There was no shortage of holiday revelry this past week, as local schools put on a variety of pageants to celebrate the season.

From the El Portal Cabaret that featured food and music to the elementary programs with song and dance, students put their best efforts on show for the community.

Among the special programs presented was a full school pageant at Van Allen Elementary, with kindergarten through fifth graders all taking part. The fifth graders started off the Friday morning pageant with a pair of songs, with the fourth graders then performing a song and a square dance. Soloists performing on keyboards from fourth grade were Sophia Franzia and Alex Guevara.

The third graders jazzed up their songs a bit, doing the 'alley cat' version of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," using instruments as accompaniment to "Feliz Navidad" and utilizing sign language to convey their wishes in "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

For the second grade, instruments were used in the "Little Drummer Boy," while they also offered a pair of Spanish versions of Christmas carols "Petit Papa Noel" and "La Pinata."

First graders sang and recited a poem, with the kindergarten students closing out the pageant dressed as angels, singing and reciting a poem.

The packed house thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, with refreshments following.

Schools are off through the beginning of the New Year, returning to classes on Monday, Jan. 7.