holiday

Holiday listings are compiled by Lydia Brawner, Sarah Han, Sean Patrick Maylone, and Justin Yu. Listings for Wed/21-Tues/27 below; check back each week for updated events. For information on how to submit a listing, see 8 Days a Week.

attractions

Christmas kayaking Pier 38; 357-1010, www.citykayak.com. Sun/25, noon-4pm. $50, reservations required. Go on an exciting kayaking adventure on Christmas!

'Holidays at the Exploratorium' Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon; EXP-LORE. Sat/24, 2pm; Dec 26-31, noon and 2pm. $8-13. The science museum presents a film version of Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales and a holiday animation film program. See 8 Days a Week.

'Reindeer Romp' San Francisco Zoo, 1 Zoo Rd, Sloat Blvd at 47th Ave; 753-7080, www.sfzoo.org. Daily, 10am-5pm. Through Jan 1. Free with paid zoo admission ($4.50-11). Bring the little ones to see what Santa's hoofed helpers really look like at this special exhibit featuring four antlered reindeer.

'San Francisco SPCA Holiday Windows Express' Macy's, Stockton at O'Farrell; 522-3500, www.sfspca.org. During store hours, through Mon/26. Free. The SPCA presents an adorable display of cats and dogs; all featured pets are available for adoption.

'Making Merry and Zeum' Zeum, 221 Fourth St; 777-2800, www.zeum.org. Daily, 11am-5pm (Sat/24 and Dec 31, 11am-3pm; Sun/25 and Jan 1, closed). Through Jan 1. $5-7. Bring the family to Zeum for holiday workshops, exhibitions, performances, and more.

Bay Area

Knight Ridder's Downtown Ice Circle of Palms, South Market St across from Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose; (408) 279-1775, ext 45, www.sjdowntown.com. Through Jan 1: noon-midnight. Jan 3-15: Mon-Thurs, 6-10pm; Fri, 5pm-midnight; Sat, noon-midnight; Sun, noon-10pm. $12-14. A glide around this outdoor skating rink is a perfect way to ring in the holidays; price includes skate rentals.

Lawrence Hall of Science UC Berkeley, Centennial Dr below Grizzly Peak, Berk; www.lawrencehallofscience.org. Daily, 10am-5pm (closed Sun/25). $5.50-9.50. Through Jan 14. Celebrate the holidays at UC Berkeley's science museum where you can discover facts about dinosaurs at the museum's "Big Dinos Return" exhibit, learn about the science of fire, and watch music and magic performers.

benefits

'Teddy Bear Tea' Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton; 773-6198. Daily, 10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm. Through Sat/24. $58. Binky the Elf and the Ritz-Carlton teddy bear make appearances for this tea time event; proceeds benefit the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Toy giveaway Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, 330 Ellis; 674-6000, www.glide.org. Thurs/22, 10-11am. Free. Glide presents this annual toy drive for the holidays.

celebrations

'A Chaos Christmas Carol' 12 Galaxies, 2565 Mission; 970-9777. Sat/24, 10pm. $5. Bring a present to put under the tree at this game show holiday party hosted by Chicken John and friends.

Christmas party Peña PachaMama, 1630 Powell; 646-0018. Sun/25, 9pm. $10. Join SF Carnival's first place samba troupe, Fo Go Na Ropa at this Latin-tinged Christmas party featuring samba and salsa dancing.

'A Dark Sparkle Christmas' Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market; 861-5016. Sat/24, 9pm. $5. Join DJs Miz Margo and Sage and hosted Michael Sparkle at this gothic Christmas dance party.

'Fantasy Gothic Waltz's Gothic Winter Wonderland' Cherry Bar and Lounge, 917 Folsom; 974-1585, www.thecherrybar.com. Thurs/22, 8pm, $7, $5 in costume. See 8 Days a Week.

'Holiday Wine Tasting Party for Single Professionals' California Modern Art Gallery, 1035 Market; (925) 945-8340, http://winesocials.com. Fri/23, 7:30pm. $30. The Society of Single Professionals presents this holiday mixer where singles can sip on tasty wines while meeting new people.

'Old Fashioned Christmas' Madrone Lounge, 500 Divisadero; 241-0202. Sat/24, 8pm, $4. Uni and her Ukelele and Kitten on the Keys hosts this Christmas Eve party featuring vintage holiday songs, Yuletide beverages, and live musical performances by the two hosts.

'Strangelove: XXX-Mas' Underground SF, 424 Haight; www.strangelovesf.com. 10pm-2am, $5. Tomas Diablo and Shatter Claus present this Christmas dance party featuring dark electro, industrial, new wave, and goth music.

Tenderlion Tessie holiday dinner Furst Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin; 255-7503. Sun/25, 1-4pm. Free. Tenderloin Tessie provides holiday dinners featuring turkey with all the fixin's, dessert, and a gift bag.

'X-Mas Speakeasy' Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa; 505-8530, www.TuesdayNightJumo.com. Fri/23, 8:30pm, $15. This prohibition-era themed party features burlesque floor shows and live music. Vintage or cocktail attire is recommended.

Bay Area

'Anti-Christmas Slumber Party' 924 Gilman. 8pm-3am, free. This antiholiday holiday party features games, movies, food, and hanging out.

hanukkah

'Bill Graham Menorah 30th Annivesary: Chanukah in Union Square' Union Square; 753-0910. Dec 25-Jan 1. Sun/25, 3pm; Mon/25, 2pm; Dec 27-29, 5pm; Dec 30, 3pm; Dec 31, 7pm; Jan 1, 4:30pm. Free. Celebrate Hanukkah at this outdoor public Menorah lighting ceremony; live music performances on Sun/25-Mon/26.

'Intersections: Reading the Space' Contemporary Jewish Museum, 121 Steuart; 344-8800, wwwthecjm.org. Sun/25, noon-4pm, Sun-Thurs, noon-6pm (closed Jan 1). Dec 25-Feb 26. The Contemporary Jewish Museum celebrates the start of Hanukkah and Christmas with this exhibition featuring collaborative and individual works by three women artists from three different religious and cultural backgrounds. See 8 Days a Week.

Bay Area

'Chanukah Celebration' Oakland City Center, adjacent to 12th St BART Station, Oakl; (510) 628-9170, ext 116, www.oaklandcitycenter.com. Wed/21, 12pm-1pm, free. Unfamiliar with Klezmer music? This style of eastern European folk music was first formed in the hands of Jewish Europeans. Today, Jewish musicians Klez X will perform their own version of the ancient art.

Public menorah lighting Community Plaza, State and Main, Los Altos; (650) 949-5282. Mon/26, 5pm. Free. The public is invited for the lighting of the giant menorah, music and dancing, refreshments, and children's activities.

music

'Black X-mas' Elbo Room, 647 Valencia; 552-7788. Sat/24, 9pm. $6.66. Graves Bros. Deluxe, Mutilated Mannequins, 16 Bitch Pile Up, Sergio Iglesias and the Latin Love Machine, K-Rob, Theremin Barney, and Tralphaz perform at this eighth annual holiday show presented by Karla LaVey's Satanic Church; other highlights include video by Brutallo Horror and Pirate Cat Radio DJs. See 8 Days a Week.

'Et in Terra Pax/And on Earth, Peace' Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness; 392-4400. Wed/21, 8pm. $14-45. The San Francisco Girls Chorus presents their annual holiday concert program that centers on the theme of world peace.

'Gospel Christmas with Tammy Hall' Jazz at Pearl's, 256 Columbus; 291-8255. Fri/23, 8:30 and 10:30pm. $10. Tammy Hall sings gospel-style Christmas songs.

'Home for the Holidays' Castro Theater, 429 Castro; 864-ARTS, www.sfgmc.org. Sat/24, 5, 7, and 9pm. $15-20. San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus presents this show commemorating the 40th anniversary of "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

'Klezmer Chanukah with Kugelplex' Jazz at Pearl's, 256 Columbus; 291-8255. Thurs/22, 8:30 and 10:30pm. $5-10. Kugelplex performs klezmer music in celebration of Hanukkah.

LeeVees, Balkan Beat Box Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market; 861-5016. Thurs/22, 9pm. $15. The LeeVees perform indie-pop Hanukkah songs and the Balkan Beat Box play ethnic dance music.

Bay Area

Christmas Eve jazz service First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina, Point Richmond; (510) 236-0527. Sat/24, 7pm. Free. Dan Damon Trio and guests perform.

Clairdee Yoshi's, 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakl; (510) 238-9200. Sat/24, 8 and 10pm, $8-16. The jazz chanteuse performs at this fourth-annual Christmas show.

'From the Darkness, Solace' Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont, Oakl; (510) 228-3207. Wed/21, 7-11 pm. $10-20 donation. Thirty musicians and visual artists perform on the longest night of the year.

Holiday revue and fundraiser Freight and Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison, Berk; (510) 548-1761. Wed/21, 8pm. $17.50. Danny Carnahan hosts the Freight's annual holiday folk music show featuring Camogie, Norton Buffalo and friends, Cascada de Flores, and Caren Armstrong.

nutcrackers and cracked nuts

'The Nutcracker' War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness; 865-2000, www.sfballet.org. Mon/26, 2 and 7pm; Dec 27-29, 2pm. Through Dec 29. $18-140. It's easy to make fun of The Nutcracker. It's a cash cow for every two-bit ballet company. It sentimentalizes the nuclear family. It has been shamelessly appropriated by big business. Its two acts don't even hold together very well. Yet give the old thing a chance, and you'll be drawn in. Tchaikovsky's score is irresistible. Take the narrative as a Freudian coming-of-age story, or just take it as an excuse for fun dancing. Helgi Tomasson's 2004 version is a little of both. What makes this one so special is that it's as gentle and luminous as the sun filtering through SF's proverbial fog – not a fleck of bombastic showmanship about it. Setting the work in an Edwardian environment, around the time of the Panama exhibition, may please local chauvinists, but its charm, imagination, and goodwill please even if you are not besotted by this place. The second act is Tomasson's more original reading. It spans a full day with early-morning butterflies, ladybugs, and dragonflies waking up, and ends with a magical transformation of a girl into a princess. The company dances beautifully, and the orchestra sounds splendid. Only one complaint: The choreography for the "Waltz of the Flowers" is too thin, and the knee-length costumes look like flopping shingles coming off a roof. Bring back the old skirts – they were so much more enticing. (Rita Felciano)

'Nutcracker Nutz and Boltz' Marsh, 1062 Valencia; 826-5750. Wed/21- Fri/23, Dec 27-30, 2pm. $15-22. Puppet troupe Liebe Wetzel's Lunatique Fantastique performs its unique rendition of this traditional holiday favorite.

theater, comedy, and performance

'Beach Blanket Babylon Seasonal Extravaganza' Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St); 421-4222. This week: Wed/21-Thurs/22, Tues/27, 8pm (also Wed/21, 5pm); Fri/23, 7 and 10pm. $25-75. Steve Silver's musical comedy features pop-culture figures, tap dancing Christmas trees, and one huge Christmas-themed hat.

'Black Nativity' Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, 620 Sutter; 474-8800, www.lhtsf.org. Thurs/22-Sat/24, 8pm. $25-32. Based on Langston Hughes's gospel play, this musical rendering of the Christmas story (directed by Stanley E. Williams) offers a rejuvenating respite from the commercial holiday madness going on just outside of this award-winning downtown theater (now celebrating its silver anniversary). Taking us back to the biblical roots of Christmas, the story of the Nativity is told through rousing musical numbers (the opening rendition of "Joy to the World" has the audience clapping along from the first verse), narration, and dance (a modern dance and jazz fusion choreographed by Ronnie Reddick). The second act brings us into the modern era as the Word is spread in a black urban church. Small dramas played out among members of the congregation (a young boy goofs off in the background, a single woman flirts with a married man) give this act some semblance of a narrative, but in truth the fourth wall is about two inches tall here and this is about as close to being in church as you can get without actually being there. It's the soul-stirring gospel music that is this play's raison d'être, and with Robin Hodge-Williams as musical director and the legendary Miss Faye Carol heading up a talented and powerful group of vocalists, this is about as good as it gets. (Lara Shalson)

'The Christmas Ballet' Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard; 978-2787. Wed/21-Fri/23, 8pm (also Thurs/22, 2pm). $20-60. Smuin Ballet presents their annual holiday show featuring tap dancing, swing, ballet and more to classical, klezmer, jazz, and pop music.

'A Christmas Carol' Geary Theater, 415 Geary; 749-2228, www.act-sf.org. Wed/21-Fri/23, 2 and 7pm; Sat/24, noon. $18-80. A Christmas Carol is holiday fare of a special kind. Being an existential morality tale, it has a little bit of terror at the heart of it. This was Dickens' great innovation: a Christmas ghost story. (Although the biblical Christ story comes with a pretty spooky denouement already, for some reason it's never made it into Christmas celebrations proper.) American Conservatory Theater's new version of the holiday classic, coadapted by artistic director Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh, plays up the spectacle associated with the traditional family feature, deploying some clever and impressive stage effects, as well as an original score by Karl Lundeberg (expansive and enchanted for the most part, though interspersed with a few not very memorable songs). The drama, however, comes over fitfully well. Some pacing and timing issues (that will probably be smoothed out in the long run) are partly to blame. But there's also just more emphasis placed on humor and joy throughout, so that even the fine Giles Havergal's Scrooge never seems as bitter and irremediable as he should. Whatever you want to say about humor and joy – it's Christmas, after all – their impact is greater when the darkness and emptiness inside Scrooge and his world are allowed a little more face time with the audience. (Robert Avila)

'Cinderella' Zeum, 221 Fourth St; www.african-americanshakes.org, www.ticketweb.com. Fri-Sun, 3pm (also Fri-Sat, 8pm; no 8pm show Dec 31; no show Sat/24). Through Dec 31. $20-25. African-American Shakespeare Company presents this classical fairy tale told from an African American cultural perspective.

'Dirt and Glory: Return of the Golem' Traveling Jewish Theatre, 470 Florida; 522-0786, www.atjt.com. Thurs/22-Sat/24, 8pm; Sun/25, 2 and 7pm. $10-30 (Thurs/22, pay what you can) (Also Dec 29, 8pm and Jan 1, 2pm, Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut, Berk; same phone number, Web site, and price). Director Eric Rhys Miller explores modern golems in this original production. See 8 Days a Week.

'High Water Radio' Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon; 392-4400. This week: Wed/21, Thurs/22, Fri/23, 8pm; Sat/24 and Tues/27, 2pm (also Tues/27, 8pm). Through Jan 1. $24-35. The Pickle Circus presents this exciting holiday show featuring high-flying acrobats, clowns, music by the Tin Hat Trio, and more.

'Kung Pao Kosher Comedy' New Asia Restaurant, 772 Pacific; (925) 275-9005, www.koshercomedy.com. Thurs/22-Sat/24, 6 and 9:30pm; Sun/25, 5 and 8:30pm. $40-60. Celebrate Christmas with four Jewish comedians (Lisa Geduldig, Wendy Liebman, Gregg Rogell, and Betsy Salkind) and some egg rolls at this hilarious holiday show. See 8 Days a Week.

'Really Rosie' New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972, www.nctcsf.org. Dec 27-31, 2 and 4pm. Through Dec 31. $8-14. New Conservatory Theatre Center presents this holiday musical event featuring music by Carole King.

'The Santaland Diaries' and 'Season's Greetings' Off Market Theater, Stage 250, 965 Mission; 896-6477, ext 2. Thurs-Sun, 8pm. Through Dec 30. $20-25. Director Richard Ryan brings the hilarious stories of David Sedaris to life.

'Unsilent Night' Mission Dolores Park, 18th St and Dolores; www.philkline.com. Wed/21, 6:45pm. Free. Phil Kline leads this caroling event where boomboxes take the place of voices.

Bay Area

'Big Fat Year End Kiss Off' 142 Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley; (415) 383-9600, www.142throckmortontheatre.com. Thurs/22, 8pm. $20. Will Durst, Jim Short, Debi Durst, Mike Bossier, Steve Kravitz, and Arthur Gaus perform comedy, improvisation, and sketches based on memorable and noteworthy events of 2005.

'A Christmas Carol' Napa Valley District Auditorium, 2475 Jefferson, Napa; 1-800-557-NVRT. Wed/21-Thurs/22, 7:30pm; Sat/24, 2pm. $15-28. The Napa Valley Repertory Theatre presents a new adaptation by Domenique Lozano of the classic Christmas tale.

'Cirque Do Somethin'' Marsh Berkeley, Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way, Berk; 1-800-838-3006, www.themarsh.org. Dec 27-30, 1pm. $10-15 sliding scale. Moshe Cohen and Unique Derique present this holiday circus arts performance.

'A Little Cole in Your Stocking' Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison, Berk; (510) 843-4822. Wed-Fri, 8pm. Through Dec 30. $25. Husband and wife cabaret duo Billy Philadelphia and Meg Mackay present this holiday jazz show featuring classic Cole Porter tunes.

'Once Upon a Christmas' Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek; (925) 943-7469, www.dlrca.org. Thurs/22-Fri/23, 2 (also Thurs/22, 7:30pm). $14-18. Lareen Fender's Ballet Joyeux presents this holiday ballet for all ages.

'Whiskers!' Dean Lesher Regional Center, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek; (925) 943-7469. Wed/21, 11:15am, 1:15 pm, and 7:15pm; Thurs/22, 1:15pm, 3:15pm, 7:15pm. $8-15. This Galatean Players Ensemble Theatre present this musical for the entire family based on Margery Williams' classic The Velveteen Rabbit.

tree lightings and family events

'Winter Break Workshops' Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way; 554-9600. Tues, 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm. Through Dec 30. $11. Enjoy loads of hands-on, low-cost workshops exploring arts, crafts, and sciences. Classes fill up fast, so register soon!

Bay Area

Christmas Eve candlelight services Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd, Kensington; (510) 525-0302. Sat/24, 5 and 10pm. The church presents a family early-evening and a late-night service.

'Holidays on Solano' Solano Ave, Berk and Albany; www.solanoave.org. Sat, 10am-5pm. Through Sat/24. Free. Celebrate the holidays at this annual neighborhood event where you can shop in area stores while enjoying live entertainment. This week's performers include Georgia Tapp, Tom Collins, Alan Smithline (Wed/21, 1-5pm), Alex Yaskin, Dana Smith and his performing dog Lacey, Featherlight the Clown (Thurs/22, 1-5pm), Anafaith Lubliner, the Spirtz, Laurie Chastain (Fri/23, 1-5pm); and Allen Horne, Toy Soldier, and Greg Fribee (Sat/24, 1-5pm).

arts and crafts

'Affordable Art' City Art Gallery, 828 Valencia; 970-9900, www.cityartgallery.org. Wed-Sun, noon-9pm. Through Jan 29. Free. You can buy masterpieces for $150 or less at this show featuring art by local artists.

Artist-Xchange holiday gift fair Artist-Xchange, 3169 16th St; 864-1490. Sat, noon-6pm. Through Sat/24. Free. Local artists and designers sell their works at this event.

Braunstein/Quay holiday group show Braunstein Quay, 430 Clementina; 278-9850. Tues-Sat, 11am-5:30pm. Through Jan 7. Free. This group show features new and smaller works by Braunstein/Quay gallery artists.

'Christmas Stockings; an erotic holiday' Fusion Artwork Gallery, lower level of Stormy Leather, 1158 Howard; 821-2431. Daily, noon-7pm. Through Jan 4. Free. This titillating art show features works by Carolyn Weltman, Ray Leaning, Barbara Jensen, Jack Henslee, Howard Austin Feld, Erik Drudwyn, Sherri Grotts, and others.

'Creativity Explored's Holiday Art Sale' Creativity Explored, 3245 16th St; 863-2108, www.creativityexplored.org. Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm; Sat, 1-6pm. Through Dec 31. Free. This art sale features works by artists with developmental, psychiatric, and/or physical disabilities.

Mexican Museum holiday art sale Fort Mason Center, Bldg D, Marina at Laguna; 202-9700, www.mexicanmuseum.org. Tues-Sat, 11am-5pm. Through Fri/23. Free. This holiday art sale features works by local and international artists.

Ruby's Clay Studio annual holiday show Ruby's Clay Studio and Gallery, 552A Noe; 558-9819. Daily, 10am-7pm. Through Jan 3. The gallery presents this holiday show featuring works by 30 ceramists.

Springer-Croke fine art group holiday exhibit Springer-Croke Fine Art, 3236 Sacramento; 931-1779. Wed-Sat, 11am-5pm, and by appt. Through Jan 20. The gallery presents this show featuring paintings, sculpture, and mixed media works by Marcine Franckowiak, Susan Friedman, Ginny Parsons, and others.

Velvet da Vinci holiday show Velvet da Vinci, 2015 Polk; 441-0109. Mon-Sat, noon-6pm; Sun, noon-5pm. Through Dec 31. This 15th-annual art show features the latest work by the gallery's artists.

Bay Area

Berkeley Potter's Guild holiday sale and show Berkeley Potter's Guild, 731 Jones, Berk; (510) 524-7031, www.berkeleypotters.com. Wed/21-Sat/24, 10am-6pm. Free. Buy ceramic art at this event featuring works for sale by 20 artists and a gallery show, "Playing With Fire."

Holiday exhibition and sale Creative Growth Art Center, 355 24th St, Oakl; (510) 836-2340, ext 15. Sat, 10am-4pm. Through Jan 6. Free. Creative Growth presents its yearly exhibit and sale featuring works by more than 140 visual artists with disabilities.

'Telegraph Ave Holiday St Fair 2005' Telegraph Ave, between Dwight Way and Bancroft Way, Berk; (510) 234-1013. Fri/23-Sat/24, 11am-6pm. Free. More than 200 artists, merchants, and community groups set up for this four-block street fair featuring a handmade craft show.