The Velveteen Rabbit
For the 28th year, ODC/Dance presents its adaptation of the children's book. A milk-and-cookies party, which requires a separate $12 ticket, follows the Sunday's show. Friday-Dec. 14, $16-$75. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard St., S.F., (415) 978-2787, www.odcdance.org/velveteenrabbit
Pacific Ballet Academy
Under the direction of Marion and Rima Chaeff, PBA dancers perform the school's 24th annual “Nutcracker.” 1 and 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 12:30 and 4 p.m. Sunday, $26-$30. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, www.mvcpa.com
Western Ballet
The Mountain View-based school's “Nutcracker” is a tradition for families. 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6, $25-$30. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, www.mvcpa.com
Ballet Joyeux
The Walnut Creek-based troupe presents “Once Upon a Christmas,” a holiday ballet with Santa, his elves and the toys in his workshop. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, $20-$25. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, www.lesherartscenter.org
Peninsula Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker Sweet
The condensed, 45-minute version of the holiday classic is designed for the youngest tots. 11 a.m., 2 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7, $20-$25. Studio One Theatre, Peninsula Ballet Theatre, 1880 S. Grant St., San Mateo, www.peninsulaballet.org
Dancers Repertory
Theatre
“'Twas the Night Before Christmas,” featuring more than 150 dancers ages 5-16, is based on the poem by Clement C. Moore. 4 p.m. Dec. 6, 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 7, $15-$20. Woodside Performing Arts Center, 199 Churchill Ave., Woodside, www.twasthenight.org
Feliz Navidad
desde Vida Flamenca
Carolina Lugo's and Carolé Acuña's Ballet Flamenco presents a holiday show. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Dec. 23, Dec. 20-21, Dec. 27-29, $15-$19. Peña Pachamama Center, 1630 Powell St., S.F., www.brownpapertickets.com
Ballet America
Professional guest artists join the Redwood City-based group (featuring some 100 young local dancers) in a family-friendly “Nutcracker.” 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 7, $22-$39. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City, (650) 369-7770, www.balletamerica.org
Smuin Ballet
“The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked” features holiday favorites and new choreography from Amy Seiwert, Ben Needham-Wood, Nicole Haskins and Weston Krukow. Dec. 10-14, $49-$68. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View; also Dec. 18-27 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F., www.smuinballet.org
Ballet San Jose
Choreographer Karen Gabay's “Nutcracker” features costumes by Broadway legend Theoni V. Aldredge and a staging inspired by the E.T.A. Hoffmann story, but with feminist underpinnings. Dec. 13-28, $25-$110. Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose, (408) 288-2800, www.balletsj.org
City Ballet School
The “Nutcracker” production features students performing choreography by Galina Alexandrova, a former dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet. 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14, $30-$40. Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com
San Francisco Youth Ballet
Dancers from the youth troupe are joined by dancers across the state in the group's 14th full-length “Nutcracker.” 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 13-14, $24-$26. Mercy High School, 3250 19th Ave., S.F., www.sanfranciscoyouthballet.org
Dance-Along Nutcracker
This year, the San Francisco Lesbian-Gay Freedom Band's festive participatory event has the theme “Frosty's Hawaiian Holiday.” 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 14, $10-$50. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F., www.ybca.org
Moscow Ballet
Elite Vaganova Academy-trained dancers appear in the “Great Russian Nutcracker.” 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, $34-$108, www.nutcracker.com, www.ticketmaster.com
Bayer Ballet Academy
“The Snow Queen” is an original youth ballet production based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21, $30-$40. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, www.mvcpa.com
Peninsula Ballet Theatre
The troupe performs its 44th “Nutcracker” using Carlos Carvajal's well-loved choreography. 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21-22, $30-$65. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City, www.peninsulaballet.org
Oakland Ballet Company
The troupe presents artistic director Graham Lustig's popular interpretation of “Nutcracker,” with music by the Oakland East Bay Symphony. “Sweet Dreams” receptions, priced at $15, follow matinees. 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21, $22-$70.50. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, www.oaklandballet.org
Peninsula Youth Ballet
Ayako Takahashi directs the troupe in its 20th annual “Nutcracker” with professional guest artists. Separate $10 tickets may be purchased for post-performance tea parties. 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Dec. 7; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6,, $25-$75. San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware St., San Mateo, www.pyb.org
San Francisco Ballet
For 70 years, The City's premier ballet company stages its lavish production, the longest-running “Nutcracker” in America. Dec. 12-29, $20-$198. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.sfballet.org
Mark Foehringer's
Nutcracker Sweets
The colorful family-oriented 50-minute rendition of the seasonal ballet has a contemporary twist and live chamber music accompaniment. Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21, $18-$28. Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F., (800) 838-3006, nutcrackersweets.org
