Classical music

Santa makes an appearance at the Holiday Pops programs, led by conductor Keith Lockhart. (michael lutch/file 2006)

Boston has its share of winter "Messiahs" but there are also a lot more options for holiday music in the local area. Here are a handful of choices, in chronological order.

JEREMY A. EICHLER

BOSTON SECESSION This program promises favorite choral chestnuts and parodies as well as carols and hymns dating back through the centuries. There will also be some greatest hits from Handel's "Messiah." BYO score, they say, if you've got one. Dec. 5 at 8 p.m., $25 to $35, Old South Church, Copley Square, 645 Boylston St., 617-499-4860, www.bostonsecession.org

HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY With 155 consecutive years of "Messiah" performances under its collective belt, H&H should be a reliable place to get one's seasonal fix. Paul Daniel conducts. Dec. 5-7, $25 to $86, Symphony Hall, 617-266-3605, www.handelandhaydn.org

BOSTON POPS Keith Lockhart leads the annual Holiday Pops programs. Dec. 11-31, $27-$122, Symphony Hall, 617-266-1200, www.bostonpops.org

BOSTON BAROQUE This ensemble's annual "Messiah" can also be relied upon, and it benefits from Jordan Hall's intimate proportions. Dec. 12-13 at 7:30 p.m., $25-$69, 617-484-9200, www.bostonbaroque.org

BOSTON CAMERATA With performances in various locations throughout the area, Camerata is presenting "The Brotherhood of the Star: A Hispanic Christmas 1300-1700." Dec. 12-20, $10-$46, 866-427-2092, www.bostoncamerata.org

NEW ENGLAND PHILHARMONIC There's no explicitly holiday fare on the bill, but this is a family-oriented program that features compositions by Strauss and John Adams as well as "Tubby the Tuba." Dec. 14 at 3 p.m., $30, Tsai Performance Center, 617-353-8725, www.nephil harmonic.org

MUSICIANS OF THE OLD POST ROAD A tasting menu of Baroque Christmas music from across Europe, with vocal soloists Kristen Watson and Deborah Rentz-Moore. Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., $28, Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St., 781-466-6694, www.oldpostroad.org

CHORUS PRO MUSICA There's a carol singalong included as part of this concert titled "Christmas in the Southwest." Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., Old South Church, Copley Square, 617-267-7442, www.choruspromusica.org

BLUE HERON This accomplished Renaissance choir offers "Christmas in French Speaking Lands, 1200 & 1500" with works by Perotin and others. Dec. 20 at 8 p.m., $30 to $50, First Church, Cambridge, 617-960-7956, www.blueheronchoir.org

BACK BAY CHORALE With this chorus, it's Christmas in the 18th century. Works by Corelli, Handel, Vivaldi, and Bach will be performed. Dec. 20 in Faneuil Hall and Dec. 21 at Marsh Chapel, 733 Commonwealth Ave., $25 to $35, 617-648-3885, www.bbcboston.org