Heritage Village, the Florida Botanical Gardens and the Gulf Coast Museum of Art are teaming up to offer a free holiday event for the whole family called Seasonal Sensations from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Pinewood Cultural Park in Largo. You can tour decorated pioneer and Victorian homes, watch Katie Adams' Make Believe Theater, listen to storytellers and make an ornament at the Holiday Craft Station (small materials fee will apply). Activities at the Florida Botanical Gardens/Pinellas County Extension include a 4-H apple bake-off and a craft fair. There also will be a display of G-scale and Lego trains, a butterfly parade, holiday plant care advice and more. At 10:30 a.m. at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art, there will be a showing of Miracle on 34th Street followed by The Gift of Art at 7 p.m. ($5 for non-members). Pinewood Cultural Park is at 12175 125th St. N, Largo. For information, call (727) 582-2200.

The Nutcracker

The Florida Gulf Coast Ballet Company will present its annual "Nutcracker Holiday" show at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday at the Largo Cultural Center. The show will feature Act II of the Nutcracker ballet and original works by Daniel Deal, who joined the company as resident choreographer and ballet instructor a few years ago following a career as a professional dancer. Artistic directors of the non-profit company are Mary Devine and Roni Wright. Tickets are $12 for adults and teenagers, $5 for children age 3 to 12. They can be purchased the day of the performance or in advance by calling the Largo Cultural Center box office at 587-6793.

Another Nutcracker

The Miami City Ballet and The Florida Orchestra star in this holiday favorite spiced with Tschaikovsky's mesmerizing score blends with Balanchine's famed choreography at 8 p.m. tonight, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday at Ruth Eckerd Hall. In one magical night, giant mice duel with toy soldiers, vibrant flowers dance and a Sugar Plum Fairy rules a marzipan castle. Tickets are $20-$38. For information, call (727) 791-7400.

Next Big Thing

97X's Next Big Thing concert featuring 16, count 'em, 16, bands starts at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater. For $20, you can see Everclear, Our Lady Peace, Cypress Hill, Blindside, Authority Zero, Finch, The Used, SR-71, Something Corporate, N*E*R*D, Ok Go, Earshot, Bowling for Soup, Unwritten Law, Rudesquad and 2nd Day Broadcast. The show ends at 10:45 p.m. You can get advance tickets through Ticketmaster. For information, call (727) 217-9797.

Happenings

HOLIDAY STROLL AND TREE LIGHTING: All that's missing is snow flurries at Largo Central Park this weekend. But there are 75,000 lights and decorations you can enjoy from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and Saturday. Free holiday entertainment and music.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE: The Rotary Club of Largo serves up this annual tradition as a fundraiser to benefit local youth from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive. More than 24 local restaurants will offer their best chocolate treats. $15 in advance, $20 day of event. Call (727) 587-6793

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: A Christian holiday concert will take place at 7 p.m. today at Coachman Park, downtown Clearwater. Call (727) 562-4800.

ART SHOW: The 28th annual Palm Harbor Fine Arts, Crafts and Music Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7-8 along Omaha and Delaware streets. More than 30,000 people flock to this juried show every year to browse the booths of at least 200 artists. Admission is $1. Live entertainment and activities.

HOLIDAY TOUR: The Safety Harbor Museum's 2nd annual Holiday Home Tour is from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for children. Call (727) 726-1668.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN: The jolly man in the red suit will greet children from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Largo Central Park, corner of East Bay Drive and Seminole Boulevard. Have your photo taken with Santa for $3. Call (727) 587-6775.

WINTER WONDERLAND: The Church of Scientology's annual Winter Wonderland opens at 1 p.m. Saturday with free pony rides, a skating rink, petting zoo and entertainment at the corner of Drew Street and Fort Harrison Avenue in downtown Clearwater. Santa will arrive at 7 p.m. Organizers ask that you bring an unwrapped toy or canned foods for needy families.

ART SHOW: A wide variety of art forms and styles will be for sale at the Professional Association of Visual Artists exhibit through Jan. 15 at the Octagon Art Center, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater. An opening reception will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight. There will be music and light refreshments. Call (727) 938-2236.

GLASS ART: You can still catch an exhibit featuring the glasswork of Victor Chiarizia running through Saturday at Syd Entel Galleries/Susan Benjamin Glass, etc., 247 Main St., Safety Harbor. The hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

MUSIC: Lauren Pelon traces the story of music and instruments throughout history by singing and performing on at least 20 instruments, many of which are unfamiliar to modern audiences during the "Living Roots of Music" at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St. Admission is $13; $11 for center members and students. Call (727) 942-5605.

HOLIDAY CHOIR: Enjoy a musical yuletide feast by the Shepherd Chorale at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St. Celebrate the winter solstice with songs, stories, colorful costumes, madrigals and carols by the Shepherd Chorale of Dunedin, under the direction of Carol Skinner Alexander. Join the chorale at the wassail bowl after the concert. Admission is $13; $11 for center members and students. Call (727) 942-5605.

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