Can you believe the holiday season is here? In my home, we wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas, start listening to carols, and begin watching our favorite holiday movies.

Once we have decked out our home, we search for live performances in our area that bring holiday cheer to audiences. Our region has so many great venues and performances to get you in the holiday spirit and ready to spread some cheer.

Starting the first weekend in December, The New Deal Creative Arts Center will perform its first Christmas special entitled, “Joy!” at the Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie.

The cast ranges in age from 5 to 75, and is ready to spread some Christmas cheer and start your holiday season off right. This family-friendly production tips a hat to the Christmas specials of the past — like Dean Martin and Andy Williams — and will delight audiences with musical numbers, skits and stories. This production is for one weekend only, so make sure to get your tickets early.

Starting Dec. 8 and running through Dec. 23, The Rhinebeck Theatre Society presents “Little Women” at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. This new play is adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s novel with traditional holiday carols.

This was one of my favorite books and movies as a kid. This timeless coming-of-age story follows four sisters growing up during the Civil War as they discover the power of family and friendship, and the strength of their spirits to give joy, heal hearts, and make their mark on the world.

Woodstock Playhouse in conjunction with the New York Conservatory for the Arts presents “A Christmas Story, the Musical” on Dec. 16-17. “A Christmas Story, the Musical,” which received rave reviews on its Broadway run, is based on the movie classic that runs round the clock on television every Christmas season.

Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, the musical follows nine-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts. All the iconic scenes from the movie are here: Ralphie’s friend, Flick, getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole; the leg lamp award; the “pink nightmare” bunny suit, and so many more.

Right before Christmas, head to the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center for the “Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute: Twelve Twenty-Four Band” on Dec. 21. “Twelve Twenty-Four” consists of a six-piece rock band, a multi-piece string section, and a variety of vocalists.

Inspired by the music and stage presentation of some of music’s greatest rock orchestras, this dedicated group of performers works year-round to deliver a theatrical and memorable Christmas concert experience suitable for fans of all ages.

No matter what production you find yourself seeing, there is something for everyone to get into the holiday spirit.

If you go

Joy!

Where: Oakwood Friends School, 22 Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie

When: Dec. 1-3

More information: simpletix.com/e/joy-a-new-deal-christmas-special-tickets-149519

Little Women

Where: The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck

When: Dec. 8-23, 2023

More information: centerforperformingarts.org/whats-playing/little-women

A Christmas Story, the Musical

Where: Woodstock Playhouse, 103 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock

When: Dec. 16-17

More information: woodstockplayhouse.org/a-christmas-story-musical

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute: Twelve Twenty-Four Band

Where: The Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, 231 Creamery Pond Rd, Chester, NY 10918

When: Dec. 21

More information: sugarloafpacny.com/events/trans-siberian-orchestra-tribute-twelve-twenty-four-band