11 holiday arts events to attend in Greater Boston

This season ushers in merriment, the hope of snowfall, and the promise of magical moments through festive events held across Greater Boston. If you’re looking for a way to get into the spirit, we’ve rounded up a list of 11 events taking place in the area. There’s plenty of ballet, music and theater to take in, and whether you’re a fan of classical melodies or crafting gifts, you’ll find a way to celebrate. Grab a mug of hot chocolate and have a look at our guide, below.

If you’ve never seen this iconic ballet performed before, you’re in for a treat. Choreographed by Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, “The Nutcracker” tells the tale of a young girl named Clara who is gifted an enchanted nutcracker on Christmas Eve. When that beloved present magically comes to life, transforming into a prince, she’ll journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets and encounter many friends along the way. This run of the holiday classic will be distinguished by “many dancer debuts in new roles,” according to a press release.

Fans of the symphonic metal band Trans-Siberian Orchestra may know that much of their work centers around the Christmas holiday. At Worcester’s DCU Center, you’ll be able to catch them at one of two performances on Saturday, Nov. 30, as they perform their rock opera “The Lost Christmas Eve” as part of a winter tour. The storyline follows a bitter businessman who is alone on Christmas Eve. After encountering a mysterious girl by chance, he is led to a phone call that changes the direction of his life. The performance promises to be a spectacle, featuring pyrotechnics, lasers and more.

Don’t miss out on these special performances from Grand Kyiv Ballet at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. Night one brings a performance of “The Nutcracker.” Based on the story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E. T. A. Hoffmann, the narrative centers around the power of magic and dreams, conquering darkness.

On night two, the company stages an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story  “The Snow Queen.” The ballet tells the story of two friends, Kai and Gerda. When Kai is whisked away to the frosty kingdom of the Snow Queen, Gerda must embark on an adventure, in the hope of setting him free. The show is set to music from classical composers Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi.

Theater UnCorked takes us back in time to the 12th century, with a story set on Christmas Day. In this dramatic production, audience members will follow the tale of King Henry II and his conflict with his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, recently released from prison. On top of that, Henry’s three sons are swept up in schemes, while his mistress is demanding a marriage. If you’ve seen the historical drama film starring Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn, you know that this play will be about family tension and the battle for power— with both political gain and love on the line.

What could be a more joyful way of celebrating the holiday season than joining conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for seasonal merriment? This December, the Holiday Pops returns with a series of family-friendly concerts. You’ll tune into classics such as the presentation of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride” and a new arrangement of “Jingle Bells” by Mason Bynes. Another work will debut, local composer David Coleman’s arrangement inspired by illustrator Ashley Bryan’s book “Carol of the Brown King,” illuminating Langston Hughes poems. If you’re spending time with family, you won’t want to miss screenings of “Home Alone,” which will be accompanied by an orchestra playing John Williams’ film score.

Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity” offers audience members the traditional New Testament gospels’ Christmas story, framing it as a “narrative of common people receiving the divine gifts of joy and hope,” according to Emerson Theatre. The narrative is told with music performed by adults and children, while presenting powerful dance set to the beat of African drums. Presented by the National Center of Afro-American Artists, the show is meant to be a kind of “gift from Boston’s Black community to people of good will from all cultures and spiritual traditions.”

Immerse yourself in hands-on activities during these two holiday workshops at the New Art Center in Newton. Artist and educator Rasheeda Brown will lead you in creating handcrafted gifts centering the principles of Kwanzaa. You’ll make one present for each of the seven days of the celebration, meant to be shared with loved ones. Join Shira Weiss, a Boston-based artist and educator, who will guide visitors in Chanukah festivities, including artmaking, storytelling, and theater. The workshop will bring participants together in a collaborative performance.

If you have memories of listening to the joyful “Hallelujah” chorus of Handel’s “Messiah” during past holiday seasons, you’ll be glad to hear Boston Baroque perform the timeless work. Music Director Martin Pearlman will conduct the full oratorio, which features soprano Maya Kherani and baritone Jesse Blumberg. The concert will also introduce contralto Avery Amereau and tenor Omar Najmi, making their Boston Baroque debuts. In his program notes, Pearlman has said that listeners will appreciate the drama of the music, while he himself enjoys discovering new elements in “Messiah” every time he returns to it.

Celebrating its 36th season performing “The Nutcracker,” José Mateo Ballet Theatre brings back a holiday tradition to the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. In this performance, over 100 children from Greater Boston will dance in the roles of Clara, mice, polichinelles and other characters. International guest stars, such as Da’von Doane from Dance Theatre of Harlem and Maria Perez of Mauro Ballet Company will be featured. Based in Cambridge, the company has its own school, where students of all ages and backgrounds are taught.

The MFA will celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with a special night of art, music and activities. Explore a photography pop-up, “Those Who Stayed,” by artist Ilene Perlman, whose work will honor the resilience of Jewish life. There will also be a conversation with author Liz Kleinrock about her new book “What Jewish Looks Like.” Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band and friends will present music and dancing, featuring a live performance piece called “Gathering Sparks.” There will also be a Hanukkah parade, kids’ face painting, and sample potato latkes and sufganiyot from a prix fixe menu.

This year marks the 24th year that City Ballet of Boston has produced Anthony Williams’ “Urban Nutcracker,” a contemporary telling of the classic ballet that incorporates a diverse blend of dance styles, from flamenco, to jazz, hip-hop and Bollywood. For the fifth time, an LGBTQ+ inclusive version of the show will be performed, spotlighting drag artist Patty Bourrée. The story, which follows a young girl named Clarice, fuses different styles of music, as well, and you’ll be hearing the melodies of Duke Ellington paired brilliantly with Tchaikovsky’s timeless themes.