To salute the holiday season, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will present a series of special programs at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., in downtown Los Angeles.

At 11 a.m. Fri., Dec. 16, EsaPekka Salonen will conduct “El Nino,” a concert version of the nativity oratorio featuring soprano Dawn Upshaw, mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, bassbaritone Sir Willard White, countertenors Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings and Paul Flight, along with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.

This program will be repeated at 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17 and at 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 18.

At 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 16, Peter Schickele, the composer/performer/ musical funnyman best known as the tireless rehabilitator of PDQ Bach, will gleefully skewer the conventions of classical music through his own brand of concert hall antics and musical mayhem. Joana Carneiro will conduct.

At 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17, Alexander Mickelthwate will conduct “’Twas the Week Before Christmas,” featuring songs of the season, traditional carols and “glorious” orchestral music of the holidays. The perfect-for-thefamily concert will feature singers, choruses and holiday cheer. For this performance, special pricing will be offered for children. This program will be repeated at 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 18.

The internationally renowned, 12-member “orchestra of voices,” Chanticleer, will present “Christmas with Chanticleer” at 8 p.m. Tues., Dec. 20. Their wide-ranging Christmas program will encompass everything from Renaissance to new music and carols to spirituals.

At 8 p.m. Wed., Dec. 21, noted jazz vocal group the Manhattan Transfer will present a pop-bop sound of the holidays in an evening of cheer enriched by additional horns and strings.

For ticket pricing and ordering, please call (323) 850-2000 or visit www.LAPhil.com.