the choir on several pieces. Rudolfas Budginas, a USC doctoral candidate in piano performance, will make a special guest appearance. Information: (805) 525-4417 ex. 371.

St. Monica Church in Santa Monica will host a "Home for the Holidays" concert Dec. 4, 8 p.m. in the parish auditorium. Recording artists Helena Buscema, Phil Cordaro and Cesar Marquez will perform holiday favorites from their Christmas albums. Admission: $20. Proceeds will benefit St. Monica's Young Ministering Adults outreach programs, including ministries to El Hogar Orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico and Habitat for Humanity. Information: www.stmonica.net or (310) 393-9287.

Mount St. Mary's College Da Camera Society will sponsor a Chamber Music in Historic Sites holiday concert of Renaissance Music sung by the Tallis Scholars at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles Dec. 5, 4 p.m. The program will include Palestrina's Christmas Mass and motet "O magnum mysterium" and seasonal works by Lassus, Isaac and Zielensky. Martin Neary, former director and organist at Westminster Abbey, will give a pre-concert lecture at 3:15 p.m. Tickets: $45-$35. Information: www.dacamera.org or (213) 477-2929.

Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes will present a free Advent celebration and Christmas concert Dec. 5, 7 p.m. in the campus chapel. The college and community choir will perform Pergolesi's "Magnificat" with string quartet as well as favorite carols. A dance performance and Advent readings will also be part of the program. Information: mmiller@marymountpv.edu or (310) 303-7223.

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles (1324 S. Normandie Ave.) will be the site of Christmas Fest 2004 planned for Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The free concert under the cathedral's Byzantine dome will feature the Los Angeles Byzantine Chorale and Chamber Ensemble as well as members of the Saint Thomas All Girls Choir and the Holman United Methodist Church Choir. Information: (323) 737-2424.

American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach will hold a "Christmas is Coming" concert Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. in O'Donnell Hall. Choir members will sing holiday favorites and "Raggedy Ann and Andy" will make a special guest appearance. Donation: $10, adult; $5 child/senior. Information: (310) 376-5880.

Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles will present a free recital of vocal, guitar, piano and cello performances by student soloists Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. in Murphy Recital Hall. Information: www.lmu.edu/colleges/cfa/music/ or (310) 338-5386.

Dec. 7-12
Los Angeles Master Chorale presents a "Holiday Wonders" family concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. with a repeat performance Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Renowned organist Frederick Swan will be featured on the 6,134-pipe organ. Music director Grant Gershon will conduct a program of carols, international songs and sing-alongs of holiday favorites. Tickets: $79-$19. Half-price for children 12 and under. Ticket information: www.lamc.org or (800) 787-5262.

Providence High School in Burbank will host "It's Grinchmas," featuring its award-winning vocal and instrumental choirs for two performances on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Traditional and contemporary holiday songs will be presented as well as selections by the choirs' competition repertoire. The school's bell choir, "Resonance," will perform and a guest appearance is expected from the "Grinch." Admission: $10 adults; $8 students; $5 children 8 and under as well as for seniors and those with special needs. Information and reservations: (818) 846-8141 ext. 100.

Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles presents its annual Gala Christmas Choral Concert on Dec. 9 and Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel on the LMU campus. The Women's Chorus will make its debut appearance and the Consort Singers and the Concert Choir will also perform accompanied by brass instruments. Included in the program will be Frank Ferko's "Festival of Carols," and Z. Randall Stroope's "Hodie!" Tickets: $12 for Dec. 9 and $15/$12 for Dec. 11. Discount prices for LMU faculty, senior citizens and students. Information: (310) 338-5154 or (310) 338-7588 (central ticket agency).

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles will be the site (Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.) of the Latino Theater Company's free third annual performance of "La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin," a theatrical representation of the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Juan Diego in 1531. Renowned mezzo soprano Suzanna Guzman will sing the title role of La Virgen, heading a cast of over 50 musicians, Aztec dancers and a community ensemble of children, youth and seniors. Last year's performance played to an audience of more than 2,000 people. On Dec. 12 at the cathedral, the day will begin with a 4:45 a.m. Mananitas procession through the plaza. Outdoor traditional folkloric dances will be held throughout the day in honor of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On Dec. 15, a Simbang Gabi Mass will be celebrated beginning at 6:30 p.m.

St. Therese Church in Alhambra will hold a "Las Mananitas" traditional serenade and Mass with Mariachi band Dec. 12 at 5:30 a.m. A reception will follow the liturgy.

Mount St. Mary's College, Chalon campus in Brentwood will present its annual College Christmas Choral Concert Dec. 10, 8 p.m. in Mary Chapel. The Mount Singers and Mount Chorus will perform Christmas and seasonal music by Michael Hyden, Randall Thompson and John Rutter. Admission: $10 general; $5 students/seniors; free for children under 12 and religious/clergy. Information: (310) 954-4265.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Westlake Village will hold its annual Nativity Display Dec. 11-12 to benefit homeless programs in Ventura County. Hundreds of nativity sets from private collections will be showcased for the event titled, "No Room at the Inn." A children's corner will offer craft and costume play with nativity figures and there will also be a silent auction. Over the past 11 years, this ecumenical event has raised over $97,000 for the homeless. On Dec. 10, a gala with gourmet hors d'oeuvres and live music will be held. Gala donation: $25. Display donation: $5 adult; $1 children. Information: (805) 557-0323.

St. Paschal Baylon Church in Thousand Oaks will present its annual Advent concert Dec. 11, 7 p.m. in the church. The free concert will feature Advent and Christmas music by six groups: the contemporary choir, a traditional choir, a children's chorus, an Hispanic chorus, a teen ensemble and a school choir. Donations accepted. Information: (805) 496-0222.

St. Irenaeus Church in Cypress will host "Noel Night," providing classic and contemporary musical selections Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The free event includes musical selections from Handel's Messiah accompanied by strings, brass and percussion. Originals songs include "We Behold Our King" by music director, Kimberly Wargo and "Give A Little Christmas" by pastor, Father Pat Rudolph. Refreshments provided in the parish hall following the concert. Donations accepted. Information: Rosemary (562) 795-5192; Kimberly (714) 826-0760.

Notre Dame High School presents a Christmas Choral Concert Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium, 13645 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks. Admission: $7 general, $5 students and seniors. Information: (818) 933-3600.

Dec. 18
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles will hold a "Family Christmas Festival" on Dec. 18 beginning at noon. From noon to 6 p.m., the Cathedral Plaza will be filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas, including a manger scene with live animals and performances by student choirs from throughout the archdiocese. Cathedral volunteers will be stationed in the Children's Garden reading holiday picture books every half hour beginning at 12:15 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Cathedral Pastor Msgr. Kevin Kostelnik will bless the Cathedral Christmas tree and preside at the tree lighting ceremony. Following the tree ceremony, The Los Angeles Children's Chorus will perform a Christmas Concert, "A Gift of Peace," at 7:30 p.m. in the cathedral. Repertoire for the program includes Claude Debussy's "Noel des Enfants," commemorating children's experiences during World War I; "Agnus Dei," from a Mass by contemporary Scandinavian composer, Einojuhani Rautavaara; and two Brazillian works. Other music will include Shostakovich's "The Loving Mother" and the traditional Hebrew round, "Winds of Peace." Tickets: $15 adults; $8 seniors and students. Information: www.lachildrenschorus.org or (626) 793-4231.