The holiday party has really started around the metro area. From theaters to clubs to your screens, there’s a veritable Yule tidal wave of opportunities to get in the spirit …
• The Detroit Symphony Orchestra offers two versions of “The Nutcracker Suite” — Tchaikovsky’s Ballet and the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn rendition — at 10:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Saturday’s show will stream free via the “Live From Orchestra Hall” series. 313-576-5111 or dso.org.
• The Macomb Ballet Company is also on “The Nutcracker” case at 7 p.m. Friday. Dec. 6, with four additional performances through Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Macomb Center, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township. A special Nutcracker Tea also takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. 586-286-2222 or macombcenter.com.
• Pianist Cyrus Chestnut and Friends perform Vince Guaraldi’s score from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-576-5111 or dso.org.
• The Farmington Players’ “Humbug” puts a new twist on “A Christmas Carol,” starting at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and running through Dec. 21 at The Barn Theatre, 32332 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills. 248-553-2955 or farmingtonplayers.org.
• The Detroit Public Theatre’s 2nd Annual Holiday Cabaret has shows through Dec. 22 at 3960 Third St., Detroit. 313-974-7918 or detroitpublictheatre.org.
• Dave Boutette and Kristi Lynn Davis join forces, with some guests, for a special Christmas show at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the Trinity House Theatre, 38840 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia. 734-436-6302 or trinityhousetheatre.org.
• Indoors and on screen, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter streams “A Nonsense Christmas” starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 on Netflix. Guests include Chappell Roan, Tyla, Cara Delevingue, Kyle Mooney and more.
• The DSO offers a family-friendly “Let It Snow!” program at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-576-5111 or dso.org.
• Noel Night, Detroit’s annual holiday extravaganza, turns 50 with activities around the city’s Midtown and Cultural Center from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Live music and other performances, family activities, shopping, eating and Santa Claus visits are all part of the festivities. noelnight.org for all the details.
• “The Jingle Jam” presented by endprejudice features music and poetry by the Drew Keys Band, Myla Hope, Sofia Goetz, La Shaun Phoenix More, Jazmine Jamai and more at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion. 248-783-7105 or 20frontstreet.com.
• The Dearborn Symphony Orchestra performs its version of “The Nutcracker” at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn. 313-943-2354 or dearborntheater.com.
• Over the Rhine presents its Acoustic Christmas show at The Ark at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.
• Not tired of it yet? “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” dances into the Fox Theatre at noon, 4 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.
• “Who Brought the Humbug?” is a family-friendly variety show with music, dancing and more at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at Music Hall Center, 250 Madison Ave., Detroit. 313-887-8500 or musichall.org.
• Local country favorite Alan Turner crafts a Christmas Show edition of his Kenny Rogers tribute at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. 248-453-5285 or theroxyrochester.com.
• Chicago blues-rock quartet the Empty Pockets brings its MistleTunes holiday concert our way for a 7:30 p.m. show Sunday, Dec. 8 at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.
