Friday, Nov 27-Sunday, Dec. 6

MIXED NUTZ!  The Nutcracker ReMixed
Tandy Beal's multigenre circuslike reworking of the Tchaikovsky classic. Mainstage Theater, UCSC. Fri and Sat 7pm, Sat and Sun 2pm, through Dec 6. Tickets $12.50-$30. 831.420.5260

Saturday, Nov. 28

Irish Christmas in America
A host of of Ireland's finest traditional performers evokes the distinctively Irish holiday spirit. 7:30pm. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Tickets $20-$23. 831.427.2227.

Friday, Dec. 4

Watsonville Snow Day
Crushed ice, actually, but several feet thick and with hot chocolate to boot. 3-7 pm. Peck St., Watsonville. Price: can of food for Second Harvest.

Victorian Carriage Rides
Downtown Santa Cruz. Tickets, $5, available at the Hat Company. All December, Fri 6-9pm, Sat 4-8pm, and Sun 1-4pm, through Christmas.

Friday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Dec. 6

Music for The Feast of Christmas
Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus leads carol sing-along and performs choral masterworks and seasonal selections; directed by Cheryl Anderson. Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm. Holy Cross Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz. Tickets $20 general/$18 seniors. students. 831.479.6331.

Saturday, Dec. 5

Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
Up Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, come the many contingents, courtesy of the DownTown Association. 10am. Free.

Visits with Santa Claus
At Marini's Candies, 1308 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, Dec 5, 6, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. 2-6pm. Free.

Lighted Boat Parade
A small flotilla glowingly floats through the glistening winter water. Awards, beverages, meals follow at the Yacht Club. Starts 5:30pm, but early watchers welcome. Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. Price: can of food for Second Harvest.

Sunday, Dec. 6

Songs of Winter
Cabrillo Women's Chorus presents a concert of seasonal music for women's voices. 3pm. Cabrillo Black Box Theater. 6500 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz. $7 general/$6 seniors and students/15 and under free. 831.479.6331.

Christmas Bells are Ringing
The LDS Santa Cruz Stake Choir performs with local soloists and a handbell choir. 7pm. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 220 Elk St., Santa Cruz. Free admission with canned food donation for Second Harvest.

Monday, Dec. 7

Holidaze in Hicksville
Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, along with guest Bob Dorough and Blue Christmas, perform their laugh-filled country-tinged hoiiday tunes. Shows 7pm and 9pm. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Tickets $20-$28. 831.427.2227.

Thursday, Dec. 10

Santa Cruz Snow Night
Benefit for Second Harvest (bring food or cash) featuring performances by the Motion Pacific Dance Company, the Great Morgani and 10-minute Snow Sessions. Downtown Santa Cruz. Tickets available starting 4pm, Sessions 5-8pm. Price: donation.

Friday, Dec. 11

Cabrillo Winter Dance Concert
Students perform dances choreographed by Cabrillo instructors in an evening of Scottish folk tales, Afro-Brazilian dance and South African hip-hop. 8pm Fri-Sat, 3pm Sunday at Cabrillo Crocker Theater. 6500 Soquel Dr.., Santa Cruz. Through Dec. 13. Tickets $12. 831.479.6331.

Saturday, Dec. 12

Holiday Harmony
The 330-plus students of Ben Jammin Academy perform both traditional and offbeat holiday songs, including "Silent Night" in the original German. 5:30-6pm. Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, near Jamba Juice. Free.

Winter Festival of Bands
Traditional music from Cabrillo Symphonic Winds with a sprinkling of holiday favorites and cheer. 7:30pm. Cabrillo Music Recital Hall. 6500 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz. $7 general/$6 seniors and students. 831.479.6331.

Pacific Voices Chorus' Winter Songs
The 50-voice community choir, under the artistic direction of Meri Pezonni. performs songs from around the world, including sacred choral music, folk songs and seasonal favorites. 7:30pm. Resurrection Church, 7600 Soquel Dr., Aptos. Tickets $12-$15.

Cantiamo! Concert For A Winter's Eve
The select group performs seasonal music from a full repertoire of a cappella and accompanied works of the past six centuries. 8pm. Holy Cross Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz. $20 general/$18 seniors and students.

An Altared Christmas
Rhan Wilson's spectacular reworking of holidays songs into minor keys features over two dozen performers. 8pm. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. Tickets $21-$25 at www.altared.com.

Sunday, Dec. 13

Christmas with the Chorale
Santa Cruz Chorale, conducted by Christian Grube, joins brass ensemble the Antiquarian Funks in presenting several centuries' holiday works. 7pm. Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. Tickets $5 students with ID/$18-$20 general. 831.427.8023

Monday, Dec. 14

Westside Community Folk Song/Gospel Choir Winter Concert
Directed by Michael McGushin. 8pm. Cabrillo Music Recital Hall, 6500 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz. Donation requested. 831.479.6331.

Friday, Dec 18

Scrooge
Cabrillo Stage expands its season to include first holiday show. Yule not want to miss this beloved Christmas favorite performed by Professional Musical Theatre. 7:30pm, 2pm matinees, through Jan 3. Cabrillo Crocker Theater, 6500 Soqeul Dr., Santa Cruz. Tickets $15-$34 at Cabrillostage.com. 831.479.6154.

Gaelic Christmas Concert
Performance by Mary McLaughlin. Holy Cross Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz; 7:30pm.

The Nutcracker
Traditional performance by the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre. Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz; call for price and times. Through Dec. 20. 831.420.5260.

Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20

Christmas with the Chorale
See Dec. 13 for program. Holy Cross Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz. Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm. 831.427.8023.

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