The holiday season – the most spectacular time of the year to take in a live performance – is upon us.

You’ll find the best and the brightest stars performing a wide breadth of music, song, dance and theater in many year-end productions. To help you decide how to best manage your already heavily booked holiday schedule, we’ve highlighted performances close to home. From family-friendly choir concerts to breathtaking classical ballets, you’ll find something to entertain all of your friends and family this holiday season.

IMAGINATION THEATER

For 12 years, Imagination Theater has brought the gift of live theater to the community. From November 30 through December 23, treat yourself, your family and your friends to the wonderful production of The Little Princess – the story of a young heiress who, upon losing her fortune, is forced to work as a servant. The story takes an intriguing turn when she begins to notice curious events happening at the house next door. For show dates and times or to purchase tickets, visit imagination-theater.org.

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FOOTHILL WOMEN’S CHORUS

Join the Foothill Women’s Chorus for their 42nd annual Christmas Concert. Accompanied by Sierra Symphony members, the Foothill Women’s Chorus will perform a beautiful collection of holiday classics at the Light of the Hills Lutheran Church on December 8 at 4 p.m. In the true spirit of the season, former members of the Foothill Women’s Chorus are invited to participate in the finale. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy their famous homemade refreshments. Guaranteed to be a family-friendly night that will leave you filled with holiday cheer! NOTE: The concert is free to attend, though donations are always welcome. For more details, call 530-677-5127 or 530-677-7243.

OLDE COLOMA THEATRE

Inside the walls of the historic log cabin built by the Division of Natural Resources for the 1939 San Francisco World’s Exposition, lives a vibrant theater group known as the Coloma Crescent Players. The Olde Coloma Theatre brings year-round entertainment to the community, and will be performing the original production of Once Upon A North Pole Christmas or There’s No Business Like Snow Business. Running November 16 through December 23, the whole family will be entertained and enthralled with the melodramatic stylings of the Coloma Crescent Players. Shows times are every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees are held at 2 p.m. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit oldecolomatheatre.org.

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THREE STAGES AT FOLSOM LAKE COLLEGE

From big musical numbers to exemplary folk dancing performances, you’ll find a bevy of holiday themed productions this year at Three Stages, including An Irish Christmas. Celebrate Christmas in Ireland with a lively mix of music, dance and storytelling, featuring Riverdance star Kevin Horton and Magic of the Dance stars Ciaran Maguire and Collette Dunne. For show dates and times or to purchase tickets, visit threestages.net.

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For more local holiday performances, visit our Online Community Calendar.