The weather is getting colder and days are shorter, but who wants a silent night? ‘Tis the season of festive, local events, so we’re gifting you a nice list of live holiday shows to get you into the seasonal spirit.

Dan Rosales and Jacque Wilke in "Ebenezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show" in 2022. | Photo by Jim Cox

For the playgoer

The "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" cast joins the "Million Dollar Quartet" cast. | Photo by JT MacMillan.

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T-F-U-L-L-Y Christmas" | Saturday, Nov. 25-Sunday, Dec. 24 | Lamb's Players Theatre | $28+ | Cast members from "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" and "Million Dollar Quartet" join forces in this world premiere show packed with music.

"1222 Oceanfront: A Black Family Christmas" | Thursday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Dec. 24 | New Village Arts | $33 | This story of a Black family from Carlsbad celebrates culture and family — with a dash of Christmas drama.

"A Christmas Carol" | Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 30 | Cygnet Theatre | $39+ | Don’t be a Scrooge — this Charles Dickens classic returns for its eighth season.

"Christmas with the Carps" | Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Vista's Broadway Theater | $27 | Randall Hickman and Douglas Davis' two-person, 11-character show about a dysfunctional family at a Christmas party returns in all of its hilarious glory.

"A Christmas Story" | Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Community Actors Theatre | $10 | This show tells the origins of Christmas and runs for two weekends: The first round is performed by the child/youth department and the second by the adult theater group.

"Amahl and the Night Visitors" | Friday, Dec. 22 + Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | STAR Repertory Theatre | $24+ | This Genesis Opera Theatre production — starring a cast of SoCal-based performers — retells the story of the Magi from the point of view of Amahl, a young, disabled boy who lives in poverty.

Make Irish stepdance part of your holiday season. | Image via San Diego Theatres + Kerry Irish Productions

For fans of dance

The San Diego Symphony's "Noel Noel" show returns to The Rady Shell Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 17. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

For the music lover

Carols by Candlelight | Friday, Dec. 8 | 8 p.m. | California Center for the Arts, Escondido | $27+ | Multi-platinum singer Deana Carter and country star Charlie Worsham team up for this show benefitting Rady Children’s Hospital, with additional performances by Anna and Steve Vaus and Back to the Garden.

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas | Monday, Dec. 11 + Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Balboa Theatre | $31.50+ | Inspired by the Tony Award-nominated "Million Dollar Quartet," this show brings together the sounds of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley for a holiday celebration.

The season of merry is also a season for mariachi. | Image via San Diego Theatres

Mariachi Sol de México : “A Merry-Achi Christmas” | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. | Balboa Theatre | $43+
Maestro José Hernández leads this ensemble that infuses mariachi sounds into Christmas classics.

We're excited to see what happens at "Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland." | Image via Harrah's Resort Southern California

For the thrill seeker

Awaken Presents Night of Christmas | Friday, Dec. 1 + Saturday, Dec. 2 | 8 p.m. | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park | $10+
Listen to Christmas classics accompanied by dance performances, aerialists, and a fireworks display.

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland | Saturday, Dec. 2 + Sunday, Dec. 3 | 8 p.m. | $39.50+
Visit "Wonderland" and experience a holiday show filled with acrobatics, aerialists, and hilarious hijinks.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze | Saturday, Dec. 9 + Sun, Dec. 10 | Civic Theatre | $42.50+
This family-friendly holiday show mixes Broadway-style production, music, and jaw-dropping circus acts.