Holly Days Fare

Don’t like roller coasters? No problem. Here is a sampling of some of the shows, concerts, plays, festivals and other holiday fun taking place throughout December.

TODAY

Festival of Trees (South Coast Plaza Crystal Court, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, [949] 574-7208). Dozens of Christmas trees decorated by local artists, designers and florists, along with entertainment and exhibits. Includes Santa’s North Pole Gift Shop, dancing and holiday entertainment, the Microsoft Holiday Workshop, jazz night (Saturday) and opportunities to donate food, toys and gifts to local service organizations. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through Monday. Free.

FRIDAY

Fifth Annual Lighting of the Bay (Newport Dunes, 1131 Backbay Drive, Newport Beach, [949] 729-3863). Ten lighted Christmas trees will be set afloat in the resort’s bay in a holiday ceremony that includes performances by children’s music groups, outdoor viewing of classic holiday TV specials on a 16-by-16-foot screen and a visit from Santa Claus. Food and treats will be sold. 6 p.m. Free. $6 for parking.

Candy Cane Christmas Holiday Parade (along Main Street in Seal Beach, [562] 596-1456). The Business Assn. sponsors the annual Seal Beach Christmas parade, featuring floats, marching bands, cars and Santa Claus. 7 p.m. From Ocean Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway.

An O. Henry Christmas (California Repertory, Cal State Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., [562] 432-1818). “The Gift of the Magi” and other tales from the master storyteller, adapted by Howard Burman. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. through Dec. 19. $20.

Judy Collins Christmas Concert (Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, [949] 854-4646). Songs of the season and more. 8 p.m. $30-$40.

SATURDAY

Christmas at the Mission (Mission San Juan Capistrano, 31522 Camino Capistrano, [949] 248-2048). After a tree-lighting ceremony at nearby Town Center Park, the mission will sponsor a holiday music program with performances by the Mission Children’s Choir, the New Master’s Life Choir and the Santa Margarita Strings, as well as a life-size Nativity scene, hot refreshments and las posadas procession. 6 p.m. Free.

William Hall Master Chorale & Brass and All American Boys Chorus, William Hall, conductor (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 556-6262). A program titled “Happy Holidays!” 8 p.m. $18-$50.

SUNDAY

Sisterhood Hanukkah Bazaar (Temple Bat Yahm, 1011 Camelback St., Newport Beach, [949] 644-1999). Huge holiday shopping bazaar includes jewelry, toys, books, household goods, decorations and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Continues 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 10.

Corona del Mar Christmas Walk (along Pacific Coast Highway, between Avocado Avenue and Poppy Street, Corona del Mar, [949] 673-4050). The Chamber of Commerce stages its 22nd annual holiday street fair, featuring live music, carolers, clowns, strolling minstrels, children’s games and crafts, puppet shows, food, pictures with Santa and shopping at dozens of boutiques and stores. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

Choral Conductors’ Guild of Orange County presents Handel’s “Messiah” (First Baptist Church of Santa Ana, 1010 W. 17th St., [714] 547-2557). Sheridan Ball conducts the Cypress College Masterworks Chorale, Faith Lutheran Church Choir, Placentia United Methodist Church Choir and other groups in this favorite holiday oratorio. 4 p.m. Free.

TUESDAY

Mannheim Steamroller’s “Christmas” (Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, 2695 E. Katella Ave., [714] 704-2500). 7:30 p.m. $25-$55.

DEC. 10

A Big Band Christmas (Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, [714] 990-7722). Limon/Carr Productions presents a nostalgic look at Christmas circa 1940, complete with big-band music, readings of letters from “the boys” overseas and vintage radio commercials. Through Dec. 20. 8 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays. $7-$15.

DEC. 11

A Holiday Evening of Wassail (Chapman University, 333 N. Glassell St., Orange, [714] 997-6871). Participants enjoy a traditional wassail drink, then follow a garden path lighted with luminaria where strolling minstrels will play music of the season. A holiday feast with serenading servants and a concert by the University Choir, Singers, Chorale and Chamber Orchestra, follow. 6 p.m. $40, reservations required. Repeats Dec. 12.

UC Irvine Madrigal Dinners (Village Theatre, West Peltason Drive and Mesa Road, UC Irvine, [949] 824-2787). Re-creation of a yuletide feast in the court of King Henry VIII, complete with entertainment by the UCI Madrigal Singers. 7 p.m. $28.50-$41. Also Dec. 12 and 14-16 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 5 p.m.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (Moulton Theater, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, [949] 497-2787). The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theater presents Barbara Robinson’s comedy about a Christmas pageant held hostage by two monstrous child performers. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 19, 22 and 23; and 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20. $11-$14.

Ballet Pacifica presents “The Nutcracker” (Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, [949] 854-4646). 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 13 and 19-23; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 24. $14-$17.

La Posada Magica (South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 708-5555). A makeshift procession re-creating Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging brings a young girl back into her family and the Christmas spirit. Previews 8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 and at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 13. $11-$19. Opens Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. $28-$38, includes cast party. Continues 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Also Dec. 24 at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Dark Christmas Day. Through Dec. 27. $17-$28.

DEC. 13

4th Annual Orange County Hanukkah Concert (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 556-2787). Actor Ed Asner headlines this year’s concert, which also features David Jack & His Panda Band, Herschel Fox, 16 children’s choirs and Cantors and the Orange County Jewish Adult Choir. 2 p.m. $9-$125.

Las Posadas (Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, [714] 567-3623). Traditional Mexican Christmas celebration commemorating Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging on the night of Christ’s birth, with singing, pinatas, folkloric dancing, traditional foods and las posadas procession. 5:30-8:30 p.m.

DEC. 14

Huntington Harbour Cruises of Lights (park at the Huntington Harbour Mall, Algonquin Street and Warner Avenue, Huntington Beach, [714] 840-7542). Narrated boat tours through the channels of Huntington Harbour to view the festive and elaborate lighting displays on shorefront homes. Shuttle service from the Huntington Harbour Mall. Cruises 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 nightly through Dec. 22. $4.50-$10 in advance. Benefits the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

DEC. 17

Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade (viewing from numerous points throughout the harbor area, [949] 729-4400). More than 150 boats festooned with colored lights and other decorations will sail through the harbor area on a course beginning and ending at Collins Island. 6:30-8:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 23.

A Shakespearean Christmas: A Midwinter Night’s Dream (Shakespeare Orange County at Chapman University’s Waltmar Theatre, Center Street and Palm Avenue, Orange, [714] 744-7016). Revue of songs, anecdotes, poetry, notions and stories of a simpler time, including pieces by Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Clement C. Moore, Robert Frost, e.e. cummings and Ogden Nash, as well as traditional carols and personal remembrances by cast members. 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 18 and 20 and 3 p.m. Dec. 19. $16-$20, includes dessert.

Musica Angelica (Founders Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 556-2787). A Renaissance Christmas, includes seasonal music by Bingen, Biber, Bach, Byrd, Praetorius and Monteverdi. 8 p.m. $30.

Fiesta Navidad (Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [949] 553-2422). The Philharmonic Society of Orange County presents its south of the border holiday celebration featuring Mariachi los Camperos de Nati Cano, Ballet Folklorico Ollin and others in a program highlighting holiday traditions from different regions of Mexico. 8 p.m. $15-$38.

DEC. 18

A Jazz Christmas With the Freddy Cole Quartet (Founders Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 556-2787). 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $28-$32. Also Dec. 19.

Oleta Adams, Peabo Bryson, Christopher Cross, Melissa Manchester (Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, [800] 300-4345). “The Colors of Christmas.” 8 p.m. $47-$67. Also 8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20.

Christmas With Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers (Segerstrom Hall at Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 755-5799). Presented by the Pacific Symphony. 8 p.m. $22-$77. Also Dec. 19.

DEC. 19

Holiday Magic (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 556-2787). The Pacific Symphony presents a family program with a Dickens-inspired vocal quartet, a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” Suite and a carol sing-along. 10 and 11:30 a.m. $10-$12.

Pacific Chorale and Pacific Symphony, John Alexander, conductor (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 662-2345). “Messiah” (Handel). 3 p.m. $18-$50.

An Amy Grant Christmas (Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, 2695 E. Katella Ave., [714] 704-2500). 8 p.m. $29.50-$45.

DEC. 20

Pacific Chorale (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 556-2787). The children’s intermediate and apprentice choruses join the Pacific Chorale in “ ‘Tis the Season,” a traditional program of favorite carols and seasonal classics. 7 p.m. concert. Come at 6 p.m. to hear the boys and girls’ choruses perform in the center’s lobby. $20-$49.

Hanukkah With Svetlana Portnyanskaya (Jewish Community Center of Orange County, 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa, [714] 755-0340). The Russian-born singer will perform songs in Hebrew, English, Russian and Yiddish. 8 p.m. $15-$20.

DEC. 21

Gary Morris Christmas Show (Crazy Horse Steak House, 1580 Brookhollow Drive, Santa Ana, [714] 549-1512). 7:30 and 10:15 p.m. Also Dec. 22.$35.50-$42.50.

DEC. 23

The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago presents “The Nutcracker” (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 556-2787). 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Also 2 p.m. Dec. 24 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26 and 27. $20-$65.

Continuing

The Glory of Christmas (Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove, [714] 544-5679). The annual Nativity pageant, with more than 200 performers, flying angels and live animals. Most nights at 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. through Dec. 30. Call for exact schedule. $15-$30.

A Christmas Carol (South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 708-5555). Charles Dickens’ classic, about miserly Scrooge and his redemption by the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future. Through Dec. 27. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and noon and 4 p.m. Sundays. Also Dec. 24 at noon and 4 p.m. $15-$38.