Nuts and More

Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley Nutcracker Dennis Nahat choreographs a valley favorite. Tue-Sun at 7:30pm, with 1:30pm shows on weekends and Wednesday. Special Children's Series Matinee (Act 1 only) on Dec. 17 at 1:30pm. Runs Dec. 15-24. $22-$74. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. 408.288.2800.

The Christmas Ballet A modern take on seasonal dance by Michael Smuin Ballet. Nov. 30, Dec. 1-2 at 8pm, Dec. 3 at 2 and 8pm, Dec. 4 at 2pm. $36-$40. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Castro and Mercy streets, Mountain View. 650.903.6000.

The Hard Nut An updated version of the classic by Mark Morris. Fri at 8pm, Sat at 2 and 8pm, Sun at 3pm. Dec. 9-18. $32-$60. Zellerbach Hall, UC-Berkeley. 510.642.998

The Meshuga Nutcracker Tchaikovsky's ballet tweaked to tell tales about Chanukah, presented by the National Jewish Theatre Festival. Dec. 1-4 at the Thrust Theater at Berkeley Rep. Dec. 13-18 at the Presentation Theater at USF. $18-$46. Call 877.456.4TIX for schedule info.

Mixed Nutz! The Nutcracker REMixed by Tandy Beal and Company with dancers, circus artists and music by SoVoSó. Dec. 2 at 7:30pm, Dec. 3-4 at 2 and 7:30pm. $15-$30. Mello Center, 250 E. Beach St., Watsonville. 831.763.4047.

Peninsula Ballet Theatre Nutcracker An annual tradition. Dec. 10-11, 17-18. Call for times. $8-$50. San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware St., San Mateo. 650.340.9448.

San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker A newly refurbished Nutcracker with San Francisco settings. Tue-Sun at 2 and/or 7pm. Runs Dec. 2-29. $18 and up. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. 415.865.2000.

San Jose Dance Theatre Nutcracker Directed by Marcie Ryklen-Achkire of Los Gatos Ballet. Dec. 9-11, call for times. $16-$42. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. 408.286.9905.

Santa Clara Ballet Nutcracker The 32nd annual performances of the traditional version of this ballet. Dec. 10 at 2 and 7pm, Dec. 11 at 1 and 5pm. $18-$27.50. Santa Clara Convention Center Theater, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. 408.881.0879.

Western Ballet Nutcracker With Allison Share as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Fri at 7pm, Sat-Sun at 1pm. Dec. 9-11. $18.50-$22.50. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. 650.903.6000.

Seasonal Stage

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever California Theatre Center presents the hilarious story of an annual church pageant. Dec. 3 at 11am, Dec. 10 at 11am, Dec. 16 at 7:30pm and Dec. 17 at 7:30pm. $11/$12. Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale. 408.245.2978.

A Christmas Carol A Broadway adaptation of the Dickens classic, presented by West Valley College Theatre Arts. Dec. 1 at 8pm, Dec. 2-3 at 8pm and Dec. 4 at 2pm. $12/$15. West Valley College Theatre, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. 408.741.2058.

A Christmas Carol Presented by Northside Theatre Company. Wed-Sat 8pm, Sun at 3pm (plus Dec. 17 at 5pm, Dec. 18 at 7pm and Dec. 24 at 1pm, no 8pm show). Runs Dec. 7-24. $12/$15. Olinder Theater, 848 E. William St., San Jose.

The Elves and the Shoemaker A children's holiday fun show presented by the California Theatre Center. Dec. 2 at 7:30pm, Dec. 17 at 11am and Dec. 18 at 2pm. $11/$12. Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale. 408.245.2978. Also Dec. 3 at 10:30am, 12:30 and 3pm. $8/$16. Carriage House Theatre, Villa Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Rd., Saratoga. 408.961.5858.

Inspecting Carol A holiday comedy by South Valley Civic Theater. Fri-Sat at 8pm, Sun at 2pm. Runs thru Dec. 10. $12-$15. Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. See www.svct.org for details.

La Pastorela Annual Christmas play, presented by El Teatro Campesino. Thu-Fri at 8pm, Sat at 2 and 8pm and Sun, 4 and 7pm. Thru Dec. 18. $12-$30. Mission San Juan Bautista, Second and Mariposa streets, San Juan Bautista. 831.623.2444.

Nuestra Navida A family Christmas show by Aztlán Academy. Dec. 16-17 at 7pm, Dec. 18 at 2pm. $6/$12. Montgomery Theater, 271 S. Market St., San Jose. 408.984.0342.

A Taffeta Christmas A musical about singing sisters from Tabard Theatre Company. Thu at 8pm (Dec. 15 only), Fri at 8pm, Sat at 3 and 8pm and Sun at 2:30pm. Dec. 2-17. $22. Triton Hall Pavilion, 1900 Don Ave., Santa Clara. 408.679.2330.

Seasonal Sounds

An American Christmas By the Ragazzi Boys Chorus. Dec. 3-4 at 5pm at Christ Church, 770 N. El Camino Real, San Mateo. Dec. 11 at 3pm at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, 2650 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park. 650.342.8785.

Brian Setzer Orchestra Xmas Extravaganza Rockabilly holiday show. Dec. 20 at 7:30pm. $55-$90. Fox Theatre, Redwood City.

California Youth Symphony Seasonal favorites, directed by Leo Eylar. Dec. 11 at 2:30pm. $6/$12. Smithwick Theatre, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills. 650.325.6666.

Cantabile Choral Guild A holiday special by the big choir. Dec. 18 at 4pm. $6-$15. Mission Santa Clara. 650.424.1410.

Chanticleer Christmas A Bay Area tradition by men's vocal choir. Dec. 22 at 6 and 8:30pm. $25-$42. Mission Santa Clara, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. 415.392.4400. Also Dec. 13-14 at 8pm. $44. Stanford Memorial Church. 650.724.ARTS.

Choral Project of San Jose A holiday collaboration with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. Dec. 9 at 8pm at Mission Santa Clara de Asis. Dec. 10 at 8pm at Holy Cross Church, Santa Cruz. Dec. 11 at 7pm at St. Benedict's Church, Hollister. $20/$30. 408.295.4416.

Christmas Concert Presented by Studio Theatre of California. Dec. 10 at 7:30pm. Free. Congregational Community Church of Campbell, 400 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell. 408.470.6639.

El Camino Youth Symphony A holiday show with Afro-Cuban percussionist Michael Spiro. Dec. 18 at 2:30pm. $5/$10. Spangenberg Theatre, 780 Arastradero Rd., Palo Alto. 650.327.2611.

A Holiday Celebration The Peninsula Symphony and the Stanford Symphonic Chorus come together to perform holiday treats such as Ralph Vaughn Williams' Fantasy on Christmas Carols. Fri, Dec. 2, 8pm and Sun, Dec. 4, 1:30pm. $20. Stanford Memorial Church, Stanford University, Palo Alto. 650.941.5291.

A Holiday Concert Nicole Paiement conducts the UCSC Chamber Singers in an evening of holiday choral works. Dec. 2 at 7:30pm and Dec. 3 at 7:30pm. $6-$10. UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz. 831.459.2159.

Live 105 Not So Silent Night With the White Stripes, Death Cab for Cutie and more. Dec. 9 at Bill Graham Civic, San Francisco.

Music for a Cause A food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank with Bev Barnett, Greg Newlon and more. Dec. 17, 5pm-1am. $5 donation. Britannia Arms Cupertino, 1087 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino. 408.469.0251.

Opera Institute of California A Christmas Gala with music by Schubert, Handel and more. Dec. 9 at 7:30pm. Free. Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. Fifth St., San Jose. 831.594.6964.

Rockapella Holiday Show This a cappella quintet presents a concert of holiday classics. Dec. 6 at 7:30pm and Dec. 7 at 7:30pm. $32-$37. Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre, Villa Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Rd., Saratoga. 408.961.5858.

San Jose Symphonic Choir The "Feast of Light" seasonal celebration. Dec. 10 at 8pm. $8-$20. St. Joseph Cathedral, 80 S. Market St., San Jose. 408.995.3318. Also You Sing It Messiah. Dec. 12 at 7:30pm. $15/$20. California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose. 408.286.2600.

Schola Cantorum A show called "Christmas Garland." Dec. 10 at 8pm at First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto. Dec. 11 at 4pm at Los Gatos United Methodist Church. $18/$22. 650.254.1700.

Sunnyvale Holiday Concert Holiday favorites with pianist Michael Wolff and Impure Thoughts. Dec. 3 at 8pm. $20/$25. Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale. 408.730.7725.

West Valley Masterworks Chorale Sounds of the Season choral concert. Dec. 10 at 8pm. $10/$15. West Valley College Theater, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. 408.741.4663.

Fun and Frolics

Annual Holiday Boutique An ongoing boutique with creative and unusual small gifts, such as handcrafted ornaments, jewelry, gift boxes, figurines and stuffed animals. Tue-Sun. Thru Jan 1. Gallery Saratoga, 14435-A Big Basin Way, Saratoga, 408.867.0458.

An Ardenwood Christmas Experience the holidays as they were in the Victorian era with carols, crafts, live music and more. Fri, Dec. 2, Sat, Dec. 3 and Sun, Dec. 4. Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont.

Bonfante Christmas Trees The annual Festival of Trees Premier Dinner and Live Auction raises money for Rebekah Children's Services in Gilroy. Event includes dinner and auction of donated unique Christmas trees. Sat, Dec. 3, 6-10:30pm. $75. Bonfante Gardens Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy.

Children's Holiday Party A puppet show, a light lunch and treats, a visit from Santa Claus and crafts for the whole family. Sun, Dec. 4, 12:30-3:30pm. $15. Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Rd., Menlo Park. 650.948.3641.

Christmas in the Park A holiday wonderland open through New Year's Day, including trees decorated by local libraries, businesses and schools, lights and animated displays. Daily, 9am-midnight. Thru Jan 1. Free. Christmas in the Park, Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Market and San Carlos streets, San Jose, 408.995.NOEL.

Christmas Tree Lighting A lighting of the town's Christmas tree, plus carriage rides. Fri, Dec. 2, 4pm. Town Park Plaza, Los Gatos.

Downtown Ice An annual open-air ice skating rink for the whole family presented by Knight Ridder and the San Jose Downtown Association. Mon-Thu, 5-10pm, Fri, 5pm-midnight, Sat, noon-midnight and Sun, noon-10pm. Call for exceptions to dates and times. Thru Jan 16. $10-$14 (includes skate rental). Circle of Palms, between the Fairmont and the San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose. 408.291.0525.

Fantasy of Lights Enjoy a holiday drive-through lights spectacular for family, friends and fun. Daily, 6-10pm. Thru Dec. 31. Vasona Lake County Park, Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos. 408.355-2201.

Holiday Crafter's Faire A holiday boutique with one-of-a-kind treasures, a children's craft area, story telling and a visit from Santa. Proceeds benefit local youth and senior programs. Sat, Dec. 3, 9am-2pm. Free. Rincon Gardens, 400 W. Rincon Ave., Campbell. 408.993.2910.

Holiday Faire More than 50 vendors displaying handcrafted wreaths, ornaments, collectibles, jewelry, candles, jams and more. Plus entertainment, a raffle, a silent auction, caroling and food. Fri, Dec. 2, 1-9pm, Sat, Dec. 3, 10am-7pm and Sun, Dec. 4, 8am-4pm. Free. St. John Vianney School, 4601 Hyland Ave., San Jose.

Holiday for the Arts Show and Sale Work by new and returning artists featuring paintings, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, wood and holiday goods. Sat, Dec. 3, 10am-5pm and Sun, Dec. 4, 10am-4pm. Free. Olive Hyde Art Gallery, 123 Washington Blvd., Fremont. 510.791.4357.

Holiday Lights A holiday experience including thousands of twinkling lights, a holiday feast, shopping, Santa's Workshop, themed rides and more. Daily, 4-9pm. Thru Dec. 23. Call for exceptions to times. Bonfante Gardens Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy.

Holiday Parade Hosted by the Los Gatos Lions Club and the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Department. Sat, Dec. 3, 11am. South Santa Cruz Ave at Main Street, Los Gatos. 408.354.8700x226.

Holiday Peace Fair A benefit for South Bay peace and justice groups and other charities. Featuring fair trade coffee and chocolate, toys, crafts, jewelry, entertainment, food, face painting and more. Sat, Dec. 3, 11am-4pm. Campbell United Methodist Church, 1675 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell.

Holiday Teas and Tours Silver-service afternoon teas followed by docent-led tours of the holiday-inspired decorations at the house. Dec. 2-6, 1:30pm, Fri, Dec. 9, 1:30pm and Sun, Dec. 11, 1:30pm. $20-$25. Ainsley House, 300 Grant St., Campbell. 408.866.2118.

Kwanzaa Festival A cultural celebration, presented by the City of Santa Clara and the Mercury News. Featuring ethnic food, vendors, drum circles, African dance, music and more. Sun, Dec. 4, 10am-6pm. Mission College, 3000 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara.

San Jose Holiday Parade The largest parade of its kind in Northern California with more than two dozen marching bands, floats, dozens of specialty units, clowns and Santa himself. Sun, Dec. 4, 8:30am. Free. Downtown San Jose.

Yuletide Yuckfest A comedy benefit with Eric Schwartz, Lori Chase and others, plus music by Chubby's All-Stars. Proceeds go to Santa Clara County Toys for Tots. Sun, Dec 4, 7pm. $15 w/unwrapped toy, $20 without toy. Rooster T. Feathers, 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale. 408.736.0921.

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