Before the polar vortex takes all the fun out of winter, there are plenty of ways to get out and celebrate the stories and sounds of the season. Below is just a partial list of some of the best in theater, dance and music – from traditional to tongue-in-cheek, sacred to secular.

TRADITIONAL STAGE

"A Christmas Carol": Whether you're taking kids to see it for the first time or experiencing it yourself for the umpteenth time, Charles Dickens' 1843 story of the redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge can still pack a wallop. Larry Yando, fresh from a turn as King Lear at Chicago Shakespeare, takes center stage again as Scrooge at the Goodman, and William J. Norris, who played the miserly coot for years in the old Goodman space, has penned his own version for the College of DuPage. But as always, local companies offer many variations on the original. Goodman Theatre, through Dec. 28; also Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights, Nov. 28-Dec. 24; Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook Terrace (children's version), through Dec. 23; Theatreworks USA (musical version), Pfeiffer Hall, North Central College, Naperville, Dec. 14; McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Nov. 28-30; Riverfront Playhouse, Aurora, Dec. 12-21

"A Christmas Carol: An Evening of Dickensian Delights": Rachel Martindale's streamlined version receives an "immersive presentation," complete with seasonal refreshments. Dream Theatre Company, Nov. 28-Dec. 21

"A Beer Carol": Drinking & Writing Theater orders another round of this live radio play, in which parsimonious beer baron Bud Miller meets the spirits – hops, barley, water and yeast – that change his heart, if not his liver. Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Nov. 29-Dec. 28

"A Klingon Christmas Carol": Commedia Beauregard's Trekkie-friendly version, written (yes, in Klingon) by Christopher Kidder-Mostrom and Sasha Warren, takes it fifth (and final) bow under the hand of opera director Catie O'Donnell. Athenaeum Theatre, Dec. 4-21

"A Q Brothers' Christmas Carol": GQ and JQ and Jackson Doran and Postell Pringle did a work-in-progress presentation last season of their dubstep Dickens (complete with a Jamaican "Marley"). It returns with live beats by DJ Super Nova. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, through Dec. 31

"Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol": Tom Mula, another former Goodman Scrooge, created this take on the tale from Marley's point of view that has become a seasonal favorite on its own. It returns in two suburban productions. Steel Beam Theatre, St. Charles, Dec. 11-21; Organic Theatre Company, Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, Naperville, Dec. 18-20

"It's a Wonderful Life": Radio-play versions of the Frank Capra film have been popping up with regularity on local stages, where carols combine with live foley effects and "commercials" as George Bailey learns just how important one man's life can be. American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center, Nov. 21-Dec. 28; Oil Lamp Theater, Glenview, through Dec. 21; BrightSide Theatre, Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, Naperville, Nov. 28-Dec. 14; Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, Dec. 5

"Christmas on the Air": Provision Theater Company offers its own holiday "radio show" of favorite songs and stories of the season, including "The Night Before Christmas" and O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." Provision Theater, Nov. 26-Dec. 28

"A Christmas Memory": Truman Capote's autobiographical story – heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure – about his childhood with an eccentric cousin who loves kites and fruitcakes, receives a musical adaptation from Duane Poole, Larry Grossman and Carol Hall. Theatre at the Center, Munster, Ind., through Dec. 14

"From the Heart": Jessica Puller's world-premiere adaptation combines "The Gift of the Magi" and "A Christmas Memory." Citadel Theatre Company, Lake Forest, Nov. 21-Dec. 21

"The Nutcracker": House Theatre of Chicago returns with Jake Minton and Phillip Klapperich's non-ballet take on the E.T.A. Hoffman tale. Chopin Theatre, through Dec. 28

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical": A touring version of the Broadway show created by Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason from the Dr. Seuss classic. Chicago Theatre, through Nov. 29

"The Christmas Schooner": This musical, created by John Reeger and the late Julie Shannon and based on the real story of the "Christmas tree ship" that brought evergreens from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to homesick immigrants in 19 ^{t h} -century Chicago, has become one of the most affecting homegrown holiday offerings around. Mercury Theater, Nov. 26-Dec. 28

"Christmas on Broadway": Rick Lewis' holiday revue imagines a quartet of star-struck tourists stuck in a shuttered Broadway theater on Christmas Eve. Since it's a musical, of course they find a trunkful of props and costumes and put on a show stuffed like a Christmas turkey with favorite holiday tunes. Fox Valley Repertory, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, through Dec. 31

"A Nativity Story: More Than a Miracle": Congo Square Theatre has been offering various incarnations of the Nativity story for many years – from African-themed to contemporary. Alexis J. Rogers wrote and directed this year's version, which promises to remind us of what is important "when the reason for the season can get cloudy." Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Dec. 18-28

"Blue Nativity": Quest Theatre Ensemble's free touring pageant, conceived and directed by Andrew Park, features large-scale puppets and music. St. Mary of the Woods, Dec. 12; Luther Memorial Church, Dec. 13; Ravenswood Presbyterian Church, Dec. 13; St. Gertrude's Church, Dec. 14; Christ Community Mennonite Church, Schaumburg, Dec. 14; Swedish American Museum, Dec. 19; Plymouth Place Senior Living, LaGrange, Dec. 20; Ravenswood Covenant Church, Dec. 21; St. Gregory the Great, Jan. 1

NONTRADITIONAL STAGE

"Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale": Lame holiday shows? He's not gonna take it! The Twisted Sister frontman stars as the narrator in his new musical about a past-its-prime 80s metal band whose head-banging ways crash into heartwarming carols. Broadway Playhouse, through Jan. 4

"Twist Your Dickens, or Scrooge You!": Second City and the Goodman team up with this send-up of the cherished chestnut, penned by Peter Gwinn and Bobby Mort, formerly writers with "The Colbert Report." Goodman Theatre, Dec. 5-28

"The Second City": Three different versions of sketches about the highs and lows of the season play in the area. "The Second City's Holidazed & Confused Revue," UP Comedy Club at The Second City, through Dec. 31; "Holidays in the Heights," Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights, Dec. 4-31; "The Second City's Dysfunctional Holiday Revue," Paramount Theatre, Aurora, Dec. 5-21

"HoliDaze": An anthology of holiday-themed short plays, courtesy of Step Up Productions. Chicago Dramatists, Nov. 21-Dec. 21

"Happy Holly-Daze: A Drinking Game Performance": Sketch comedy and inebriation – what could be more traditional in Chicago? Corn Productions' BYOB revue returns for a fourth sloshed season. Cornservatory, Dec. 11-27

"Cirque Dreams Holidaze": It may be time to retire that particular piece of wordplay. This extravaganza brings Christmas cheer to death-defying circus feats. Chicago Theatre, Dec. 17-21

"The Santaland Diaries": Crumpet's revenge! Mitchell Fain returns as the disgruntled Macy's elf in David Sedaris' beloved autobiographical comedy, adapted by Joe Mantello. Theater Wit, Nov. 21-Dec. 28

"Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer": Hell in a Handbag's annual irreverent favorite, penned by David Cerda and turning Rudolph into a transvestite, features a special benefit performance on December 7 starring Deidre Hall, best known as Dr. Marlena Evans on the long-running soap "Days of Our Lives." Regular run at Mary's Attic, Nov. 29-Jan. 2; benefit Dec. 7 at Dank Haus German American Cultural Center

"Winter Pageant 2014": This year's version of Redmoon's annual secular salute to the season takes place atop a giant glacier, where a cast of professionals and community performers brings a collection of love stories to life. Redmoon, Dec. 12-21

"Our Holiday Stories": Three playwrights – Elizabeth Berg, Robert Koon and Tanya Saracho – penned these tales of "family, faith and forgiveness." 16 ^{t h} Street Theater, Berwyn, through Dec. 13

"It's a Wonderful Santaland Miracle, Nut-Cracking Christmas Story…Jews Welcome!" Try stuffing that title in a stocking! This family-friendly event, directed by Brian Posen and choreographed by Matter Dance, offers an inclusive spin on seasonal festivities. Stage 773, through Dec. 28

"Christmas Bingo: It's a Ho-Ho-Holy Night": A holiday take on the long-running "Late Nite Catechism" franchise, complete with Bingo prizes. Royal George Theatre, Nov. 28-Jan. 4

"Big Red and the Boys": About Face Theatre offers a saucy evening of cabaret and storytelling with seasonal spice, starring Meghan "Big Red" Murphy, John Francisco, Patrick Andrews and Nick Davio. Theater Wit, Dec. 12-20

"We Stole This Idea From the Pagans … a Holiday Special": Gift Theatre (which, let's face it, has the perfect seasonal moniker) presents its in-house sketch team, Natural Gas, in a topical take on the holidays. Gift Theatre, Dec. 4-14

"El Stories: Holiday Train": Waltzing Mechanics pulls out of the station with this collection of true-life transit tales. Greenhouse Theater Center, Nov.29-Jan. 10

"Hobo Robo 7: Hobos Nipping at Your Nose": Hobo Junction Productions presents a sampler plate of short holiday plays, selected from writers around the globe. Greenhouse Theater Center, Dec. 8-10

"A Very Orwellian Christmas": There's nice, there's naughty – and then there's totalitarian. Santa rules with an elf squad of secret police in Jim Trapp's comedy, presented by American Demigods Theatre Company. Royal George Theatre, Nov. 28-Dec. 21

"The Last Mall Santa": More dystopia in Will Meinen's comedy in which "the war on Christmas" actually happened – and Christmas lost. Under the Gun Theater, Dec. 5-27

"Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose": Even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's extremely logical detective got sucked into one holiday story. Raven's production includes music and dance. Raven Theatre, Dec. 10-Jan. 4

DANCE

"The Nutcracker": Numerous versions abound of Tchaikovsky's ballet. Joffrey Ballet, Auditorium Theatre, Dec. 5-28; also Salt Creek Ballet, Hinsdale Central Auditorium, Nov. 29-30, Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, University Park, Dec. 6 and North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, Dec. 13-14; Ruth Page Civic Ballet, Northeastern Illinois University, Dec. 6-7; Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker," Rosemont Theatre, Dec. 7; "Dance-Along Nutcracker," Chicago Cultural Center, Dec. 7; Hyde Park School of Dance, Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, Dec. 12-14; Ballet Chicago, Athenaeum Theatre, Dec. 13-21; Dancenter North's "The Magic of the Nutcracker," Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, Dec. 13; Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet, McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Dec. 20-21

"Tidings of Tap!": Chicago Tap Theatre unwraps a toe-tapping celebration of "all things wintry." U.I.C. Theater, Dec. 12-14

CLASSICAL AND TRADITIONAL MUSIC

"Christmas in Vienna": The Vienna Boys Choir makes its annual local appearance. Symphony Center, Nov. 29

"Amahl and the Night Visitors": Chamber Opera Chicago's holiday tradition has dancers from Ensemble Espanol and a children's chorus. Royal George Theatre, Dec. 20-21

"A Chanticleer Christmas": The twelve voices of Christmas return as this beloved male a cappella group offers sacred songs and holiday favorites. Fourth Presbyterian Church, Dec. 2-3

"Celebrating the Holidays": Sweet Honey in the Rock presents a global celebration of faith and religion, from Christmas to Kwanzaa. Symphony Center, Dec. 7

"Welcome Yule!": The Chicago Symphony's annual family-friendly holiday concert celebrates 20 years. This year's production focuses on the famous "Christmas Truce" of 1914, when British and German soldiers took time out from the bloodbath of World War I to sing carols. Symphony Center, Dec. 13-23

"The Messiah": Handel's oratorio stirs the soul, whether you're part of the "do-it-yourself" version or not. The Apollo Chorus at Symphony Center, Dec. 6 and Harris Theater, Dec. 20; International Music Foundation's "The Do-It-Yourself-Messiah," Harris Theater, Dec. 21-22

"The Christmas Oratorio": Or if you'd prefer a change from "The Messiah," Music of the Baroque has got your Bach. North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, Nov. 30; Harris Theater, Dec. 1

"Holiday Brass and Choral": Music of the Baroque also offers its annual celebration of songs both solemn and joyous. Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Dec. 18; St. Michael's Church, Dec. 19; Divine Word Chapel, Northbrook, Dec. 20-21

"Holidays A Cappella": Chicago a cappella, composed of five men and four women, tours to several area venues with this selection of everything from Renaissance carols to contemporary classics. St. Michael's Catholic Church, Wheaton, Dec. 5; St. Clement Church, Dec. 6; Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park, Dec. 7; Fourth Presbyterian Church, Dec. 12; Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, University of Chicago, Dec. 13; Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston, Dec. 20

"The Lakeside Singers": Another collection of classical and contemporary holiday songs – from Mozart to Mariah Carey. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights, Dec. 8

"Caroling at Cloud Gate": You can kick off every weekend during the holiday season with this Friday-evening showcase of choruses from around the city serenading you under "the Bean." Nov. 28, Dexter Walker and Zion Movement; Dec. 5, Lutheran Choir of Chicago; Dec. 12, Chicago Chamber Choir; Dec. 19, Bella Voce

"Celtic Thunder": The group's latest album, "Holiday Symphony," gets a powerhouse outing with a full symphony backing them up. Chicago Theatre, Nov. 30

"Home for Christmas: The Symphony Tour": Celtic Woman also gets into the act with their own holiday-themed extravaganza. Pfeiffer Hall, North Central College, Naperville; Dec. 20

POP, ROCK AND FOLK MUSIC

"YuleTube: Holiday Favorites from Television": Chicago Gay Men's Chorus salutes the season and bids farewell to retiring artistic director Patrick Sinozich with this program from, well, programs (Frosty, Rudolph, the Grinch, et al). Harris Theater, Dec. 5; North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, Dec. 6; Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Dec. 20

"93XRT Big Holiday Concert": Two nights of celebration – the first featuring St. Vincent, and the second Counting Crows. Chicago Theatre, Dec. 2-3

"Suzy Bogguss: A Swingin' Little Christmas": Illinois native and Nashville star Bogguss presents a show drawn from her two holiday albums. City Winery, Dec. 4

"Ron and Naomi's Christmas Special": Local lights of the singer/songwriter world, Ron Lazzeretti and Naomi Ashley bring back their annual holiday variety show, featuring Neo-Futurists vet Noelle Krimm, teen a cappella group Take 5, and many others. FitzGerald's, Berwyn, Dec. 4

"Nick Lowe's Quality Holiday Revue": Because the season of goodwill should include the man who wrote "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" Los Straitjackets and Ian McLagan join Lowe in this celebration of his "Quality Street" holiday album. Old Town School of Folk Music, Dec. 6-7

"Talkin' Christmas!": The Blind Boys of Alabama, who have been singing together 70 years, offer gospel with a holiday twist. City Winery, Dec. 11

"Songs of Good Cheer": Tribune columnists Mary Schmich and Eric Zorn host this annual songspiel to raise money for Chicago Tribune Holiday Giving. Old Town School of Folk Music, Dec. 11-14

"Mannheim Steamroller Christmas": Chip Davis' holiday tour celebrates 30 years. Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, Dec. 12

"Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Christmas Show": The sultans of swing ring in the holidays, neo-hipster style. Pfeiffer Hall, North Central College, Naperville, Dec. 13

"Christmas Without Tears: Does This Tree Make Me Look Fat?": Harry Shearer and Judith Owens present a house party with songs, stories and generous servings of irreverence. The proceeds benefit Center on Halsted and the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. SPACE, Evanston, Dec. 18