Bay Area dancers, pros and students alike, perform the seasonal classic — or something new.
The Velveteen Rabbit: For the 29th year, ODC/Dance presents its adaptation of the children’s book. A milk-and-cookies party, which requires a separate $12 ticket, follows the Nov. 29 performance. Nov. 27-Dec. 13, $15-$60. 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 25th annual “Nutcracker.” 1 and 6 p.m. Nov. 27-28, 12:30 and 4 p.m. Nov. 29, $26-$30. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, www.mvcpa.com
Peninsula Youth Ballet: Ayako Takahashi directs the troupe in its 20th annual “Nutcracker.” Separate $10 tickets may be purchased for post-performance tea parties. 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 28, 2 p.m. Nov. 29, $25-$75. San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware St., San Mateo, www.pyb.org
Ballet America Nutcracker: The full-length production for families features dozens of local dancers twirling alongside professionals. 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 6, $22-$39, Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City, www.foxrwc.com
Western Ballet: The Mountain View-based school’s “Nutcracker” is a tradition for families. 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5, $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,elves and toys in his workshop. 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5, $27. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, www.lesherartscenter.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. 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and Dec. 12-13, $15-$20. Woodside Performing Arts Center, 199 Churchill Ave., Woodside, www.twasthenight.org
Smuin Ballet: The 2015 edition of “The Christmas Ballet” includes new dance from Smuin choreographer-in-residence Amy Seiwert and company member Nicole Haskins. Dec. 9-13, $23-$71. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View; also Dec. 17-27 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F., www.smuinballet.org
Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets: The colorful family-oriented 50-minute rendition of the classic has a contemporary twist and live chamber music accompaniment. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 12-13, Dec. 19-22, plus 4 p.m. Dec.19-20, $21-$31. Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F., (800) 838-3006, nutcrackersweets.org
Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Sweet: The 45-minute version of the classic is designed for the youngest tots. 2 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13, $25. Studio One Theatre, Peninsula Ballet Theatre, 1880 S. Grant St., San Mateo, www.peninsulaballet.org
Silicon Valley Ballet: Choreographer Karen Gabay’s “Nutcracker” is a fresh take on the holiday classic inspired by the E.T.A. Hoffmann story. Dec. 12-27, $25-$110. Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose, 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. 12, 2 p.m. Dec. 13, $40. Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St., S.F., www.cityboxoffice.com
San Francisco Youth Ballet: Dancers from the troupe and guests appear in the group’s 15th full-length “Nutcracker.” 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 12, 1 p.m. Dec. 13, $24-$26. Mercy High School, 3250 19th Ave., S.F., www.sanfranciscoyouthballet.org
Dance-Along Nutcracker: This year, the festive participatory event has the theme “The Nutcracker of Oz.” 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 13, $18-$30. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F., www.ybca.org
San Francisco Ballet: For more than 70 years, The City’s premier company has staged its lavish production, the longest-running “Nutcracker” in America. Dec. 16-31, $20-$238. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., S.F., www.sfballet.org
Moscow Ballet: Elite Vaganova Academy-trained dancers appear in the “Great Russian Nutcracker.” 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino; 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, $28-$122, www.ticketmaster.com
Bayer Ballet Academy: “The Snow Queen” is an original youth ballet production based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 19-20, $40-$50. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, www.mvcpa.com
Peninsula Ballet Theatre: The troupe performs its 45th “Nutcracker” with Carlos Carvajal’s well-loved choreography. 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Dec. 20-21 p.m., $30-$60. 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 Symphony. “Sweet Dreams” receptions, at $15, follow matinees. 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Dec. 20, $25-$87. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, www.oaklandballet.org
Feliz Navidad: Carolina Lugo’s and Carolé Acuña’s Ballet Flamenco presents a holiday show. 7 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and Dec. 26-27, $21 (does not include food and drink minimum). Peña Pachamama Center, 1630 Powell St., S.F., www.carolinalugo.com
