L.A. County Holiday Celebration

A free, six-hour holiday spectacular of music, song and dance unfolds on the stage of the beautiful Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center Sunday, Dec. 24 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. It's the 47th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration, L.A. County's biggest holiday show featuring more than 45 musical ensembles, choirs, and dance companies, about 1,500 performers in all, expressing the joy of the season. Enjoy big band with a Latin beat, the snow scene from the Nutcracker, favorite carols, gospel and mariachis. Experience the grace and beauty of Korean dance, the beat of Brazilian samba, the joyful sounds of Bach and songs celebrating Hanukkah. This year's hosts include Sheryl Lee Ralph (original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls, To Sleep with Anger); Sandra Tsing Loh ("The Loh Life" on NPR, Sugar Plum Fairy on the stage); Sean Michael Afable (Akeelah and the Bee); Charles Phoenix (Histo-tainer, Retro Slide Shows); and Fred Willard (For Your Consideration, Best in Show, This is Spinal Tap). Making special guest appearances are two alumni of American Idol: Amanda Avila, singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and Jon Peter Lewis, performing "California Christmas." The Holiday Celebration, which reflects the vibrant spectrum of cultures found in Southern California, is L.A. County's yearly gift to Los Angeles: admission is FREE, as is the parking under the Music Center. Patrons may come and go throughout the performance, and the entire six hours is broadcast live on KCET. Also for the first time, people waiting in line to get in can see the show on the Jumbotron on Music Center Plaza, courtesy of Samsung.

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center at 135 N. Grand Ave., in Los Angeles. For more information visit online at www.holidaycelebration.org or call 213-972-3099. Admission is free, parking is free at the Music Center parking garage. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Reservations for tickets or parking are not necessary.