Storm Large’s Holiday Ordeal   Nov 27–28

A quasi-annual “Christmassy Holiday-y Solstice-ish Quaanzesque, Hannukkabulextra fabulosis party”—in Large’s words—hosted by the chanteuse herself. aladdin-theater.com

A John Waters Christmas   Dec 1

“Holiday mischief” from the notorious Baltimorean behind raunch-core flicks Pink Flamingos and Cecil B. Demented, who shares what he wants for Xmas in this smutty one-man show. aladdin-theater.com

Viva’s Holiday: An Opera in One Act   Dec 2–4

A Portland stripper goes home for the holidays in this opera, drawn from the memoirs of PDX stripper and memoirist Viva Las Vegas. startheaterportland.com

A Christmas Carol   Dec 3–28

It’s Portland Playhouse’s third year producing Rick Lombardo’s wacky, Drammy-winning adaptation of the Dickens classic. Bring tissues for the Tiny Tim bits. portlandplayhouse.org

Oregon Symphony: Handel’s Messiah   Dec 5–6

The Messiah gets the symphony treatment-—more than 270 years after its creation—for a spine-tingling annual choral highlight. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. orsymphony.org

Portland Gay Men’s Chorus: The Most Wonderful Season   Dec 11–13

Lovers of Yuletide cheer, get ready for this annual parade of holiday classics, performed live by PGMC’s 150-voice chorale. Newmark Theatre. pdxgmc.org

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker   Dec 12–26

The ballet returns, as regular as the winter solstice, with Balanchine’s beloved take on synchronized snowflakes and toys come to life.
Keller Auditorium. obt.org

An Appalachian Christmas   Dec 22

Grammy-winning violinist Mark O’Connor brings his rootsy interpretations of Christmas classics back for some seasonally inspired Americana. allclassical.org 

The Santaland Diaries   Thru Dec 27

What would a modern-day Christmas be without the misadventures of Crumpet the Elf? Director Wendy Knox stages David Sedaris’s mall-holiday tale—a saga best suited for a mature audience. Gerding Theater. pcs.org