The Nativity Festival at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 428 North Erie Street, downtown Toledo, will open Friday, November 26 and run through December 18, Thursdays and Fridays, 4-7 p.m., and Saturdays, noon-4 p.m.
The festival will feature more than 300 nativities from around the world, on loan from area residents. The nativities will be situated among decorated trees and tablescapes.
A map will guide visitors throughout the large building, where nine decorated rooms each hold a different Christmas theme.
The sanctuary pays homage to Handel’s “Messiah,” and the parlor decor includes hydrangeas, birds and natural resources. The Resource Room holds a chronological display of nativities and Christmas tablescapes from 1223 through the 1980s.
Three balcony rooms are staged with different themes. One pays homage to Swedish traditions and the celebration of Santa Lucia. Another highlights nativities from South America, where clay, wood, basket and beadwork are exhibited.
Guests can stop in the Weaving Room and view the results of several community weaving projects, a tree made by Unruly Arts and high school youth woven ornaments on CDs. Haitian nativities made from paper and pop cans are also on display.
HeART Gallery holds 22 trees, each surrounded by a global representation of creches from Italy, Germany, Russia, Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia and others.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will pay a visit on Saturday, December 5, from noon to 4 p.m.
Concerts held during the festival are Sunday, November 28, at 4:30 p.m., with the 100 voice Toledo Choral Society presenting their annual “Messiah” with 16 piece chamber orchestra. Tickets can be purchased through their website at www.toledo choralsociety .org. The closing concert “Candlelight Renaissance,” will be held Sunday, December 19, at 4:00 p.m., featuring the Academy Brass Quintet, organ and handbell music. Slide and stories of Christmas traditions past and present will accompany the program.
Parking is adjacent to the church, which is handicap accessible. Masks should be worn.
For questions, or information on reserving a narrated walk for groups, please call Kate Philabaum at 419- 270-3224 or email kate@stpaulstoledo.org.