WHERE AND WHEN

LUZIA: A WAKING DREAM OF MEXICO

The latest installment from Cirque du Soleil—Luzia—is headed to AT&T Park. In an ode to the vibrant culture of Mexico, a cast of 44 performers delight audiences with extraordinary acrobatic fetes integrating rain and water with contemporary circus acts.  November 17 – January 29, under the big top at AT&T Park, SF, cirquedusoleil.com.

SANTA BABY

Need a weekend getaway? Grab your kids and head to the north coast. On the banks of Tomales Bay, Santa arrives at Nick’s Cove giving out tasty treats and taking photos. Parents there’s surprises for you too, special winter cocktails, and of course, cracked crab. December 4, nickscove.com.

MITTENS & MISTLETOE: A WINTER CIRCUS CABARET

Savor the season with a theatrical circus! Sweet Can Productions presents a light-hearted variety program of clowning and circus feats by the award-winning clown duo Coventry and Kaluza plus a host of aerial artists and jugglers. December 21 – 31, Dance Mission Theater, SF, brownpapertickets.com.

TEA FOR TWO

Bring your family to the Gardens at Heather Farm for an afternoon of sweet and savory treats and story time in Bearland. December 3-4, reservations required, gardenshf.org.

Historical Shadelands Ranch Museum hosts its annual Holiday Faire and Victorian Teas featuring three-course luncheons plus handcrafted gifts for purchase. November 26 to December 11, reservations required, walnutcreekhistory.info.

 

BUTTERFLIES & BLOOMS
San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers is transformed into an intimate cottage garden of daisies, sunflowers and zinnias aflutter with hundreds of butterfly species free-flying from flower to flower. November 17-June 30, 2017, Golden Gate Park, SF, conservatoryofflowers.org.

 

MADAME BUTTERFLY

Giacomo Puccini’s heartbreaking opera set in Nagasaki, Japan centers on wartime, love and betrayal.

November 6-December 4, War Memorial Opera House, SF, sfopera.com.

RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND

Everyone’s favorite Beatle’s drummer comes to Marin for an evening of rock ‘n’ roll alongside Todd Rundgren, Gregg Rolie, Steve Lukather and Richard Page. November 19, marincenter.org.

 

TREE OF LIGHTS

Each year Hospice of the East Bay honors the memories of loved ones with lights that shine on its holiday trees. Help fund the services Hospice provides by purchasing a light. November 29, Rossmoor Tree; December 7, Walnut Creek Tree at new location John Muir Medical Center, hospiceeastbay.org.
  

WALK THAT WALK

Glide Memorial’s Annual Holiday Jam helps fund its many services, including Mo’s Kitchen which serves a million free meals each year, at an evening of live music, dance, spoken word, food and drink. November 30, The Masonic, SF, glide.org.

 

THE NUTCRACKER

In its 26th year, Contra Costa Ballet presents a family-friendly, one-hour production of The Nutcracker. Join Clara and her beloved nutcracker-turned-prince on a magical journey in this festive production by talented, young dancers. November 25-27, Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, contracostaballet.org.

 

THE CHRISTMAS BALLET

Smuin Ballet returns with its annual yuletide treat offering equal parts sugar and spice for the naughty and nice. In this carousel of mischief and elegance there’s ballet, tap, swing, and holiday dances from around the world.  November 18-19, Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, smuinballet.org.

 

FRANK STELLA: A RETROSPECTIVE

For almost six decades, Frank Stella influenced modern art by exploring how paintings suggest movement. An exhibition of his work comes to the De Young showcasing his abstract use of color, shape, and volume. Through February 26, 2017, Golden Gate Park, SF, deyoung.famsf.org.

CUT UP / CUT OUT

The ancient art of decorative cutting takes on new dimensions at the Bedford Gallery’s winter show highlighting the endless ways paper, cloth, metal and other flat materials can be transformed into astonishing works. December 18 – March 5, 2017, Bedford Gallery, WC, bedfordgallery.org.

 

WALNUT CREEK ON ICE

Get your groove on at the city’s outdoor ice rink in the heart of downtown at Civic Park.

The partially enclosed ice rink welcomes skaters of all ages and abilities.

November 11- January 16, 2017, walnutcreekonice.com.

 

HOLIDAY PARADE OF LIGHTS

Music and festivity fill Broadway Plaza when its magical parade welcomes Santa to town, who lights the Christmas tree and makes it snow! December 1, 7pm, broadwayplaza.com.