If you are looking for fun things to do with the family to help celebrate the season, the North Central community is playing host to a wealth of both free and low-cost activities. Here are just a few, listed below:

     Crystal Princess Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, in the south parking lot of John C. Lincoln–North Mountain Hospital, off 3rd Avenue north of Dunlap Avenue. The Crystal Princess will make her annual visit to officially start the 2009 holiday season by conducting the John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony.  Her magic will be set to holiday music. The festive family event is free.

 

Phoenix College Holiday Art Fair, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 9-10 in the Eric Fischl Gallery, Fine Arts Building, Phoenix College, Flower St. & 11th Ave. Student and college personnel artists will be selling a wonderful selection of handmade art and crafts including ceramics, jewelry, paintings, photographs, glass and more. Sales are cash only. Refreshments will be provided. Call 602-285-7283.

     Spend an evening in Old Bethlehem as First United Methodist Church, 5510 N. Central Ave., invites you and your family to visit Bethlehem Village, Dec. 11-12, from 6 to 8 p.m. Imagine a little village that existed long before colored lights, reindeer, or Santa Claus. Cautious Roman soldiers patrol the crowd, shops and shopkeepers inhabit a bustling marketplace, and welcoming cheer abounds. Yet, this village is on the brink of something immense—the birth of one who would forever change the course of human history. This is a free event. Call 602-263-5013.

     Celebrate the third night of Hanukkah at Congregation Merkaz Ha-Iyr’s annual Hanukkah Pasta Party, with pasta, latkes, salad and ice cream sundaes for all! The Pasta Party is set for 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13; a Hanukkah Boutique also will be running during the dinner. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children age 4 and over, and free for 3 and under. Reservations due by Thursday, Dec. 10, at rabbibarb@congregationmerkaz.org , or by calling 602-795-047. Congregation Merkaz Ha-Iyr meets at 7901 N. Central Ave.

     Spin the dreydel, light the candles, sing holiday songs, break open a Hanukkah piñata and eat traditional latkes along with a Mexican dinner (catered by Gourmet Touch), all at Beth El Congregation’s Hanukkah Fiesta, 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. Bring your own menorah and seven candles for sixth-night candle lighting. Beth El is located at 1118 W. Glendale Ave. For cost and reservations, call 602-944-3359, ext. 113, prior to Dec. 10.

     Enjoy two musical entertainments this holiday season at Royal Palms Baptist Church, 8802 N. 19th Ave., offers . The children’s musical, “3 Wise Men & a Baby,” and the adult musical, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” will be featured beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, with a cookie fellowship in between shows. The adult musical will be repeated at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20. All events are free and the community is welcome.

     Holidays at the Heard takes place 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 2-3 at the Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave. The event includes dance and music performances, book signings, fry bread and of course, the museum’s 10 exhibit galleries. Performances are at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Check http:www. heard.org/holidays for a detailed list of programming.