Those whose heads are filled with visions of Sugar Plums will not be disappointed. Between now and December 25 there are plenty of “Nutcrackers.” Though the San Diego Rep seems to have resigned from the business of “A Christmas Carol,” there is a stockingful of other traditional offerings, including the perennial Jack O’Brien production of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” continuing at the Old Globe Theatre through Christmas Eve. In addition, William Virchis stages Max Branscomb’s always topical “La Pastorela de la Estrella” at the Cassius Carter Centre Stage Dec. 7 through 23. Visit www.oldglobe.org or call (619) 234-5623.

At North Coast Repertory, Joe Powers stages “The Tin Soldier,” playing Dec. 13-31. The family-oriented play is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier,” adapted by Karina Wilson. It’s a story of steadfast hope, honor and love for children of all ages, particularly 4 and up. Find North Coast Repertory Theatre at 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. For the adults, NCRT resurrects Maripat Donovan’s irreverent “Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 18-20. Visit www.northcoastrep.org or call (858) 481-1055.
Miracle Theatre Productions’ “Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” plays at 7:30 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday through Dec. 29 at The Theater in Old Town, in tandem with “Seinfeld” writer Pat Hazell’s nostalgic “The Wonder Bread Years,” seen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 26 at 4040 Twiggs St. Tickets are $30 (see both for $55), www.theatreinoldtown.com or (619) 688-2494.
Common Ground Theatre artistic director Floyd Gaffney stages Gian Carlo Menotti’s made-for-television opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 3 and Dec. 14-17 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2728 6th Ave. at Nutmeg St. E-mail [email protected] or call (619) 263-7911.
Diversionary Theatre presents David Sexton’s “It’s a Fabulous Life,” in which a young gay man wishes he hadn’t been born gay. An angel grants his wish in this show that features showboys, drag, dancing reindeer and a gospel-singing lesbian. Continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 17 at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego. Tickets $29-$31, www.diversionary.org or (619) 220-0097.
Cygnet Theatre presents Frank Capra’s holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Set in 1947, the play is performed as a live radio show, featuring live sound effects and a company of fine San Diego actors directed by artistic director Sean Murray. Plays at 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2-24, at Cygnet Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd. Tickets $25-$29, www.cygnettheatre.com or (619) 337-1525, ext. 4.
Lamb’s Players Theatre presents a different original Christmas play each year. This year’s is “All I Want for Christmas,” set in San Diego in 1949 and featuring Jon Lorenz as a young man torn between family responsibility and his dream of fame as a musician. Deborah Gilmour Smyth directs performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, through Dec. 30 at 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. Tickets $26-$46, www.lambsplayers.org or (619) 437-0600.
Just down Orange Avenue, Lamb’s also presents its acclaimed interactive holiday feast, “An American Christmas,” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10-30 at the historic Hotel del Coronado. Check out times and prices for this five-course gourmet meal and entertainment on the above Web site.

Music
Jahja Ling conducts the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Master Chorale and soloists in George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” ($25-$60) at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Matthew Garbutt conducts the popular “Holiday Pops” ($20-$65), featuring the Master Chorale, San Diego Children’s Choir and Crusader Bells at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22-23, 750 B St., San Diego, www.sandiegosymphony.com or (619) 235-0804.
Westwind Brass celebrates its 20th season with holiday music from around the world, featuring favorites both classical and folksy, selections from “Messiah,” “The Nutcracker,” and music for Hanukah at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 at The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive; 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Coronado. Tickets $15, www.westwindbrass.org or (619) 501-3562.
Jung-Ho Pak conducts San Diego Chamber Orchestra’s “Messiah” with the Bach Collegium of San Diego, Cappella Gloriana, and soloists at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, 120 Stevens Ave., Solana Beach; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at St. James-by-the-Sea, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at California Center for the Arts ($21-$32), (800) 988-4253, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. Escondido; other venues $35-$80, www.sdco.org or (858) 350-0290, ext 7.

'El cascanueces'
California Ballet presents its 36th annual production of the Tchaikovsky chestnut, choreographed by Maxine Mahon, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, East County Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24 at the Civic Theatre (with live orchestra), 202 C St., San Diego. Tickets $22-$78, www.californiaballet.org or www.seatadvisor.com, (858) 560-6741 or (619) 570-1100 (Civic Theatre).
City Ballet presents two weekends of the Elizabeth Wistrich-choreographed “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Spreckels Theatre, 1st and Broadway, San Diego. Tickets $29-$49, www.cityballet.org or (858) 272-8663.
San Diego Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” directed and choreographed by Robin Sheretz-Morgan and Javier Velasco, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at Mandeville Auditorium, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla (UCSD). Tickets $15-$30, www.sandiegoballet.org or (619) 294-7311.