Will the end of the world arrive before Christmas? Time, little more than one day to be exact, will tell. Whether you are a believer in apocalyptic prophecies or not, it behooves everyone to enjoy the week with merriment. Because what's the alternative?

The week ahead brings sassy holiday spirit, long-time musical traditions, a race for toys, films and a party for those looking for love.

Flamárt and Foundation for Modern Music present "Navidad Latina: An Evening of Latin Carols"

Christmas and associated December festivities are synonymous with tuneful events. But surely the kind of music associated with such a celebration tends to be more serious in tenor, not the least bit like what Flamárt and Foundation for Modern Music present at this south-of-the-border musicale.

"Navidad Latina: An Evening of Latin Carols" welcomes you to the home of the personalities behind the concert. Pull up and chair and be their guests, and listen to songs and stories that are part of the family tradition of the combined groups, including singer Irma "La Paloma" and guitarist Jeremías "El Valiente" and dancers Solangel Calix and Edith Niño, percussionist Jorge Orta, pianist Paul Boyd and baritone Raúl Orlando Edwards.

The deets: Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m.; MFAH; free event, tickets are required.

CultureMap's Most Eligible Bachelor and Bachelorette Party

Holiday time is as merry as it is stressful if you come from a family who's always nagging you about finding a significant other, settling down, being fruitful and multiplying. Some of the city's most ab-fab singles will be at this social, in part benefiting the Darrell K Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer's Disease, alongside host committee members like KHOU's Lily Hang, Paul Pettie, Kim Padgett, Todd Ramos, James Sivco and so many others.

On the auction block are Al Farb, Brian Ramos, Katie McCall, Jared Lang and Lauren Finkelstein. They are all cute and you could win a date with one (or more) of them.

The deets: Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight; Mr. Peeples; tickets are $35 in advance; $45 at the door.

Houston Symphony presents Handel's Messiah

One would think that after 271 years, a composition like George Frideric Handel's Messiah would lose its freshness. Although the melodies are easily recognized and hummed without rest — and the Hallelujah chorus can get pesky — the message that there are better times ahead is one we can all use, regardless of religious beliefs or affiliation.

If you have family in town and don't know what to do with them, send them off to one of these Houston Symphony performances. They will thank you for it — and so will your sanity.

The deets: Thursday at Sugar Land Baptist Church, tickets start at $12; Friday through Sunday at Jones Hall, tickets start at $29.

MFAH Mixed Media Designed by IKEA

It's the end of the world according to the 5,125 year-old Mayan calendar and a hoard of other misfits who believe in the prophecies ushered in by New Age mysticism. Rather than seeking refuge, hunt for the sage wisdom of assistant curator of Pre-Columbian Art Chelsea Dacus at this month's MFAH Mixed Media Designed by IKEA.

Dacus will draw people's names in Mayan glyphs while Rebecca Dunham leads guests about treasures from the empire. That's in addition to great music and DJs and artist TKNY painting live during the late-night fete.

The deets: Friday, 8 p.m.; MFAH; tickets start at $6.

Santa Hustle Half-Marathon and 5K Race

If the world doesn't explode into nothingness, get a head start on your New Year's health goals by partaking in this 5K and half-marathon thronged by too many costumed Santas. Starting in Galveston's Saengerfest Park (corner of 23rd Street and Strand Avenue), the race meanders through downtown streets and down Seawall Boulevard. Participants will receive a Santa hat, beard and running shirt.

On the way, feast on cookie stations and festive music — because what are holidays without baked treats — and join in the post-race party where the fun begun. Spectators and runners are asked to bring new, unwrapped gifts to donate to Toys for Tots.

The deets: Sunday, 9 a.m.; Saengerfest Park; registration is $35 to $55.

Staff writer and totally awesome art lovin' dude Tyler Rudick's pick: Screening of Radio Unnameable

Tyler says: "Check out the 14 Pews screening of a new documentary film on FM legend Bob Fass, whose New York-based Radio Unnameable show was the darling of American counter culture throughout the '60s and '70s. In its heyday, the freeform radio program hosted the likes of Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg and Abbie Hoffman and offered up Arlo Guthrie's first performance of Alice's Restaurant."

The deets: Thursday, 7 p.m., and Sunday, 6:30 p.m.; 14 Pews; tickets are $10, free for 14 Pews members.

Arts smarty pants and in-the-loop happy-go-luck maven Nancy Wozny's pick: Sleeping Soldiers and screening of Restrepo

Nancy says: "Do soldiers sleep? I wonder, is rest possible in a war zone? Are they ever out of danger?

"The late photojournalist Tim Hetherington addresses this question in his video triptych Sleeping Soldiers as part of Soldiers, at Ease at Houston Center for Photography (HCP) through Jan. 6. The camera moves in closer to the sleeping soldier as if to enter his dreams, while the image is flanked on either side with shots of combat. When eerie shadows of smoke merge with the image of the sleeping soldier, Hetherington answers the question with power and poignancy.

"The show also includes Louie Palu's powerful portraits and Erin Trieb's work from the Homecoming Project. Organized by executive director Bevin Bering Dubrowski, exhibition coordinator Libbie J. Masterson and the HCP Exhibitions Committee, the exhibit is a rare chance to see the larger world of a soldier's experience.

Soldiers, at Ease coincides with WAR/PHOTOGRAPHY: Images of Armed Conflict and Its Aftermath at the MFAH, which will also includes work by Hetherington, Palu, and Trieb. Hetherington's academy award nominated film Restrepo screens at the MFAH on Jan. 6 as part of Wars on Films.

The deets: Sleeping Soldiers is on view through Jan. 6; Houston Center for Photography; free admission. Screening of Restrepo is on Jan. 6. 5 p.m.; MFAH; general admission tickets are $9.