Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s ‘The Christmas Ballet’

This yearly crowd-pleaser balances the serious and the silly with a “Classical Christmas” act and a “Cool Christmas” second half. Certain chestnuts will never be omitted, like the strutting seductress who trails the world’s longest feather boa in “Santa Baby.” But other ditties get switched out for new choreography: This year, a dance to a prayer for Ukraine byNicole Haskins, and a pop ditty from former choreographer-in-residence Amy Seiwert.

2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 2 p.m. Dec. 4. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at Ninth Avenue, Carmel; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14-16 and Dec. 22, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and Dec. 23, 2 p.m. Dec. 18, 21 and 24. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F. $25-$99.www.smuinballet.org

ODC/Dance’s ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’

This is a particularly heart-warming “Nutcracker” alternative for littler children, bringing to life Margery William’s classic story via modern dance, engaging narration, charming costumesand the music of Benjamin Britten.

KT Nelson, who choreographed thiswhimsical but also profound production36 years ago, returns to direct.

3 p.m. Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 3-4 and 10-11; 11 a.m. Dec. 1-2 and 8-9. Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, 700 Howard St., S.F. $15-$100. 415-978-2787.www.odc.dance

Mark Foehringer’s ‘Nutcracker Sweets’

This 50-minute reduction of “Nutcracker” intended for younger children is set to include live music from a nine-piece chamber orchestra, with Keisuke Nakagoshi conducting this year.

Former San Jose Ballet star Carlos Venturo is cast as Drosselmeyer, with Ballet 22 co-founder Theresa Knudson stepping into the role of Clara.

re-orchestration柴可夫斯基的分数the Oakland Symphony Orchestra’s late director,Michael Morgan.

11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4; 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 10-11 and 17-18. Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, 2 Marina Blvd., S.F. $20-$45. 415-345-7575.www.nutcrackersweets.org

Peninsula Ballet Theatre

This San Mateo公司以热情的社区后我s offering no fewer than four “Nutcracker” options — a ballet “Nutcracker” and a hip-hop version, and condensed versions of each for the littlest viewers. Every performance is followed by a meet-the-dancers experience. The condensed versions take place in PBT’s studio, while the full-scale ballet and hip-hop “Nutcrackers” are produced at Redwood City’s Fox Theatre. For the hip-hop version, a cast of 35 joins the Tribe Dance Crew, founded by StuckSanders and AleeMartinez in 2015, along with their youth company, Poise’NBrigade.

“Nutcracker Sweet”: Condensed ballet staging. 11:30 a.m., 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4. Peninsula Ballet Theatre, 1880 S. Grant St., San Mateo.

“Hip-Hop Nutcracker Sweet”: Condensed hip-hop staging. 11:30 a.m., 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11. $25-$35. Peninsula Ballet Theatre.

“Nutcracker”: Full ballet production. 7 p.m. Dec. 16; 2 p.m. Dec. 17. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City. $50-$70.

“Hip-Hop Nutcracker”: Full production. 7 p.m. Dec. 17; 1 p.m. Dec. 18.Fox Theatre. $50-$70. 650-212-5867.www.peninsulaballet.org

San Francisco Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’

After areduced-cast 2021 return, San Francisco Ballet’s exquisite production is back this year in full glory, with 110 children in roles ranging from ladybugs to party troublemakers, and the company’s roster of 83 professional dancers primed for some exciting debuts.

Helgi Tomasson, who retired earlier this year, staged this production in 2004, setting the story in 1915 San Francisco and featuring a teenage Clara who dreams of visions from the Pan-American Exposition. Look out for the extraordinarily swift new soloist Katherine Barkman taking on the whirling Sugarplum Fairy role, and the return of the internationally acclaimed ballet star Isaac Hernandez.

This “Nutcracker” is equally thrilling for children and adults.

Opens 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Runs 2 and 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday (except Dec. 8), 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays (except Christmas Eve), 2and 7 p.m. Sundays (except Christmas Day); 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 24, 26, and 27. Through Dec. 27. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., S.F. $19-$325. 415-865-2000.www.sfballet.org

New Ballet’s ‘The San Jose Nutcracker’

San Jose’s New Ballet was founded in 2016 by Artistic and Executive Director Dalia Rawson. Accompanied by live orchestra, the company’s “Nutcracker” celebrates Silicon Valley’s history of innovation: On Christmas Eve of 1900, Uncle Nikola brings newfangled electric gifts.

The costumes are inspired by History San Jose archives, and the dancing is of impressive caliber for an emerging company.

7 p.m. Dec. 16; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17; 2 p.m. Dec. 18. California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose. $25-$95. 408-792-4111.newballet.com

Oakland Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’

Artistic Director Graham Lustig’s sweet production features hot air balloons (not real ones, but a convincing stage effect), the Oakland Symphony, the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choirand lively, music-swept dancing from an amiable corps of professional dancers.

The splendor of the Paramount Theatremakes this a delightful family outing and a sweetly satisfying experience for grown ballet fans.

1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 17; 1 p.m. Dec. 18. $24-$99. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. 510-557-5077.oaklandballet.org