MUSEUMS : Celebrating the holiday the old-fashioned way.

For a moment, forget about the troubles and despair of the city and picture this: carolers in Victorian garb, bell ringers, Santa perched atop a carriage, a stately old mansion decorated in all its seasonal splendor.

Sound like the stuff of movies? It may be, but it also depicts what happens every December at the Banning Residence Museum in Wilmington, where a traditional family Christmas of 100 years ago is faithfully recreated with all the sights and sounds.

“Victorian Christmas: A Time of Joy” kicks off the holiday season at the museum Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

In addition to the carolers, bell ringers and Santa, there will be craft and kitchen demonstrations as well as extravagant holiday decorations of lavish trees, fresh greens and flowers, and handmade ornaments.

“Victorian Christmas at Banning is a wonderful time to visit this beautiful house, the stage coach barn and gardens,” said Zoe Bergquist museum director.

There will be entertainment on both days, including a children’s storyteller, the bell ringers, a choral group and a barbershop quartet. There will be a drawing for a handmade gingerbread house and a cake decorating demonstration.

The museum kitchen will feature holiday pudding, gingerbread and wassail.

The Banning residence is a national, city and state historical site built in 1864 by Gen. Phineas Banning, known as the father of Los Angeles Harbor. His 23-room home remains one of the area’s best examples of 19th-century Greek Revival architecture in Southern California.

Since 1974, the house’s interior has been restored, and today 18 rooms are open to the public. The house and surrounding 20 acres were acquired by the city of Los Angeles in 1927. The Department of Recreation and Parks manages the residence, the stagecoach barn and gardens in cooperation with Friends of Banning Park, a private, nonprofit foundation. Friends of Banning Park develops the historical aspects of the museum and raises money for restoration and education programs.

To make a weekend of checking out South Bay museums, consider a side trip to the Muller House Museum in San Pedro on Sunday, where a collection of Christmas ornaments will be on display, including music boxes, glass-blown ornaments more than 60 years old, miniature plates, old books and other collections.

William Muller, born in 1865, was an early shipbuilder in San Pedro and constructed many of the boats used to shuttle people and goods to Santa Catalina Island. Two of his most famous boats were the Hermosa II and Cabrillo.

The Muller residence was built by Edward Mahar in 1899, but the home reflects many of Muller’s own woodworking skills. It has been restored and is filled with period furniture, including some from the original Muller family.

The home was built in the Nob Hill area of San Pedro but was moved to its current location more than 10 years ago.

The Banning Residence Museum is near the Port of Los Angeles at 401 E . M St. in Wilmington. Adults $5 and children under 12 are free. Admission includes a tour of the residence, demonstrations, entertainment and refreshments. All fees benefit the museum education programs. Information: (310) 548-7777.

The Muller House Museum is at 1542 S. Beacon St. in San Pedro. The admission is free and ample parking is available. Open from noon until 4 p.m. the first three Sundays of December. Information : (310) 833-8119.