Butler Little Theatre will stage "The Miracle Worker" by William Gibson from Friday through Dec. 5 at the theater at One Howard St.

Curtain is at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays.

Tickets are $10; call 724-287-6781 between 7 and 9 p.m. or visit the Web site, www.bltgroup.org.

SLIPPERY ROCK — The Old Stone House presents "A Civil War Christmas" from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6 at the historic site on Route 8 near its intersection Routes 173 and 528.The free public program will highlight the traditions, music and culture of Christmas in 19th-century America.The event, presented in partnership with Mercer's 10th Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Company, will include historical re-enactments and activities inside the holiday atmosphere of the Stone House. Light refreshments will be served.All activities are free; any donations will benefit the Old Stone House, which is owned and managed by Slippery Rock University.For more information, visit the Web site, www.oldstonehousePA.org.

PENN TWP — A Hosanna! Holiday Celebration will take place on Dec. 12 in the Penn Christian Academy auditorium, 198 W. Airport Road.Seatings will be at noon and 5 p.m.The show will be "I'll Be Home for Christmas," a musical about family and hope during World War II.The dinner menu will include blueberry salad, ham balls, baked potatoes, broccoli in cheese sauce, stuffing balls, pumpkin cake and beverages.Cost is $20 per adult and $7 per child age 10 or younger.Reservations are due by Dec. 8. Tickets are available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St. Call 724-586-0042 or 724-287-8362.

NEW CASTLE — For a 19th season, Butler resident Harry Cunningham will direct the New Castle Music Club Chorus in its 69th annual presentation of Handel's "Messiah."The year's performance will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Parish, formerly St. Lucy's church, at 1 Lucymont Drive.Singing the alto solos will be Butler resident Camille O'Connor.Admission is free, though donations are accepted to help defray production costs. Visit the Web site, www.ncmusicclubchorus.org, for more information.

The Trinity Jazz Orchestra, a nonprofit, professional repertory jazz orchestra, will present a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at First English Lutheran Church, Main and Brady Streets.Admission is free.The group is made up of music educators and other professional musicians.

ZELIENOPLE — The Strand Theater will be the site of "An Inspirational Christmas" at 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the theater, 119 N. Main St.Churches will present an evening of glory and praise music, putting the "Christ" back in Christmas.Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and younger. Small children who can sit on their parents laps are admitted free.To confirm the program or for more information, call 724-742-0400.

HAMPTON TWP, Allegheny County — Rite Aid hosts the annual Celebration of Lights on display now at Hartwood Acres, 215 Saxonburg Blvd.The 3.5-mile stretch of holiday lights, now in its 18th year, benefits the Salvation Army and other Allegheny County charities.More than two million lights will be used to illuminate the characters ranging in height from 3- to 40-feet, including an elf-driven race car and tributes to Pittsburgh's football and hockey teams, both new this year.A $12 donation per carload is requested, or $5 per person for for-profit making buses and $3 per person for nonprofit buses and RVs.The displays will continue through Jan. 3. Event hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 6 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. More information is available at www.riteaid.com.

PITTSBURGH — For a new twist on traditional carols, take in the National Aviary's Holiday Bird Show, taking place at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20.In this presentation, many of the aviary's most popular birds will make appearances in conjunction with their favorite carols, including "Duck the Halls," "I'm Dreaming of a White Chicken," and "Ruby the Red-feathered Macaw." Guests can sing along and learn bird trivia and fun facts.The program is included in general admission, which is $10 for adults; $9 for senior citizens; $8.50 for children age 2 and older; and free for children younger than 2.For more information, call 412-323-7235 or visit the Web site, www.aviary.org.

PITTSBURGH — Home for Christmas, a variety show performed by Pittsburgh native Mark Milovats, will go on at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St.Tickets range from $24.50 to $37.50 and are available by calling 412-456-6666 or online at www.pgharts.org.Milovats describes his show as "a cool, quick swing into new nostalgia." Guests include the Santa Belle Dancers, The Vat Pack Orchestra, former Steeler Rocky Bleier, the Duquesne University Dance Team and a children's choir.For more information, visit www.markmilovats.com.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Opera will host a free piano recital by the head of music and assistant conductor Glenn Lewis at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at the opera headquarters, 2425 Liberty Ave.He will perform selections from Bach, Gershwin and more. A complimentary reception will follow.Admission is free. Call 412-281-0912.

OIL CITY — The Friends of Oil Creek State Park will present a winter bird feeder program from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Oil Creek State Park amphitheater.Participants will make hanging feeders using recycled materials to take home. Audubon Society speaker Kathy Goodblood will present a slide show on "Seeds and Who Eats Them."A $5 donation will help pay for the materials. Call 814-676-5915 for more information.

MUNHALL — Swing City Orchestra will present its 2009 Christmas Spectacular, an all ages show, at 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Carnegie Library Music Hall, 510 E. 10th Ave.The doors will open at 7 p.m.Seats range in price from $18 to 23 and are available by calling 412-368-5225 or by visiting the Web site, www.librarymusichall.com.