HOLIDAY EVENTS

A calendar of ballet, theater, music and other special holiday events in Orange County:

Ballet

Ballet Repertory Theatre dances “The Nutcracker” at the Mainstage Theatre, Golden West College, 15744 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach. 2 p.m. $10.50-$12.50. Also Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.; Friday at 1 p.m. (714) 895-8150.

Nouveau Chamber Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at the Fullerton College Campus Theatre, 321 E. Chapman Ave. 2 p.m. $12-$15. (714) 526-3862.

Laguna Ballet dances “The Nutcracker” at the Artists’ Theatre, Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Ave. 2 and 6 p.m. $13-$15. (949) 855-0331.

Ballet Montmartre’s presentations of “A Christmas Carol” conclude at Chapman University’s Memorial Hall, 333 N. Glassell St., Orange. 2 p.m. $12-$15. (714) 241-7424.

Ballet Pacifica’s presentations of “The Nutcracker” continue at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. $15-$19. Also Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 2:30 p.m. (949) 854-4646.

MUSIC

The Pacific Chorale, Pacific Chorale Children’s Chorus and members of the Pacific Symphony present “ ‘Tis the Season” in Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Caroling in the lobby by the Pacific Chorale boys and girls choruses at 6 p.m. $17-$50. (714) 662-2345.

The Huntington Beach Concert Band presents a holiday program at the Huntington Beach Central Library & Cultural Center, 7111 Talbert Ave. Holiday concert. 2:30 p.m. $3-$5. (714) 848-9280.

The Santiago Chorale, Children’s Choir and Orchestra present “A Folk Christmas From Around the World” at Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church, 21682 Lake Forest Drive, Lake Forest. 4:30 and 7 p.m. $3-$8. (949) 458-1440.

The Southland Opera presents Menotti’s holiday classic, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in Founders Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. $20-$29. Also Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. (714) 556-2787.

The Capistrano Chorale presents “Century of Holidays” at Leisure World Club House No. 3, Moulton Parkway and Calle Aragon, Laguna Woods. 2 p.m. $12-$15. (949) 240-6498.

The Christmas Voices sing holiday carols at Borders South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. Free. (714) 432-7854.

The Jim Bovee Band plays Christian pop at Java Joe’s, 17484 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. 7 p.m. Free. (714) 572-2886.

THEATER

“A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ classic, about miserly Scrooge and his redemption by the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future, continues through Dec. 26 at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Noon and 4 p.m. $21-$39. (714) 708-5555.

“La Posada Magica,” Octavio Solis’ story of a cynical teenager who learns the true meaning of Christmas when she reluctantly joins a makeshift procession re-creating Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging, continues through Dec. 26 at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. $18-$30. (714) 708-5555.

“Glory of Christmas,” a dramatization of the Nativity, complete with flying angels, live music and song, and real sheep, donkeys, camels and other critters, continues through Dec. 30 at the Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. $15-$30. (714) 544-5679.

The New Voices Playwrights Workshop production of “Another 10-Minute Christmas,” original 10-minute plays with a Christmas holiday theme, closes today at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 661 Hamilton St. 7:30 p.m. $10-$12. (949) 225-4125.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Barbara Robinson’s comedy about a mom who gets more than she bargains for when she volunteers to direct the annual church Christmas pageant, closes today at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 661 Hamilton St. 2 p.m. $10-$12. (949) 650-5269.

The South Orange County Community Theatre production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Barbara Robinson’s comedy about a mom who gets more than she bargains for when she volunteers to direct the annual church Christmas pageant, closes today at the Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 2 p.m. $5-$10. (949) 489-8082.

“A Christmas With Scrooge,” a musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” closes today at the Musical Theatre Village, 22722 Lambert St., Lake Forest. 2 p.m. $8-$12. (949) 859-3688.

“Christmas 1999 With the Young Americans,” a holiday revue of music of the season from hip-hop to tap, closes today at the Cypress College Theater, 9200 Valley View St. 2 and 7:30 p.m. $12-$16.50. (714) 736-0667.

“A Dolt’s Only Xma$ Pageant,” sketches, monologues, music, poetry and more in an off-center holiday revue, closes today at Stages, 400 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton. 8 p.m. $3-$6. (714) 525-4484.

“A Fistful of Christmas,” a comedy in which a ragtag group of friends is left to save Christmas when Santa gets shot out of the sky on Christmas Eve, closes today at Stages, 400 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton. 6 p.m. $12. (714) 525-4484.

“Light Sensitive,” Jim Geoghan’s story about a man who learns the true meaning of the holidays when he meets a woman who changes his outlook on life, continues through Jan. 1 at the Theatre District, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. $15-$20. (714) 435-4043.

“Sorry, Wrong Chimney,” a holiday comedy by Jack Sharkey and Leo W. Sears involving a moonlighting department store Santa, a Santa burglar and a confused policeman, closes today at the Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 2 p.m. $12. (949) 492-0465.

The Greenstone Players production of “A Twisted Christmas,” a revue of holiday-themed comedy sketches poking fun at elves, Santa, reindeer, sex, and cows, closes today at the Chance Theater, 5576 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. 8:30 p.m. $5-$7. (714) 777-3033.

“Wish You Were Here,” a comedy by Joseph Hullet about a middle-aged blue collar worker in a fertilizer factory who gets a pink slip for Christmas, closes today at the Chance Theater, 5576 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. 6 p.m. $15-$20. (714) 777-3033.

“Holiday Tales From Around the World” is being presented at the Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. 1 and 3 p.m. $6. (714) 990-7722.

SPECIAL EVENTS

UC Irvine’s Madrigal Dinners, re-creations of yuletide feasts in the court of King Henry VIII, complete with entertainment by the UCI Chamber Singers, conclude today at the Claire Trevor Bren Theatre, West Peltason Drive and Mesa Road, Irvine. 5 p.m. $28.50. Reservations: (949) 824-2787.

Two Living Nativity displays complete with live animals, adoring shepherds and floating angels, are on view at the United Methodist Church, 19002 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. 6-8:30 p.m. Free. (714) 777-2885.

Christmas With the Angels, a Holiday cat show sponsored by the Happy Trails Cat Club in conjunction with the Cat Fanciers Assn., is at Edison International Field, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $4-$7. (909) 789-0179.

The Orange County Model Engineers offers free train rides with Santa at Fairview Park, Placentia Avenue between Adams Avenue and Wilson Street, Costa Mesa. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. (949) 548-7246.

ALSO

“Santa on the Hill,” a Father Christmas exhibit sponsored by the Huntington Beach Historical Society, closes today at the Newland House Museum, 19820 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach. Noon-4 p.m. $3. (714) 962-5777.

“What a Card! Treasures From the Nixons’ White House Mailbag,” more than 75 cards and ornaments from Bob and Dolores Hope, George Burns, Ginger Rogers, the Dalai Lama, Liberace and other notable figures, is on view through Jan. 11 at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (714) 993-5075.

Disneyland (1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, [714] 781-4565). The park’s yuletide season continues through Jan. 2 with a holiday celebration in New Orleans Square, the “Christmas Fantasy” parade and the “Woody’s Roundup” stage show. Open 9 a.m.-midnight. $29-$39. Parking: $7-$8.

Knott’s Berry Farm (8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, [714] 220-5200). Through Dec. 24, Knott’s Merry Farm Christmas Crafts Village, “Snoopy’s Twelve Days of Christmas on Ice,” and a nightly Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. Through Jan. 3 anyone wearing the logo/insignia of a college team playing in the 1999 Holiday or 2000 Rose Bowl gets in for $18. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. $26-$36. $13-$29 for Southern California residents. After 4 p.m. $13-$16.95. Parking: $7-$10.

Discovery Science Center (2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, [714] 542-2823). The center celebrates its first anniversary with a birthday party complete with Santa Claus, special science-related activities and cake for all. The Marines will be on hand to collect gifts for the Toys for Tots program. Anyone who donates a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more can get $2 off the regular admission price. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7.50-$9.50.