Noir City: The San Francisco Film Noir Festival, Jan. 26–Feb. 4,
Castro Theatre, San Francisco; Keiko Matsui, Dec. 7, Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga
18 South Bay Accent
CALENDAR
Run/Walk is a fun, festive event for the whole
family. Don your reindeer antlers and lace up
your running shoes to spread holiday cheer
as part of this 5K. The race raises funds to
support the Arthritis Foundation. Ticket
prices vary. Lovers Point Park, 17th Street
and Ocean View Boulevard, Pacific Grove.
831/620-1699.
A Festival of Lessons and Carols. Dec. 9,
7:30 to 9 p.m. Stanford Memorial Church
Choir and Stanford Chamber Chorale present
this heavenly annual program first introduced
at King’s College, Cambridge, nearly
100 years ago. The perennial classics stand the
test of time. Free. Stanford Memorial Church,
450 Sierra Mall, Stanford. 650/723-1762.
Friends of Music Holiday Musicale. Dec.
9, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Join Stanford students and
faculty for an afternoon of music to bring you
holiday spirit and cheer, featuring the Stanford
Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paul
Phillips and the Stanford Chamber Chorale,
directed by Stephen Sano. Tickets $10–$20.
Stanford Memorial Church, 450 Sierra Mall,
Stanford. 650/723-1762.
Carols in the California. Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
Join your neighbors in a heartwarming holiday
sing-along with favorite carols, such as
Rutter’s “Gloria,” Gabrieli’s “Hodie Christus
Natus est,” and Praetorius’s “In Dulci
Jubilo.” Humbug enthusiasts will begrudgingly
delight in the performance of “How the
Grinch Stole Christmas.” Tickets $26–$36.
California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose.
408/286-2600.
Heritage Holiday Champagne Tea. Dec.
9, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (two seatings). Treat
yourself and a friend to a traditional tea with
scones, Satori tea, finger sandwiches, sweets
and champagne by Guglielmo Winery served
by Shady Shakespeare Company cast members.
Later, tour historic houses dolled up for
scale, all-in-one holiday shopping
experience featuring a colorful
showcase of brilliantly made
goods perfect for gifting this holiday
season. Free. South Hall, 435
S. Market St., San Jose.
A Holiday Show with Pink
Martini. Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.
With the combined power of
a dozen musicians, Pink Martini
brings its rollicking crossgenre
mix of classical, jazz, and
toe-tapping pop to major venues
all over the world. Following
their latest release, “Je dis oui!,”
the self-described “little orchestra”
returns with its infectiously
joyous, dance-friendly music.
Tickets $25–$45. Golden State
Theatre, 417 Alvarado, downtown
Monterey. 831/649-1070.
Chanukah Train. Dec. 14,
6:15 p.m. Create a new holiday
tradition with your family and
experience the lights, stories and traditions of
Chanukah in a whole new way. Gather for the
lighting of the menorah at 6:15 p.m., and then
set off on an hourlong train ride on Roaring
Camp’s vintage excursion cars adorned with
thousands of shining lights and decorations.
Tickets $25–$31. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
831/335-4484.
Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian
Holiday Party. Through Dec. 17,
times vary. Embark on a nostalgic holiday
journey into the past at a party steeped in
history. Inspired by Victorian England,
the festive fete features hundreds of
costumed players in an immersive
environment of theatrically
lit pubs, dance halls and town
squares. Tickets $14–$30. Cow
Palace Exhibition Halls. 2600
Geneva Ave., San Francisco.
800/510-1558.
A Christmas Carol. Through Dec. 24,
times vary. A classic yuletide tradition
returns to haunt the stage with a sparkling,
music-infused production, featuring
a lively cast of dozens, gorgeous
costumes and a motley crew of deliciously
spooky ghosts. This kid-friendly
production has entertained generations
of locals and visitors alike. A.C.T. Geary
Theater, 415 Geary Street, San Francisco.
415/749-2228.
WinterFest. Through Dec. 30. Great
America decks the park with amusing
activities during its annual Winter-
Fest celebration. Ice-skate in
front of the iconic Carousel
Columbia, admire dazzling
displays of lights,
watch live shows, experience
18 rides and take a
peek at Santa’s workshop.
the holidays. Tickets $40–$45. Pacific Hotel
at History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose.
408/918-1045.
San Jose Super Toy, Comic and Collectible
Show. Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Get
a dose of childhood nostalgia as you browse
through 240 tables of retro, vintage and modern
toys and collectibles, comic books and
vinyl records. Tickets $4–$15. Santa Clara
County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San
Jose. 408/809-4457.
SantaCon. Dec. 9, noon. Spanning
the whole city, SantaCon is San
Francisco’s annual Santa-themed
pub crawl. This boozy extravaganza
brings together hundreds of
revelers dressed in Santa costumes
parading around the city, descending
upon landmarks and bars. Bring a new,
unwrapped toy to Union Square Park for
the SFFD Toy Drive. Free. Union Square
Park, San Francisco.
The San Jose Nutcracker. Dec. 15–24,
times vary. The New Ballet School has
partnered with the Hammer Theatre
Center to present a new look at a timeless
tradition. This production tells the
well-loved story of Clara and the Nutcracker,
while featuring historical references
to the heritage that has made Santa
Clara Valley the center of innovation it is
today. Tickets $20–$91. Hammer Theater
Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose.
408/924-8501.
San Jose Craft Holiday Fair. Dec.
16–17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join
San Jose Made and hundreds of
craft makers, food producers,
artists, designers and
small businesses for the San
Jose Craft Holiday Fair. This
event offers a jovial, large-
Rodin: Shock of the Modern
Body, Dec. 9, Cantor Arts
Center, Stanford