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The River of Lights display is on, again, brightening the holiday season at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden.

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Thanksgiving has ended, which only means one thing: Christmas is just around the corner.

Today, The Tribune provides a list of holiday events that will allow you to take a break from the mall madness and actually enjoy the magic of Christmas in and around Albuquerque.

From traditional events like taking a luminaria tour to less traditional events like doing a 5K run lit by holiday lights, there is a little bit of something for everyone.

Daily events:

River of Lights: Bundle up and bring the kids to see the Christmas lights display at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. N.W. $2-$6. Children 12 and under are free.

Every night through Dec. 30, except Dec. 24 and 25. For information, call 764-6212.

Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays:

Read with Santa: Children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and have their picture taken with Santa. Beginning Dec. 5, Wednesdays at 11 a.m; 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Runs through Dec. 23. Page One Bookstore, 11018 Montgomery Blvd. N.E. Free. 294-2026.

Walk-through Nativity Display: More than 100 nativity scenes from around the world. 3 to 6 p.m. Sandia Presbyterian Church Family Life Center, 10704 Paseo del Norte N.E. Free. 856-5040.

Friday and Saturday:

Enchanted Mesa Show Chorus: A cappella Christmas concert. 7 p.m. Friday; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd. N.E. $10. Children 12 and under are admitted free. 243-7834.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday:

Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival: The juried festival features more than 200 national artists and craftsmen, demonstrations, entertainment, food and fun. Expo New Mexico, 6613 Central Ave. N.E. 292-7457.

"The Gift of the Magi": Musical adaptation of O Henry's Christmas story. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Adobe Theater, 9813 Fourth St. N.W. Through Dec. 16. $10-$12. Call 898-9222 for more information.

"It's a Wonderful Life": Stage play of Frank Capra's film. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Albuquerque Little Theater, 224 San Pasquale Ave. S.W. $10-$22. For more information, call 242-4750. Through Dec. 23.

"Nutcracker on the Rocks": A rock ''''''n' roll remake of the holiday classic. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth St. N.W. $16-$28. Call 724-4771 for more information.

"A Tuna Christmas": A play about a dysfunctional family celebrating Christmas in a small town. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 23. $12. 247-8600.

Saturday:

Casa de San Ysidro Holiday Open House: Music, holiday refreshments and children's activities. Casa San Ysidro, 972 Old Church Road in Corrales. The celebration is 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. 897-8828.

De Profundis: Men's choir performs an a cappella program of Christmas and Hanukkah music and a setting of Buddhist scripture. 7:30 p.m. Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle Blvd. S.E. $10-$15. 301-5611.

La Rondella: Traditional New Mexican Christmas songs. 2 p.m. Main Library, 501 Copper Ave. N.W. Free. 768-5141.

Saturday and Sunday:

The Nutcracker Ballet with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra: Holiday ballet at Popejoy Hall, University of New Mexico campus. Call 277-3824 for show times and additional information. Also Dec. 7-9.

Handel's "Messiah": Performance by choirs, vocal soloists and members of the Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra, Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra and other instrumentalists. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. First United Methodist Church, 314 Lead Ave. S.W. Tickets are $12. 243-5646.

Symphony Orchestra of Albuquerque and Symphony Chorus: Program includes selections from Handel's "Messiah" and Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker." Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, 2532 Vermont St. N.E. 3 p.m. Sunday at John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge N.E. On Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at Tramway Community Church, 4800 Tramway Ridge Drive N.E. 296-6009.

Sunday

Hanukkah Festival: Food, bands, holiday music and family activities. Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. 332-0565.

Dec. 6:

Shop & Stroll in Historic Nob Hill: More than 50 shops and restaurants will be open during the annual shopping event. 255-5006.

Dec. 7

Holiday Stroll in Old Town: People can enjoy live entertainment, dancers, family activities and meet Santa Claus. The giant Christmas tree will also be lit at Plaza Don Luis. Free.

Mariachi Christmas: Enjoy Mexican Christmas music from Mariachi Los Galleros de San Antonio. Ballet Folkl¢rico Paso del Norte will dance in festive costumes. $37, $27, $23. 7:30 p.m. Popejoy Hall, University of New Mexico campus.

Dec. 8

Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice holiday dance: The event will feature New Mexican holiday foods, fair-trade coffee, arts, crafts and dancing. 7 p.m. Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista Drive S.E. $8-$10. 268-9557.

Dec. 16

New Mexico Farolito (Trail of Lights) 5K: Holiday run/walk on a course lit by holiday lights near the Albuquerque Academy area, 6400 Wyoming Blvd. N.E.

Dec. 24

Luminaria Tour: Visitors will ride ABQ Ride buses and tour the city's neighborhoods lighted by luminarias. The buses will take off from The Pit, at Avenida C‚sar Ch vez and University Boulevard Southeast. Tour times are 5:20, 5:45, 6:10, 7:15 and 7:40 p.m. $7. 843-9200.