Many special things happening this season - sad to say, my favorite event will not take place this year - Mark Morris'; wacky gender-bending take on
the Nutcracker, The Hard Nut.

Here's a partial list of what's going on!

A Chanticleer Christmas - A Chanticleer Christmas
Celebrate the true mystery and wonder of the season with traditional and best-loved Christmas songs from Gregorian Chant to Gospel, including selections from the newly-released holiday CD, “Let It Snow”. - www.chanticleer.org

SF Gay and Lesbian Freedom Band's Dance-Along Nutcracker
http://www.sflgfb.org/dancealong.html
When Scroogey Uncle Drossmeyer "bah-bumbugs" the family party a bevy of ghosts give him a haunting. Spin with the spirits and frolic with the Fezziwigs!

ACT's A Christmas Carol - you know the drill
It's a good production , a little out of the mainstream but very striking.
http://www.act-sf.org/089/christmascarol/index.html

Grace Cathedral Holiday events and Sing-Alongs
http://www.gracecathedral.org/
A Cathedral Christmas with the Choir of Men and Boys (Dec 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21)
A Brass & Organ Christmas (Dec 8)
Handel's Messiah w/American Bach Soloists (Dec 18 & 19)
A Family Sing-Along (Dec 20)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Dec 31)

Santa Cruz Roaring Camp Christmas Train
http://www.roaringcamp.com/
Sip hot-spiced cider, listen to carolers while riding the holiday train.

Berkeley Farmers' Market 17th Annual Holiday Crafts Fair
Dec 13 - MLK Jr Civic Center Park (Center Street and MLK Jr Way)
Farmers market with variety of beautiful handcrafted gifts and live entertainment.

Nutcracker at the San Francisco Ballet
Dec 11 to Dec 28 - San Francisco Ballet
The critically-acclaimed San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker was the first complete production in the United States.
http://www.sfballet.org/performances...nutcracker.asp

The Crucible - a place to learn iron forging and arts and crafts - Annual
Holiday Gifty Art Sale -(Oakland) Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14, 2008
Whatever holiday you celebrate, spark it up with a visit to The Crucible’s celebration. Shop for unique and affordable gifts created by over 60 Bay Area artisans, and experience the excitement of our studio, where furnaces roar and sparks fly.
www.thecrucible.org/

Oakland Chanukah Celebration
Dec 17 - Oakland City Center - Noon to 1p
With performance by Klezmania
www.oaklandcitycenter.com/happenings.cfm
(Lists many holiday events in Oakland)




Please feel free to add your own listings!