Holiday Performances
Derby Dinner Playhouse
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” is a timeless classic full of dancing, laughter and treasured tunes that will take audiences back to a time when life was simpler. Evening programs include a dinner buffet before the show and are offered Tuesday-Sunday, 6 p.m. through Dec. 31. Matinees are Tuesday-Friday and Sunday beginning at 11:45 a.m. and include lunch before the play. No programs will be offered on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Ind. Info (812) 288-8281 or www.derbydinner.com.
Derby Dinner Playhouse
Children’s Musical Theatre Series “Jack Frost Saves Christmas.” All performances feature a kid-friendly menu and a visit from Santa at every table. Breakfast performances are offered at 9 a.m., and lunch performances at noon. School performances are available throughout the week and are scheduled through Dec. 18. For children ages 3-12. 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Ind. Info: (812) 288-8281 or www.derbydinner.com.
EKU Center for the Arts
“An Irish Christmas”
Take a journey through Christmas in Ireland. An Irish Christmas brings just about everything to the table – joy, hope, laughter, friendship and celebration of life. As seen on PBS, this cast of award-winning singers and dancers wraps glorious music, traditional dance, lively storytelling and plenty of Irish soul into one Christmas package. Friday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Tickets: $15-$46.50. Info: 622-7469 or www.ekucenter.com.
KFC Yum Center, Louisville
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
“The Ghosts of Christmas Eve”
This musical performance tells the story of a runaway little girl’s decision to return to her family after she enters a rundown theater for shelter and encounters an old caretaker who guides her on her journey. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $31.50-$61.25. Info: (502) 690-9000.
Lexington Children’s Theatre
“Junie B. In Jingle Bells Batman Smells”
Junie B. Jones, first-grader, is super-excited about the upcoming Holiday Sing-Along and Secret Santa gift exchange at her school. Too bad tattletale May keeps ruining all of Junie B.’s fun. So when Junie B. draws May’s name for Secret Santa, she comes up with the perfect plan to teach her nemesis a lesson. But will the Christmas spirit of peace and goodwill interfere before she can give you-know-who what she deserves? A hilarious and endearing tale based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Lex. Opera House. Tickets: $18 for adults, $15 for children. Info: 254-4546 ext. 247.
Lexington Opera House
Jim Brickman “Comfort & Joy”
Jim Brickman brings the sounds of the season with Comfort & Joy, the 2015 Holiday Tour. Hailed by the Boston Herald as a “crowd-pleaser,” Brickman celebrates with lush instrumentals and soaring vocals. Monday, Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $35-$65. Info: 233-3535.
Lexington Philharmonic
“Gloria!” with the Lexington Chamber Chorale
LexPhil presents a diverse selection of sacred works, including excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria. The music of modern masters John Taverner and Eric Whitacre complete the program, featuring the Lexington Chamber Chorale with soloists Ben Bliss, tenor, and Sarah Tucker, soprano. Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. Cathedral of Christ the King. Tickets: www.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=747295. Info: 233-4226.
Norton Center for the Arts
Dailey & Vincent’s “The Spirit of Christmas”
Helping to kick off “the most wonderful time of the year,” three-time Grammy nominees Dailey & Vincent return to the Norton Center with their Christmas Tour. These “rockstars of bluegrass” are young but seasoned veterans of the stage. Friday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Tickets: $35-$46. Info: (859) 236-4692.
The Lexington Singers
“Handel’s Messiah”
Hear soprano Rebecca Farley, alto La’Shelle Allen, bass Eric Brown and special guest tenor, local star Gregory Turay, deemed “one of the brightest natural talents to have emerged from the U.S. in recent years,” by the London Times. 150+ voice choir, A Lexington Singers tradition. Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts. Tickets: $9-$27 (plus fees). Info: 257-4929.
UK Collage: A Holiday Spectacular
Rejoice in the holiday spirit at the 18th annual “Collage” concert presented by 200 UK Choir members, Lexington Singers Children’s Choir and a host of guest ensembles and soloists. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts. Tickets: $10-$22. Info: 257-5897.
UK Opera Theatre
“Amahl & the Night Visitors”
A classic for the whole family, this one-act opera was composed by Gian Carlo Menotti and features music performed by members of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra. Saturday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Lyric Theatre, Tickets: $12.50-$22.50. Info: 280-2218.
UK Opera Theatre
Alltech Holiday Celebration of Song
Community sing-along of holiday favorites conducted by Dr. Everett McCorvey, featuring award-winning vocalists from UK Opera Theatre and the Alltech Opera Scholarship Competition. Sunday, Dec. 13, 5 & 7:30 p.m. The Square, W. Main St. and N. Broadway. Free. Info: 257-9331.