Smuin
Christmas
Ballet
traditional music, celebrating the Celtic spirit
of the holiday season. This show features world
champion dancers Scott Doherty and Tyler
Schwartz. Tickets $35–$60. Mountain View
Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.,
Mountain View. 650/903-6000.
WINTERFEST. Through Dec. 30. Great America
decks the park with amusing activities during
its annual WinterFest 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. Tickets $24.99–$49.99. Park opens
at 10 a.m. daily, closing times vary. Paramount’s
Great America, Great America Parkway, Santa
Clara. 408/988-1776.
CAROLS IN THE CALIFORNIA. Dec. 9, 7
p.m. Join your neighbors in a heartwarming
holiday sing-along with both classic and colorful
new carols, such as Rutter’s “Gloria,” “Gabrieli’s
Hodie Christus Natus est,” 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. n
December 2017/January 2018 87
A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Through Dec. 24,
times vary. A classic yuletide tradition returns
to haunt the stage with a sparkling, musicinfused
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 St., San Francisco. 415/749-2228.
JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK. Dec. 9. Jingle
Bell 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 will
raise funds to support the Arthritis Foundation.
Ticket prices vary. Lovers Point Park,
17th Street and Ocean View Boulevard, Pacific
Grove. 831/620-1699.
10TH ANNUAL SOUTH BAY HOLIDAY
GOSPEL CONCERT. Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. Join in
song with this award-winning interfaith, multiracial,
multicultural group of individuals united
in their love of gospel music. Experience the
sheer joy and exuberance of spirit kindled by
this choir as director Terrance Kelly offers his
signature gospel arrangements of traditional
holiday favorites. Tickets $35–$60. Mountain
View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro
St., Mountain View. 650/903-6000.
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 and shop
your way to holiday cheer. This event offers a
festive, large-scale, all-in-one holiday shopping
experience featuring handcrafted, artisan and
brilliantly made goods perfect for gifting this
holiday season. Free. South Hall, 435 S. Market
St., San Jose.
AN IRISH CHRISTMAS. Dec. 20, 7 p.m. Families
can take a journey through Christmas in
Ireland with superb dancing, singing and Irish
Dec. 6–10, times vary. This crowd-pleasing
show presented by Smuin leaps
beyond traditional tutu territory. Tap,
swing and other dance styles embody
the holidays with contemporary flair.
Tickets $56–$72. Mountain View Center
for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro
St., Mountain View. 650/903-6000.
Fantasy of
Lights
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.
TOP LEFT: SRES; TOP RIGHT: KEITH SUTTER