HOLIDAY EVENTS.

Byline: - Jacqueline Etcheverry

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Hooray for the Holidays: two one-act plays - ``Day of the Dreidl'' and ``The Santa Solution'' - geared toward kids 6 to 11, 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17. Bitter Truth Playhouse, 11050 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. [phone].

revisedJoy to the World: Descanso Gardens gets jolly for the holidays with musical entertainment, enchanted railroad rides, an art show and Santa Claus, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Dec. 10. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada. [phone].

Holiday Lamplight Tours offered by the Heritage Square Museum, Dec. 8, 9 and 10. For reservations, call [phone].

Holiday Gala 2000: The Camarillo Community Theatre presents Truman Capote's ``A Christmas Memory.'' There's also a silent auction and a performance of holiday songs, 8 p.m. Dec. 9. Camarillo Airport Theatre, 330 Skyway Drive. [phone].

Pet Night With Santa: Bring your pets for a picture with St. Nick, 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10. One Colorado, 24 E. Union St., Pasadena. [phone].

Santa's Sleigh Rides through Tierra Rejada Farms. Santa joins families on 20-minute horse-drawn rides, 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 16; 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 17. Registration required. [phone].

Holiday Cruise of Lights, presented by Glendale Community College's Community Education program. Cruise the quiet canals of Huntington Harbor while enjoying the decorated waterside homes, noon to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 16. [phone], Ext. 5015 or 5016.

Family Hanukkah Dinner and Celebration, presented by Shomrei Torah Synagogue, featuring a musical performance by the Mazel-Tones, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 21. 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. [phone].

THEME PARKS

Universal CityWalk glides into the holiday season with an outdoor skating rink and regular snowfalls. There are also thousands of lights, Christmas trees and live holiday entertainment through Jan. 7. Universal CityWalk is located off the Hollywood Freeway (101) at either the Universal Center Drive or Lankershim Boulevard exit. [phone].

Knott's Merry Farm, features Berry Merry Lights, Snoopy's 12 Days of Christmas on Ice, performances of ``A Christmas Carol'' and ``Gift of the Magi,'' Santa's Animated Workshop and more. Bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more and receive free admission Dec. 9 and 10. Knott's Merry Farm runs through Jan. 7. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. [phone].

Winter Wonderland and Valley Snow Park: Take a tour through Candyland, play in a snowfield and jump in inflated bouncers. Also, visit the Gingerbread House and meet the Snow King and Queen and Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The park is open Friday through Sunday until Dec. 10. Daily Dec. 15 to Jan. 1. [phone].

Reindeer Romp at the L.A. Zoo: Celebrate the season with a real live reindeer and other holiday attractions. Santa Claus will visit on weekends through Jan. 1. 5333 Zoo Drive, Griffith Park. [phone].

DECK THE MALLS

Oak Park Shopping Center celebrates the season with strolling musical groups, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Free photos with Santa at Andi's Hallmark during the special Open House, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 9. For a full schedule of holiday events, log onto: www.oakparkshoppingcenter.com.

The Oaks Shopping Center brings holiday cheer as musical entertainers and holiday carolers stroll the mall daily through Dec. 19. [phone].

Burbank Media City Center hosts a number of holiday events. There will be carolers to entertain holiday shoppers. The Angel Tree-Adopt a Child program invites costumers to purchase a gift for kids and the Salvation Army will deliver it. [phone].

MUSICAL MERRIMENT

The Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus and the Harmony Oaks chorus join for a performance of holiday favorites, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 9. Newbury Park High School Performing Arts Center, 456 Reino Road, Thousand Oaks. [phone].

Christmas in Song 2000: the Music Department of the Metropolitan Church in the Valley, with special guests the Alchemy Handbell Ensemble and the Hot Cross Nuns, rings in the holiday, 7 p.m. Dec. 10. Glendale High School Auditorium, 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale. [phone].

American Youth Symphony, conducted by music director Alexander Treger and assistant conductor Mario Miragliotta, presents a program of classical fare and Viennese waltzes, 8 p.m. Dec. 10. UCLA Royce Hall, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. [phone].

Celebrate the Season, a Christmas Concert, 8 p.m. Dec. 14. 36th Church of Christ. Scientist, 4032 Whitsett Ave., Studio City. [phone].

Pierce Symphonic Winds perform a special holiday concert, featuring Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, and works by Maslanka, Sousa and Strauss, 2 p.m. Dec. 17. [phone].

Christmas Carol Concert: the St. James Early Music Ensemble plays medieval carols and french horn player Heidi Kepper, 3:45 p.m. Dec. 19. St. James Presbyterian Church, 19414 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. [phone].

JOY OF GIVING

San Fernando Christmas Basket Program needs toys for kids (infant to 14 years) and money for food. Drop off or mail donations to the San Fernando Police Department, 910 First St., by Dec. 15. Checks can be made payable to the San Fernando Police Advisory Council. Call Julie at [phone] or Mike at [phone] for more information.

Child and Family Guidance Center is collecting gifts, toys, cash, gift certificates and canned goods to benefit abused and emotionally troubled children. Drop donations at 9650 Zelzah Ave., Northridge, by Dec. 11. [phone].

Jokers Paradise, a Valley band, and eight other bands present a Toys for Tots benefit, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dec. 16. McReds Cocktail Lounge, 13235 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. [phone].

Los Angeles Federal Credit Union will be collecting for the ``Toys for Tots'' drive. Bring new, unwrapped toys to LAFCU's Van Nuys, Glendale or Los Angeles Mall location by Dec. 18. [phone], Ext. 610.

Children's Lifesaving Foundation and Arts in Education Aid Council is collecting unwrapped children's arts and crafts kits suitable for solitary play. Bring donations to Corbin Bowl, 19616 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, until Dec. 15. [phone].

Holiday Book Drive, to benefit Friends of the Family's ``Family Read'' program. Pick up a child's name tag from TM Salon (14021 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks) or at Barnes & Noble in Encino and redeem it for a book. The drive runs through Dec. 24. [phone].

University of California Medical Center is collecting toys for hospitalized children. Bring new, unwrapped gifts to 1200 N. State St., Room 1817 in Los Angeles. [phone].

Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive, organized by KABC-TV and supported by the Los Angeles Fire Department. Bring or mail toys to California Consumer Credit, 2500 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000, in Los Angeles until Dec. 22. [phone], Ext. 19 or 40. Hollywood Winter Wonderland, one block east of Highland on Hollywood, will also take donations until Dec. 24.

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Six Flags Magic Mountain, KTLA, KVEA, KSCA-FM and KLVE-FM join forces for the ``Toys for Tots'' drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more to Magic Mountain for free admission Dec. 11 and 12. [phone].

Gingerbread Giving Tree at the Oaks Shopping Center gives shoppers a chance to drop unwrapped gifts off for needy children through Dec. 22. 222 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. [phone].

Los Angeles Youth Network is collecting items for teens and young adults. Their holiday wish list includes pajamas, underwear, T-shirts, hair-care products, etc. 1754 Taft Ave., Los Angeles. [phone].