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We’ve seen snow, some have already made merry at seasonal celebrations and coffee shops have been slinging eggnog lattes for weeks. To stoke your Christmas spirit, check out these events.

• Dec. 5 and 12, Alternative Nutcracker
Nightmare Before the Nutcracker features characters from Tim Burton movies. It’s a gothic twist on the Nutcracker told through theatre, circus, burlesque and live music. Writer and circus performer Chris Murdoch wrote the script and the show includes burlesque by Screaming Chicken stars Melody Mangler, Shea DeVille, and Voodoo Pixie. 8 p.m., the Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway. Tickets $25/30 at riotheatretickets.ca.  

• Dec. 5 to 30, It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show
The classic story of It’s a Wonderful Life is told as a radio play by Peter Church. 8 p.m., 2 p.m. matinees Saturdays. Pacific Theatre, 1440 West 12th Ave. Tickets: pacifictheatre.org or 604-731-5518.

• Dec. 7, Christmas with the Bach ChoirChoir members as young as five years old will sing alongside accomplished adults at this performance that will honour the 30th anniversary of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Bach Children’s Chorus and Youth Choirs. The concert will feature a newly commissioned work written by former VBCC/YC conductor Kathleen Allan. Bruce Pullan, founding music director, will lead the singers through the new piece. 2 p.m., the Orpheum. Tickets $29 to $59, discounts available at vancouverbachchoir.com or 604-696-4290.

• Dec. 7, 14 and 21, Kitty Nights Burlesque
Kitty Nights presents Viva Vancouver! A Holiday Vegas Burlesque review Dec. 7, a Twisted XX-Mas Party Dec. 14 and Laugh Your Ass Off Tastes Like Christmas! Dec. 21 at the Biltmore Cabaret. Ticketzone.com.

• Dec. 11 to 14, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Symphony Orchestra
Bard on the Beach’s Christopher Gaze hosts the VSO’s Traditional Christmas concerts across the Lower Mainland. Associate conductor Gordon Gerrard will lead the concerts that will include the UBC Opera Ensemble and Enchor and seasonal readings by Gaze. 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows, St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church. Tickets $42, discounts available, vancouversymphony.ca or 604-876-3434.

• Dec. 12, Handel’s Messiah
Jon Washburn conducts the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Chamber Choir, Pacific Singers and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Chamber Orchestra with special guest soloists Monica Whicher, Allyson McHardy, Benjamin Butterfield and Stephen Hegedus at the Orpheum Theatre, 8 p.m. Tickets $20.50 to $55 at vancouverchamberchoir.com or 1-855-985-2787. Student rush tickets $10 when doors open one hours before the concert.

• Dec. 12 and 13, Trailer Park Boys
The Trailer Park Boy’s Dear Santa Claus, Go F*** Yourself Tour touches down at the Vogue Theatre. Show 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50 at northerntickets.com or 604-569-1144.

• Dec. 12 to 14, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker
Ballet BC presents the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker that’s billed to include sumptuous costumes, an imaginative set, a snowy pond hockey game and a battle on Parliament Hill. Queen Elizabeth Theatre. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances. Tickets $35 to $98.50 and family packs from $229 - 300 at ticketmaster.ca or 1-855-985-2787.

• Dec. 13, Sumner Brothers
Local blues-rock duo the Sumner Brothers host their Christmas Extravaganza with the Wild North, Ben Rogers, Rob Butterfield, Real Ponchos, Khari McClelland, Colleen Rennison, Twin Bandit, Viper Central, Dirty Luke, Johnny 99, Etienne Trembley, Wooden Horsemen, Jack the Bear, Colebrook Shepherds and more. Rickshaw Theatre, doors 9 p.m. Tickets $12 advance (plus service charges) at Highlife, Neptoon and Red Cat; $15 at the door.

• Dec. 16 and 19, Musica Intima
Juno-nominated vocal ensemble Musica Intima performs A Christmas Story concert that includes holiday favourites, contemporary numbers, yuletide stories and texts sourced from their audience in a Vinyl Café-inspired narrative. Musica Intima will perform five concerts across Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­including the Dec. 16 concert at Ryerson United Church and the Dec. 19 concert at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Vancouver. Shows 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, $10 for students at musicaintima.org or 604-731-6618.

• Dec. 18 to 22, The Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker
A traditional rendition of the Nutcracker with the score performed by members of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Opera Orchestra at The Centre in Vancouver, 777 Homer St. Matinee and evening performances. Tickets start at $28 at gohnutcracker.com.

• Dec. 19, Keithmas
Keithmas celebrates the birthday of Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and Christmas and 100 per cent of the proceeds go to the local food bank. Nine bands will play at Electric Owl starting at 9 p.m. Performers from past years include Rich Hope, Joey Shithead and Colin James busting out hits by the Rolling Stones and tunes from Richards’ solo stints. Tickets are $10 in advanced at Red Cat, Zulu, Highlife, Neptoon and ticketweb.ca.

• Dec. 19, Van Django Bells
The Van Django Bells swing string quartet mounts a variety show that includes nostalgic favourites, jazz standards, pop tunes, classical elements and sing-alongs all delivered in swinging gypsy jazz style. St. James Hall, 3214 West 10th Ave. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 or $16 for members at roguefolk.bc.ca, Highlife Records and Rufus’ Guitars & Prussin Music.