It’s the time of year for Christmas pageants and concerts, and they can be found in abundance at local schools. Many schools have already had their performances, and some are still on the schedule as the spirit of Christmas is celebrated.

St. Francis Xavier Kindergarten and Montessori performed a traditional Christmas pageant Dec. 5. The children dressed as angels, shepherds and animals and sang and danced during the presentation.

“Each year, the preschool, Montessori and kindergarten classes present their version of ‘The Christmas Story.’ It is a sweet traditional story. It consists of the usual nativity characters with added sneaky sheep, twinkle stars and happy birthday shepherds,” Director Caroline Gatling said,

St. Aloysius High School hosted a Fine Arts Winter Showcase, Tuesday. The Showcase featured a visual art show, along with presentations from choral music, band and performing arts classes. Students exhibited drawings, paintings and ceramics. The band played several selections and students sang and danced, dressed in festive Christmas attire.

“It’s so special to showcase these incredibly talented students,” art teacher Ashley Davidson said. “To see their hard work from the semester be shared with their parents and peers is so rewarding. It was a fantastic way to usher in the holiday season by celebrating all the arts at Vicksburg Catholic School.”

Porter’s Chapel choir presented a Christmas program Friday at the school. Wyn Pratt, choir director at the school, said the choir presented a traditional Christmas pageant sing-along.

Bovina Elementary Choir, directed by Desi Goodson, performed Christmas music at Bovina Baptist Church’s Season of Joy program.

“Bovina Elementary has such an enormous crowd for the Christmas performance that we perform at the church,” Goodson said. “It was standing room only.”

Some of the musical selections included “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “There’s Someone in the Chimney.”

“While teaching music during the Christmas season is a whirlwind of rehearsals, set decorations, sound checks and costumes, we absolutely love our jobs,” Goodson said. “Christmas gets people with all kinds of diverse backgrounds and interests to come together and celebrate with beautiful music. It’s usually the highlight of a music educator’s year.”

The Vicksburg High School Choirs presented its Christmas Concert Tuesday. The presentation was directed by Erika Wheeler. The choirs sang sacred and Christmas songs, said Nancy Robertson, fine arts district curriculum director.

Wheeler said the choir performed at Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church. She said they typically like to perform Christmas concerts at churches, where the decor and atmosphere provide a more intimate setting.

“We performed a Bethlehem Spiritual, ‘I Heard the Bells,’ and ‘Season of Light,’ among others,” Wheeler said. Wheeler added she and the kids enjoy performing Christmas music during the holiday season. Wheeler said guests enjoy it, too, as evidenced by the large turnout this year.

Warren Central High School will present Val-Holly Days Holiday Spectacular Tuesday. Richard Culpepper, assistant choir director, said the choir will perform a variety of sacred and secular music from 6 until 8 p.m. at the school. There will also be performances from the AOI Choir, the Jazz Band, Warren Central choirs and the theater group.

In addition to performances, there will be a Christmas Marketplace event this year.

“We’re taking a trip to Disneyworld next semester,” Culpepper said. “We’re also raising money for new sound equipment for our Pop Acapella group. We travel, and they don’t always have enough microphones for everyone, so we’re trying to get our own equipment. Then, (the money raised will) help the students with fees and general things. We’ll have a hot chocolate station. We’ll have a table selling knitted hats and scarfs. We’ll also have jam, pickles and bake sale items. We will also have a raffle with gift cards donated from several local businesses.”

Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Bowmar Elementary has several performances coming up. The Honor Choir will present Holly Jolly Jukebox Wednesday, followed by Night Under the Lights Thursday evening and Gotta Be Jazz Friday. They are led by choir director Angela Chapin.

Redwood Elementary School’s third grade will present a musical Tuesday titled Christmas at the O.K. Corral. They are led by choral director Naomi Short. Warrenton Elementary’s first- and second-grade choirs will present The Mice Before Christmas Friday during the school day, led by choral director Destinee King. Sherman Avenue’s first graders will perform A Phonics Holiday Night Wednesday during school hours, led by choral director Jermaine Jackson.