Here They Come A-Caroling -- Singers, Dancers Deck The Halls And Malls With Holiday Cheer

A host of performers, amateur to professional, are dressing up and singing out, dancing about sugarplums, or otherwise offering free yuletide merriment in malls and halls this weekend.

In silk top hats or fur-lined bonnets, wearing capes and white gloves, one quartet out of 1890s London sings a jaunty "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" followed by a spirited "Jingle Bell Rock." Shoppers, surrounded by scenes depicting Santa's workshop, set down their bags to listen.

Out in a suburban shopping center, an identically dressed quartet launches into "O Holy Night." The scene is repeated elsewhere, many times over.

The Dickens Carolers - seven separate a cappella quartets of professional singers and actors who appear at malls, stores and parties - are among the best-known local caroling ensemble.

The Dickens Carolers and other groups and holiday attractions are on this weekend's holiday entertainment schedule.

Downtown Seattle

Rainier Square - Serenade String Quartet, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today; the Dickens Carolers, 1 p.m. today and tomorrow; singalong with the Don Murphy family group, 3 to 5 p.m. today; the Cantabile String Trio plays, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, and Washington Natural Brass performs, 5 to 6 p.m. tomorrow.

Seattle Art Museum Lobby, 100 University St. - The Pastime Singers in period costume sing carols and madrigals from 2 to 3 p.m. today.

Seattle Center - There is plenty to see and hear at Seattle Center's Winterfest, from Santa and his sleigh to a railroad layout to decorated trees, and lots of lights, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and tomorrow. Choirs entertain from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, noon to 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Seattle Sheraton, 1400 Sixth Ave. - Nine gingerbread houses, each designed in a different architectural style by local firms working with Sheraton chefs, are on display through Dec. 21 in the lobby.

Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St. - Dehner Frank, pianist, plays holiday tunes from 8 p.m. to midnight today in the Fireside Room.

Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Eighth Avenue and Pike Street - A 3-foot-tall gingerbread chateau is the centerpiece of a carved-tallow display of Santa and his elves, on view 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily on the Galleria fourth level.

Westlake Plaza - Attractions abound, too, in and around Westlake Plaza. There is the Metropolitan Savings Holiday Carousel, strolling musicians and carolers outside during shopping hours, horse-drawn carriages (outside the Westin Hotel), lights, flags, banners and evergreen trees. Noon to 2 p.m. today, Normando Brenis plays carols on guitar in Westlake Center. The Dickens Carolers perform at noon tomorrow.

To the east

Totem Lake Shopping Center - The Dickens Carolers present carols at 1 p.m. today; Inglemoor High School Choir carols at 3 p.m. today; the Sunshine Generation sings at 4 p.m. today, and New Day group sings holiday music at 1 and 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Bellevue Crossroads Shopping Center - The Dickens Carolers sing at 2 p.m. today at Nordstrom Place Two.

Bellevue Square - The Dickens Carolers sing from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nordstrom, and The Caroleers sing from 7 to 9 p.m. today. The Herald Angels perform from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Salish Lodge, Snoqualmie Falls - The Dickens Carolers perform from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. today, and 6:30 to 9 p.m. tomorrow.

To the north

Alderwood Mall - Bakra Bata plays seasonal music on steel drums 4 to 11:30 p.m. today, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Ballard Market, 1400 N.W. 56th St. - The Dickens Carolers sing at 2 p.m. today and at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Lake City Christian Church, 1933 N.E. 125th St. - An angel choir sings at a living Nativity scene, and refreshments will be served, 5 to 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Northgate Shopping Center - The New Day group performs holiday songs at 1 p.m. today; Seattle Calvary Chapel Choir sings at 5 p.m., and Salvation Army Band plays seasonal songs 7 to 9 p.m. today. Lance Buller performs from 5 to 7 p.m. tomorrow, and Salvation Army Band plays again 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow.

University District Burgermaster, 3042 N.E. 45th St. - The Dickens Carolers may be heard at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Bellingham - The 1993 International Creche Festival is under way in 31 lighted store windows. More than 160 Nativity scenes created by folk artists from cultures around the world are on display downtown daily through Dec. 31.

To the south

Elbe - Live holiday music, refreshments and Santa are aboard the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad "Snowball Express." This 70-minute steam-train ride through Mount Rainier foothills has departures from Elbe at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. today and tomorrow ($3.50-$6.50; bring food for the Salvation Army Food Bank; information, 569-2588, Elbe).

Pavilion Mall on Southcenter Parkway - The Classical Youth Ballet does a holiday performance at noon today; the Calvary Chapel Choir sings, 1 to 2 p.m. today, and NBC Academy of Dance performs, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. today. The Dance Express performs from 1 to 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Southcenter Mall - Spirit performs Christmas music, 10 a.m. to noon today, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow, and Seattle Calvary Chapel Choir performs at 4 p.m. today. Tessa Westby performs at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 1700 Edmonds Ave.