Your Guide To Celebrating the Holidays in Oak Lawn

FRIDAY, DEC. 9

Live Outdoor Nativity, 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Mt. Zion Lutheran Church

is staging its famous retelling of the story of the birth of Jesus with a live nativity scene. Join in the performance by singing favorite Christmas carols, enjoying hot chocolate and cookies, or warming up by a fire. Children and teens wishing to participate in the show as angels and shepherds need to arrive by 6 p.m. After the performance, enjoy fellowship with other families or pet the animals. Free. Performance repeats 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.

SATURDAY DEC. 10

Handel’s Messiah, 7:30 p.m., Trinity Christian College

The Illiana Oratorio Society will perform selections from Handel’s Messiah, including the Christmas portion of the oratorio as well as the Hallelujah chorus in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium at The evening also includes a carol sing-along for the audience. The event is free and open to the public, but free will offerings are welcome.

Holiday Party and CD Release Party, noon, Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn

Rock out with puppeteer Jeannie McQueenie and celebrate the holidays at a CD release party of McQueenie’s two new soundtracks of children’s songs at the . The party features a puppet show with life-sized puppets and a performance of the “Kid’s Rock Band.” The party also includes a visit from Santa, popcorn, crafts and full access to the museum. Adults and children over 1, $6; seniors $5.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11

‘Dude, You Hear What I Hear?’, 4 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church

The Sunday School, grades 1-8, presents a Christmas musical about a church youth group that stops at Mondo-Mart for some last-minute snacks on their way to Christmas Camp. A girl who likes to play hide and seek gets left behind and is locked in the store overnight. To her surprise, she discovers that mannequins come alive and “talk.” Families will love this funny, interesting musical that presents the Christmas story in a meaningful way. The preschool/kindergarten “angles” present some special Christmas music to warm your heart. Dinner follows the program. Admission is $5.

Breakfast With Santa at the Hilton, 9 a.m. to noon, Hilton Oak Lawn

Santa loves to eat and he especially loves the lavish and scrumptious kids’ buffet at the annual breakfast with the big man. Children will enjoy having their picture taken with Santa, plus other activities including face paintain and caricatures at an additional cost. Help the Hilton’s holiday toy drive by bringing an unwrapped toy (no stuffed animals) for Adults, $27; children 4-12, $17; children 3 and under, free. Reservations are required.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14

Fine Arts Festival, 7 p.m., Oak Lawn Community High School

Holiday concert performed by the band and choir. Student art will also be on display.

Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., H.L. Richards High School

The Music Department presents a holiday concert in the main gym, featuring the high school's band and choir programs. The concert band will premiere a new composition written by Richards junior music student Kirsten Crenshaw. The title of the work is A Pirate’s Life. A canned food drive will also be held benefitting the Our Lady of the Ridge food pantry in Chicago Ridge. Admission $5, $4 with canned food donation; family admission $10, $8 with canned food donation.

SATURDAY, DEC. 24

Skate with Santa, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Southwest Ice Arena

Bring the spirit of the holidays alive by skating a few figure eights with Santa at the Southwest Ice Arena, 5505 W. 127th St., Crestwood. Admission $6; skate rental $3.