Drive Through Nativity

Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene will host ‘Come to the Light’ this week. This is an annual living drive thru nativity offered by the church, located at 1700 W. F St., Oakdale. The event is open to the public free of charge and will be open from Friday, Dec. 18 to Sunday, Dec. 20. The nativity is available for viewing from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

Last Chance For Tours

Candlelight tours of the McHenry Mansion will be available on Friday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 20. Tours begin at 5 p.m. and the last tour leaves at 8:30 p.m. During the tours, visitors will see docents dressed in period clothing demonstrating Victorian life as it was during the holidays. One might see popcorn stringing, musicians, a gingerbread house being decorated and much more. The Mansion is beautifully decorated for Christmas as it would have looked in the 1880s. The fee for this event is $5. McHenry Mansion is at 15th and I streets in Modesto.

Christmas Programs Slated

Big Valley Grace Community Church will host several Christmas events this month. There will be special services on Thursday, Dec. 17 and Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The program features music from the Big Valley Grace Choir, Orchestra and Band, special media elements and a presentation of the Christmas story set to music. Christmas Eve gathering will be Thursday, Dec. 24 at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The church is at 4040 Tully Road, Modesto.

Columbia ‘Carol’

Enjoy a special version of the classic ‘Christmas Carol’ on stage now through Dec. 20 with performances Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.; Thursdays at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. Sierra Repertory Theatre presents this brand new adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic with A Columbia Christmas Carol, recreating the English tale in a heart-warming Gold Rush story set in Columbia during the 1860s, playing at the Fallon House Theatre. For tickets and information, visit www.sierrarep.org or call the Box Office at 209-532-3120. Tickets range from $28 to $45 depending on date and time, with senior and student discounts available