BEST BETS Saturday 12/16

COSTA MESA

3pm

Music

Pacific Symphony will presents its 20th annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” The guest conductor will be George Manahan, now in this third season as music director of the New York City Opera. The soloists will include soprano Tonna Miller, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Novacek, tenor Gran Wilson and baritone Andrew Wentzel. The Pacific Chorale will be the chorus.

* Pacific Symphony, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. $18 to $52. (Student/senior rush tickets, $12.) (714) 755-5799.

ANAHEIM

8pm

WORLD MUSIC

Time was when a holiday mariachi concert in Orange County was a refreshing change of pace. In the last few years, however, they’ve become more and more an annual tradition. The biggest yet takes place Saturday at the Pond in Anaheim. The lineup for Christmas Mariachi Festival includes Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi Chapala, Mariachi Estrellas de Mexico plus singers Jose Luis “El Puma” Rodriguez, Vikki Carr and Ballet Folclorico.

* Christmas Mariachi Festival, Arrowhead Pond, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 8 p.m. $35 to $65. (562) 695-0509.