The Modesto area holiday season is wrapped in fun

The spirit of the season will resound across a variety of stages now that the Christmas season officially has started. Music, dance, theater and film will help pay tribute to the holiday across the region.

Many shows bring traditional favorites that locals have come to count on, while others feature some big names in the music world traveling in for special appearances.

Here’s a look at some of what the season has in store:

Dance

Diciembre Navideno – Dec. 5-6: With a whirlwind of colorful wardrobes, a festival of ancestral sounds is performed in this Mexican Christmas production. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $15-$30. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

“The Nutcracker” – Dec. 12-21: The classic ballet of a magical nutcracker doll returns, performed by Modesto’s Central West Ballet. 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. $29-$54. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

“Twisted Nutcracker” – Dec. 19-20: Backstage Academy of Dance offers a different take on the classic ballet for its 30th anniversary production. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Turlock Community Theatre, 1574 E. Canal Drive. $12-$15. (209) 667-8511.

“The Nutcracker” – Dec. 18-20: Studio 4 Dance Theater presents the classic in a full-length production. 6 p.m. Dec. 18-19, 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 20. Meet-and-greet with the Sugar Plum Fairy after the matinee Dec. 20. $7-$15. Bret Harte Theatre, Angels Camp. (800) 595-4849.

“A Christmas Wish” – Dec. 19-2: Strut Performing Arts Christmas stage production features more than 150 student dancers and instructors in ballet, tap, jazz, b-boy, hip-hop and more. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, Friday-Saturday; 1 p.m. doors, 2 p.m. show, Sunday. $20. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto (209) 527-4697. www.thestate.org

Film

Kids’ Celebration Of Christmas – Dec. 7: A film presentation of “The Muppets Christmas Carol” will include visits with Santa, candy canes, hot cocoa and cookies, plus a forest of trees decked out in ornaments. 11:45 a.m. doors; 1 p.m. film. $6 general; $3 children 12 and under. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto (209) 527-4697. www.thestate.org

“Miracle On 34th Street” – Dec. 20: This 1947 Christmas film classic focuses on a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real deal. Part of the CareMore Senior Film Series. 10:30 a.m. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto (209) 527-4697. www.thestate.org

“A Christmas Story” – Dec. 22-24: In the 1940s, in the town of Hammond, 9-year-old Ralphie wants one thing for Christmas – an official Red Ryder BB rifle. $5. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto (209) 527-4697. www.thestate.org

“It’s A Wonderful Life” – Dec. 22-24: Frank Capra’s beloved film about George Bailey, an affable man who’s never turned his back on a friend in need. Yet he believes his family, and the townspeople of Bedford Falls, would be better off without him. $5. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto (209) 527-4697. www.thestate.org

“White Christmas” – Dec. 22-24: A Yuletide season classic romantic comedy set to the music of composer and lyricist Irving Berlin. $5. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto (209) 527-4697. www.thestate.org

Music

Christmas Wonderland – Today: Musical event featuring Shawnette Sulker, Jonno, Shuntavia and special guests. 7 p.m. $12-$24. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

Michael W. Smith Christmas – Dec. 1: Multiple award-winning contemporary Christian music artist brings his many hits and songs from his four Christmas albums to Modesto. 7:30 p.m. $29-$69. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org.

Acoustic Christmas – Dec. 2: Rock holiday tradition returns with a lineup of artists including American Authors, Matt Nathanson, Echosmith and Andy Grammer. Presented by ClearChannel Radio 929. 7 p.m. doors; 8 p.m. show. While sold out, some tickets are available through radio station giveaways. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto (209) 527-4697. www.thestate.org

Diamond Rio: Holidays and Hits – Dec. 2: Country band formed in 1984 will present classics including “Winter Wonderland,” “Let It Snow,” “Christmas Time Is Here” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” 7:30 p.m. $29-$69. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

“Christmas At The Movies” – Dec. 4-14: Mountain Melody, Calaveras women’s chorus, presents a musical holiday program featuring songs from family favorite, classic Christmas and contemporary films. Light refreshments during intermission. Call for specific times and locations. Free. (209) 754-4783.

Sounds of the Season Concert – Dec. 5-7: Columbia Community Chorus with a 20-member orchestra performs pieces familiar, unique and classical with caroling with the audience and ending with Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” $5-$12. Sonora Opera Hall, 250 S Washington St. (209) 586-5965.

Holiday Pops! – Dec. 5-6: A Modesto Symphony Orchestra presentation of Christmas classics, carols and medleys featuring Tony DeSare. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday. $17-$89. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

“Gift Of Song” – Dec. 6-7: Youth Entertainment Stage Company presents its fifth annual holiday music review and sing-a-long. 4 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Johansen High School Theatre, 641 Norseman Drive, Modesto. $10-$12. (209) 238-6850.

Carolfest – Dec. 7: Annual celebration of the season in song. 2 and 6 p.m. California State University, Stanislaus, Mainstage Theatre, 1 University Circle, Turlock. $8-$12. (209) 667-3959.

“It’s A Big Band Christmas” – Dec. 7: Big band holiday performance with Bob Secor. Part of the 2014-15 Columbia Jazz Artist Series season. Columbia College Dogwood Theatre, 11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora. $15. (209) 559-0565.

Christmas With The Rat Pack – Dec. 11: Voices of the Rat Pack – Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and more crooners of the 1950s and ’60s – by local vocalist Matt Henderson, who will entertain with tunes, jingles and anecdotes. 1 p.m. doors; 2 p.m. show. Free. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto (209) 527-4697. www.thestate.org

Opus Handbell Ensemble – Dec. 12: Fifteen-member handbell choir presents the music of the holiday season. 7:30 p.m. $8-$15. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

Pacific Boychoir Christmas Concert – Dec. 13: All-boys choir from Pacific Boychoir Academy in Oakland. Opening act will be The Singers Company, a local all-girls choir. 7 p.m. Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St., Merced. $30-$35. (209) 381-0500.

Zydeco Christmas Party – Dec. 13: Zydeco Christmas party features the BluesBox Bayou Band, as well as dance lessons with Zydeco Ted Sherrod. Dinner, bar and hospitality available. 7 p.m. doors; 7:30 p.m. lesson; 8:30 p.m. dance. Eagles Hall, 126 Camellia Way, Modesto. $10. (209) 526-3096.

An Irish Christmas – Dec. 13-14: Celebrate Christmas in Ireland with music, traditional dance, storytelling, laughter and Irish soul. 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; 8 p.m. Saturday. $25-$45. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite” – Dec. 16: Music from the classic story performed with the CSU Stanislaus Jazz Ensemble. $8 general; $5 members; CSUS students, free. Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock. Call (209) 632-5761. www.carnegieartsturlock.org

Modesto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Candlelight Concert – Dec. 18: Holiday music performed by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and special guest performance from the Expressions Youth Choirs and the Opus Handbell Ensemble. Event is held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 1200 Maze Blvd. 8 p.m. $10-$55.

Christmas Singalong – Dec. 21: Christmas carols and songs with Annette Hutton on piano. Refreshments served. 6 p.m. Hutton’s Hamlet Performing Arts Center, 132 W. G St., Oakdale. Free. (209) 848-1216.

Christmas Tribute To Charlie Brown – Dec. 22: Jazz piano legend David Benoit pays tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” 7:30 p.m. $25-$45. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

Theater/stage shows

“A Christmas Carol” – Nov. 28-Dec. 20: Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Murphys Creek Theatre, 580 S. Algiers Road, Murphys. $10-$20. (209) 728-8422.

“Sanders Family Christmas” – Through Dec. 21: Nostalgic comedy, gospel singalong as the Sanders Family Singers head up the annual Christmas celebration at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. 7 p.m. Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday-Sunday. Fallon House Theatre, 11175 Washington St., Columbia. $26-$32. (209) 532-3120.

“Greetings” – Through Dec. 21: Stage 3 Theatre shows that miracles can happen when Andy takes his atheist fiancée to meet his Catholic family at Christmas. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Stage 3 Theatre, 208 S Washington St., Sonora. (209) 536-1778.

“A Very Electric Christmas” – Dec. 3: A tale of adventure, friendship and love centered on a young bird named Max going home for the holidays. Performed in complete darkness with dazzling, cutting-edge “lightwire” technology, moving sculpture and dance. 6:30 p.m. $15-$35. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

“Miss Poinsettia 2014 Contest” – Dec. 6: This Broadway-style musical comedy features tap dancing and aerial arts, presented by the Center for Urban Performance and Service and Westside Ministries. 2 and 7 p.m. Turlock Community Theatre, 1574 E. Canal Drive. Free, offering taken. (209) 667-9020.

“The Elves and the Shoemaker” – Dec. 7: Two merry elves arrive at a small village in the Black Forest to discover a poor, kindly shoemaker and his wife, who clearly need assistance. Their generosity and cleverness save the shoemaker from a bleak and unhappy holiday. 2 and 4 p.m. $8-$15. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

“Victorian Christmas Feast” – Dec. 11-19: A 120-year-old banquet melodrama with a cast of colorful characters and minstrels mixed with food and wines. Reservations required. 6:30 p.m. Columbia Historic State Park, Main and State streets, Columbia. $120. (209) 532-3184. http://friendsofcolumbiashp.com/

“Christmas Town 2014” – Dec. 14: Center Stage Kids presentation. 2 and 6 p.m. Johansen High School theater, 641 Norseman Drive, Modesto. $10 adults; $5 children. (209) 277-5536.

“A Christmas Memory” – Dec. 19-21: This tale, set in a small Southern town in the 1930s, follows the comic adventures of two misfit cousins in a joyous, emotional holiday musical. Sponsored in remembrance of Bette Belle Smith. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $12-$25. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. (209) 338-2100. www.galloarts.org

Las Posasdas Nativity Procession – Dec. 14: Spanish tradition that re-enacts the biblical story of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. 5:30 p.m. Columbia State Historic Park, Main and State streets, Columbia. Free. (209) 536-1672.

This story was originally published November 28, 2014 at 11:08 AM with the headline "The Modesto area holiday season is wrapped in fun."