‘Nutcracker,’ ‘Wonderful Life,’ ‘Messiah’ and other Christmas traditions statewide

Whether it’s twinkling lights, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Nutcracker,” singing along with “Hallelujah!” or a lively drag brunch, everybody has their own Christmas traditions.

Events in Connecticut have something for everyone, every day of the month. Here is a list. Check websites before venturing out. The list is not all-inclusive.

Light displays

“Holiday Lights,” a light show set to holiday music with holiday characters, is at Lake Compounce, 822 Lake Ave. in Bristol, until Dec. 31, except Dec. 24 and 25. Fridays 5 to 9 p.m., weekends and Dec. 26 to 31 4 to 9 p.m. Entrance to the park is $24.99 when bought online in advance. lakecompounce.com.

“Fantasy of Lights,” the 28th annual light display at Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road in New Haven, will run through Dec. 31, 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $10 per car, $25 per minivan, $50 per bus. goodwillsne.org/fantasyoflights.

“Holiday Lights Spectacular” at Olde Mistick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd., will be on view through Dec. 31 from 5 to 10 p.m. Free. On Dec. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m., brass musicians will perform. oldemistickvillage.com.

“Hebron Lions Lights in Motion” will be up to Jan. 1 at the Hebron Lions Fairgrounds, 347 Gilead St., from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and Thursday and 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Open every day Sept. 15 to 25. $40 per car. lionslightsinmotion.org.

“Glow Hartford: Holiday Light Festival & Market,” a light display, will be up through Jan. 1 at Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. Thursday to Sunday 3 to 8 p.m. to Dec. 11. Wednesday to Sunday Dec. 14 to 18, 3 to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday Dec. 19 to 30, 3 to 9 p.m., Jan. 1 1 to 7 p.m. $22.99 weekdays, $24.99 Friday to Sunday and holidays, $17.99 children weekdays, $19.99 weekends, $14.99 seniors, $85 family. glowgardens.com.

“Magic of Lights,” a 1 1/2-mile drive-through of twinkling lights, will be up through Jan. 1 from 5 to 10 p.m. daily at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. It includes 2 million lights and a 32-foot-tall Barbie display. $22 per carload, $18 weekdays, $60 for a party bus. magicoflights.com.

‘The Nutcracker’

Connecticut Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, on Dec. 10 and 11 at 1 and 5 p.m. Guest stars from American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet will alternate in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. $43 to $78. bushnell.org.

Eastern Connecticut Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at Garde Arts Center, 325 State St. in New London, on Dec. 10 at 1:30 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m. The production features stars from New York City Ballet and a stage transformed into a New London winter seaport in the 1850s. $29 to $58. gardearts.org.

Fisher Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 10 at noon and 4 p.m. and Dec. 11 at noon and 5 p.m. at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road in Manchester. $12 to $35. cheneyhall.org.

Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory will perform “The Nutcracker” Dec. 10 and 17 at 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. at Warner Theater, 84 Main St. in Torrington. $53. warnertheatre.org.

“A Pan-American Nutcracker Suite,” performed by Joe McCarthy’s New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, will be Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St. in Old Saybrook. $35. thekate.org.

“Nutcracker Suite & Spicy,” a modern-day reinterpretation of “The Nutcracker” choreographed and directed by Carolyn Paine and performed by CONNetic Dance, will be Dec. 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St. in Hartford. $40 to $50. conneticdance.com.

New Haven Ballet students, with guest artists from New York City Ballet, will perform “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m., Dec. 17 at 1 and 5 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Shubert Theatre, 247 College St. in New Haven. $35.50 to $79. shubert.com.

Connecticut Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 17 at 2 and 6 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 1 and 5 p.m. at The Palace, 61 Atlantic St. in Stamford. Guest stars from American Ballet Theatre & New York City Ballet will alternate in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Her Cavalier. $50 to $75. palacestamford.org.

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” will be performed Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Shubert Theatre, 247 College St. in New Haven. $40 to $76. shubert.com. It also will be performed Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford. $23 to $92. bushnell.org.

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” will be performed at Hartford Stage, 50 Church St. in Hartford, through Dec. 24. Weekday shows are 7:30 p.m. Saturday shows and Dec. 23 are 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday shows and Dec. 24 are 2 p.m. $30 to $100. hartfordstage.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” will be screened Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at Warner Theater, 84 Main St. in Torrington. $7. warnertheatre.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” will be screened Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at The Packing House, 156 River Road in Willington. Suggested donation of $5. Bring your own beer, wine and food. warnertheatre.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” will be screened Dec. 17, 21 and 24 at 2 p.m., Dec. 19, 20, 21 and 22 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Cinestudio, on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford. $10, $8 student and senior, $7 Friends of Cinestudio. cinestudio.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” will be screened Dec. 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Cinemark Buckland, Cinemark Enfield, Regal Brass Mill in Waterbury, Cinemark North Haven, BTC Criterion Cinemas in New Haven, AMC Lisbon, Connecticut Post 14 in Milford, AMC Danbury and Mystic Luxury Cinemas, as well as 7 p.m. in New Haven, Danbury and Lisbon. It also will be shown Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. at those theaters and at Ridgefield Playhouse. Also, 3:30 p.m. screenings on Dec. 21 in New Haven, Danbury and Ridgefield. Admission varies by theater. fathomevents.com.

Trains

Santa Express will run through Dec. 23 at the Railroad Museum of New England / Naugatuck Railroad Company, 242 East Main St. in Thomaston. Santa and his elves will be on each ride and each child will receive a toy. The trains run Fridays to Sundays noon to 2:15 p.m. Coach $20, lounge $54.50, tavern-lounge $95, observation lounge $149. rmne.org.

Connecticut Trolley Museum, 58 North Road in East Windsor, will have its 43rd Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights through Dec. 30. The museum will be decorated with lights and guests can ride a trolley through a tunnel of lights. Model trains will be on show in the visitors center. $15 to $20. ct-trolley.org.

The 29th annual Holiday Train Show will be on view through Feb. 19 at Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St. in Essex. Free with museum admission. ctrivermuseum.org.

Santa Trains run at Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St., on weekends Dec. 3 to 18, at 12:30, 2, 3:30, 5 and 6:30 p.m. After the train ride, Santa and Mrs. Claus hand out gifts to all children. Parents must bring a pre-wrapped gift to be given to their child, or buy one online at the museum’s website. $25. danburyrail.org.

Holiday Express Train Show is at Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Road, from Dec. 3 to Jan. 2. $5, $3 seniors and students, 5 and younger free. fairfieldhistory.org.

Historical houses

A Holiday Wonderland at the Mansion will be at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave. in Norwalk, until Dec. 31. Historic tree displays, a 19th-century skating scene, gowns, a dinner table setting. Daily from noon to 3 p.m., $8 to $15. lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.

Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford, is decorated for the season for tours, through Dec. 31. Leaving daily late-morning to mid-afternoon, schedule varies daily. $22, $20 seniors, $12 children, younger than 6 free. marktwainhouse.org.

“Firelight Festival,” an evening with luminaria, lanterns, outdoor fires, roasted marshmallows, chestnuts, popcorn, cocoa and cider, will be at Henry Whitfield State Museum, 248 Old Whitfield St. in Guilford, on Dec. 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. Donations will be accepted for Guilford Food Bank and Toys for Tots. $10, $8 seniors and veterans, $5 youths, younger than 5 and military free. portal.ct.gov/ECD-HenryWhitfieldStateMuseum.

Wallingford’s Franklin Johnson mansion, 153 South Main St., will be decorated with miniature gingerbread houses on Dec. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Benefits Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust. $5, 12 and younger free. facebook.com/wallingfordhistory.

“A Royal Christmas Tea Tasting” in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II will be Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. at Lyman Homestead, 3 Lyman Road in Middlefield. $32. lymanorchards.com/events.

A candlelight stroll will be at Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, 211 Main St. in Wethersfield, Dec. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. $30, $25 members. wdsmuseum.org.

The Nehemiah Royce House, 538 North Main St. in Wallingford, will be transformed into “The Magical Elf House” on Dec. 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 30-minute elf-guided tour is $10, $5 children, younger than 5 free. facebook.com/TheMagicalElfHouse.

“The Clemens Family Christmas Special,” starring the museum’s costumed interpreters portraying a Mark Twain holiday season, will be Dec. 11 at 2:30 p.m. at Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. $5 in-person, $2.50 livestream. marktwainhouse.org.

The Connecticut Yuletide Carolers will sing at the Stanley-Whitman House, 37 High St. in Farmington, on Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. $20. s-wh.org.

‘Christmas in Connecticut’

“Christmas in Connecticut,” a new musical based on the classic Barbara Stanwyck holiday movie, runs to Dec. 30 at Goodspeed Musicals, 6 Main St. in East Haddam. Sundays 2 and 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays 2 and 7:30 p.m., Fridays 8 p.m. and Saturdays 3 and 8 p.m. $30 to $85. goodspeed.org.

“Dinner and a Movie,” a catered dinner from Anna’s Restaurant in East Hartford and a screening of the 1945 classic “Christmas in Connecticut,” will be Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. at Parkade Cinemas & Entertainm,ent, 416 West Middle Turnpike in Manchester. $50. parkadecinemas.com.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’

The Yale Glee Club, Yale Symphony Orchestra, Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music will perform Handel’s Messiah audience sing-along at Battell Chapel, at Elm and College streets at Yale University, on Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m. Suggested donation of $10.

“Messiah” Sing-Along, performed by soloists from the Department of Music, the University Festival Chorus and UConn Concert Choir, is Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road on the campus of UConn in Storrs. Free. jorgensen.uconn.edu.

Cappella Cantorum’s annual sing-along of Handel’s Messiah will be Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. at Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St. in Old Saybrook. $10. thekate.org.

Museums

“Land of Sweets,” the 12th annual Gingerbread House Festival, will be at Wood Memorial Library & Museum, 783 Main St. in South Windsor, until Dec. 18, Thursdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. woodmemoriallibrary.org.

“Holiday Magic” is the celebration at Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme St. in Old Lyme, through Dec. 31. Four Miss Florence Artist Trees, decorated with palette-shaped ornaments painted by local artists, are up throughout the museum. The rooms and galleries are decorated for the holiday, with three designer trees by glass artist Jeffrey P’an of Mystic, quilling expert Jennifer Avallone of Waterford and museum employees Emily Clark and Tammi Flynn. Free with museum admission Tuesday to Sunday. flogris.org.

Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, 103 E. Main St. in Plainville, will host “A Monster’s Holiday,” with the life-size wax monsters decked out for Christmas, through Jan. 8. Open every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. $9, $4 children. preservehollywood.org.

Festival of Trees and Traditions, the museum’s annual salute to Christmas trees, will be Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 from Thursday to Sunday at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St. in Hartford. On Nov. 30, opening day, will be the “Away Message Party,” with ugly holiday sweaters, hors d’oeuvres and drinks and music. For 21 and older. $25, $15 members. Every other day, Trees and Traditions adds a $5 surcharge to regular museum admission as a fund raiser. thewadsworth.org.

A display of wreaths by local artists and businesses, and a silent auction for each wreath, will be Dec. 2 to 11 during regular museum hours — and on Dec. 2 during the First Friday event — at New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St. Viewing is free with museum admission. nbmaa.org.

Lantern Light Village will be at Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave., Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. Light displays, live music, horse and carriage rides, fire pits, a visit from Santa, stories, crafts and games. New this year: ghost stories. $29, youths $24, members $24, member youths $19. mysticseaport.org.

“Festival of Lights” is the theme of a free family Sunday afternoon at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St. in Hartford, on Dec. 18 from noon to 2 p.m.. Celebrate the start of Hanukkah with art making, activities and music. thewadsworth.org.

Drag shows

“The Judy and Barbra Show Holiday Special,” starring Summer Orlando and Barbra Joan Streetsand, is Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Warner Theater, 84 Main St. in Torrington. $35 to $40. warnertheatre.org.

“Christmas Misfits: A Drag Holiday Extravaganza,” with Violet Chachki, Gottmilk, Detox and Latrice Royale, will be Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. at College Street Music Hall, 238 College St. in New Haven. $59.50 to $249.50 (VIP). facebook.com/CollegeStreetMusicHall.

“Caffeine Queens Holiday Drag Brunch” with Barbra Joan Streetsand and Summer Orlando is Dec. 11 at noon at WeHa Brewing & Roasting Company, 141 Shield St. in West Harford. $50 admission includes brunch buffet, 1 mimosa, bloody mary or beer, and the show. facebook.com/wehabrewingco.

“Sleigh Bells & Carousels,” starring Summer Orlando, Chastity Singer and Barbra Joan Streetsand, will be Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at The Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Ave. in Bristol. $40 includes dinner buffet and show. carouselmuseum.org.

“Pink Eggs & Glam Chaotic Holiday Drag Brunch Spectacular” hosted by Patty Bourree will be Dec. 19 at noon and 3 p.m. at The Social Bar + Kitchen, 208 Bank St. in New London. $20 in advance, $25 at the door, food and beverages sold separately. skycasper.com.

Comedy

“Christmas on the Rocks,” the theater’s annual comical salute to classic Christmas TV shows, will be performed at TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl St. in Hartford, Dec. 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2, 9 and 16 at 8 p.m., Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 23 at 4 and 8 p.m., Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m., and Dec. 11 and 18 at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. $25 to $75. twhartford.org.

Suffield Players present “One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall,” on Dec. 2, 3 and 4 at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 4, at Mapleton Hall. 1305 Mapleton Ave. in Suffield. $10. suffieldplayers.org.

“Glitz! The Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical,” a comic musical about competitive mothers and daughters, will be Dec. 2 to 11 at Center Stage Theatre, 54 Grove St. in Shelton. Wednesday to Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $36, $18 students. centerstageshelton.org.

“Pantochino’s Christmas Carol,” a twisted musical adaptation of Dickens’ holiday classic, will be Dec. 2 to 18 at Milford Arts Council, 40 Railroad Ave. Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 and 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. $25. pantochino.com/christmas-carol.

“An Improvised Christmas Carol” will be performed by Sea Tea Improv comedy troupe on Dec. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. at Sea Tea Comedy Theater, 11 Asylum St. in Hartford. $10 to $18. seateaimprov.com.

“A Christmas Panto - The Emperor’s New Clothes” is at Norwich Arts Center’s Donald L. Oat Theater, 62 Broadway, Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. $20, $18 students, seniors, military and members, free to 9 and younger. norwicharts.org.

“My Christmas List: A Pandemic Yuletide Tale” will be performed by Sea Tea Improv comedy troupe on Dec. 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. at Sea Tea Comedy Theater, 11 Asylum St. in Hartford. $15. seateaimprov.com

“Get a Clue Tour: Christmas Edition,” featuring members of the comedy troupe Sea Tea Improv, is Dec. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. at Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. $21 to $29. marktwainhouse.org.

Stage

“Winter Wonderettes” is the holiday show at Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St. in the Ivoryton section of Essex, through Dec. 18. The musical tells the story of a missing Santa Claus and the girls who rescue him. Wednesdays 2 and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. $55, $50 seniors, $25 students. ivorytonplayhouse.org.

“A Christmas Carol” will be performed at Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Road in Branford, Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, Wednesdays through Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. $35 to $75. legacytheatrect.org.

Western Connecticut State University’s Department of Theatre Arts presents Alan Ayckbourn’s “Season’s Greeting,” directed by Cady Huffman, on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. $20 to $30. wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com.

“A Christmas Carol” will be presented at the Bradley Playhouse, 30 Front St. in Putnam, Dec. 2 to 18, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. $22, $18 students, seniors, veterans or first responders. thebradleyplayhouse.org.

“Ahavah, the Story of Christmas” will be presented Dec. 3 at 1 and 5 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 4p.m. at Middletown High School, 200 La Rosa Lane. Proceeds benefit St. Vincent de Paul of Middletown. $24.40 to $35.40. A digital download of the recorded performance is $48.35. theahavahstory.com/tickets.

“Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera of the first Christmas, will be performed Dec. 10 at 2 and 4 p.m. at Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road in Farmington. $25, $10 12 and younger. hillstead.org.

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told” presented by Evenings@7 will be presented Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road in Manchester. “Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told.” Script-in-hand play reading. Free but registration required. cheneyhall.org.

Classic films

“The Polar Express” 4D Experience, a 13-minute screening of the 2004 animated holiday fantasy movie, will be shown every hour through Jan. 2 in the 4D theater at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 North Water St. $7 for film only, or with museum admission, $29.95, $25.95 senior, $20.95 children. maritimeaquarium.org.

“Elf” will be screened on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. Evening includes a Meals on Wheels food drive — those who bring five food items per person get in free — and the winner of the ugliest sweater contest gets free concessions. $10.50 to $12.50. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

“Elf” will be screened at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. Free snacks and a visit from Santa Claus. bushnell.org.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be shown on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. at Warner Theater, 68 Main St. in Torrington. Free, with free popcorn, preceded by a vendor fair starting at noon. warnertheatre.org.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” will be screened, followed by a Q&A with Chevy Chase, on Dec. 3 at 3 and 8 p.m. at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd. in Mashantucket. $40 to $200. foxwoods.com.

“Baraka,” Cinestudio’s annual alternative holiday movie, which focuses on people from all parts of the world, will be shownb Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. at Cinestudio, on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford. $10, $8 student and senior, $7 Friends of Cinestudio. cinestudio.org.

Music

“Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas” will be Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Garde Arts Center, 325 State St. in New London. $28 to $48. gardearts.org.

“A Very ‘90s Chrismas Concert,” performed by The Larger Than Life Band, will be Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Trinity On Main, 69 Main St. in New Britain. 21 and older. $15 online, $20 at the door. facebook.com.

“Holiday Swingin” with Kat Edmonson is Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. at Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St. in Old Saybrook. $35. thekate.org.

“A Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - Christmas Spectacular” will be Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, 1525 Boston Post Road in Westbrook. $69. watersedgeresortandspa.com/event/the-jersey-four-a-tribute-to-frankie-valli-and-the-four-seasons/.

Holiday, Jazz and Latin Jazz Parranda 2022, an Afro-Indigenous musical holiday tradition, will be Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St. in Hartford. Musicians are trombonist-leader Papo Vázquez, percussionist-vocalist Jose Mangual, saxophonist Ivan Renta, pianist Gabriel Chakarji, bassist Ariel Robless, drummer Alvester Garnett and percussionists Carlos Maldonado and Reinaldo DeJesus. $10. realartways.org.

Holiday Pops, a concert by the Boston Pops conducted by Keith Lockhart with the Metropolitan Chorale, will be Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road on the campus of UConn in Storrs. $65 to $85. jorgensen.uconn.edu.

“We Need a Little ...,” a concert by the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus, is Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at Sacred Heart University Community Theatre, 1420 Post Road in Fairfield. $32. ctgmc.org. It also will be performed Dec. 11 at 2 and 6 p.m. at Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St. in Old Saybrook. $32. thekate.org.

“Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” will be at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. $47 to $88. bushnell.org.

“Irish Christmas in America,” an evening of music and dance, will be Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St. in Old Saybrook. $35. thekate.org.

“Marie Osmond Symphonic Christmas with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra” will be Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. Pre-concert wine tasting and art exhibit. $165 to $195. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

“Holiday Luminaria Chamber Concert with Eastern Connecticut Symphony String Players” is Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Road. $30, $15 members. mysticseaport.org.

“Mary Fahl: Winter Songs & Christmas Carols” is Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. at Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St. in Old Saybrook. $35. thekate.org.

“Holiday on Broadway,” a show of four cabaret performers, is Dec. 9 to 18 on Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Music Theatre of Connecticut, 509 Westport Ave. in Norwalk. The shows are “Christmas with Lee” starring David Maiocco as Liberace; Frank Mastrone’s “Christmas Time Is Here”; “Winter Wishes/Holiday Dreams with Leslie Orofino”; and “Christmas Memories with Maureen Hamill.” Check the lineup each day, as they differ. $45 to $65. musictheatreofct.com.

The 8th Annual New Britain Tuba Christmas will be performed on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at Trinity-On-Main, 69 Main St. Free. facebook.com/events/3404460499878522.

“Holiday Hijinx,” a concert by the Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus, will be Dec. 10 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St. in Hartford. $30 to $45. cgmc.org.

“Holiday Pops,” with performers from Western Connecticut State University’s Department of Music, will be Dec. 10 and 11 at 3 p.m. at the university’s Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. $10 online, $15 on-site. Proceeds benefit Ana Grace Marquez Greene and Dave Smith Scholarship Funds. wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will stop at Total Mortgage Arena, 600 Main St. in Bridgeport, for his “A Family Christmas” tour with his sons Amos and Matteo and daughter Virginia, on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. $177 to $990. totalmortgagearena.com.

The Canadian Brass Holiday Show, a combination of seasonal music and silly choreography, will be performed at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. $38 to $61. bushnell.org.

“A Very Postmodern Christmas” with Postmodern Jukebox is Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. $75 to $95. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Travelers Chorale, with the Bristol Brass and Wind and The Bristol Chorale, will perform a holiday show on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford. Free. Donation of nonperishable food requested. bushnell.org.

“Fa la la la la in the Barn” with Brad Simmons and fellow alumni at Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road in Waterford, on Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. $30 to $225. theoneill.org/wintercab22.

The Eric Mintel Quartet will play “Charlie Brown Holiday Jazz” on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road in Manchester. $26 to $35. cheneyhall.org.

“A Holiday Mixer” with Klea Blackhurst and John McDaniel is Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. at Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road in Waterford. $30 to $225. theoneill.org/wintercab22.

“Darren Criss: A Very Darren Crissmas” is Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. $110 to $130. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra brass quintet will perform a concert of holiday music on Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m. at Harkness Chapel on the campus of Connecticut College in New London. $8. ectsymphony.com.

Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform “In the Christmas Mood” on Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford. $86 to $109. bushnell.org.

A Holiday Concert by the Torrington Symphony Orchestra and its vocal ensemble will be Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Warner Theater, 84 Main St. in Torrington. $24. Children 12 and younger free but they need a ticket. warnertheatre.org.

Natalie Douglas performs “A Very Natalie Holiday!” Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. at Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road in Waterford. $30 to $225. theoneill.org/wintercab22.

Liz Callaway will perform “Merry and Bright!” on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. at Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road in Waterford. $30 to $225. theoneill.org/wintercab22.

“Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular,” with special guest Girl Named Tom, will be at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard in Uncasville, on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. $59 to $250. mohegansun.com.

“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas,” an evening with tribute performers recalling Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, will be performed Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. at the Shubert Theatre, 247 College St. in New Haven. $39 to $79. shubert.com.

“Merry Christmas Darling: A Carpenters’ Christmas,” with Michelle Berting Brett, will be in the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard in Uncasville, on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. Free. mohegansun.com.

Miscellaneous

“Ghost of Christmas Past Strolls,” a one hour and 45 minute outdoor stroll to learn ghost stories of Christmas, will be Dec. 2 to 23, Fridays through Sundays, at 7 p.m. in downtown Mystic, presented by Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours. $25. seasideshadows.com/ghosts-of-christmas-past.

“Shark-Diving Santa,” an annual tradition of a Santa swimming among the sharks, will be in the 110,000-gallon shark tank at Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 North Water St., from Dec. 3 to 31 at 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Free with admission to the aquarium. maritimeaquarium.org.

Heights & Lights Rappel, at which Santa Claus, Rudolph and the Grinch rappel from the top of a 22-story building, will be Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. in Stamford’s Landmark Square. After the rappel, Santa will join the Candy Cane Carolers and the lighting of the tree in Latham Park and there will be a fireworks show. Free. stamford-downtown.com.

“Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions,” with podcaster Brian Earl interviewed by Mallory Howard, is Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. Free. marktwainhouse.org.

“Holiday Cirque!,” performed by members of Cirque de la Symphonie, is at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, on Dec. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. The 2 p.m. performance will be ASL/AD interpreted. $58 to $88. bushnell.org.

“A Christmas Carol, a Live Radio Play” adapted for stage by Joe Landry with music by Kevin Connor, will be performed on Dec. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. at Good Company Theater, 242 Salmon Brook St. in Granby. $15 online, $20 on-site, kids $10 online, $15 on-site. facebook.com/events/557494786216078

“The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered and Why They Still Fascinate,” with author Eric Van Eykel interviewed by Jacques Lamarre, is Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. Free. marktwainhouse.org.

Curioporium, the occult curiosity shop at 1429 Park Road in Hartford, will host three guests on Dec. 16 to 18. Dec. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m., Lady Krampus will perform a show. Dec. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m., Krampus will perform a show. $60 per show. On Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mr. Grinch will tell stories. On Grinch day, admission is free with a donation to Hands On Hartford.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.