Performances
Money & Run Holiday Special
Wayne S. Rawley's long-running Theater Schmeater show tells the tale of "bums and hookers" in fictional Cudrup Country, and their special ways of celebrating the season. 1500 Summit Ave., 206-324-5801, www.schmeater.org. $12 (free for those under 18). 11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Through Sat., Dec. 10.
A Child's Christmas in Wales
Many people's favorite Christmas story springs to life at Wallingford's Stone Soup Theatre, enacted by a mix of professional and youth actors. 4035 Stone Way N., 206-325-6500, www.stonesouptheatre.com. $12 ($8 per person for families of four or more). 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat.; 3 p.m. matinees Sat.–Sun. Through Sat., Dec. 17.
Magical Strings
This Celtic yuletide series is back for its 27th year with harp music, Irish dancing, and energetic songs and storytelling. Locations in Shoreline, Kent, Seattle, and Bellevue. For more information, visit www.magicalstrings.com. Through Mon., Dec. 19.
Forbidden XMas
The snarky holiday revue takes on local celebs like Steve Pool, Dale Chihuly, and Sue Bird in a Seattle-ized production at Empty Space. 3509 Fremont Ave. N., 206-547-7500, www.emptyspace.org. $30 Fri.–Sat. and opening night; $25 other nights and matinees. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs.; 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Also: 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. Through Fri., Dec. 23.
Black Nativity
The annual "gospel song play" at Intiman includes euphoric voices (belonging to local pastor Patrinell Wright, the Black Nativity Gospel Choir, et al.), a live band, and modern dance. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 206-269-1900, www.intiman.org. $10–$42. See Web site for times. Through Sat., Dec. 24.
A Christmas Carol
The annual staging of the Dickens story that started the whole Victorian Christmas hoo-hah in the first place. This year, R. Hamilton Wright and Sean Griffin alternate in the role of Scrooge. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 206-292-7676, www.acttheatre.org. $24–$29. Days and times vary. Through Sat., Dec. 24.
Voices of Christmas
ArtsWest's Christmas revue kicks into gear once again, promising to deliver "myth, merriment, music," and a generous helping of holiday cheer. 4711 California Ave. S.W., 206-938-0339, www.artswest.org. $28 ($24 seniors/students, $12 youth under 18). Days and times vary. Through Mon., Dec. 26.
Nutcracker
Pacific Northwest Ballet's annual bonbon is back, wrapped in its Maurice Sendak–designed packaging. Pacific Northwest Ballet, McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 206-441-2424, www.pnb.org. $18–$102. Days and times vary. Through Wed., Dec. 28.
The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
Everyone's favorite holiday miser gets his courtroom comeuppance in playwright Mark Brown's new riff on A Christmas Carol. Taproot Theater, 204 N. 85th St., 206-781-9707, www.taproottheatre.org. $23–$25 Tues.–Thurs. (7:30 p.m.) and Sat. matinees (2 p.m.); $27–$30 Fri.–Sat. evenings (8 p.m.). Through Fri., Dec. 30.
Dina Martina Christmas Show
Seattle's own Divine Miss M. spikes your eggnog with drag whimsy and absurdist humor at a holiday reworking of her tried-and-true diva shtick. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 206-448-8464. www.rebarseattle.com. $18. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Through Sat., Dec. 31.
Bellevue Philharmonic
The Eastside orchestra performs Handel's Messiah at Meydenbauer Center, with soloists from the Bellevue Chamber Chorus. 11100 N.E. Sixth St. (Bellevue), 425-450-3810, www.meydenbauer.com. $34 ($27.25 seniors, $12.25 students). 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 3; 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 4.
Advent Meditations
St. Mark's Cathedral organist J. Melvin Butler plays Messiaen's Suite la Nativite du Seigneur while University of Washington art historian Joanne Snow-Smith presents a slide show of renowned art pieces depicting Christ's birth. 1245 10th Ave. E., 206-325-6500. $18 ($12 students/seniors). 7:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 9.
Northwest Boychoir
The all-male choral group performs a program modeled after Christmas Eve at England's King's College, including festive readings and traditional carols. Fri., Dec. 9; Sat., Dec. 17; Sun., Dec. 18; Mon., Dec. 19; Wed., Dec. 21. (Visit www.northwestchoirs.org for locations, prices, times, and other information.)
Northwest Chamber Chorus
Under conductor David Anderson, the Northwest Chamber Chorus celebrates Christmas with the help of Sweelinck, Bouzignac, Fux, Mendelssohn, and Brahms. Also on the program: international carols from Sweden and Kenya. Singing along is encouraged. 206-523-1196, www.scn.org/northwestchamberchorus. $16 ($14 seniors/students). St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Northeast 12th Street and 84th Avenue Northeast (Medina). 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.
Yulefest
Britten's A Ceremony of Carols is the centerpiece of this concert featuring the Columbia Children's Choir and the All-Region Children's Choir. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. $15 ($10 children 10 and under). 1 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.
Soft Rains
Pacifica Children's Chorus includes more than 70 area kids; for the holidays, they're presenting seasonal folk music from the United States, England, France, Sweden, Ireland, and Israel. 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-527-9095. $15 ($9 seniors, $7 teens and under). 5 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.
Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Pageant
Too many crèches? Try a different kind of holiday pageant, packed with surf rock (courtesy of Los Straightjackets), burlesque (performed by New York's World Famous Pontani Sisters), and the antics of emcee Kaiser George, of Scottish garage heroes the Kaisers. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-789-3599. $15. 9 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.
Rainier Symphony
For those who enjoy a little blue with their red and green, the orchestra wheels out Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, featuring solo pianist Adam Stern, along with various holiday chestnuts. Foster Performing Arts Center, 4242 S. 144th St. (Tukwila), 206-781-5618, www.rainiersymphony.org. $17 ($12 seniors/students). 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 11.
