Parishes, schools and public performance venues will offer holiday musical feasts to celebrate the Advent and Christmas seasons. From Handel's "Messiah" to Hollywood Christmas tunes, the music programs offer uplifting interludes during the holiday bustle. The list includes the following:

Nov. 30
Loyola Marymount University presents a concert of holiday music at St. Lawrence Martyr Church, Redondo Beach, on Nov. 30, 8 p.m. The Concert Choir, Women's Chorus and Consort Singers, under the direction of Dr. Mary Breden, will perform the Buxtehude "Das neugeborne Kindelein," the Randol Bass "Gloria," and "Christus natus est" by English composer Cecilia McDowall, along with other works reflecting the holiday season. A free will offering will benefit the Breden Memorial Scholarship Fund recognizing outstanding altar servers at St. Lawrence. Information: (310) 338-5154.

Marymount College's Show Choir, directed by Don Marino, will perform a lighthearted selection of Christmas songs Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. in the school's auditorium in Rancho Palos Verdes. A "Santa Sighting" and sing-a-longs are featured in this free, family-friendly program. Information: (310) 303-7223.

Dec. 2-5
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 Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles Dec. 2, 4 p.m. (pre-concert talk at 3:15 p.m.) The program will include Palestrina's "Missa Nigra sum," and seasonal motets by Josquin and Gallus. Tickets: $39-48. Information: (213) 477-2929.

Holy Family Church, Glendale, hosts a "Messiah" sing-along Dec. 2, 3 p.m. Dr. Christian Marcoe will conduct the church's combined choirs, soloists, organists and drop-in singers. Entry is free for singers arriving by 2:45 p.m. with "Messiah" scores. Tickets: $15 adults; $10 seniors/students. Information: (818) 421-8858.

Our Lady of Grace Church, Encino, offers a free Advent/Christmas concert Dec. 2, 4 p.m. The program will feature English and Spanish Christmas carols as well as a musical rendition of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Information: (818) 342-4686.

St. Timothy Church, West Los Angeles, presents selections from Handel's "Messiah" with choir and orchestra Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $17 adults; $12 children. Information: (310) 474-1216.

Dec. 6-9
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels hosts two performances of "La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin" presented by the Latino Theater Company Dec. 6-7, 7:30 p.m. This play, performed with music and dance, dramatizes the story of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to the Indian peasant Juan Diego. Free admission with goodwill offering at the door. Information: (213) 680-5200.

Loyola Marymount University presents its annual Christmas Gala Choral Concert Dec 6 and 8, 8 p.m., featuring the Concert Choir, Women's Chorus and Consort Singers, under the direction of Dr. Mary Breden. The concerts take place in the campus' Sacred Heart Chapel. Tickets: $12 and $15. Information: (310) 338-5154.

Holy Trinity and St. Lawrence Martyr music ministries perform the "Messiah" Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. The concert will be held at Holy Trinity, 1292 W. Santa Cruz St., San Pedro. Information: (310) 548-6535.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale presents a program of "Holiday Wonders" Dec. 8 and 15, 3 p.m., at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. On Dec. 9, 7 p.m., the Chorale performs music from Britten and Susa. Its popular "Messiah" singalong will take place Dec. 10 and 16, 7:30 p.m. Information: (213) 972-7282 or LAMC.org.

The Colburn School Children's Choir, conducted by Dr. Mikhail Shtangrud (choral director for Mayfield Junior School, the Burbank Chorale and Colburn School), performs a Winter Choral Concert at Colburn's Zipper Hall Dec. 8, 3 p.m. Reservations required. For free tickets, call (213) 621-1050. The Burbank Chorale will hold its "Christmas Fantasia" concert Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. & Dec. 16, 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Burbank. Tickets: $15 at door/$10 pre-sale. Make reservations at tickets@burbankchorale.org.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and the Los Angeles Symphony combine to present the "Peace on Earth" Christmas concert Dec. 9, 7 p.m. at the Cathedral. The concert, conducted by Los Angeles Symphony conductor Hyun Sang Joo, will feature selections from Handel's "Messiah" and the "Missa Sollenelle" by Charles Gounod. Information: (213) 739-8107.

St. Sophia Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles, will host its 10th annual Christmas Musicfest under the Byzantine Dome Dec. 9, 7 p.m. The concert will feature Carole Choucair, Chanter Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, the Los Angeles Byzantine Chorale and Chamber Ensemble and the Harmonies Girls Choir. Freewill offering.

Dec. 12-16
The Cathedral's annual Mass honoring the Virgen de Guadalupe (Mananitas) begins at 5 a.m., Dec. 12 with singing performances by the Harmonies Girls Choir and pre-Mass Guadalupe procession on the Plaza. The Cathedral's pre-Christmas celebration will take place on the Plaza Dec. 16, following the 10 a.m. Mass with a blessing of the animals near the Nativity scene. The Harmonies Girls Choir will perform before, during and after the Dec. 16 12:30 Mass, accompanied by St. Anthony's Handbell Choir on the Plaza in the afternoon.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Westlake Village, presents its sixth annual Christmas concert in the church sanctuary Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Holiday music for all ages will be performed by St. Maximilian's adult choir, youth choir, children's choir, small ensemble and liturgical dancers with chamber orchestral accompaniment, directed by Joan Patano Vos with a special guest appearance by Sheldon Cohen, conducting his composition, "O Holy Child." Information: (818) 991-3915.

St. Paul the Apostle Church, Westwood, will stage "A Festival of Lessons & Carols: Christmas Story in Word & Song" Dec. 16, 3 p.m. The program features the Caritas Chorus, Children's Christmas Choir and New Schola Cantorum. Liturgical composer Christopher Walker will conduct. Free admission. Information: (310) 559-4955 ext. 103.

Dec. 24
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion hosts the 48th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration Dec. 24, 3-9 p.m. The free show, produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and broadcasted live on KCET, features performances by more than 40 music and dance groups reflecting the vibrant spectrum of Southern California cultures. Among the groups performing will be the Harmonies Girls Choir, directed by Christ the King music teacher Jose Antonio Espinal, and the Colburn Children's Choir, accompanied on the harp by Incarnation music minister, Dennis Doyle. Information: (213) 972-3099 or holidaycelebration.org.