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.

Seattle Symphonic Band

The local winds-and-percussion ensemble performs contemporary favorites like “Sleigh Ride,” “White Christmas,” and Percy Grainger’s “Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol.” North Seattle Community College Concert Hall, 9600 College Way N., 206-547-2787. $5 (suggested). 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 11.

seattle men’s chorus

The exuberant boys of the SMC wish you and yours a “Holly Jolly Holiday” in song, with special guest Ann Wilson (from Heart) at the season’s first two shows. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-388-1400, www.flyinghouse.org/smc. $15.50–$65. 8 p.m. Sun., Dec. 11, and Thurs., Dec. 22; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 23.

Short Stories Live!

Directed by Book-It Repertory Theatre’s Jane Jones and Myra Platt, the holiday edition of this regular reading series includes “The Loudest Voice,” Grace Paley’s Portnoy-ish complaint about being Jewish at Christmas, and the Dylan Thomas classic “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. $18 ($15 Town Hall members; $16/$14 in advance). 7:30 p.m. Mon., Dec. 12.

The Klez Katz

The local klezmer artistes come through with a righteous Hanukkah hookup, performing Jewish folk tunes in Yiddish—perhaps including genre favorites “Azoy Fayft Men a Shviger” and “Freylekhs Nokh Der Khupe.” City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave., 206-684-7171. Free. Noon–1 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 15.

Handel’s Messiah

The Seattle Symphony’s yearly holiday centerpiece rides again, featuring soloists Cyndia Sieden, Brian Asawa, Stanford Olsen, and Jan Opalach. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org. $16–$55. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 15. 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 16. 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17. 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 18.

Winter Warmth Concert

Veteran folkie Susan Tedeschi and rising local twang-popper Brandi Carlile co-headline this show sponsored by the Mountain (103.7 FM). Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., 206-467-5510, www.themoore.com. $32–$60. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 16.

Medieval Women’s Choir

The Medieval Women’s Choir performs “The Miracles of Notre Dame,” a program of 12th- and 13th-century French vocal music. Suzzallo Library, University of Washington, 206-264-4822. $17 ($10 students/seniors). 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 16, and Sun., Dec. 18.

Lift Every Voice

Sponsored by Town Hall, this musical melting pot stars the choir of the First Samoan Congregational Church, a Balkan-American doo-wop quartet, and gospel singers from Martin Luther King Jr. Baptist Church in Renton. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. www.townhallseattle.org. Free. 1 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Not the 1946 Capra classic but a radio version of the film, broadcast live on KPLU-FM, in which Evening Magazine host John Curley plays George Bailey. Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1126, www.seattlehistory.org. $15 ($10 MOHAI members; $12.50 nonmembers in advance). 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17.

Christmas Treasures

Pacific Lutheran University organ professor Paul Tegels tickles the ivories (or whatever organ keys are made of these days) at Choral Arts’ yuletide show, which includes Scandinavian and French carols as well as English-language favorites. Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 500 Greenwood Ave. N., 877-404-2269, www.choralartsnorthwest.org. $20 ($18 advance; $16/$14 seniors, $10 students). 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17.

Tudor Choir

Anglophiles, unite! The Tudors transport you back to Olde England via antique carols, with help from special guest harpist Naomi Kato. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., 206-323-9415, www.saintmarks.org. $25 ($20 seniors, $15 students). 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17.

Bach Christmas

Seattle Baroque Orchestra takes a Bach-to-basics approach to the holidays, performing the composer’s Christmas Oratorio and various cantatas, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring among them. Benaroya Hall (Nordstrom Recital Hall), 200 University St., 206-322-3118, www.seattlebaroque.org. $34 ($30 seniors, $10 students). 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17. 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 18.

The Christmas Revels

Puget Sound Revels’ yearly holiday festival at Tacoma’s Rialto Theater includes dance, music, and drama from the Elizabethan tradition. 310 S. Ninth St. (Tacoma), 253-591-5894. $10–$24.50. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17. 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 18. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Dec. 20–Wed., Dec. 21.

Eastside Symphony Orchestra

Sweetmeats from The Nutcracker, some Haydn (from the Oboe Concerto in C Major, to be precise), and “Santa Wants a Tuba for Christmas,” with Shon Katzenberger on tuba. Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave. N.E. (Redmond), 425-462-5231. Free. 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 18.

Seattle Girls’ Choir

All six divisions of SGC present sacred and secular Christmas songs in a sing-along format. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-526-1900, www.townhallseattle.org. $15 ($10 students/seniors). 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 18.

Everett Symphony

The orchestra performs a version of Handel’s Messiah that you’re encouraged (but certainly not required) to sing along to. Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller Ave. (Everett), 425-258-1605, www.everettsymphony.org. $10. 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 18.

Novi Antiquari

The new early-music ensemble performs works by Biber, Merula, Strozzi, et al., to create a musical mosaic of the Christmas story. Queen Anne Christian Church, 1316 Third Ave. W., 206-725-8170. $20 ($15 seniors, $10 students). 7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 21.

Baltimore Consort

In a family-friendly afternoon concert, the early-music ensemble revives French, English, and Spanish holiday tunes for lute, viola da gamba, and cittern. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-325-7066, www.townhallseattle.org. $10 ($5 students/seniors). 1 p.m. Fri., Dec. 23. Then, during its evening performance, the group focuses on Renaissance music. $15–$34 ($5 discount for Town Hall members). 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 23.

New Year’s Eve Concert and Gala

God bless Americana: Gerard Schwartz leads the Seattle Symphony in a performance of Gershwin’s Concerto in F and selections from Bernstein’s West Side Story. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org. $65–$150 (includes dinner, cocktails, and postconcert dance). 9 p.m. Sat., Dec. 31.

Community Events

Celebrity Chestnut Roasting

It ain’t Dancing With the Stars, but the Fairmont Olympic’s annual roundup of local celebs is always good fun. This year’s gang includes KING-TV’s Jean Enersen, KMTT (“The Mountain”) DJs Fisher & West, the Sea Gals (the Seahawks cheerleading squad), and the Mariner Moose. 411 University St., 206-621-1700. $3/cone of chestnuts. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. weekdays. Through Fri., Dec. 23.

Issaquah Reindeer Festival

Did you know that Issaquah’s Cougar Mountain Zoo has the largest Siberian reindeer herd of any U.S. zoo? Now that you do, take a trip to the Eastside to get chummy with the antlered, shaggy creatures of Christmas Eve lore. 19525 S.E. 54th St. (Issaquah), 425-391-5508, www.cougarmountainzoo.org. $9.50 ($8 seniors, $6.50 children 2 to 12). 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily. Through Fri., Dec. 23.

Teddy Bear Suite

Created by local interior decorator Kevin Bradford, the Fairmont Olympic’s gathering of stuffed bears large and small will eventually be donated to Children’s Hospital, as will any cash you care to give. (Also on display: 25 gaily decorated trees and a gingerbread castle.) 411 University St., 206-621-1700. Free. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. daily. Through Sun., Dec. 25.

Winterfest

This annual Seattle Center festival features an ice rink, a “holiday train,” dozens of free performances, and, more than likely, a giant snow globe. Seattle Center, 206-684-7200, www.seattlecenter.com. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily (10 a.m.–4 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed on Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day). Through Mon., Jan. 2.

Gingerbread Village at City Centre

1,200 pounds of dough, 500 pounds of candy, and heaven knows how many nuts take over the downtown mall, formed into structural marvels by Sheraton Hotel chefs and reps from local architecture firms. Donations for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be accepted daily. 1420 Fifth Ave., 206-624-8800. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; noon–5 p.m. Sun. Through Tues., Jan. 3.

Nutcracker March

Don’t do a macchiato spit-take when you see 50 “decorated nutcrackers” occupying Seattle’s downtown this holiday season. The giant intruders are part of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s annual promotion for Nutcracker; when 2006 arrives, they’ll be auctioned off online to benefit Northwest Center, a local nonprofit that supports the disabled. Throughout downtown Seattle, from Seattle Center to Pioneer Square. Visit www.nutcrackermarch.com for more information. Through Thurs., Jan. 5.

Pathway of Lights

Admire the luminaria at Green Lake as carolers sing festively and Jack Frost nips at your nose. Seattle Public Theater (7312 W. Greenlake Dr. N.), Green Lake Community Center (7201 E. Green Lake Dr. N.), and the circumference of the lake. Call 206-684-0780 for more information. Free. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.

Santa’s Lights Tour

Courtesy of the Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association, several historic buses will take lucky riders on a two-hour tour of local Christmas lights, hosted by none other than Santa. Bus departs from Second Avenue South and South Main Street, 206-684-1816, www.mehva.org. $5 ($4 seniors/children). 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.