Where to See Nutcrackers, Scrooge, Sing- Alongs and Handel’s Messiah in December

The Nutcracker:
Bluegrass Youth Ballet: “The Nutcracker in One Act.” Friday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 21, 3 p.m. Tickets $14.50-17.50. Singletary Center for the Arts. Info: 257-4929.
The Lexington Ballet: “The Nutcracker,” Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. Tickets: $25-35. EKU Center for the Arts. Info: 233-3925.
The Kentucky Ballet: “The Nutcracker.” Saturday, Dec. 14, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m & 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m. Lex. Opera House. Tickets: $16-32. Info: 252-5245.

Lexington Children’s Theatre
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: In this Discovery production, the Herdmans, the “worst family in the world,” go from stealing lunches to giving up their Christmas ham in a story that rejoices in the importance of family, forgiveness and the capacity of us all to change.
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 & 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. Lex. Opera House. Tickets: $18/Adults, $15/Children. Info: 254-4546 ext. 247.

Lexington Philharmonic:
Handel’s Messiah: You’ll have two chances to hear the Lexington Philharmonic under the baton of conductor Scott Terrell and the Lexington Chamber Chorale and guest soloists as they perform Handel’s “Messiah.”
Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. Cathedral of Christ the King. Tickets: $20-70. Info: 233-4226.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. EKU Center for the Arts. Tickets: $25. Info: 353-6382.
Candy Cane Concert: Mischievous holiday spirits from the Magic Circle Mime Co. return to Lexington this holiday season in the Lexington Philharmonic’s family friendly performance of “Candy Cane: Spirit of the Holidays.” UK Singletary Center. Sunday, Dec. 15, 3 p.m. Tickets: $12. Info: 233-4226.

A Christmas Carol
EKU Center for the Arts: This celebrated adaptation by Charles Jones of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is rich with thrilling ensemble music, alive with color and movement and is created to tell this great and enduring tale in a manner that people of all ages will enjoy.
Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.n. Tickets: $35. EKU Center for the Arts. Info: 353-6382.

UK Theatre: This version of “A Christmas Carol” will be performed with a hearty helping of nostalgia and a sprinkling of the supernatural.
Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 & 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $15; Students $10. Guignol Theatre, 114 Fine Arts Building, UK Campus. Info: 257-4929.

UK Opera Theatre
Celebration of Song: Singers led by UK professor Everett McCorvey will stage an old-fashioned holiday sing- along. Sponsored by Alltech.
Sunday, Dec. 15, 5 & 7:30 p.m. Victorian Square Atrium. Downtown. Free.
WKYT-TV will broadcast the concert on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.