LANCASTER – The Lancaster East, Lancaster and Palmdale congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host the 20th annual Christmas Crèche Art & Music Festival this coming weekend.
The festival runs from Friday, Dec. 6 through Monday, Dec. 9 at the Lancaster East Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 44330 27th Street East in Lancaster. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. each day, with musical performances continuing into the evening.
Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
“With four days packed with live musical performances by ensembles from throughout the Antelope Valley, children’s activities, and over 1,000 crèches from all over the world, this event offers something for everyone,” said Kevin Cordes, President of the Lancaster East Stake. “The festival is a wonderful way to start the Christmas season. We warmly welcome the entire community to join with us in celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
The four-day festival will feature one of the largest displays of nativity scenes in the western United States, as well as more than 50 live musical performances. A wide range of choral groups, musicians, soloists and orchestras will take center stage throughout the festival.
Friday evening’s festivities will also feature the annual High School Choral Festival, in which an estimated 400 students from five local high schools will perform. This year’s festival will include choral groups from Highland, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pete Knight, and Quartz Hill High Schools, in addition to Quartz Hill High School’s band. The Choral Festival begins at 7 p.m., with other musical performances beginning at noon and continuing throughout the afternoon and evening.
On Sunday evening at 5 p.m., attendees will enjoy the Messiah Sing-Along, which provides an opportunity for attendees to get into the Christmas spirit by joining in. The Sing-Along will be led by Lancaster High School choral director, Arthur Miller.
Other performers throughout the festival will include Sacred Heart Children’s Choir and Bell Choir, Antelope Valley Children’s Choir, Antelope Valley College Flute Choir, Donna O Studios, Lancaster United Methodist Chancel Choir, AV Jazz Ensemble, the Oliver Bell Choir, Devotion in Motion-Island Style, Lancaster Community Orchestra, Sunday Night Singers, Summerwinds Woodwind Quintet, and many more.
A variety of children’s activities will be available in a designated Children’s Room. These will include costumes and props to reenact the Nativity Scene, nativity-themed puzzles and games, and other activities.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.avcreche.info.