Central College welcomes the public to ring in the holiday season with concerts and performances, including the 48th annual Christmas Candlelight Concerts.

Central’s musical ensembles and programs will host seven concerts for the public’s enjoyment. Tickets are available at central.universitytickets.com.

The College Community Orchestra will perform its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. tonight on the Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage, under the direction of John Helmich, adjunct instructor of music. Admission is free.

An Evening of Percussion Music will be at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. The percussion ensemble will be directed by Stan Dahl, senior lecturer of music. Admission is free.

Join the Symphonic Wind Ensemble for an instrumental concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage, under the direction of Brad Lampe, lecturer of music. Admission is free.

The Flying Pans Steel Band Caribbean Christmas Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. Dahl will direct the performance. Admission is $5 or free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers will perform Christmas Candlelight Concerts under the direction of Mark Babcock, a 1991 Central graduate, professor of music and M. Joan Kuyper Farver Endowed Chair in Music. “Peace and Love and Hope Abide” is the theme for this year’s concert. This phrase comes from one of the selections, “This Christmastide” by Donald Fraser.

“Christmastide ushers in a season of wonder, beauty and peace,” Babcock says. “It’s a time when we treasure family, friends and community. A time when we actively pursue peace, generosity and goodwill for the whole human family. The Central A Cappella Choir Christmas Candlelight Concerts are a time-honored tradition that draws people together. The retelling of the Christmas story in song warms our hearts and raises our sights to receive the best gifts of Christmas — peace, love and hope for all.”

The first performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 4114 Allison Ave. in Des Moines. Christmas Candlelight concerts in Pella will be at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. Tickets for adults are $15; students up to age 12 and senior citizens are $12; and free to those who present a Central ID. To reserve seats, visit central.universitytickets.com.

A Christmas Candlelight dinner will be Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10, in Graham Conference Center in Vermeer Banquet Room. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required, and the deadline to register is midnight Friday, Dec. 2. Tickets for adults are $17, children ages 5-12 are $8.50 and Central students are $9. Children ages 4 and under are free. To reserve seats, purchase tickets online.