Your guide to holiday entertainments

Here’s a roundup of holiday-related arts events.

Opera Carolina and Mosaic Arts do Gian-Carlo Menotti’s one-act opera about a boy who wants to give a special gift to Jesus. Dec. 6 at Mitchell Community College, 474 N. Center St., Statesville; Dec. 12 at Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road; Dec. 13 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1030 Burrage Rd. NE, Concord. $15 (free for kids 12 and under). operacarolina.org.

Porch Productions offers an all-youth cast in this musical. Dec. 4-6. Vance High auditorium, 7600 IBM Drive. $12-$17. porchproductionsinc.com.

Starving Artist Productions revives its musical narrative (adapted from work by Frederick Buechner) about Jesus. Dec. 13-16. Duke Energy Theater, Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. $12-25. blumenthalarts.org.

Davidson Community Players perform a comedy about three sisters, a surly Santa, family secrets, sibling squabbles and a Christmas pageant run amok. Dec. 3-20. 307 Armour St., Davidson. $20 ($18 over 64, $12 students). www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.

Scrooge reforms in Romulus Linney’s adaptation, which replaces John Jakes’ version. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road. Dec. 4-13. $12-$27. theatrecharlotte.org.

Fussin’, feudin’, guzzlin’, givin’ thanks and singin’ in a Texas trailer park. Dec. 3-27. Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, 650 E. Stonewall St. $31-35. atcharlotte.org.

Matthews Playhouse does the Leslie Bricusse musical “A Christmas Carol,” featuring the hit “Thank You Very Much.” Dec. 4-20. 100 McDowell St. East, Matthews. $15. ($12 students and seniors, $10 under 11). matthewsplayhouse.com.

On Q Productions does an evening of holiday favorites in narrative and song. Dec. 18. Duke Energy Theater, Spirit Square, $15. blumenthalarts.org.

Donna Scott Productions, Historic South End, Charlotte Art League and The South End Neighborhood Association host a bash Dec. 4 after the gallery crawl. It’ll offer apps, drinks, music, door prizes and a comedy show by Improv Charlotte. 1517 Camden Road. Free, but reserve a seat at http://bit.ly/1GWzomM.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte does stories and music celebrating the spirit and traditions of Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Dec. 12-23. ImaginOn, 300 E. Seventh St. $12-$20. ctcharlotte.org.

Nova Voce sings familiar carols and modern compositions. Dec. 1. Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road. $15. novavoce.org.

Music includes sacred and secular works from Europe and the United States; British composer John Rutter’s 70th birthday will be celebrated. Dec. 4. Abbey Basilica, Belmont Abbey College. Free (donations accepted). belmontabbeycollege.edu.

The Skylark Vocal Ensemble, singers from across the U.S., perform a capella choral music with readings from the King James Bible. Dec. 8 (two shows). Bechtler Museum. $8-$12. bechtler.org/Programs/Music-and-museum.

The 22 ringers of CBHE will perform on four sets of bells Dec. 20 in the Family Life Center Gym at Morning Star Lutheran Church, 12509 Idlewild Road, Matthews, and Dec. 21 at First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon Street. charlottebronze.org.

The ensemble sings sacred and secular music, as a storyteller narrates favorite texts. Dec. 5. McGlohon Theater, Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. $10-$20. blumenthalarts.org.

The 70-member CCO, Charlotte City Ballet, Holiday Singers and Encore Dance Studio of Fort Mill join the 140-voice combined choirs of South Mecklenburg and Providence High schools in Christmas favorites from the “Nutcracker” Suite to the “Hallelujah” Chorus.” Nov. 29. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. $24-$26. tix.cpcc.edu.

Carolina Pro Musica follows the birth of Jesus from the anticipation through the visit of the wise men, using medieval and Renaissance music plus readings and carols for all to sing. Dec. 12. St. Mary’s Chapel, 1129 E. Third St. $16 ($8 students, seniors). carolinapromusica.org.

The Jewish rock musician does a concert for the family to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Dec. 13. McGlohon Theater, 345 N. College St. $5. blumenthalarts.org.

Bill Cummings, his band and singers do Christmas favorites and original songs. Dec. 4. McGlohon Theater, Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. $24-32. blumenthalarts.org.

The Jazz Arts Initiative All-Stars play holiday classics from movies and cartoons. Dec. 8, Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. $20 in advance, $20 night of show. blumenthalarts.org.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s pops concert offers holiday favorites and special guests, from jazz singer Michael Andrew to dancers from Martha Conerton/Kinetic Works. Dec. 3-6. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. $34.50-$94.50. charlottesymphony.org.

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Chorus do a nearly complete version of Handel’s oratorio. Dec. 18-19. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $29.50-$84.50. charlottesymphony.org.

The Providence United Methodist Church Chamber Music Series continues with a free performance of Handel’s oratorio. Scores will be provided. Dec. 6. 2810 Providence Road. providenceumc.org.

Queens University’s free annual event offers readings from scripture and music by Queens Chorale; Moravian sweet buns and coffee are served, and a candlelit recessional leads to a Christmas tree for carolling. Dec. 6. Belk Chapel, Queens University. queens.edu.

Carolina Voices Mainstage Choir does its 60th holiday gig atop a 32-foot tree, featuring by puppets, soloists and dancers. Matinees for kids, evening shows for the family. Dec. 12-13. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. Evenings: $23-$38. Matinees $16. blumenthalarts.org.

Caroline Calouche and Co. provide an airborne riff on “Nutcracker,” in which Clara injures her ankle and enters a dream. Dec. 11-12. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. $25-$45. www.carolinatix.org.

Open Door Studios Youth Ensemble does a dance version of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” Dec. 12. Duke Energy Theater, Spirit Square, 345 N. Tryon St. $12.50. blumenthalarts.org.

A dozen dancers, DJ, MC and digital scenery bring the traditional story and Tchaikovsky’s music to life in a contemporary urban setting. Dec. 29-Jan. 3. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. $19.50-$44.50. blumenthalarts.org.

N.C. Dance Theatre does Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s choreography. Dec. 10-23. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. $25-$110. charlotteballet.org.

If you can’t wait, Charlotte Youth Ballet will pair young dancers with international artists. Dec. 4-6. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., $10-30. charlotteyouthballet.org.

Other local versions: Gaston Dance Theatre, Dec. 4-6, Gaston Day School, 2001 Gaston Day School Rd, Gastonia, $6-15, gastondance.com; Union County Youth Ballet, Dec. 11-12, George A Batte Jr. Fine Art Center, Wingate, $10-15, ucyb.org.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 2:24 PM with the headline "Your guide to holiday entertainments."