December is sugarplums and Nutcrackers, and within the confines of downtown revelers find many cultural attractions to spice up holiday time. Let’s call it the lively arts, holiday style. At the Balboa Theatre • 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5: The USO offers a free USO Holiday Concert open to the community and suitable for the entire family. The program features the Navy Band. Free. • 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12: The 120-voice San Diego Men’s Chorus and the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego present their annual holiday concert, “Cool Yule.” Accompanied by a 10-piece swing band, this year’s version is rife with holiday jazz and swing, and includes the organization’s renowned holiday hi-jinks. Be forewarned. Tickets (no children under 5 admitted) $24-$40. • 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13: Kerry Records presents a day of music making, storytelling and dance, featuring the Kerry Traditional Orchestra. Suitable for the entire family. Tickets, $37.50-$70. For tickets to Balboa Theatre events, go to sandiegotheatres.org or phone (619) 570-1100. The Balboa is located at 868 4th Ave. at E St. At the Civic Theatre • 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3: Get the Christmas vibe going with “The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller” by Chip Davis. It’s the Christmas Tour, 2009. And the groove happens at that point where classical meets modern-day rock, acoustic and electronic. Tickets are $35-$77.50, by phone (619) 570-1100 or window sales (at Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave. at B St., and Balboa Theatre box offices) • Dec. 8-13: The Ten Tenors return to perform their seasonal show which features holiday favorites plus songs from their new album, $15-$72, broadwaysd.com or (619) 982-2787 or (619) 570-1100. At the San Diego Rep • There’s nothing Christmas about Conor McPherson’s “The Seafarer,” playing through Dec. 13 in the Lyceum Theatre, unless one counts the tree in the corner. Or the fact that the action is set in a bungalow just north of Dublin on one long Christmas Eve. Rep co-founder and artistic director Sam Woodhouse plays Mr. Lockhart, a wanderer with mythological roots. Four mortals engage him in a game of poker that has extremely high stakes. San Diego Repertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, $27-$47, sdrep.org or (619) 544-1000. • Dec. 17-20 there’s a cholo-style Satan in William Virchis’s Teatro Mascara Magica production of “La Pastorela de los Padres,” with Willie G. as the Archangel Michael. It’s a heartwarming take on the Shepherds’ trek to Bethlehem, suitable for the family and filled with song, (619) 544-1000. At the Spreckels Theatre • Dec. 11-20: City Ballet presents its acclaimed “Nutcracker” ballet. City Ballet Orchestra plays music by Tchaikovsky under the baton of John Nettles. Elizabeth Wistrich choreographs. Performances 7:30 p.m. nightly with 2 p.m. performances Saturday and Sundays. $29-$59, cityballet.org or (858) 272-8663. At Copley Symphony Hall • Dec. 16-20: San Diego Symphony’s traditional Holiday Pops with conductor Matthew Garbutt, pianist/vocalist Michael Cavanaugh, San Diego Master Chorale, San Diego Children’s Choir and Mariachi Champaña Nevin, $30-$72, www.sandiegosymphony.com or (619) 235-0804. At the Old Globe • Through Dec. 27, the Grinchy guy with the green hair is back! The Old Globe presents the 12th annual “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” a musical just right for family enjoyment, Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park, $39-$79 ($20-$59 for kids 3-17), theoldglobe.org or (619) 23-GLOBE.