The festive activities that surround the holidays are all over town this weekend.  Town celebrations including Millburn’s Snowflake Parade, Maplewood’s Dickens Village, and South Orange’s Tree Lighting with Santa kick off the season. Holiday concerts and plays will keep you entertained, as will classic readings by the fire.  Read on for the details of these events and others.  Feel free to add your own suggestions for weekend entertainment in the Comments section.

St. Rose of Lima, Short Hills Presents The Masterwork Chorus in Rarely-Performed Works

The Masterwork Chorus will perform Michael Haydn’s Missa Sancti Hieronymi, and Ottorino Respighi’s charming and colorful Laud to the Nativity at St. Rose of Lima Church. These lesser-known works will highlight soloists soprano Justine Aronson; mezzo soprano Melissa Attebury; tenor Marcio de Oliveira; and bass-baritone Scott Purcell, under the baton of Andrew Megill, Music Director.  $35; Friday at 8 p.m.; Short Hills

Dickens Village 2011

The annual Dickens Village will open Saturday at 1 p.m. with the arrival of Santa and the opening of the Village houses for viewing. Holiday readings by local celebrities follows at 3 p.m. and community entertainment at 4 p.m.  At 4:45 p.m. is the traditional reading by Vice Mayor Kathy Leventhal, then the lighting of the tree. Free; Saturday starting at 1 p.m.; Maplewood

“It’s A Wonderful Life – The Radio Play” - The Theater Project

The Theater will present its holiday to audiences at the Burgdorff with Liz Zazzi’s “It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play”. A pre-show singalong begins at 2:45pm.  The Theater Project’s company of local professional actors will recreate the Lux Radio Theater circa 1947 as twelve actors, a musician and one extremely overworked sound technician prepare for the broadcast of the story made famous in the Frank Capra film of the same name. Children are free, adults $15; Saturday at 2:45 p.m.; Maplewood

Santa Arrives in South Orange and Tree Lighting

Have your picture taken with Santa from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  at the firehouse and enjoy hot cocoa and refreshments provided by The Village and MSSO.  At 5 p.m. the merry old elf arrives at 76 South Orange Avenue by fire truck to attend the Village tree lighting.  The lighting is sponsored by Keller Williams Midtown Direct. Seasonal music and refreshments continue to brighten the festivities!  Free; Saturday starting at 3 p.m.; South Orange

Maplewood Glee Club Winter Concert with Special Guest Amanda Grafton

The Maplewood Glee Club, with members from many local towns including Summit, Springfield, Cranford, Union, Chatham, Green Village, Millburn, Short Hills, West Orange, South Orange, and Maplewood, will present their winter concert at Prospect Presbyterian Church. The choir's new director, Gregory Scime, music director at St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Summit and director of Assisi Musica will conduct the group for the first time. There will be a guest appearance by soprano Amanda Grafton, the Club's 2010 scholarship winner. $15 for Students/Seniors and $20 for Adults; Saturday at 8 p.m.; Maplewood

Holiday at the Hearth at Durand-Hedden

The Durand-Hedden House, a historic landmark, is dedicated to telling the story of the development of Maplewood and the surrounding area in new and engaging ways.  Visit on Sunday to watch the preparation of holiday treats that would have been offered to family and friends during the 1800’s.  You may be lucky enough to get a sample!  The House is decorated for the holidays, and live music will play throughout the afternoon. The exhibit, The Maplewood Woman’s Club: A Century of Service to Country and Community will also be on view. Free; Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Maplewood

The Snowflake Parade

Millburn’s annual extravaganza features professional bands and clowns, marching bands, community groups, local dignitaries and much more, including Santa arriving on the Millburn Hook and Ladder. Running along Millburn Avenue between Holmes and Spring Streets, the parade ends at the Courtyard behind Dunkin' Donuts, where Santa will hang around for pictures, while sharing refreshments with the crowd.  The Funny Factory Clown Band will perform.  Free; Sunday at 1:30 p.m.; Millburn

The Nutcracker

Are you looking to share the magic of the Nutcracker with your children or grandchildren, but worry they will not be able to sit through the entire ballet?  Look no further! New York Theatre Ballet's production, choreographed by Keith Michael, is the only hour-long Nutcracker, presented by a professional troupe, in the metro area. Short enough for children, yet sophisticated enough for the most discerning adult. $30-$40; Sunday at 3 p.m.; South Orange

The Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey Free Concert

The Metropolitan Orchestra is beginning its 40^th season with a free concert at Hartshorn Elementary School.  An evening of Mozart, Rossini and Beethoven is expected, featuring special guest Evelyn Estava. Free; Sunday at 3 p.m.; Short Hills

Pizza in Pajamas Party

Temple Sharey Tefilo is hosting a pajama party to celebrate December – eat pizza, milk and cookies while singing and dancing with Big Jeff and the Bouncy People.  Great fun for kids.  Please RSVP to miche­lleschaeffer@­gmail.­com.  $5 at the door; Sunday at 5 p.m.; South Orange

 St. George's Annual Reading of "A Christmas Carol"

Prepare for a cozy evening of reading and/or listening to the classic “A Christmas Carol”, accompanied by plenty of food, drink and a cozy fire at St. George’s Episcopal Church.   This annual treat concludes with plum pudding and a glass of smoking bishop. Please RSVP to Jane.Cates@fitchratings.com.  Free; Sunday at 6 p.m.; Maplewood