Holiday listings are compiled by Cheryl Eddy. Listings for Wed/17-Tues/23 below; check back each week for updated events. For additional events, including Attractions and East Bay events, see www.sfbg.com. For information on how to submit a listing, see 8 Days a Week.

benefits

'Fostering a Safe and Caring Holiday Season' Hayes Valley Community Partners, 691 Hayes; 921-4195. Low-income families and youth benefit from the activities of Hayes Valley Community Partners. Wed/17, noon-4pm: assemble food boxes; donations and volunteers needed. Thurs/18-Fri/19, noon-4pm: deliver food boxes; drivers and volunteers needed. Tues/23, time TBA: community dinner and toy giveaway; volunteers needed.

Glide Memorial United Methodist Church 330 Ellis; www.glide.org. Ongoing: the church collects canned goods and turkeys. Fri/19, 8am-2pm: Grocery bag giveaway. Sun/21, 9am and 11am: Christmas Sunday celebrations. Mon/22, 10am and 11am: toy giveaway. Dec 24, 11am-2pm: prime rib luncheon. Dec 25: Christmas celebration (9am and 11am); Christmas meals (7-8:30am; 9am-2pm).

'A Hed-Wigged Out Xmas' Castro, 429 Castro; 863-0611, hostess2@earthlink.net. Fri/19, 5:30pm (reception); 7:30pm (gala). $27.50-50. Stop AIDS Project benefits from this event, which features a screening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch with creator and star John Cameron Mitchell in person (reading from Truman Capote's Christmas Memory), plus comedian Greg Proops, drag performances, a wig show, and more. See Script Doctor, page tk.

'Keeping Our Eyes Open' Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center, 2981 24th St; 285-2287. Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm (closed Dec 24-25 and Dec 30-Jan 1); Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, noon-4pm. $5. Stop by the center to purchase mural prints, calendars, and other items; proceeds support the Precita Eyes Muralists.

'Macy's Union Square Holiday Tree' Purchase tickets to sponsor lights and strings of lights at UCSF Medical Center, 505 Parnassus; UCSF Mount Zion Medical Center, 1600 Divisadero; 1-888-689-UCSF; or www.ucsfhealth.org/tree. Through Dec 24. $10 a light. Help illuminate the giant tree at Macy's Union Square by sponsoring a light; proceeds go to UCSF Children's Hospital to help children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

'One Warm Coat' Community service booth (across from Ann Taylor), Stonestown, 19th Ave at Winston; 564-8848, www.shopstonestown.com. Sat, noon-6pm. Through Jan 3. The Girl Scouts of the San Francisco Bay Area collect clean, reusable coats (hats, gloves, scarves, and other outerwear are also accepted) to be passed on to children and adults in need.

Pinay Brava Theatre Center, 2781 24th St; www.pinaydivas.com. Sun/21, 7pm. $16-18. The vocal group performs an "unplugged" holiday concert to benefit Music in Schools Today.

'Rockin' Your Stockin' Christmas Pageant and Toy Drive' Parkside, 1600 17th St; 503-0393. Thurs/18, 9pm. $10 ($5 with donation of unwrapped toy). Local performers (the Sheets, Smelly Kelly, Bart Davenport, and others) perform renditions of their favorite Christmas songs; proceeds benefit the San Francisco Fire Department's annual holiday toy drive.

'Santa's Workshop on Union Street' 2122 Union; 456-6455. Sat/20, noon-4pm. Free. The man in the red suit opens his workshop for meetin' and greetin'. Visitors are encouraged (but not required) to bring toy donations for the San Francisco Firefighters' Toy Program.

'Surplus: Terrorized into Being Consumers' Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia; 789-8484, www.whisperedmedia.org. Thurs/18-Fri/19, 7:30pm. $5. See review in Rep Picks, page tk.

'Teddy Bear Tea' Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton; 773-6198, www.ritzcarlton.com. Daily, 10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm. Through Dec 24. $58. The Greater Bay Area Make-a-Wish Foundation benefits from this daily activity (with storytelling, hot chocolate and cookies, balloons, and more) for kids and their stuffed animals.

'Tenderloin Tessie's Holiday Dinners' volunteers First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin; 255-7503 or 922-0422. Dec 25, 12:15pm-4pm and 4pm-6pm. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve holiday meals; call to sign up.

'Union Street Starlight Sing-along' 2212 Union; 522-1459. Fri/19, 5-9pm. Free. Join local school and university choral groups, church ensembles, and other groups at this musical event. A toy donation to the San Francisco Firefighters' Toy Program is encouraged.

'Wreaths for the Arts' New Conservatory Theatre Center lobby, 25 Van Ness; 861-4914, www.nctsf.org. Wed/17-Sat/20, 1:30-7pm; Sun/21, noon-5pm. Wreaths designed by local and national celebrities, public officials, designers, and NCTC students are on display (and on sale, $50-500) to benefit the theater's YouthAware Programs and Conservatory scholarships.

tree lightings and celebrations

'A Christmas Tea' Bayview Opera House, 4705 Third St; 824-0386. Sun/21, 3pm. $5. Enjoy a wide variety of teas, a raffle, entertainment, and more at this event.

'Fillmore Street Holiday Stroll' Fillmore between Sutter and Jackson, and adjacent streets; www.fillmorestreetsf.com. Thurs/18, 6-9pm. Free. At this event, participating Fillmore neighborhood merchants stay open late and provide refreshments and discounts to holiday shoppers.

'Holiday Mochi (Rice) Pounding Ceremonies' Japantown Peace Plaza, Post and Buchanan; 567-4573. Sat/20, 1pm. (Also Sat/20, 4pm, Japan Center, Kinokuniya Bldg, Post and Webster). Free. Kagami Kai hosts the traditional seasonal celebration involving making rice cakes that signify good fortune and happiness.

'House of Voodoo Deathmas Ball' Rawhide, 280 Seventh St; www.houseofvoodoo.com. Fri/19, 9pm-2:30am. $5-10. This party features photo ops with "Satan Claus," as well as an optional gothic gift exchange; plus death rock, gothic, punk, glam, and '80s music with DJs Voodoo, Perki, and Jezzabella, and industrial with DJs Triage Digaron and Purgatory.

'Presents in the Snow' Bayview Opera House, 4705 Third St; 824-0386. Sat/20, 1pm. Free. The Bayview Opera House Juneteenth Youth Group hosts a party with Santa Claus for kids 14 and under.

'Six Degrees Records Groovy Holiday Party' 26 Mix, 3024 Mission; 826-7378, www.sixdegreesrecords.com. Sat/20, 10pm-2am. $5. Label head Bob Duskis throws down a festive DJ set, plus Michael Emenau of MNO (featured on Christmas Remixed: Holiday Classics Re-Grooved) presents a live vibraphone performance.

'West Portal's Festival of Lights' West Portal neighborhood; 566-3500, info@westportalavenue.org. Through Jan 1. Neighborhood merchants decorate their windows; stop by to vote on awards in various holiday categories, including best Winter Wonderland, Best Old Saint Nick, and Best Toyland.

music

'A Brass and Organ Christmas' Grace Cathedral, 1100 California; 1-866-468-3399, www.gracecathedral.org. Fri/19, 7:30pm. $15-40. The Bay Brass ensemble and organist Susan Jane Matthews perform holiday favorites and classical masterpieces.

'A Cathedral Christmas' Grace Cathedral, 1100 California; 1-866-468-3399, www.gracecathedral.org. Sat/20-Sun/21, 3pm; Mon/22, 7pm. $15-50. The Grace Cathedral Choir and Orchestra unfurls a program of music for the holiday season.

'Celtic Solstice Concert' Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez; 454-5238. Sat/20, 8:15pm. $15-17. Uilleann pipes and whistle player Todd Denman leads a group of musicians in performing seasonal Celtic music.

'A Chanticleer Christmas' St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker; 392-4400, www.chanticleer.org, www.cityboxoffice.org. Sun/21, 7pm. $22-37. The group performs medieval and Renaissance sacred works, traditional carols, and more. Check the Web site for additional northern California concerts.

'A Christmas to Remember' Davies Symphony Hall, Van Ness at Grove; 863-1752. Tues/23, 8pm. $14-42. The San Francisco Girls Chorus performs its annual holiday show featuring the full 270-member choir; the concert features an audience sing-along.

'The Complete Christmas Music of Liszt' Victorian Englander House, 807 Franklin; 362-6080. Sun/21 and Dec 24, 3pm (also Dec 24, 8pm). $7-12. Pianist Seth Montfort performs.

'A Festival of Carols' First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin; 221-5590. Sat/20, 8pm; Sun/21, 4pm. $8-15. The San Francisco Choral Society performs Christmas carol classics.

'Holiday Music at the Ferry Building Marketplace' Embarcadero at Market; 693-0996, www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com. Sun, 1-3pm. Through Dec 28. Free. This week, Gayle Bradley's Dickens Singers perform carols.

'Kitka Presents Wintersongs' Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento; (415) 474-1608, www.oldfirstconcerts.org, www.kitka.org. Fri/19, 8pm. $9-12. The women's vocal ensemble performs Eastern European songs from a variety of ethnic and spiritual traditions. Check the Web site for additional northern California concerts.

'Musaic Holiday Concert' St. Gregory's of Nyssa Episcopal Church, 500 De Haro; 552-6898, www.musaicsf.org. Wed/17, 8pm. $10-15. The men's vocal ensemble performs Christmas favorites, classical pieces, and contemporary arrangements of holiday carols.

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness; 392-4400, www.philharmonia.org. Fri/19, 8pm. $29-60. (Also Sat/20, 8pm and Sun/21, 7:30pm, First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing, Berk). The orchestra performs an all-Bach Christmas program.

Petty Booka Biscuits and Blues, 401 Mason; 292-2583. Tues/23, 9pm. $10. The Tokyo-based ukulele duo performs selections from its new CD, Christmas Everywhere.

'Unsilent Night' Dolores Park, 19th St at Dolores; (707) 869-2778. Mon/22, 6:45pm. Free. Composer and musician Phil Kline performs his outdoor ambient music piece; bring a boom box – Kline provides tapes of bells, choral voices, electronic tapes, etc. – to participate in this unusual twist on a caroling party.

Bay Area

Magnificat First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer, Palo Alto; (415) 979-4500, www.magnificatsf.com. Fri/19, 8pm. $12-25. (Also Sat/20, 8pm, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft, Berk, and Sun/21, 4pm, St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, 500 De Haro, S.F.). The early-music ensemble performs Christmas songs by French baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier.

hanukkah and kwanzaa

Bill Graham Menorah Union Square, Geary at Powell; 753-0910. Candle lightings: Fri/19, 3pm; Sat/20, 7pm; Dec 21-25, 4:30pm; Dec 26, 3pm. Bill Graham Menorah Day: Sun/21, 2-6pm. Free. See 8 Days a Week, page tk.

'The Borscht Belt' Jewish Home, 302 Silver; www.jhsf.org/home.htm. Wed/17, 7pm; Sun/21, 2pm. Free. Senior residents at the Jewish Home celebrate Hanukkah with a vaudeville-style show featuring original songs, comedy, music, and dancing.

'First Night of Chanukah' Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, 290 Dolores; 861-6932. Fri/19, 6:15-10:30pm. Free. The evening beings with a vegetarian potluck dinner and continues with Shabbat services, the lighting of the first candle, and more food, games, and Israeli dancing.

'In Bed with Fairy Butch for Women, Transfolks, and Their Pals: A Hanukkah Hoe-Down' Club Galia, 2565 Mission; 339-8000, www.fairybutch.com. Sat/20, 9:30pm. $10-15. Fairy Butch hosts this night of all-Jewish strippers, a "labia menorah," and other seasonal delights.

'Moonwatcher: Return to Chelm for Chanukah' Zeum, 221 Fourth St; 285-8080, www.atjt.com. Previews Thurs/18-Fri/19, 7pm. Opens Sat/20, 7pm. Runs Thurs-Sun, 7pm (also Sat-Sun, 2pm; additional shows Dec 23-24, 2pm; Dec 25 show at 5pm). Through Jan 4. $20-28. A Traveling Jewish Theatre presents its annual holiday extravaganza, the story of the "town-of-fools" in Jewish folklore. Music is performed live by the San Francisco Klezmer Experience, who present concerts at 9pm after shows on Sat/20 and Dec 27 ($13-15 with Moonwatcher ticket; $30-40 without).

Vocolot Community Music Center, 544 Capp; 647-6015, www.sfmusic.org. Sat/20, 8:30pm. $5-10. The six-woman a cappella ensemble performs Hanukkah favorites.

Bay Area

'Kwanzaa Celebration' Oakland City Center, above the 12th St BART station, Oakl; www.oaklandcitycenter.com. Wed/17, noon. Free. The West African Highlife Band performs danceable African and world melodies.

'WinterFest: Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, and Other Family Traditions' Oakland Museum of California, 10th St at Oak, Oakl; (510) 238-2200, www.museumca.org. Sun/21, noon-4pm. Free with museum admission ($5-8). Learn about winter traditions of various cultures at this family event featuring performances, storytelling, candlemaking, and more.

nutcrackers and cracked nuts

'Nutcracker' War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness; 865-2000, www.sfballet.org. Fri-Sat and Wed/17-Thurs/18, Mon/22-Tues/23, 7pm (also Sat and Fri/19, Mon/22-Tues/23, and Dec 26, 2pm); Sun and Dec 24, noon and 5pm. Through Dec 28. $12-96. San Francisco Ballet performs its long-standing version of the classic tale.

Bay Area

'Nutcracker' Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakl; (510) 625-8497 or (415) 421-8497, www.oaklandballet.org. Fri/19-Sun/21, 7pm (also Sat/20-Sun/21, 2pm); Mon/22-Tues/23, 2pm. $10-55. See 8 Days a Week, page tk.

theater, comedy, and performance

'The Christmas Ballet 2003' Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard; 978-ARTS, www.smuinballet.org. Tues-Sat, 8pm (also Sat, 2pm); Sun, 2 and 7pm. $21.50-60 (Wed/17 and Sun/21 at 7pm, pay what you can). Through Dec 28. Smuin Ballet performs Michael Smuin's latest version of his holiday show, featuring one act set to classical music and one set to eclectic pop, jazz, country, and other unexpected tunes.

'A Christmas Carol' Geary Theater, 415 Geary; 749-2228, www.act-sf.org. Wed/10-Sat/13, Dec 17-23, and 26, 7:30pm; Sat/13-Sun/14, Dec 16-17, 20-21, 23, and 26, 2pm; Dec 24, noon and 4:30pm. Through Dec 26. $11-68. Steven Anthony Jones stars as Scrooge in ACT's version of the Dickens classic.

'Fiesta Navidad 2003' ODC Theater, 3153 17th St; 863-9834, www.odctheater.org. Sun/21, 7pm. $10-17. Yaelisa y Caminos Flamencos perform a celebration of the season in the spirit of Spain, with a cast of 20 dancers and musicians.

'It's a Wonderful Dyke' Phoenix Theatre, 414 Mason; 240-9202. Thurs/18-Sun/21, 8pm. $15-25. Hardcore Thrush presents a contemporary update of the classic holiday tale.

'Kinsey Sicks: Oy Vey in a Manger' New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972, www.nctcsf.org. Wed-Fri and Dec 30, 8pm (no shows Dec 24-26 and Jan 1); Sat, 7:30pm and 10pm. Through Jan 3. $25-34. The New Conservatory Theatre Center hosts "America's Favorite Dragapella Beauty Shop Quartet" in its world premiere holiday show.

'La Pastorela Endiablada' El Teatro de la Esperanza, 2940 16th St, second fl; 255-2320. Fri/19-Sat/20, 8pm. $7-12. El Teatro de la Esperanza presents a modern adaptation of the traditional Christmas play.

San Francisco Bicycle Ballet Dogpatch Saloon, 2496 Third St; 864-2588, www.sanfranciscobicycleballet.org. Fri/19, 7-10pm. $2. The SFBB performs at this holiday party, which also features live music by Spoke Tones and Koolie Cat.

'Santaland Diaries' Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter; 846-3424. Wed/17-Sat/20, 8pm; Sun/21, 7pm. $20. SteinBeck Presents David Sedaris's tale of life as a Macy's elf, starring John Michael Beck.

'Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You' Actors Theater, 533 Sutter; 345-7575. Thurs-Sat, 8pm (no show Dec 25); Sun, 5pm. Through Dec 28. $12-15 (Thurs, pay what you can). Plan "B" Productions presents Christopher Durang's racy comedy, followed by Holidaze: An Improv Comedy.

'The Super-Happy, Fun-Time, Sensational, Nondenominational, Holiday Variety Hour Show' Climate Theater, 285 Ninth St; info@thedisclaimers.tv. Wed/17-Sat/20, 8pm. $10-12. Sketch comedy group the Disclaimers present a holiday show.

arts and crafts

'Bizarre Bazaar' Lola Gallery, 2517 Mission, second fl; 401-6800, www.lolabrown.com. Wed/17-Sat/20, noon-8pm. Free. The Lola Gallery hosts an exhibition and sale featuring artistic creations at affordable prices.

'Feria Urbana' Canvas Gallery, 1200 Ninth St; www.feriaurbanasf.com. Thurs/18, 6-8pm. Free. Local artists and designers sell clothing, jewelry, home accessories, and other items at accessible prices.

'Frost, an X-Mas Event' Project Artaud, 2800 Mariposa; www.artaud.org. Fri/19, 6-10pm; Sat/20, 11am-5pm. Free. Project Artaud artists sell ceramics, prints, jewelry, and other items.

'The Gift Giving Show' Canvas Gallery, 1200 Ninth St; www.thecanvasgallery.com. Wed/17, 8am-midnight. Free. Paintings, collages, photographs, and other works of art priced at $200 are on display at this exhibit of gift-ready works.