1:30pm

Theater

John Raitt headlines the California Artists Radio Theatre’s production “Christmas for the Children,” which also includes CART actors Lois Nettleton, Jo Anne Worley, Roger Perry, Linda Henning, Bill Erwin and many others. They will take part in the radio play “The First Nighter Christmas Play of 1942,” with its original star, Les Tremayne, and scenes from holiday shows. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Children of the Night, which provides services and protection for L.A. County’s homeless teenagers.

* “Christmas for the Children,” Cinegrill, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Suggested $20 minimum donation. (213) 683-3422.

2 & 7:30pm

Family Theater

“Paquito’s Christmas,” the Luis Avalos-Emilio Kauderer musical about a young boy’s discovery of the meaning of Christmas, is back for a fifth season. Returning as Paquito’s parents are Marabina Jaimes (PBS’ “Storytime”) and singer Roberto Alcaraz. This year Dominic Domingo, grandson of Placido, plays Paquito.

* “Paquito’s Christmas,” Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Saturday 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, 3 p.m. $12 to $20; ages 12 and under, $10. (626) 449-7360; (213) 480-3232.

8pm

Pop & Jazz

Who better to sing the songs of the season than Tony Bennett, our greatest living jazz-pop vocalist? His new album, “Tony Bennett on Holiday,” guarantees he’ll make merry on Yuletide favorites during this performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The craftsman-like, enthusiastic, long-lived singer also plans to honor the great Billie Holiday and cover his signature tunes; we hope he sings “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” just as he does in that “Sorry, Mr. Bennett” credit card commercial.

* Tony Bennett, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. $35 to $75. (714) 556-2787.

2pm

Family

The bookstore-gallery Every Picture Tells a Story kicks off its Holiday Jam exhibition Saturday with live jazz, storytelling, food and visits from illustrators, including Virginia Halstead (“Daughter Have I Told You”), Yan Nascimbene (“A Day in September”), Linnea Riley (“Mouse Mess”), David Shannon (“No, David!”) and Chris Raschka (“Yo! Yes?”). Bruce Wood, who co-wrote “The Christmas Adventure of Space Elf Sam,” also will show computer graphics of outer space used in the book. All the illustrators, who will autograph their books, have artwork hanging in a monthlong show at the gallery.

* Holiday Jam at Every Picture Tells a Story, 7525 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 2 to 5 p.m. Free. (323) 932-6070.

1pm

Music

For the first of three matinee performances, L.A. Opera presents Tobias Picker’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” the company’s world premiere production in this 1998-99 season. Based on a story by Roald Dahl and with a libretto by Donald Sturrock, who is also the stage director, the new opera will be conducted by Peter Ash. Gerald Finley sings the role of Mr. Fox.

* L.A. Opera performs “Fantastic Mr. Fox” at 1 p.m. in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave. Subsequent performances: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19 and 22, 1 p.m.; Dec. 20 and 21, 7:30 p.m. $20-$68. (213) 365-3500.

7:30pm

Movies

Enigmatic filmmaker Paul Schrader will be on hand for a sneak screening of his upcoming film “Affliction,” which he directed from his own adaptation of the novel by Russell Banks (“The Sweet Hereafter”). The film stars Nick Nolte as a conflict-riddled police officer in a small New Hampshire town. The rest of the cast includes James Coburn, Willem Dafoe, Sissy Spacek and Mary Beth Hurt. The screening will close the Paul Schrader film tribute at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Lions Gate Films will release “Affliction” on Dec. 30.

* Paul Schrader Tribute, “Affliction,” LACMA, Bing Theater, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 7:30 p.m. $5 to $7. (323) 857-6010.

FREEBIES: The Claremont Concert Choir performs Handel’s “Messiah” at Claremont College’s Bridges Hall of Music, 150 E. 4th St., Claremont, 8 p.m. Also Sunday at 3 p.m. (909) 607-3266.

Pacific Asia Museum celebrates the holiday season Philippine-style with music, crafts, dance, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. (626) 449-2742.