Dec 2-3: Santa Clara Historic Home Tour. View private homes built in the Victorian, Craftsman Bungalow and Norman Cottage styles in Santa Clara’s historic Old Quad neighborhood. On tour will be the public museum Harris-Lass House, an 1865 Italianate-style Victorian home decorated to the theme, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Fri, 6-10; Sat, 12-5. (Santa Clara: 408/249-7905 for tickets)
Thru Dec 3: Holiday Traditions at Filoli. This annual fundraising event brings the splendor of the holidays to this historic house. Rooms throughout the first floor are transformed with beautiful merchandise, stunning decorations and festive music. A dinner party, buffet lunches and evening bistro dining are available at select times during the week with advance reservations. (Woodside: 86 Cañada Rd.; 650/364-8300)
Dec 3: San Jose Super Toy, Comic Book & Collectible Show. Who says you’re too old to be a kid again? Relive your childhood by browsing more than 200 toy, comic book and record vendors’ wares. You can add something to your vintage collection, or find the perfect present for the collector in your life; choose from a wide variety of items, including Hot Wheels, Barbies, Star Wars, Legos, model kits, Transformers, DC Comics, and records from every genre of music. 9-4. (San Jose: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd.; 408/298-1709)
Thru Dec 11: Cirque du Soleil presents Totem. This world-renowned entertainment circus company brings to audiences a fascinating journey of the evolutionary progress of species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. Exploring founding myths displayed by jaw-dropping acrobatic performances, the show’s colors, costumes, lights, music and dance do not disappoint. Times and dates vary. (San Francisco: Grand Chapiteau at AT&T Park more info at www.cirquedusoleil.com)
Thru Dec 19: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair. Charles Dickens’ London comes alive during this unique fair, with recreations of bustling Victorian streets, fine foods from the British Empire and beyond, entertainment on six stages and in the streets, merchants and more. Weekends (Sat-Sun), 11-7. (Daly City: Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave.; 800/510-1558)
Dec 20: Santana Row Celebrates the First Night of Chanukah. Celebrate the first night of the ancient Festival of Lights with an evening for families filled with music, crafts, holiday food tasting and the ceremonial Menorah lighting. Begins 5:30pm. (San Jose: Park Valencia in Santana Row; 408/551-4611)
Dec 30-Jan 1: Bustamante Antique Show and Sale. Now in its 30th year, this Bay Area tradition brings together quality antique dealers offering rare treasures, antiques, decorative art and vintage pieces. The seasoned enthusiast, beginning collector or just someone browsing for antiques should not miss this opportunity to experience so many fine collections all in one location. Fri-Sat, 11-6; Sun, 11-5. (San Mateo: The San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive; 209/358-3134)
Thru Dec 31: Fantasy of Lights. Vasona Lake County Park turns into a spectacular winter wonderland, sparkling with thousands of colorful lights and elaborate animated displays, with a classic holiday music soundtrack to add to the fun. The best part? You can drive through the park and view these themed displays from the comfort of your own car. This is not-to-be-missed holiday family favorite! Daily, 6-10. (Los Gatos: Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd.; 408/355-2200)
Thru Jan 1: Christmas in the Park. A venerable city tradition, this is a holiday fantasy with animated displays, scores of decorated trees and a veritable galaxy of twinkling lights. Daily, 9am-midnight. (San Jose: Plaza de Cesar Chavez; more info at www.christmasinthepark.com)
Thru Jan 2: Global Winter Wonderland. Travel, shop, taste, and enjoy the world in just one day. This magical event for all ages has over forty giant illuminated structure displays, global entertainment, international food and fun activites for everyone to explore. (Santa Clara: 4701 Great American Pkwy. www.globalwonderland.org)
Thru Jan 29: Downtown Ice. Bringing annual wintry fun to downtown San Jose, this seasonal outdoor skating rink is set inside the beautiful Circle of Palms between the Fairmont Hotel and the San Jose Museum of Art. Skate rentals available. Open daily: Mon-Thurs, 5-9pm; Fri, 5pm-midnight; Sat, noon-midnight; Sun, 12-9pm. (San Jose: 120 S. Market St.; 408/279-1775. www.sjdowntown.com)
Dec 2-24: Los Gatos Carriage Rides. Ride an elegant, festively decorated horse-drawn carriage through Los Gatos’ historic neighborhoods of beautiful homes and along one of the festively-decorated downtown streets. Dec 2-3, 9-10 & 15-23: 5-9:30. (Los Gatos: Downtown on Santa Cruz Ave; 408/354-9300)
Music: Classical & Choral
Dec 12-23: Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph Season of Hope. The 16th annual performance series presents a multicultural musical event, bringing in a variety of local arts organizations. The hour-long performances, offered Dec 12-23 daily at 7:30 pm, include San Jose Symphonic Choir (Dec 12); South Bay Trombone Society (Dec 15); California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (Dec 18); Music at the Mission (Dec 19); South Bay Guitar Society Quartet (Dec 22); and the Harpers Hall Celtic Harpists (Dec 23). (San Jose: St. Joseph’s Cathedral, 80 S. Market St.; 408/283-8100 x2205)
Dec. 2: Jon Nakamatsu Concital. Exploring the full range of Nakamatsu’s talents, the evening program includes a solo virtuoso piano recital along with Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1. 8pm. (California Theatre, 345 S. First St.; 408/286-2600)
Dec 3: California Bach Society presents A Belen, a program of Spanish villancicos—an elaborate musical genre from the 16th to 18th centuries that blend devotional fervor with witty secularity. The evening program features the Serafín che con dulce harmonia by Joan Cererols, as well as lively, rhythmic villancicos of Pedro Rimonte, Juan Gutierrez de Padilla, and Padre Antonio Soler. 8pm. (Palo Alto: All Saints Episcopal Church, 555 Waverly St.; 415/262-0272)
Dec 3: Ragazzi Boys Chorus offers a program of Christmas classics—from 10th century chants to 20th century favorites, including Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria,” Gounod’s adaptation of Bach’s “Prelude,” songs by Handel and Vivaldi, and familiar carols for all to sing. 5pm. (Palo Alto: First Congregational Church, 1985 Louis Rd.; 415/474-1608)
Dec. 3-4: Symphony Silicon Valley. The Symphony is joined by award winning pianist Jon Nakamatsu, whose interpretations foChopin LA Times called “brilliant, poetic, heroic, and spontaneous;” this is a must-hear concert. Plus Milhaud’s ballet score filled with Brazilian rhythms, Kodaly’s Gypsy-inspired dances, and Marquez’ Danzon No. 2, dubbed ‘the people’s national anthem of Mexico. (California Theatre, 345 S. First St.; 408/286-2600; www.symphonysiliconvalley.org)
Dec 4: Julliard String Quartet. One of the world’s most distinctive string ensembles returns to the stage with a new first violinist, Joseph Lin. The program includes Stravinsky’s Three Pieces for String Quartet; Janáček’s Quartet No. 1 “Kreutzer Sonata” and Mozart’s String Quartet No. 18. 2:30pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford University/Dinkelspiel Auditorium; 650/725-ARTS)
Dec. 10: Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale presents Carols in the California—a festive program of holiday favorites, featuring an 80-voice chorus, the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, the Sonos Handbell Ensemble and the Symphony's brass section. (California Theatre, 345 S. First St.; 286-2600; www.symphonysiliconvalley.org)
Dec. 10-11: Masterworks Chorale presents Carols Around—a holiday choral program of music by J. S. Bach and others, followed by sing-along carols. Sat, 8pm; Sun, 4pm. (Palo Alto: Grace Lutheran Church, 3419 Waverly St.; 650/574-6313)
Dec 11: Ragazzi Boys Chorus offers a program of Christmas classics. See under Dec 3. 4pm. (San Mateo: St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1 El Camino Real; 415/474-1608)
Dec 12: Schola Cantorum presents its annual sing-along of the holiday favorite, Handel’s Messiah. Come to sing or to listen to this ageless oratorio—from the “Hallelujah” chorus to its treasured arias. Gregory Wait conducts the sing-along accompanied by a 25-piece chamber orchestra. 7:30 pm. (Mountain View: Center for Perfoming Arts, 500 Castro St.; 650/903-6000)
Dec 13: A Chanticleer Christmas. Ring in the holidays with this Grammy-winning voice ensemble—a Stanford Lively Arts annual favorite. The evening repertoire includes rarities of Gregorian chant, American gospel classics and plenty of Christmas carols. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford University/Memorial Church; 650/725-ARTS)
Dec 18: Musicians from the San Francisco Symphony. Noted musicians from the world-renowned symphony orchestra forming a quintet of strings offer a program designed to celebrate the holiday season. The program incudes Mozart’s String Quintet in G minor, K. 516, as well as Mendelssohn’s String Quintet No. 4. 7pm. (Buringame: Kohl Mansion, 2750 Adeline Dr.; 650/762-1130)
Music: Jazz & Other
Dec 3: Here To Stay: The Gershwin Concert Experience. Pianist Kevin Cole, tenor Ryan Vandenboom and vocalist Lari White collaborate in this multimedia concert event. Performances—including The Man I Love, I Got Rhythm, Strike Up the Band and many more—are combined with audio and video footage to provide insight into the legendary Gershwin duo. Performances. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford University/Dinkelspiel Auditorium; 650/725-ARTS)
Dec 8: Straight No Chaser. Enjoy the musical talents of this slick male a capella group, which has garnered a huge fan base thanks to their popularity on YouTube and national TV appearances. 7:30pm. (Cupertino: The Flint Center for the Performing Arts, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.; 408/864 8816)
Dec 14: Jay-Z & Kanye West. Two of the biggest bestselling names in hip hop come to San Jose with their Watch the Throne tour. 7:30pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion 525 W. Santa Clara; 408/998-TIXS)
Dec 18: Wild Jam 2011. Bay Area’s Wild 94.9 radio station brings to concert some of today’s hottest hip-hop stars such as Drake, J. Cole and LMFAO. 7:30pm (San Jose: HP Pavilion 525 W. Santa Clara; 408/998-TIXS)
Dec 23: Johnny Mathis. This legendary American recording artist performs his greatest hits and holiday season classics. 8pm (Cupertino: Flint Center for the Performing Arts, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.; 408/864-8816)
Dance
Dec 2-4: Western Ballet presents The Nutcracker. Take a voyage to the far corners of the imagination with this Holiday Classic about a little girl and her nutcracker prince. Fri, 7pm; Sat, 1 & 7pm; Sun, 1 & 6:30pm. (Mountain View: 500 Castro St.; 650/903-6000)
Dec 7-11: Smuin Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet. This popular holiday celebration combines beautiful and classic performances with charming, humorous, and sexy dance pieces. This snow-filled extravaganza offers something for everyone, from ballet, tap and swing to a wealth of other dances drawn from holiday traditions from around the world. Expect everything from a rollicking sock hop, a high-leapin’ “Drummer Boy,” and some naughty Sugar Rum Cherries to appearances by the King of Rock’n’Roll, tap-dancing Christmas trees, and cute hula girls and surfer dudes. Wed-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (Mountain View: Center for Perfoming Arts, 500 Castro St.; 650/903-6000. www.smuinballet.org)
Dec 10-23: Ballet San Jose presents The Nutcracker. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without this timeless ballet, featuring Fyodor Tchaikovsky’s famous score. The story follows a little girl, Maria, whose toy nutcracker prince comes to life in a dream, defends her against an army of mice led by the Mouse King, and takes her on a fantastic and whimsical voyage on a snowbird throughout the world, showing her the wonders of dance in Spain, Arabia and China. Sat, 1:30 & 7:30pm; Sun, 1:30pm; Fri, 7:30pm (1:30pm on Dec 24); Tues-Thurs, 1:30 & 7:30pm. (San Jose: Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd.; 408/288-2800; www.balletsj.org)
Dec 16: Moscow Ballet presents The Great Russian Nutcracker. The holiday classic gets a Russian spin as this world-renowned ballet company returns for a special appearance. 7:30pm. (Cupertino: Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.; 408/864-8820)
Theater & Musicals
Dec 2-18: RetroDome presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Based on the comic strip that ran from 1950-2000, the revival of this charming and comedy-filled Broadway musical brings the Peanuts characters to life—along with the joy, innocence, laughter and happiness—through classic scenes and toe-tapping songs. Fri-Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: The Retro Dome, 1694 Saratoga Ave; 408/404-7711. )www.theretrodome.com
Thru Dec 18: City Lights Theater Company presents David Sedaris’ outrageous portrait of holiday cynicism—Santaland Diaries. In this unlikely holiday classic, an out-of-work slacker finds temporary employment as a Macy’s holiday elf. Enduring humiliation and succumbing to battle-weary bitterness, this hero shares his relentlessly witty observations of ill-mannered parents, obnoxious children, drunk and lecherous department store Santas, and the whole holiday hoopla. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, Nov 27, 7pm. (San Jose: 529 S. Second St.; 408/295-4200; http://cltc.org)
Thru Dec 18: San Jose Stage Company presents Every Christmas Story Ever Told. This irrevent comedy takes a zany romp through classic holiday stories and traditions. From Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman to It’s a Wonderful Life, no holiday icon avoids getting skewered. Wed-Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: 490 S. First St.; 408/283-7142; www.thestage.org)
Thru Dec 24: San Jose Rep presents A Christmas Carol. In this tale by Charles Dickens, miser Ebenezer Scrooge is isolated from his community and the spirit of Christmas. With visits by Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, we follow Scrooge on his transformational journey to find redemption. Rick Lombardo’s adaptation of this classic holiday story is a feast for the senses, full of traditional Victorian carols, lavish period costumes and actors playing traditional instruments. Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2 and/or 7pm. (San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio; 408/367-7255. sjrep.com)
Nov 30-Dec 31: TheatreWorks stages The Secret Garden. In this Broadway musical hit, the delightful novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett springs to life in a soaring musical about the healing power of love. Previews Nov 30-Dec 1, 8pm. Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Fri, 8pm; Sat, times vary; Sun, 2 & 7pm. (Palo Alto: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd.; 650/463-1960. www.theatreworks.org)
Dec 27-Jan 1: Broadway San Jose presents Cats, the longest running North American touring production in history. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, this family musical features twenty of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song Memory. Tues-Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 1 & 6pm. (San Jose: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd.; 408/792-4111. www.broadwaysanjose.com/shows/cats.html)
