Copyright The Boston Globe
SNOWPORT HOLIDAY MARKET The Seaport’s annual holiday market returns on Nov. 7, offering shopping from more than 125 local business vendors, and snacks and beverages from gourmet hot chocolate to bento boxes. The market touts photo ops for the whole family at the “Glow Up” experience and Presents Place. On Nov. 22 and 23, kids can build a LEGO snowman at the market’s crafting corner, while supplies hold out. Tickets for timed entry on weekend days are optional, starting at $6; if there’s a line to get in, a ticket helps you skip it. Nov. 7-Dec. 28, at various hours; see website for schedule. 100 Seaport Blvd. bostonseaport.xyz- Isabella Bernstein ESTHER POVITSKY: THE PRETTY LITTLE LADY TOUR The comedian had a baby in 2024 (thus the name of the tour), and was surprised when it turned out cute. “I’m not saying I’m ugly,” she says. “It’s just my husband isn’t here. There are some facial features we were just hoping would skip a generation. They did, so she’s cute.”Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. $30-$45. City Winery, 80 Beverly St., Boston. 617-933-8047, citywinery.com - Nick A. Zaino III A SHERLOCK CAROL In Mark Shanahan’s comedy, Sherlock Holmes (Paul Melendy) is bored, restless, and at loose ends after the death of his most implacable foe, Moriarty. Sherlock needs a new crime-solving challenge. He gets one when a grown-up Tiny Tim, now Dr. Timothy Cratchit (Jon Vellante), seeks his help in figuring out who murdered Scrooge (Christopher Chew). Directed by Ilyse Robbins. Also featuring Leigh Barrett, Mark Linehan, and Michelle Moran. Nov. 14-Dec. 21. Lyric Stage Boston. 617-585-5678, lyricstage.com - Don Aucoin HOLIDAY ZOOLIGHTS AT STONE ZOO The first twinkling of the holiday season lights up Stone Zoo for its annual holiday ZooLights installment kicking off Nov. 14. See light displays depicting the zoo’s inhabitants, along with live cold-region animals, such as black bears, Canada lynx, and reindeer in their enclosures. Attendees can also visit Santa and grab a picture. On Nov. 14, Vinyl Street a cappella performs festive songs, and on Dec. 12, hear carols from Boston Children’s Chorus Group. Ticket prices vary. Nov. 14-Jan. 4, 4-9:30 p.m. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. zoonewengland.org - IB ANNIE Directed by Nick Vargas, “Annie” features Sky Vaux Fuller as the relentlessly upbeat orphan of the title and De’Lon Grant as Oliver Warbucks, the gazillionaire who invites her to spend Christmas at his home as a PR stunt that turns into a life-changing experience for both of them. Also featuring Shannon Lee Jones as Miss Hannigan, the spiteful head of the orphanage. With music by Charles Strouse (who died in May at 96), lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, “Annie” includes “A New Deal for Christmas,” with the rather, um, timely lines: “The children don’t grin/ The Santas are thin/ And I’ve heard a terrible rumor/ No goodwill/ No cheer/ But we’ll get a New Deal for Christmas/ This year.” You promise, Annie? Nov. 21-Dec. 21. Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston. 617-353-3001, wheelockfamilytheatre.org - DA THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE All aboard the scenic Cape Cod Central Railroad for a festive Polar Express-themed ride. Get your ticket stamped by the conductor and board the train for an atmospheric reading of “Polar Express,” complete with roaming story characters, the movie soundtrack, and a snack of hot chocolate and shortbread cookies. Running from Nov. 21 - Dec. 23, the train ride around the Cape transforms into a trip to an illuminated “North Pole” destination, complete with a visit from Santa, who has a sleigh bell for each child. Tickets start at $54. Nov. 21-Dec. 23, 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. 70 Main St., Buzzards Bay. capetrain.com - IB THE JINKX & DELA HOLIDAY SHOW Multi-hyphenate drag queens Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme write a brand-new musical every year for the holidays and tour with a small crew, though the result onstage feels anything but small. They like to keep the story arc under wraps, but we do know there will be a “Freaky Friday” body-swap element to it, and perhaps a touch of sci-fi and horror. Nov. 22, 8 p.m. $54-$333. Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. bochcenter.org - NZ COMMUNITY CHORAL ROUNDUP Almost every community chorus in town has a program on deck for December; take your pick from one of the below, or just ask your co-worker who sings when their concert is. Spectrum Singers (Nov. 22); Vox Lucens (Dec. 5 and 6); Dedham Choral Society (Dec. 12); Cantemus Chamber Chorus (Dec. 7, 13, and 14); Cambridge Community Chorus (Dec. 14); Masterworks Chorale (Dec. 19). - AZM 30TH ANNUAL FAMILY TREES This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Concord Museum’s Family Trees celebration of children’s literature. Starting Nov. 22, come and view a number of trees adorned by local volunteers and organizations with handcrafted ornaments and decorations inspired by various children’s books, such as “Goodnight Moon” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” The museum will also host a 30th birthday party for Family Trees on Dec. 14, with visits from local authors and illustrators, as well as some of the characters featured in this year’s installation. Tickets $5-$20, free for members and children age two and under. Nov. 22 to Jan. 4. Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord. concordmuseum.org - IB GIGGLES THANKSGIVING SHOW Giggles always packs its holiday lineup with comic luminaries, mostly from Boston. This year, the bill includes Lenny Clarke, Christine Hurley, Tony V, Jimmy JJ Walker, Paul D’Angelo, Artie Januario, and Johnny Pizzi. Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m. $44.52. Giggles Comedy Club, 517 Broadway (Route 1), Saugus. 978-395-9060, princerestaurant.com - NZ NEWPORT NUTCRACKER AT ROSECLIFF This one-of-a-kind “Nutcracker” has audience members following the dancers of Newport Contemporary Ballet from room to room of the opulent Rosecliff Mansion, in a production that, in past years at least, has featured a Mouse Queen. Act two is more of a sit-down experience in the mansion’s Grand Ballroom. Nov. 26 and 28–30, Dec. 2–5. Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, R.I. newportcontemporaryballet.org - Jeffrey Gantz THE HANOVER THEATRE’S THE NUTCRACKER This year’s Thanksgiving weekend production of the Tchaikovsky classic from the Hanover Theatre will have Jonathan McPhee, who served as music director of Boston Ballet for 28 years, leading live performances by the Hanover Theatre Nutcracker Orchestra and the Worcester Children’s Chorus. Former Boston Ballet II member Mia Steedle, who twice danced Clara in Boston Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” will be the Sugar Plum Fairy; she’ll be joined by former Boston Ballet II member Noah Parets as her Cavalier, and by Dance Theatre of Harlem members Delaney Washington and Micah Bullard as the Snow Queen and Snow King. Nov. 28–30. The Hanover Theatre, Worcester. thehanovertheatre.org - JG MIKKO NISSINEN’S THE NUTCRACKER A schedule of 45 performances attests to the enduring popularity of Boston Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” which every year is among the most watched productions worldwide. The current version features sets and costumes by Robert Perdziola, a social dimension to the opening tableau, yoga-practicing mice, a stuffed rabbit right out of the original 1892 St. Petersburg premiere, and, of course, live music from the Boston Ballet Orchestra. All those performances, moreover, will give even corps members a chance to shine in featured roles and audiences the opportunity to discover new favorites. New principals WanTing Zhao and Madoka Sugai are both scheduled to dance the Sugar Plum Fairy. Nov. 28–Dec. 28. Citizens Opera House. bostonballet.org - JG CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT Families can enjoy a visit to Christmas past at Old Sturbridge Village’s Christmas by Candlelight, a holiday festival emulating early New England Christmas celebrations. Visitors can learn about the history of holiday festivities from costumed historians, as they tell stories, knit stockings, and lead crafts like paper doll making. Live music from New England artists like Carroll Sisters, The Worcester Men of Song, and Millennium Magic Chorus will fill the outdoor museum, as visitors sip on hot chocolate or cider. Compete in the gingerbread house contest (pre-registration is required), or vote for your favorite. Select days from Nov. 28-Dec. 30, 2-8 p.m. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge. osv.org - IB NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET Over the past 30 years, “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” has grown into North America’s largest touring “Nutcracker” production, averaging 100 performances during November and December. Originating in Ukraine and Russia, it now brings together an international cast including 40 Vaganova-trained ballerinas and danseurs, whimsical 10-foot-tall puppets, hand-painted backdrops, and a bevy of local children. Nov. 29 at 1 and 5 p.m. Boch Center Shubert Theatre. nutcracker.com - JG LIGHTING OF THE SHIP AT MARTIN’S PARK Head to Martin’s Park in Fort Point near the Boston Children’s Museum for the fourth annual Lighting of the Ship event, when the playground’s wooden ship, fencing, and pedestrian bridge are decorated with blue and white lights. At the free event, enjoy appearances from Santa, who will be arriving by boat to the Harborwalk, and Betty the Yeti, Seaport’s holiday mascot. There will also be live performances by Northeastern a cappella group Pitch, Please!, along with hot chocolate and other warm beverages. Nov. 29, 5 p.m. Martin’s Park, 64 Sleeper St. boston.gov - IB SWEENEY CLAUS: THE DEMON FATHER OF SLEET STREET Can Ryan Landry make Sondheim’s masterpiece even blood-thirstier? In any case, he’s likely to try. In Landry’s latest musical mash-up, Dasher the reindeer (Thain Bertin) comes home one night to find his wife and daughter gone. He heads off on a search for them, disguising himself as a barber, and for some reason gets it into his head that he must kill Santa Claus. Directed by Kiki Samko, her seventh time overseeing the holiday hijinks. Nov. 29-Dec. 21. Gold Dust Orphans. Iron Wolf Theatre, at the South Boston Lithuanian Citizens Association, South Boston. tickettailor.com - DA HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY H+H upholds its twofold holiday traditions; first, artistic director Jonathan Cohen leads a Thanksgiving weekend “Messiah” with soloists Lauren Snouffer, Avery Amereau, Ben Bliss, and Nicholas Newton joining the H+H Orchestra and chorus at Symphony Hall (Nov. 28-30). Then, resident conductor Scott Allen Jarrett leads a Baroque Christmas celebration at NEC’s Jordan Hall featuring music for orchestra and chorus by J.S. Bach, J.L. Bach, and Graupner (Dec. 18 and 21). handelandhaydn.org - A.Z. Madonna BOSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL BEMF’s Thanksgiving weekend chamber opera at NEC’s Jordan Hall this year is “Stellidaura’s Revenge,” a romantic caper by 1600s Neapolitan composer Francesco Provenzale (Nov. 29 and 30). Then, Cambridge’s St. Paul Church hosts BEMF’s annual Advent presentation of the venerable Tallis Scholars under the direction of Peter Phillips (Dec. 5). Both will be available for digital viewing later in December. 617-661-1812, bemf.org - AZM ‘TWAS: THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IMPROVISED A family-friendly take on the classic Christmas story with performers from Improv Asylum, singing, dancing, and redirecting the plot with suggestions from the audience. Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. From Nov. 29 to Dec. 28. $15-$29. The Lil Chuck, 74 Warrenton St., Boston. lilchuckboston.com - NZ A CELTIC CHRISTMAS BY A TASTE OF IRELAND “A Taste of Ireland — The Irish Music & Dance Sensation” debuted off-Broadway in March 2024. Now the company is bringing a Christmas show to Boston. Set in a “snow-dusted Ireland,” the star-crossed-lovers story line follows Oisín, “a humble man from the rugged lands of Tyrone,” and Ava, “a spirited young woman from a wealthy family in Athenry,” as they meet and fall in love under the mistletoe; after the expected travails, they reunite at a lavish Christmas ball. The projected cast includes dancers Gavin Shevlin (formerly of “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance”), Cian Walsh, and Brittany Pymm as well as fiddle player Megan McGinley (another “Lord of the Dance” alum). Dec. 2–14. Calderwood Pavilion. atasteofirelandshow.com - JG BOSTON COMMON TREE LIGHTING This year marks the 84th annual tree lighting on Boston Common. The tree, located near the visitor’s information center and donated by the Province of Nova Scotia, a longstanding friend of the city, stands at 45 feet tall and will be lit at around 7:55 p.m. by Mayor Michelle Wu, who will be joined by Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. At the nearby Sampling Village, attendees can partake of a complimentary sweet snack and warm beverage, such as HP Hood’s eggnog and treats from Drakes Cakes. Dec. 4, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. 139 Tremont Street. boston.gov - IB A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A MUSICAL GHOST STORY It’s hard to beat David Coffee when it comes to longevity. Coffee is back again, playing Ebenezer Scrooge for the 31st year, ready to deliver an irascible “Humbug!” or two — at least until the ghosts show up, intent on showing him the error of his miserly ways. Featuring Kevin Patrick Martin as Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s beleaguered, near-saintly clerk; Daniella Dalli as the Ghost of Christmas Past; Davron Monroe as the Ghost of Christmas Present; Nathan Haltiwanger as the Ghost of Christmas Future (and Young Scrooge as well); and Tommy Labanaris as the Narrator. Also on hand is Cheryl McMahon, playing Mrs. Dilber, Scrooge’s housekeeper, for the 31st year. Directed and choreographed by Kevin P. Hill. Dec. 4-21. North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly. 978-232-7200, nsmt.org - DA HOLIDAY POPS The Boston Pops, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and conductor Keith Lockhart deck the hall — Symphony Hall, that is — for the annual run of Holiday Pops concerts starting Dec. 4, performing at least once almost every day throughout the run up to Christmas. The standard concert, which features oodles of holiday standards and a visit from Santa Claus, runs around two hours. For families with the youngest children, the orchestra also offers a handful of 11 a.m. “Kids’ Matinee” performances, with shorter runtimes and no intermissions. Dec. 4-Dec. 24. Symphony Hall. 617-266-1200, bostonpops.org - AZM BLACK NATIVITY One of the most vibrant and cherished holiday traditions hereabouts, “Black Nativity” tells the Nativity story through the lens of the Black experience. At the helm once again is Roxbury native Voncille Ross, who has been directing “Black Nativity” for nearly two decades. The production combines the “song-play” of legendary poet and playwright Langston Hughes with the music of Boston composer-arranger John Andrew Ross, as interpreted by music director Milton Wright and his associate Marilyn Andry. All of it is gloriously sung by talented sopranos, baritones, and tenors, punctuated by percussion and wonderfully expressive dance under the leadership of ballet mistress and principal dancer Desiree Springer. Presented by the National Center of Afro-American Artists at Robert J. Orchard Stage, Emerson Paramount Center, Boston. Dec. 5-21. 617-824- 8400, www.blacknativity.org - DA SOLSTICE AT MT AUBURN Visual art, live music, sound installations, and nature unite to illuminate the winter nights at “SOLSTICE: Reflections on Winter Light,” a reflective self-guided installation at Cambridge’s historic Mount Auburn Cemetery created in partnership with local artist collective MASARY. Timed entry tickets required.Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Dec. 5-21. mountauburnsolstice.org - AZM BOSTON BAROQUE Former Boston Baroque assistant conductor Filippo Ciabatti makes his public company debut leading Handel’s “Messiah” at NEC’s Jordan Hall, with soloists Amanda Forsythe, Paula Murrihy, Thomas Cooley, and Roderick Williams (Dec. 5 and 7); Marc Minkowski makes his company debut on Boston Baroque’s traditional New Year’s program at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre, which this year includes Handel’s complete “Water Music” as well as selections yet to be announced (Dec. 31 and Jan. 1). 617-987-8600, baroque.boston - AZM THE SLUTCRACKER A Somerville Theatre staple since 2008, this R-rated “Nutcracker” adaptation for audiences 18 and up transforms the ballet’s youthful sibling protagonists, Clara and Fritz, into an engaged couple looking to explore a garden of previously forbidden sexual delights. Creator Vanessa White, a former Nutcracker dancer, still performs as the Sugar Dish Fairy; you can also expect Russian dominatrixes, an erotic Dance of the Reed Pole, and the Busby Berkeley take-off “Waltz of the Flowers and Wet-Spot Fairy,” all of it set to the original Tchaikovsky score as recorded by the Czech Republic’s Brno Philharmonic Orchestra. Dec. 5–Jan. 4. Somerville Theatre, Somerville. theslutcracker.com - JG MERRIMACK VALLEY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA’S WINTER WONDERLAND CONCERT This year’s annual Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra Winter Wonderland concert offers families a sing-along filled with holiday classics. The orchestra will host choirs from Merrimack College and Voices for Hope, a non-profit that raises funds for cancer research, who will perform “Believe” from “The Polar Express,” “Mary, Did You Know,” and other classic holiday songs for kids to sing along to with the help of lyric screens. The orchestra will also perform “The Festive Sounds of Hanukkah.” The concert features dancers from the youth ballet company Commonwealth Ballet performing excerpts from “The Nutcracker.” Tickets range from $8.24 to $39.19. Dec. 6, 2:30 p.m. The Rogers Center at Merrimack College, North Andover. mvpomusic.com - IB THE AIMEE MANN & TED LEO CHRISTMAS SHOW On the surface, surgical heartrender Mann and punk stalwart Leo hardly seem like the ones, individually or in tandem, to spread Christmas cheer. But traditions don’t lie, and the pair’s annual holiday excursion — with loopy jazz-popper Nellie McKay and comedians Paul F. Tompkins and Josh Gondelman in tow — captures the melancholy and, yes, joy of the season. Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Chevalier Theatre, Medford. 781-391-7469, chevaliertheatre.com - Marc Hirsh BÉLA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES Grammy-festooned banjoist Fleck is uncategorizable, though many folks have tried; perhaps the word that comes up most when discussing his gumbo of jazz, bluegrass, folk, rock, and classical is “fusion.” Expect familiar holiday chestnuts played in unfamiliar ways as he and his band reunite from a hiatus that began in 2012. Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Boch Center Wang Theatre. 617-482-9393, bochcenter.org - MH DARLENE LOVE: LOVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2025 Not to cast aspersions, but it seems awfully presumptuous for Mariah Carey to crown herself the Queen of Christmas while Darlene Love is still around. Not only was she the lone solo artist credited on the classic album “A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector,” her timeless pipes added authenticity to “Saturday Night Live”'s perennial “Christmastime for the Jews” sketch, a modern tradition in its own right. Dec. 6, 8 p.m. The Cabot, Beverly. 978-927-3100, thecabot.org - MH JESSICA VOSK: SLEIGH Cabaret artist, onetime Elphaba, and former Wall Street stooge Vosk brings her Broadway-honed chops to the Berklee stage. With songs that range from big-band brassiness to pop buoyancy and church-y sincerity, she’ll cover the stylistic and emotional gamut of the season. It’s surely the only Christmas concert you’ll attend this year that mentions the Babadook. Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Berklee Performance Center. 617-747-2261, berklee.edu/BPC - MH SOL Y CANTO BILINGUAL HOLIDAY PARRANDA! The Puerto Rican tradition of “asalto navideño” translates to “Christmas assault,” where carolers spontaneously take over your house with music, food, and revelry. That’s the type of party that Sol y Canto is looking to live up to, despite being done in a public place at a preannounced time. You will sing along, but don’t worry: Bandleaders Rosi and Brian Amador provide translations and are happy to teach guests the lyrics. Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Passim. 617-492-7679, passim.org - MH THE AIMEE MANN AND TED LEO CHRISTMAS SHOW Musicians Mann and Leo bring a mix of song, sketch, and stand-up comedy with their annual holiday show, featuring Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay, and Stoneham native Josh Gondelman. Dec. 6, 8 p.m. $61-$193. The Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St., Medford. chevaliertheatre.com MISTRAL MUSIC This local ensemble helmed by Julie Scolnik welcomes the holidays with its traditional Baroque Big Band program, featuring a large baroque ensemble and several assorted soloists performing music by Bach, Handel, Rameau, and more. Dec. 6, St. Paul’s Church, Brookline; Dec. 7, Andover. mistralmusic.org - AZM JOSÉ MATEO BALLET THEATRE’S THE NUTCRACKER Company founder and artistic director José Mateo created this intimate, colorful version in 1988, and it’s been a holiday staple ever since, first at the Majestic Theatre, then in the troupe’s Harvard Square studio space, and now at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. More than 100 children ages 6 to 18 will join the adult cast for the 15 performances, which are danced to a recording of the full Tchaikovsky score. Dec. 6–21. The Strand Theatre, Dorchester. ballettheatre.org/tickets - JG A CHRISTMAS CAROL Will Lyman, a towering figure in Boston theater whose performance of King Lear on Boston Common a decade ago lives vividly in the memory, now portrays the king of all misanthropes, Ebenezer Scrooge. Damon Singletary plays Marley, Scrooge’s former partner and fellow miser, with Robert St. Laurence as Bob Cratchit. Other familiar faces on hand include Jared Troilo, Bobbie Steinbach, and Kayla Shimizu. Adapted by Steve Wargo and replete with traditional 19th-century carols, and directed by Steven Maler. Dec. 6-23. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. At Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston. Commshakes.org/scrooge25 - DA BOSTON CAMERATA As per usual, Camerata queues up two Christmas programs; “Sing We Noel” unites music from the English-speaking world from the medieval period through early America (Dec. 6 and 7), and “The Midnight Cry” hones in on early American hymns, songs, anthems, and carols for the season (Dec. 21). Dec. 6, Newburyport; Dec. 7, Old South Church, Boston; Dec. 21, First Church in Cambridge. bostoncamerata.org - AZM DONUTS WITH SANTA Santa is coming to Boston for festivities hosted by Boston Moms at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy. Kids can meet, take pictures, and snack on donuts from Donut King with Santa. The event returns for the fourth year with build-your-own snowman molding clay crafts, gingerbread house decorating, and shopping at local vendor booths like The Spoiled Kitty Candle Co, Cosmo & Capri, and more. Local author Lindsay Cadigan will host a story time with her book, “The Confetti Yeti Celebrates Christmas Kindness." A festive photo booth is available to help capture the moment. Tickets are $44.52 for kids and $33.85 for adults. Dec. 7, 9 a.m. 100 Quarry Hills Drive, Quincy. bostonmoms.com - IB SLAPSCHTICK: HA HA HANUKKAH SlapSchtick, an all-Jewish comedy troupe featuring performers from Improv Asylum, returns to celebrate Hanukkah with a 90-minute improv and sketch comedy show. Dec. 12, 9 p.m. $15-$20. The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Somerville. therockwell.org - NZ LORELEI ENSEMBLE The wide-ranging professional women’s vocal group kicks off its holiday tour with a hometown show; the program includes Scott Ordway’s “North Woods,” a new work from a call for scores, medieval chant, American folk tunes, and more. Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. The Memorial Church of Harvard University, Cambridge. loreleiensemble.com - AZM HOLIDAY FEAST Semi-staged readings by Boston actors of holiday episodes from such classic Black TV comedies as “Sanford & Son” (1972-78), “Sister, Sister” (1994-99) “227″ (1985-90), and “black-ish” (2014-22). Directed by Pascale Florestal. Performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. Front Porch Arts Collective, at Modern Theatre, Boston. 617-557-6537, frontporcharts.org - DA A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS A decidedly less wholesome Christmas experience from director and author Waters (who has said he likes to decorate the electric chair from his film “Female Trouble” for the holiday), this one-person show has become no less a tradition than Rudolph and sugar cookies.Dec. 13, 8 p.m. $41-$172. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. www.berklee.edu/BPC - NZ HANUKKATS Described as a musical, interactive journey through time, “Hanukkats” spotlights Ziva the cat. In search of the missing letters on her dreidel, Ziva goes back to the time of the first Hanukkah, where she meets Judah Meowcabee, Oliver the olive oil maker, and sundry other feline characters. They set out to “solve the mysterious connection between the dreidel letters, the Hanukkah story, and the way the game of dreidel is played,” according to press materials. Described as most enjoyable for kids age 2 to 9. Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Talking Hands Theatre. At Puppet Showplace Theatre, Brookline. Tickets at puppetshowplace.org. - DA ANTHONY WILLIAMS’S URBAN NUTCRACKER Former Boston Ballet dancer Tony Williams created this production in 2001 as a tribute to the diversity of Boston, merging the original Tchaikovsky score with Duke Ellington’s 1960 “Nutcracker Suite” and merging urban dance styles with ballet. In 2018, City Ballet of Boston became the “Urban Nutcracker” company, and the show moved to the Shubert Theatre. Expect everything from jazz, tap, and hip-hop to Broadway, Bollywood, and flamenco, against a backdrop of quintessential Boston landmarks like the State House, the Custom House Tower, the Citgo sign, and a Red Sox scoreboard in this 25th-anniversary presentation. Dec. 13–21. Boch Center Shubert Theatre. bochcenter.org - JG BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Have a holiday breakfast with Santa at The Verve Hotel in Natick on Dec. 14. Attendees can indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet with hot cocoa, pancake station, and more breakfast staples while Santa greets children at their tables and gives them a small surprise gift. There will be cookies to decorate and snack on. Santa will also host a meet and greet and photo-op.Tickets are $33.85 for kids under 12, and $59.47 for kids age 12 and over and adults. Dec. 14, 10 a.m. The Verve Hotel Boston Natick, 1360 Worcester St., Natick. eventbrite.com - IB KISS 108’S JINGLE BALL This year’s edition of Kiss 108’s annual parade of Top 40 stars past, present, and future features Ed Sheeran and Sean Paul to keep parents happy, while the younger set kicks it to Ravyn Lenae, Myles Smith, Olivia Dean, Zara Larsson, and Moliy performing the hits (with Berklee grad Laufey fitting somewhere in between). All this plus “a special sing-along moment from ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’” the runaway Netflix hit your kids are watching right now. Dec. 14, 6 p.m. TD Garden. 617-624-1050, tdgarden.com - MH ALASKA PRESENTS A VERY ALASKA CHRISTMAS SHOW The past winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” hosts a Christmas extravaganza that crashes the boundary between reverent and irreverent frequently enough to render the distinction between the two moot. Let it be known that her rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is the one with the “muddle through” lyric, so expect an undercurrent of melancholy to go with the holiday spice. Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Big Night Live. 617-896-5222, bignightlive.com - MH WINTERY SONGS IN ELEVENTY PART HARMONY The holidays are warm and bright in spirit, but they’re cold and dark in actuality, not-so-coincidentally falling smack dab during the part of the year with the least amount of daylight. Jennifer Kimball and her agglomeration of local folk musicians are here to see us through, embracing the wintriness of the season, as well as the joy of voices joining together on songs both traditional and modern. Dec. 16-18, 7:30 p.m. Passim, Cambridge. 617-492-7679, passim.org - MH CHABAD OF DOWNTOWN BOSTON’S MENORAH LIGHTINGS For this year’s festival of lights, celebrate at the 42nd annual menorah lighting at the Boston Common on Dec. 14, across the street from the State House. A 22-foot menorah, one of the tallest in New England, will be lit to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, which lasts until Dec. 22. The Chabad will also host two more menorah lightings, one at Faneuil Hall on Dec. 18 and in the Seaport on Dec. 21. Each event will feature live music and Hanukkah treats. Free but reservations encouraged. Dec. 14, 18, and 21, 4 p.m. Various locations. chabaddowntownboston.org - IB CHRISTMAS WITH CECE WINANS As both a member of the legendary Winans family and one of the most acclaimed singers in the history of the style, CeCe Winans is gospel music royalty twice over. To sweeten the pot, she’s bringing more stars with her: sisters Angie and Debbie Winans. Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Boch Center Wang Theatre. 617-482-9393, bochcenter.org - MH THE SOMERVILLE HANUKKAH PARTY Celebrate the sixth night of Hanukkah at Somerville’s Arts at the Armory. Hosted by the Boston Festival of New Jewish Music, the party features a live performance from klezmer clarinetist and composer Michael Winograd, who will play his recreation of the 1956 record “Tanz!,” as well as other traditional klezmer songs. There will be a performance by Boston-based dancer Rachel Linsky and her company, followed by an interactive dance led by Linksy. If you’re hungry after the lively song and dance session, snack on traditional latkes and sufganiyot. Tickets start at $25, $10 for students. Dec. 17, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. bostonjewishmusic.org - IB BLUE HERON The acclaimed ensemble celebrates Christmas by way of music from 16th-century Spain; contemplative liturgical pieces, rollicking party music, and a musical tale of Yuletide maritime peril.Dec. 19 and 20. First Church in Cambridge. 617-960-7956, blueheron.org - AZM BALLET RI’S THE NUTCRACKER Choreographed by former Boston Ballet principal dancer Yury Yanowsky, the company’s artistic curator and resident choreographer, this version of the story recalls the humorous, high-spirited Boston Ballet productions of the 1990s, complete with a 38-foot Christmas tree. Dec. 19–28. THE VETS, Providence. balletri.org - JG DISNEY ON ICE Disney on Ice is back in Boston with a special “Frozen” and “Encanto” performance at Agganis Arena at Boston University. Audiences will see musical performances from Elsa and Anna from “Frozen,” Mirabel from “Encanto,” and other favorite Disney characters. Kids have a chance to meet Elsa and Mirabel before the show at the preshow character experience. Tickets start at $31.40. Dec. 19-29, various times. Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Ave. disneyonice.com - IB THE COMEDY STUDIO HOLIDAY PARTY The Studio’s holiday shows have long been an excuse for local comics, and a few drop-ins home for the holidays, to let loose a little. Will Smalley and Andrew Mayer, two of Boston’s funniest, host this mishmash of sketch and stand-up. Dec. 21, 7 p.m. $15-$20. The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge. www.thecomedystudio.com - NZ SONS OF SERENDIP Graduates of both Boston University and “America’s Got Talent,” this quartet — piano, cello, harp, vocals — falls under the “classical crossover” umbrella. But the clean lines of the group’s music make for a far less bombastic Yuletide experience than Trans-Siberian Orchestra, while still evoking the plinkety twinkles of snow falling. Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. City Winery. 617-933-8047, citywinery.com - MH THE CHOSEN SHOW Ellen Sugarman hosts this traditional Christmas Eve celebration at the Studio with stand-up from Tooky Kavanagh, Jason Fishman, Jeff Danis, and other guests yet to be announced, with food provided by the Hong Kong restaurant (where the Studio started and lived until 2017).Dec. 24, 8 p.m. $35-$45. The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge. thecomedystudio.com - NZ GRAND KYIV BALLET’S THE SNOW QUEEN This Ukrainian company returns to Boston for one night with its 2023 adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 fairy tale, which inspired the 2013 Disney animation “Frozen.” Kai and Gerda are sitting in their garden when a shard of a troll’s mirror gets into Kai’s eye. His heart becomes hard and cold; he is taken by the Snow Queen, and Gerda has to free him from her spell. The score comprises selections from Grieg, Massenet, Mozart, and Vivaldi. Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. Emerson Colonial Theatre. grandkyivballet.com.ua - JG JOHN OLIVER For 11 years, satirist Oliver has hosted “Last Week Tonight” on HBO, taking a deep dive into a specific political or social issue every episode. He is also a talented stand-up, and at the MGM Music Hall, he’ll get to cover any number of topics from the stage. Dec. 27-28, 8 p.m. $121-$198. MGM Music Hall, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston. crossroadspresents.com - NZ MIDWINTER REVELS: A SCANDINAVIAN STORY FOR CHRISTMAS In Revels’s annual celebration of the Winter Solstice, inspired this year by Gregory Maguire’s “Matchless,” a young boy finds “warmth and light in the darkest days” on an island “so far north that it snows from September to April.” Revels incorporates Scandinavian song and dance performed by “virtuoso” performers and by Revels’s intergenerational chorus. Directed by Debra Wise, with music direction by Elijah Botkin and a script by Wise, Patrick Swanson, and Nicole Galland. On hand will be such performers as David Coffin, David Keohane, Kristian Espiritu, Joshua Wolf Coleman, and Eliza Fichter. Dec. 12-28, with a “virtual encore viewing window” Dec. 28-Jan. 11. Sanders Theatre, Harvard Square, Cambridge. 617-496-2222, boxoffice.harvard.edu - DA A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS: LIVE AT THE SYMPHONY It’s been 60 years since the first TV broadcast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the animated special written by “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz that has become a beloved holiday tradition. This stage adaptation of the special features the Boston Pops performing Vince Guaraldi’s score, and actors portraying members of the “Peanuts” gang such as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Sally, and Schroeder. The commercialization of Christmas has left Charlie Brown pretty bummed out. Trying to lift his spirits, he agrees to direct the school’s Nativity pageant. But when he buys a Christmas tree for the show, the tree’s scrawniness triggers ridicule from his classmates. “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Charlie Brown asks plaintively. Yes, there is. It’s Linus. Who else? Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. Produced by Gershwin Entertainment. At Symphony Hall, Boston. Tickets at bso.org - DA FIRST NIGHT PARADE From City Hall Plaza to the Boston Common, watch the First Night parade to celebrate the new year. The parade features a number of groups like the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association and The Puppeteers’ Cooperative, as well as musical acts such as Jamaica Plain Honk Band and New Magnolia Jazz Band. After the parade is finished, walk to Boston Common to see a fireworks show, perfect for little ones with early bedtimes. No tickets necessary. City Hall Plaza. Dec. 31, 6-7 p.m. firstnightboston.org - IB
