NutcrackersALL AROUND THE BAY
Through Dec. 31, 9 a.m. to midnight. Each year, Plaza de Cesar Chavez is transformed into a
wintry fantasyland with more than 40 animated exhibits, musical acts, dazzling lights and a
60-foot community giving tree. Get into the spirit with carnival rides, ice skating, seasonal
treats and pictures with old Saint Nick himself. Free. Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Market St., San
Jose. 408/200-3800.
December 2018/January 2019 83
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET’S NUTCRACKER.
Through Dec. 29, times vary. The
Nutcracker has introduced audiences of all
ages to the magnificent world of ballet since
its premier in San Francisco on Christmas
Eve, 1944. An instant sensation, the ballet
launched a national holiday tradition. This
year marks the sixth annual production since
its new revamp in 2014. War Memorial Opera
House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco.
415/865-2000.
PENINSULA BALLET’S NUTCRACKER
SWEET. Dec 1–16, times vary. Create cherished
family memories with a dazzling holiday
outing to a performance by Peninsula
Ballet. Take petite patrons of the arts to see
Nutcracker Sweet a condensed, tot-friendly
version of the Christmas classic. Peninsula
Ballet Theatre. 1880 South Grant St., San
Mateo. 650/342-3262.
OAKLAND BALLET’S NUTCRACKER.
Dec. 22–23, times vary. The Oakland Symphony
along with the Piedmont East Bay Children’s
Choir bring Tchaikovsky’s magnificent
score to life while the spirit of the holidays
dances across the stage with beautiful dancing,
cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights
and roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers
sing holiday carols and sip hot cider, and
Santa visits with the little ones. Tickets $25–$31.
Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road,
Felton. 831/335-4484.
MENORAHS AND MIRACLES: A HANUKKAH
CELEBRATION. Dec. 2, 12–4 p.m. Families
are invited to celebrate Hanukkah at the Children’s
Discovery Museum, in partnership with
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of
Silicon Valley (APJCC). Enjoy live music, storytelling,
dreidel games, latkes and other treats and
get into the spirit of the “Festival of Lights” with
the lighting of the Menorah. Ticket prices vary.
Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San
Jose. 408/298- 5437.
HOLIDAY SOIREE. Dec. 4, 6 to 9 p.m. Don’t
miss the Santana Row Holiday Soiree, a benefit
for Second Harvest Food Bank. Enjoy wine tasting
inside Santana Row shops, carolers, holiday
sweet treats, hunky Santa photos and much more.
Tickets $40. Santana Row Park, 377 Santana
Row, San Jose. 408/551-4611.
magnificent scenery and imaginative
costumes. Cheer on Marie and her soldiers
as she rescues the Nutcracker Prince from
the evil Rat King and then soar with dancing
snowflakes to the Land of Sweets where luscious
treats await. Paramount Theatre, 2025
Broadway, Oakland. 800/745-3000.
BALLET AMERICA’S NUTCRACKER
2018. Dec 7–9, times vary. Touted as the
Bay Area’s most family-friendly Nutcracker
performance, this unique, full-length production
includes a cast of 100 local dancers
twirling alongside professional dancers. The
slightly reduced run time of 1.5 hours is sure
to enthrall abridged attention spans with
action packed scenes like the humorous
battle between soldiers and a motley crew of
cowboy and elderly mice. Ticket prices vary.
Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City.
650/369-7770.
THE SAN JOSE NUTCRACKER. Dec.
15–24, times vary. The New Ballet School has
partnered with the Hammer Theatre Center
for a new look at a timeless tradition. This
production tells the well-loved story of Clara
and the Nutcracker, while featuring historical
references to the heritage that has made
Santa Clara Valley the center of innovation it
is today. Tickets $20–$91. Hammer Theater
Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose.
408/924-8501.
HIP HOP NUTCRACKER. Dec. 21–29, times
vary. Jazz up the season with the widely acclaimed
Peninsula Ballet’s Hip Hop Nutcracker,
a refreshing new take on the holiday classic.
Tchaikovsky music still reigns supreme
with several new twists and reimagining’s
brought to life by choreographers Ale Martinez
and Issac ‘Stuck’ Sanders. Ticket prices
vary. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood
City. 650/369-7770.
PENINSULA BALLET’S NUTCRACKER.
Dec. 22–24 and Dec. 29, times vary. Choreographed
by Bay Area dance legend Carlos
Carvajal, Peninsula Ballet’s Nutcracker has
become a perennial South Bay favorite. Experience
this lavish performance featuring
some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful, talented
and athletic professional dancers. Meetand
greets with the dancers follow every performance.
Tickets $30–$65. Fox Theatre, 2221
Broadway St., Redwood City. 650/369-7770.
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK