Bay Area classical and choral musicians offer holiday concerts galore, with classic carols, sing-alongs and sacred music, including — of course — Handel’s “Messiah.”

San Francisco Choral Society: Under director Robert Geary, the 135-voice group performs Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio.” 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, $28-$34, St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir: D’Wayne Wiggins is host at the 33rd annual holiday concert, “With One Voice.” 7 p.m. Dec. 1, $17-$47. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, www.ticketmaster.com

Ragazzi Continuo: The adult a cappella choir’s “An English Christmas” is inspired by tunes from the King’s College Cambridge Lessons and Carols service. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 178 Clinton St., Redwood City; also at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1755 Clay St., S.F., $15-$25, www.ragazzicontinuo.org

Solstice Sings for the Season: The female vocal ensemble performs a mix of traditional and lesser-known songs of peace, justice, childhood wonder. 8 p.m. Dec. 1, $20 suggested donation. Congregational Church, 225 Tilton Ave., San Mateo, www.solsticesings.com

Mission Peak Chamber Singers: Directed by Ofer dal Lal, the group’s 33rd annual Christmas-at-the-Mission concert is called “Out With the Old, In With the New.” 8 p.m. Dec. 1, 4 p.m. Dec. 2, $15-$20. Old San Mission Jose, 43300 Mission Blvd., Fremont, www.brownpapertickets.com

KITKA’s Wintersongs: The annual holiday program by the women’s ensemble showcases seasonal music from a variety of Eastern European ethnic and spiritual traditions. $10-$35. Opens Dec. 2 (4 p.m., St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park), continues at various locations, concluding at 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento St., S.F., www.kitka.org, www.oldfirstconcerts.org

San Francisco Symphony Deck the Hall: Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducts the orchestra and children’s choruses in the program with appearances by ballet students and members of the “Beach Blanket Babylon” cast. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 2, $46-$66. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.sfsymphony.org

Cappella SF: S.F. Early Music Society presents the professional choral group directed by Ragnar Bohlin in the faith-themed program “Neither From Heaven Nor From Earth” of music by Josquin, Allegri, Schütz and Couperin. 4 p.m. Dec. 2, $12-$45. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell St., S.F., sfems.org

Ragazzi Boys Chorus: “For the Beauty of the Earth” includes music from “Deck the Halls” to Wendell Whalum’s “West Indian De Mornin’ Come” to carols. 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1835 Valota Road, Redwood City; also at 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento St., S.F.,$5-$29, www.ragazzi.org, www.oldfirstconcerts.org

Pacifica Edge Voices: “A Rose in Winter” includes music by Bruckner, Messiaen and handbells accompanying a “jazzy ‘Silent Night’ meet Libby Larsen’s six-part ‘Ringeltanze.’” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, $25-$35. Green Room, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

Opera Parallèle: The contemporary opera troupe brings back its holiday production of Rachel Portman’s “The Little Prince” by popular demand. 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 2 p.m. Dec. 9, $25-$75. Marines’ Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter St., S.F., www.operaparallele.org

Mayflower Chorus: The 60-voice group, with instrumentalists and ensembles, presents “Sounds of the Season.” 8 p.m. Dec. 7, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m Dec. 8, $8-$22. Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, https://tickets.marincenter.org/

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus: The festive holiday show is “Brassy and Sassy.” 8 p.m. Dec. 7, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Dec. 8, $25-$110. Nourse, 275 Hayes St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

Sing You a Merry Christmas: The one-hour carol sing-along is for children and families. 11 a.m. Dec. 8, Dec, 15 and Dec. 22, 3 p.m. Dec. 21, $10-$25. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

S.F. Boys Chorus: “Baroque around the Christmas Tree” includes Baroque masterworks by Bach and Durante and tunes for the season. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, $25-$55. Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore St., S.F. www.sfbc.org

Peter and the Wolf: The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra plays Prokofiev’s classic, with conductor Christian Reif and and narrator Richard Dreyfuss. 2 p.m. Dec. 9. $25-$125. Davies Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.sfsymphony.org

San Francisco Choral Artists: “Jingle! Angels! Silent! Merry!” includes beloved seasonal music from around the world “from sublime to silly, old to new, and with (optional) audience singing.” 4 p.m. Dec. 9, $12.50-$28. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell St., S.F., www.brownpapertickets.com

San Francisco Youth Chorus: “Winter Memories” includes carols, hymns and classic favorites from Britten to Bing and in Spanish, Hebrew, German and more. 4 p.m. Dec. 9. $14, free for children 12 and younger. Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 2850 19th Ave., S.F., www.brownpapertickets.com

Merri-Achi Christmas: Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez celebrates Mexico’s Christmas traditions. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, $29-$100. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.sfsymphony.org

Golden Bough: Margie Butler, Paul Espinoza and Kathy Sierra performs rare versions of Celtic songs of winter and their unique take on better known Christmas carols. 8 p.m. Dec. 14, $5-$25. Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento St., S.F., www.oldfirstconcerts.org

Grace Cathedral Choir of Men & Boys: A tradition since 1947, “A Cathedral Christmas” offers classic carols and sacred masterpieces with full orchestra and organ. 3 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and Dec. 22-23, 7:30 p.m, Dec. 21, $15-$60. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

Merit Scholars Holiday Concert: Community School of Music and Arts’ annual show features students ages 10-18 playing works by Beethoven, J.C.F. Bach, Mozart, Sammartini, Bolling and Tchaikovsky and Hanukkah and Christmas classics. 5 p.m. Dec. 15, free. Tateuchi Hall, , 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, arts4all.org

Chanticleer: The all-male choir’s holiday concert combines “soaring motets of Palestrina, Corteccia, Sweelinck and Lassus with favorite carols.” 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and Dec. 23, $35-$75. St. Ignatius Church, University of San Francisco, 650 Parker St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

Sonic Meditations: San Francisco Contemporary Music Players’ community sing-along features Cornelius Cardew’s “The Great Learning, Paragraph 7” and Pauline Oliveros’ “Sonic Meditations III.” 3 p.m. Dec. 16, free. Women’s Building, 3543 18th St., #8, S.F., www.sfcmp.org

Oakland Symphony: Michael Morgan conducts the orchestra and choral groups in “Swing and Soul: Let Us Break Bread Together,” which takes inspiration from Nina Simone and Fats Domino and includes guest vocalist The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol. 4 p.m. Dec. 16, $15-$60. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, www.oaklandsymphony.org

Young Women’s Choral Project: “Cherish the Old, Embrace the New” is a winter showcase featuring four choruses singing solo and together in a program of music by Britten, La Rocca, Betinis, Rutter, Bach, Brahms and David Contes. 4 p.m. Dec. 16, $5-$35. Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore St., S.F., www.brownpapertickets.com

Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley: Gregory Wait conducts the choral group in music for the holidays arranged by British composer John Rutter. 3 p.m. Dec. 16, $19-$33. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, www.mvcpa.com

Mission Dolores Basilica Choir: The group’s 27th annual Christmas concert is part of the church’s centennial celebration; the program features Gounod’s “Messe Solennelle.” 5 p.m. Dec. 16, $20-$30. 3321 16th St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

The Choral Project: “Winter’s Gifts: Journeys” features music from various faiths and cultures across the globe and accompaniment by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. 7 p.m. Dec. 16, $10-$35. Mission Santa Clara, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, www.brownpapertickets.com

San Francisco Renaissance Voices: The holiday performance, a Mexican Pastorela, retells the nativity story from the perspective of the shepherds who were the first to see the Christ child. 8 p.m. Dec. 16, $20-$30. Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, 1750 29th Ave., S.F., www.sfrvoices.org

San Francisco Girls Chorus: Valérie Sainte-Agathe leads the nearly 300-voice group and the Kronos Quartet and Musae in “Holidays at Davies.” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, $30-$62. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

A Brass and Organ Christmas: Local brass musicians appear in a 90-minute, two-part concert also featuring the church’s 7,466-pipe Aeolian-Skinner organ. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, $15-$60. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

S.F. Symphony Festival of Carols: Ragnar Bohlin conducts the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and San Francisco Girls Chorus in the concert featuring brass musicians and organist Jonathan Dimmock. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23, $25-$90. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.sfsymphony.org

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Home for the Holidays: The concert celebrates its 28th anniversary with special guest vocalist Marnie Breckenridge. 5 and 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 24, $30-$40. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

MESSIAH

George Frideric Handel’s oratorio has become a holiday classic. Here are local performances.

Valley Concert Chorale: The Tri-Valley’s longtime chorus hosts its annual Sing-It-Yourself Messiah. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30, $15. Asbury United Methodist Church 4743 East Ave., Livermore, www.valleyconcertchorale.org

San Francisco City Chorus: The open-community chorus’ yearly “Sing-Along Messiah” is preceded by a crafts fair. 7 p.m. Dec. 9, $20. Lakeside Presbyterian Church, 201 Eucalyptus St., S.F., www.sfcitychorus.org

Handel’s Sing it Yourself Messiah: The Golden Gate Orchestra and Chorus’ annual participatory event showcases soloists Yi Triplett, Chrystal Philippi, William Wiggins, Kittinant Chinsamran, Franklin Beau Davis and Stephen Harris. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, $25-$45. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com

American Bach Soloists: In its 21st year at San Francisco’s majestic church, American Bach Choir and ABS period-instrument specialists perform “Messiah” directed by Jeffrey Thomas, with soloists Mary Wilson, Eric Jurenas, Aaron Sheehan and Jesse Blumberg. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-14, $20-$125. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F., www.americanbach.org

San Francisco Symphony and Chorus: Ragnar Bohlin directs the chorale and Jane Glover conducts Handel’s masterwork, with solo vocalists Ying Fang, Elizabeth DeShong, Nicholas Phan and Joshua Hopkins. 8 p.m. Dec. 14-15, $55-$175. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.sfsymphony.org

Messiah Sing Along/Play Along: Stephen Sano conducts the annual concert, with orchestral parts provided and scores for singers to buy at the door. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, $13-$23. Memorial Church, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford University, http://sto.stanfordtickets.org/

Sing It Yourself Messiah Pub Crawl: Golden Gate Symphony and Chorus bring their participatory holiday classic to the streets. 6 p.m. Dec. 16, donation requested. Southern Pacific Brewing Company, 620 Treat Ave., S.F.; also at 8 p.m., Dec. 17 at The Homestead, 2301 Folsom St., S.F., www.goldengatesymphony.org

Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley: The 100-voice choir performs its 52nd annual sing-along “Messiah” led by maestro Gregory Wait. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, $26. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, www.scholacantorum.org

 

Opera Parallèle offers its popular production of “The Little Prince” for the holidays. (Courtesy Steve DiBartolomeo)