2010 Christmas Festival: Arts and culture activities, eco-friendly product fair, gifts, Nov. 20-21 and 27-28, CENAC, Av. 3/5, Ca. 11/15, www.actividadescenac.com.
Ballet Magnificat Festival Navideño: Christmas ballet, Nov. 26-27, 7 p.m.; Nov. 28, 5 p.m., Melico Salazar Theater, Av. 2, Ca. Ctrl./2, 2286-2121.
Oxcart Parade: Oxcart drivers come from all over the country and camp out, with folkloric concerts at night, Nov. 27; parade, Nov. 28, 9 a.m., from Paseo Colón along Av. Ctrl., 8980-3221.
Lighting of Coca-Cola Christmas Tree: With cultural shows, Nov. 28, 6 p.m., opposite National Gymnasium, southeast La Sabana Park, San José.
Christmas Choir Festival: Dec. 1-3, 6 p.m., Plaza de la Cultura, San José.
Lighting of the Children’s Museum: Featuring 3,000 lights, concerts by the Colegio Metodista Choir and the University of Costa Rica Symphony Band, with fireworks, live nativity scene, Dec. 1, 6 p.m., Children’s Museum, north end of Ca. 4, 2258-4929.
Hanukkah Menorah Lightings: Dec. 1-8, 6:30 p.m.; family program and lighting, Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m., La Sabana Park, behind León Cortes statue, 2296-6565.
Lighting of Children’s Hospital Tree: Including cultural events, Dec. 2, 6 p.m., National Children’s Hospital, Paseo Colón, 2523-3600.
Christmas Festival: Float parade, bands, dance, Dec. 3, 6 p.m., Miramar, Puntarenas.
Teletón: Proceeds support the National Children’s Hospital, featuring national and international singers, bands, actors, dancers and other entertainers, Dec. 3, 9 p.m., through midnight Dec. 4, Palacio de los Deportes, Heredia, www.ayudemos.com. Donations can be made to Banco de Costa Rica account 12345-5, or by text message in amounts of ¢1,000 (dial 2030), ¢2,000 (2032), ¢5,000 (2035) or ¢9,000 (2039).
Annual Nativity Scene Contest: Enroll by Dec. 6; award ceremony with choir recital, Dec. 18, 5 p.m., José Figueres Ferrer Cultural Center, San Ramón, Alajuela, 2447-2381, ccehjff@ice.co.cr.
Arte Hoy International Art Fair: With approximately 150 national and international artists, Dec. 8-12, Avenida Escazú shopping mall, Escazú.
Embrujarte Art Fair: With approximately 200 artists, Dec. 8-13, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., soccer field, San Rafael de Escazú, 2280-9121, 8383-3518.
Christmas Fair: Workshops, gift fair, Dec. 9, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Crowne Plaza Hotel Corobicí, 2291-8831, navidad @aportasolutions.com.
Nativity Scene of Los Heraldos del Evangelio: 20-minute presentation of small figures in moving dioramas with special effects, Dec. 10-Jan. 10, Mon.-Sat., 3-7 p.m.; Sun., 3-8:30 p.m., Moravia, dark pink house 200 m west, 75 m south of Club La Guaria main entrance, 2235-5410.
Festival of Lights: Companies and organizations compete to construct the most elaborate illuminated floats in a parade with band music, Dec. 11, 6 p.m., from National Gymnasium, La Sabana Park, along Paseo Colón and Av. 2, San José.
Christmas Concert by National Youth Symphony Orchestra: Dec. 17-18, 7:30 p.m., Melico Salazar Theater.
Zapote Traditional Fair: Rides, food, games, concerts, bullfights, Dec. 25-Jan. 3, Zapote.
Tope Horse Parade: Dec. 26, 1 p.m., Paseo Colón, San José.
