ThursdayFridaySaturday1 n Gospel music and African-American food, arts and crafts will be part of California Lutheran University's Kwanzaa celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Thousand Oaks campus. Info: 493-3323.

n Bands and glittering floats highlight Oxnard's Hometown Holidays Christmas Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. at Ninth and A streets. Info: 247-0197.

n Later today, Old Town Camarillo ushers in the season with its own holiday celebration, from 5 to 9 p.m. Tree lighting is at 6 p.m. near the clock tower.2 n The Las Posadas Christmas story is told on the CLU campus in Thousand Oaks at 7 p.m. Call 493-3323.

n Tour four Camarillo homes on the Meadowlark Service League's 29th annual Holiday Home Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Info: 388-5436.

n Four Conejo Valley homes are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the Wellness Community's 16th annual Holiday Homes Tour. Info: 379-4777.

n Downtown Ventura's holiday street fair runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info: 654-7749; 654-7830.3 4n DVD releases include "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," "Superbad" and "The Nanny Diaries."

n CD releases include "Audio Day Dream" by "American Idol" runner-up Blake Lewis and "Elton John: Elton 60 — Live at Madison Square Garden."

n A new Burt Bacharach-Hal David musical opens for a week at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Curtains rise on "Love Sweet Love" at 8 p.m. Info: 583-8700.

n CLU's World AIDS Day event, at 7 p.m., includes a talk, vigil and art exhibit. Info: 493-3694.

5 n It's the first full day of Hanukkah, which began at nightfall Dec. 4 and lasts for eight days and nights.

n California Lutheran University holds a Hanukkah celebration at 4:30 p.m. Info: 493-3323.6 n Take a break from holiday shopping and check out the work of five prominent local artists at the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery in Newbury Park. "Five Artists Painting" runs through Dec. 30. Info: 818-991-6158.

n Ventura College choirs perform Schubert's Mass in G and other classics, as well as cutting-edge selections, during their holiday concert at Church of the Foothills in Ventura; it begins at 7 p.m. Info: 654-6462. 7 n This date will forever "live in infamy," as quoted by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was president on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor — and hurled the U.S. into World War II.

n In less somber news: A new comedy opens today in theaters; it's "The Amateurs," starring Jeff Bridges.

n You can chow down with Santa Claus on the Fillmore & Western Railway, boarding at 5:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 23. Call 524-2546 for more on "Dinner with Santa."8 n "Under the Sea" is the theme of the 42nd annual Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights. Festivities last from 1 to 9 p.m. www.channelislandsharbor.org. n The Camarillo Christmas Parade marches through Old Town Camarillo at noon.

n The 30th annual Piru Christmas Parade glides through the city at 2 p.m. Info: 320-3035.

n Moscow Nights, a Russian folk trio, performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Matilija Auditorium in Ojai. Info: 646-8907.9 n Museum of Ventura County's Art for the New Millennium exhibit opens, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: 653-0323. n Victorian House Tours in Oxnard's Heritage Square run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: 483-7960.

n The Camarillo Community Band performs its Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. at the Camarillo Community Center Auditorium. Info: 484-8050.

n The Ventura College Master Chorale sings "The Spirit of Christmas" at 4:30 p.m. at the San Buenaventura Mission. Info: 654-6462.10 n The Sugar Plum Fairy tiptoes across the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center stage at 7 p.m. in "The Nutcracker." Info: 582-2598.11 n DVD releases include "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

n CD releases include "Taking Chances" by Celine Dion and the "Oh By The Way" boxed set by Pink Floyd.12 n Today's festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe is among the most important dates on the Mexican calendar. Thousands gather for a pilgrimage to Mexico City's Basilica of Guadalupe, where the image of la Virgen Morena (the dark virgin) is kept.

n Closer to home, you can light up your holiday celebration at 6 p.m. today and Dec. 19, when the Holly Trolley rolls through historic downtown Oxnard. Riders will gather together to sing carols and tour the decorated homes. Reservations: 385-2705.13 n Stroll down Oxnard's Christmas Tree Lane, along F and G streets. The homes are alight from 6 to 10 nightly. Info: 800-269-6273.14 n A double-decker bus will roll through the Conejo Valley today to judge the first home-decorating contest called Holiday Homes, sponsored by the Conejo Recreation and Park District. To register your address, call 381-2793.

n "Polar Express" is the theme of Ventura Harbor's 31st annual Parade of Lights at 7 p.m., followed by a fireworks display. Also Dec. 15. Info: 477-0470.

n "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "The Kite Runner" open in theaters.15 n For your seasonal dose of Dickens, try the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark's presentation of "Marley's Ghost," based on the classic novel "A Christmas Carol," at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 and 8 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23. Tickets: 529-8700.

n The Pacific Festival Ballet Company's "Nutcracker" is on stage today and Dec. 16 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Tickets: 583-8700.16 n Internationally renowned barbershop chorus Pacific Sound fills the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center with holiday songs at 7:30 p.m. Info: 583-7900.

n All aboard the Christmas Tree train at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekend days through Dec. 23. Call the Fillmore & Western Railway at 524-2546.17 18 n DVD releases include "Balls of Fury" and "The Simpsons Movie."

n CD releases include "Back to Basics: Live" by Christina Aguilera and "Growing Pains" by Mary J Blige.

n "103 Years of Songs from Peter Pan: A Magical Musical Tour" hits the stage at 8 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Theatre. Info: 966-4946.1920 n Laugh away holiday stress with "A Tuna Christmas" at 7 p.m. at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. Tickets: 583-7900 or www.simi-arts.org.

21 n The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, at nine hours and 33 minutes; the sun comes up at 7:20 and sets at 4:53.

n The All-American Ballet opens its "Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. at the Ventura College Theatre. Tickets: 650-6316.

n "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" opens in theaters.

n For a new twist on "A Christmas Carol," go see "Inspecting Carol" at 8 p.m. at Ojai's Theater 150. Info: 646-4300.22 n Take the family to see "A Dickens Radio Christmas" at the Santa Paula Theater Center at 8 p.m. Tickets: 525-4645.

n The Moorpark Civic Ballet's "Nutcracker" lights up the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza at 2 and 7 p.m. Call 529-1958.23n It's the final performance of "You Can't Take It With You," a holiday comedy at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura. Call 667-2900 or visit www.rubicontheatre.org.24n Christmas Eve. Go to sleep, kids. Santa's on his way.

25n Merry Christmas. Christians today celebrate the birth of Christ — and the glory of gifts.26 n African American culture and family are celebrated during Kwanzaa, which begins today and lasts through Jan. 1.

n DVD releases include "Rush Hour 3."27 n Help find out who stole the Magi's gold in the interactive comedy "Sister's Christmas Catechism" at 7:30 p.m. Thousand Civic Arts Plaza. Info: 449-2787

n "Cheap Trick" rocks The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills at 8:45 p.m. Tickets: 818-879-5016. 28 n "Cassandra's Dream" opens in theaters.29 n The vintage rock group War performs at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills at 8:45 p.m. Tickets: 818-879-1516.

n Get ready to be the life of the New Year's Eve party at Ventura Theatresports' comedy improv workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ventura's Livery Theatre. Info: 643-5701.

30n Train enthusiasts might want to check out A Very Merry Model Train Exhibit at the Santa Paula Union Oil Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info: 933-0076. 31n It's New Year's Eve!

n Dine and dance in the new year aboard the Fillmore & Western Railway, boarding at 7:30 p.m. Call 524-2546.