Holiday Entertainment Around the Metroplex

TEXAS BALLET THEATER'S 'THE NUTCRACKER'

Dec. 7-23

For many, holiday traditions are just as much about performances as they are about gifts, comfort foods and spending time with loved ones. Texas Ballet Theater's annual production of The Nutcracker by Ben Stevenson returns to Bass Hall to enchant audiences of all ages. The Nutty Nutcracker is an adults-only take on the tale and will be performed just once, Dec. 21. Tickets are $20-$162; 817-828-9200, or www.texasballet.org.

GAYLORD TEXAN RESORT'S LONE STAR CHRISTMAS

Through Jan. 1

Even without looking at the myriad activities, performances and attractions scheduled for families and kids as part of "Lone Star Christmas" at the Gaylord Texan Resort, the event is a draw just for its sheer spectacle. But alongside the 52-foot-tall Christmas tree and the life-size gingerbread house -- made entirely of real, honest-to-goodness gingerbread -- kids can have a blast tobogganing down snow and ice slides, eating a holiday feast with their favorite characters from Shrek, and more. Don't miss ICE!, the resort's annual ice sculpture exhibit, made from more than 2 million pounds of ice. 817-778-2000 or www.gaylordhotels.com.

'ANNIE'

Through Dec. 16

Theatre Arlington's 40th season continues with its Christmas show, Annie, the beloved classic about a spirited orphan bringing joy to the lives of those around her. Performances are Thursday to Sunday; tickets are $12-$15. All performances will take place at Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., Arlington. For more information, call 817-275-7661 or visit www.theatrearlington.org.

'HOLIDAZE'

Dec. 18-23

If you're looking for something new for the holidays, Cirque Dreams is prepared to deliver with Holidaze, combining the acrobatics expected of Cirque du Soleil-style performances with traditional holiday scenes, at the Winspear Opera House. Featuring colorful costumes, stunningly constructed sets and, of course, incredibly talented acrobats, Holidaze is appropriate for the whole family. Tickets are $25-$150 and are available at www.attpac.org or by calling 214-880-0202.

DALLAS SYMPHONY'S HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Dec. 7-31

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has several holiday events for the whole family: Christmas Celebration, themed "It's A Wonderful Life" this year, Dec. 7-23; "A DSO Family Christmas" on Dec. 8; and a Fiesta Navidad concert with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano on Dec. 13. The orchestra also will hold a European-themed New Year's celebration Dec. 31. All performances will take place at the Meyerson Symphony Center. $10-$143. For more information, call 214-692-0203 or visit www.dallassymphony.org.

BALLET CONCERTO'S 'A HOLIDAY SPECIAL'

Dec. 6-7

Ballet Concerto has prepared four ballets for its annual A Holiday Special at Will Rogers Auditorium: Winter Wonderland, full of favorite holiday tunes; Princess and the Magical Christmas Star; Chanukah Flamenco; and O Holy Night, a re-enactment of the Nativity. The former two make up the morning performances of the show, and the extended evening performances include all four ballets. Tickets are $6-$30 and can be purchased at www.balletconcerto

.com or by calling 817-989-7168.

COMMUNITY HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Dec. 7 & 9-11

The Apex Arts League presents two concerts that display one of the many reasons for the season: sharing music throughout the community. On Dec. 7, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's Brass Ensemble will perform "Holiday Brass" starting at 7:30 p.m., and on Dec. 9, Schola Cantorum will sing its Christmas concert, "When We Were Young!" from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Both performances will be at White's Chapel United Methodist Church, 185 S. White's Chapel Blvd., Southlake. Schola Cantorum repeats its performance Dec. 10 at Arborlawn United Methodist Church, 5001 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth; and Dec. 11 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1200 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington. Dec. 10 $5-$10; www.apexartsleague.org or www.scholatexas.com.

'THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER'

Dec. 14-23

Kids Who Care presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a classic comedy that brings together the meaning of Christmas and the joy of sharing it with others. Performances will be in the W.E. Scott Theatre at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth. Tickets are $15-$18 (with discounts for large groups) and are available, along with more information about the show, at www.kidswhocare.org or 817-737-5437.

HOLIDAYS AT THE HEARTH

Dec. 15

Log Cabin Village invites families to spend the day in the great outdoors, enjoying holiday music favorites while participating in several craft activities, including making ornaments and decorations, embossing cards to send to loved ones, and more. Activities will take place 1-4 p.m.; the fee is regular admission to the Log Cabin Village, plus a $2 craft fee. 817-392-5881 or www.logcabinvillage.org for more information.

DAVE KOZ

AND FRIENDS

Dec. 12

Bass Hall hosts big names in music for the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2012, featuring new spins on Christmas classics. The 15th-anniversary show will feature not only Grammy-nominated saxophonist Koz, but Javier Colon, winner of the first season on NBC's The Voice, as well as singer-songwriter Margo Rey and pianist-composer David Benoit. $27.50-$88. For information and tickets, call 817-212-4280.

'TWAS THE NIGHT

BEFORE CHRISTMAS'

Through Dec. 23

For a fun, family-friendly Christmas show, Casa Mañana Children's Theatre offers up 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. And don't worry about your kids already knowing the ending; this show shares a name with the timeless story but has a new plot that's sure to leave sugar plums dancing in your head. $16-$25. Visit www.casama

nana.org or call 817-332-2272 for more information.

CHRISTMAS IN GRAPEVINE

Through December

We're all excited for Christmas, but perhaps no one is more excited than the city of Grapevine. Its annual Christmas season this year presents a schedule of more than 1,400 events for families, including concerts, movies and Christmas lights to last you until at least May. Don't miss out on the Parade of Lights, and be sure to catch a ride on the North Pole Express, which includes caroling, hot chocolate and a visit from Christmas' big man. Prices vary; some of the activities are free. For a full list of schedules, prices and other details, visit www.grapevinetexasusa.com/Christmas.

A NIGHT IN VIENNA

Dec. 31

Ring in the new year at Bass Hall with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, as it performs "A Night in Vienna," featuring waltzes by Strauss, as well as other Austrian favorites. It will be a special night amid the centennial season as the FWSO welcomes back past music director John Giordano, who spent almost 30 years directing and conducting for the orchestra. The performance also will feature soprano and North Texas native Ava Pine. $29-$80. 817-665-6000; www.fwsymphony.org.

Looking for comments?