40 family-friendly ‘Nutcrackers,’ ‘Christmas Carols’ and other SoCal holiday shows

For those looking for a little family-friendly holiday entertainment this season, here’s a sampling of performances across Southern California, including a few “Christmas Carols,� a whole lot of “Nutcrackers� and the one and only Hollywood Christmas Parade.

THEATER

A Little House Christmas Based on the frontier-era tales of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Now through Dec. 23; Fridays through Sundays, plus some other days. $25-$34.50. (626) 355-4318. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday fable. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Nov. 25-Dec. 24; Thursdays through Sundays, plus other days. $22-$32. (818) 244-8481. www.glendalecentretheatre.com

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Stage adaptation of the 1954 movie musical that starred Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. Nov. 29-Dec. 4. $35 and up; children younger than 5 not admitted. (800) 982-2787. www.HollywoodPantages.com

It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play Theatre Unleashed presents this stage show inspired by Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 holiday fable. The Belfry Stage, Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Nov. 30-Dec. 18; Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays. $20. (818) 849-4039. www.theatreunleashed.org

Broadway Christmas Wonderland Musical revue features singing, dancing and holiday favorites. Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Dec. 1-4. $34-$84. (800) 745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com

La Virgen De Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin The Latino Theater Company presents the 14th annual reenactment of the Virgin Mary’s visitations with peasant Juan Diego in 16th century Mexico; in Spanish with English supertitles. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., L.A. Dec. 1-2, 7:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted; reserved seating, $40. (866) 811-4111. www.thelatc.org

A Christmas Carol Santa Monica Rep presents the holiday classic; for ages 8 and up. The Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. Dec. 2-18; Thursdays through Sundays. $20 and up; children, $10 with adult ticket; opening night, $75. www.santamonicarep.org

A Christmas Carol South Coast Repertory reprises its beloved staging of the Dickens classic for a 37th time. Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Dec. 2-24; Wednesdays through Sundays, plus other days. $23 and up. (714) 708-5555. www.scr.org

Merry Mid-Century Salute to 1950s-era TV Christmas specials. The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Dec. 2-18; Fridays through Sundays. $8, $15. (562) 433-3363. www.foundtheatre.org

A Christmas Carol A Noise Within remounts its acclaimed production of Dickens’ holiday fable. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Dec. 3-23; Fridays through Sundays, plus other days. $25 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100. www.anoisewithin.org

A Christmas Carol With Charles Dickens Independent Shakespeare Company’s annual re-creation of one of the Victorian-era author’s performances of his holiday tale; David Melville stars. Independent Studio, 3191 Casitas Ave., No. 168, Atwater Village. Dec. 8-18; Thursdays through Sundays. $20, $35; limited number of free tickets available. (818) 710-6306. www.iscla.org

A Cinderella Christmas Panto-style musical comedy based on the classic fairy tale; with Lauren Taylor (“Best Friends Whenever�), Alex Newell and Morgan Fairchild. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Dec. 8-Jan. 8; Tuesdays through Sundays; no shows Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. $25-$125. (626) 356-7529. www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play Stage show inspired by Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 holiday fable. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Dec. 9-23; Thursdays through Sundays, plus other days. $18-$24. (805) 583-7900. www.simi-arts.org

The Magic of Christmas The Young Americans perform in this multimedia-enhanced musical revue. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Dec. 9-18; Wednesdays through Sundays. $29-60. (562) 944-9801. www.lamiradatheatre.com

Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight Panto-style musical comedy based on the classic fairy tale; with Cozi Zuehlsdorff (“Dolphin Tale�), Joely Fisher and “American Idol� contestant Vonzell Solomon. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Dec. 9-30; Tuesdays through Sundays; no shows Christmas Day. $30-$70. (949) 497-2787. www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Rubicon Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of the holiday favorite. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Dec. 10-24; Wednesdays through Sundays. $60, $65; opening night, $150. (805) 667-2900. www.rubicontheatre.org

Elf the Musical Orange Country premiere of this stage adaptation of the kooky 2003 Will Ferrell holiday comedy. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Dec. 20-Jan. 1; Tuesdays through Sundays. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787. www.scfta.org

The MeshugaNutcracker! Musical-comedy celebration of Hanukkah and Jewish culture. Gindi Auditorium, American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel-Air. Dec. 20-Jan. 1; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, plus other days. $63, $72. (408) 404-7711. www.themeshuganutcracker.com

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Stage adaptation of the classic animated TV special. Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Dec. 21. Also, Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Dec. 23-24. $38-$104. (800) 745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com

DANCE

The Nutcracker Inland Pacific Ballet’s production of the holiday favorite. Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 3-4 at Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Dec. 10-11 at Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. Dec. 17-18 at Bridges Auditorium, Pomona College, 450 N. College Way, Claremont. $21 and up. (909) 482-1590. www.ipballet.org

The Nutcracker Westside Ballet of Santa Monica performs the holiday favorite with the Santa Monica College Symphony. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 2-4. $45. (800) 595-4849. www.westsideballet.com

Fiesta Mexicana: Feliz Navidad With Ballet Folklórico de Kareli Montoya. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Dec. 3; Saturday, 3 p.m. $38 and up. (818) 677-3000. www.ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org

Merry-Achi Christmas With Danzarts Sabor Mexico Dance Company. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Dec. 3, 7 p.m. $35-$86. (562) 467-8818. www.cerritoscenter.com

The Nutcracker Los Angeles Ballet’s production of the holiday favorite. Dec. 3-4 at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Dec. 10-11 at the Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Dec. 16-18 at Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. Dec. 22-24 at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 E. Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. $31-$99; discounts available. (310) 998-7782. www.losangelesballet.org

The Nutcracker Barak Ballet joins the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a “Symphonies for Youth� presentation of the Tchaikovsky classic. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Dec. 3, 11 a.m. $22, $26. (323) 850-2000. www.laphil.com

The Nutcracker Marat Daukayev Ballet Theatre performs. Luckman Theatre, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, L.A. Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11. $42-$64. (800) 838-3006. www.maratdaukayev.com

Nutcracker for Kids Festival Ballet Theatre performs a condensed version of the holiday favorite accompanied by Pacific Symphony. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Dec. 3, 10 and 11:30 a.m. $25-$50. (714) 755-5799. www.PacificSymphony.org

The Nutcracker American Ballet Theatre presents the Tchaikovsky favorite backed by Pacific Symphony. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 14-18. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787. www.scfta.org

The Nutcracker Ventura County Ballet performs with Ventura College Symphony Orchestra. Ventura College Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Dec. 9-11. $15 and up. (805) 486-2424. www.venturacountyballet.com

The Nutcracker Festival Ballet Theatre performs with guest dancers from San Francisco Ballet and New York City Ballet. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Dec. 10-11, Dec. 16-18 and Dec. 20-24. $42-$55. (949) 854-4646. www.thebarclay.org

The Nutcracker Long Beach Ballet performs with a live orchestra. Terrace Theater, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach. Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18. $34-$115. (877) 852-3177. www.ticketmaster.com

Great Russian Nutcracker Featuring a touring company from Moscow Ballet. Wiltern Theatre, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Dec. 16-17. $43.50-$253.50. (800) 745-3000. www.nutcracker.com

The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker Debbie Allen Dance Academy reprises Allen’s updated take on the holiday favorite. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Dec. 16-17. $34-$125. (213) 972-8550. www.thehotchocolatenutcracker.com

Fiesta Navidad With dance company Folklor Pasión Mexicana and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Dec. 23, Friday, 8 p.m. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787. www.scfta.org

MUSIC AND MORE

The Hollywood Christmas Parade Olivia Newton-John serves as grand marshal for the 85th edition of this Tinseltown tradition, featuring parade balloons, marching bands, celebrities and, of course, Santa Claus. Parade begins at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive in Hollywood, heads east on Hollywood, south on Vine Street, then west on Sunset Boulevard. Nov. 27, 5 p.m. Free (grandstand tickets are sold out). (866) 727-2331. www.thehollywoodchristmasparade.org

Bring on the Joy Angel City Chorale’s annual non-denominational holiday concert includes an audience sing-along. Wilshire United Methodist Church, 4350 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Dec. 3-4, 7 p.m. $22-$35. (310) 943-9231. www.angelcitychorale.org

Festival of Carols Sacred and secular favorites with Los Angeles Master Chorale, plus an audience sing-along and a visit from Santa. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Dec. 3, 2 p.m.; Dec. 10, 8 p.m. $29 and up; $10 student-rush tickets; children younger than 6 not admitted. (213) 972-7282. www.lamc.org

Holiday Sing-Along Family-friendly event features a choir, a jazz combo and the mighty Disney Hall pipe organ. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. $32-$84; no children under 2 admitted. (323) 850-2000. www.laphil.com

Joyful Noise! Los Robles Master Chorale offers a family-friendly holiday show. Scherr Forum, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Dec. 18, 4 p.m. $18-$29. (805) 526-7464. www.losroblesmasterchorale.com

57th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration Local music groups, choirs and dance companies take part in this multicultural, family-friendly three-hour live event in downtown L.A. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Dec. 24, 3 p.m. Free. (213) 972-3099. www.holidaycelebration.org