‘A Christmas Carol’ highlights a busy holiday season in Santa Cruz County

A tradition isn’t really a tradition until it happens a second time. With that in mind, let the record show that 2025 is the moment that “A Christmas Carol” became a holiday tradition in Santa Cruz. 

For the second consecutive December, Santa Cruz Shakespeare is moving into the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Santa Cruz to present the timeless Charles Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol.” 

Opening Sunday, Nov. 30 (after three preview performances), “Carol” again features perhaps Santa Cruz’s most well-known stage actor, Mike Ryan, in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Also returning will be Julie James, Charlotte Munson and Andrea Sweeney Blanco in what is perhaps the most famous Christmas-themed redemption story in the English-speaking world. 

This year, SCS artistic director Charles Pasternak shares the director’s role with Alicia Gibson, the production manager at Santa Cruz Shakespeare and the stage manager for last year’s production of “Carol.” Pasternak said that audiences can expect much of the same traditional spirit and vibe as last year’s show, and bringing in Gibson allows him to open the production to other artistic visions. SCS plans to stage the play every December going forward. 

“I want to keep the core of the thing,” he said of “A Christmas Carol,” “but also keep it evolving.”

That evolution, however, does not include stepping away from the heart of the play, the genuine enchantment of the Christmas season as a time when kindness and generosity wins out over selfishness. Pasternak said he is eager to let other directors have a go at adapting Dickens as they see fit. But he’ll draw the line at mocking satire.

“We’re not here to make fun of this story,” he said. “And if a director wanted to go that way, that’s when I’d step in and say ‘stop it now.’ I believe in what the story has to say and I believe we need it now more than ever. I’m not ashamed of wanting a redemptive ritual that we as a community return to every year.”

Once again, “A Christmas Carol” will embrace a Victorian look and feel, not only in the writing — which is all Dickens — but in the costuming, which is a showcase for the company’s celebrated costumer, B. Modern. 

“B. not only created these amazing costumes last year,” said Pasternak, “but the goal of a multi-year project like this is, year over year, for her to continue improving them, exploring new ideas and building new things. So, you’re going to see more and more cool things.”

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens has its premiere Sunday, Nov. 30, through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Cruz. 

The holiday spirit, of course, cannot be contained with one theater production. Here’s a roundup of what to expect this holiday season: 

On stage 

Tomáseen Foley’s “A Celtic Christmas” — Irish storyteller and performer Tomáseen Foley returns to Santa Cruz for the annual “A Celtic Christmas” show, featuring music director and Santa Cruzan William Coulter on guitar. The story takes  audiences back to Christmastime in rural Ireland during the 1950s, carried on with traditional Celtic acoustic music as beautiful as a winter night in County Kerry. This year, the show will take place Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Center Recital Hall on the campus of UC Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Symphony’s Holiday Concert — Spirited and festival holiday music, including selections from “The Nutcracker,” Hanukkah songs and the singalong gems we all know and love, comes to Santa Cruz courtesy of the Santa Cruz Symphony on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. then again the following afternoon, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. at the at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.

‘‘The Nutcracker” (Santa Cruz) — The beloved holiday ballet, featuring the immortal music of Tchaikovsky, arrives locally in two separate productions from two different dance companies. At the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, the Santa Cruz Dance Theater will present four performances over two days Dec. 20 and 21, at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. both days. Santa Cruz native Lucien Postlewaite returns to perform the leading role, along with students from Agape Dance Academy. And, if you’d rather see the little ones, SCDT will also present a special “Petite Nutcracker,” featuring dancers between the ages of 3 and 7, also at the Civic, at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 20. 

“Nutcracker: Experience the Magic” (Cabrillo) — Fans of the great ballet have a choice to make this year. At the same time that the Civic production is happening, the Santa Cruz City Ballet at the International Academy of Dance is presenting its production at the Crocker Theater on the campus of Cabrillo College. Performances are Dec. 20 and 21, at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. both days. 

“Christmas With the Chorale” — Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz will be the site of two concerts in which the celebrated Santa Cruz Chorale will make a joyful noise. The program includes the sacred work “Christus Natus Est,” Arvo Pärt’s “Magnificat” and Michael Haydn’s “Run Ye Shepherds to the Light,” all to end with the most joyous Christmas carols. “Christmas With the Chorale” takes place Saturday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. and again Dec. 21 at 4 p.m.

Handel’s “Messiah” — The magnificent group I Cantori di Carmel comes to Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz to perform Handel’s immortal “Messiah,” from “Unto Us a Child is Born” to the crowning “Hallelujah” chorus. It all happens Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. (the weekend after the chorus performs at the Carmel Mission Basilica). 

“Music for the Feast of Christmas” — For the 42nd consecutive year, the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus celebrates “Music for the Feast of Christmas,” taking place at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz for three performances: Dec. 5 and 6 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. 

Flynn Creek Circus — The theatrical acrobatic troupe based in Mendocino County, makes a return trip to Capitola for a new show titled “The Bridge.” The show is slated to begin its run in Capitola on Dec. 18, on stage for more than two dozen performances through Jan. 4. If you’ve seen Flynn Creek Circus shows, you know that it’s all about the amazing work of the company’s acrobats, presented in an original story that often draws from folk mythology, and performed with a thrilling sense of theatricality with lighting, music, costumes and drama. The shows are all family-friendly — except for a handful that are set aside as 21-and-over “adults only” shows, including the final show of 2025 on New Year’s Eve. 

Parades and festivals

Downtown holiday parade — As it has for many years now, Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz will become a big, bold, beautiful public expression of holiday spirit, featuring more 1,200 participants and 3,000 spectators. It starts downtown at Pacific Avenue and Laurel Street, on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m., rain or shine. 

“Sparky’s Holiday Lights” — The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds outside Watsonville is the go-to spot for a magical holiday-themed light show throughout December that doesn’t even require you get out of the car. On the nights of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning this weekend, Nov. 28, (with bonus nights on weekdays Dec. 22-24), visitors are in for a drive-thru experience along a route through the fairgrounds designed to astonish and delight. The weekend of Dec. 5 and 6 will feature a walk-thru experience, which also includes the Holiday Craft and Gift Fair. And, let’s not forget, Thursday, Dec. 4, “Krampus Night” returns, with a visit from the mythical goat-like spirit of Christmas popular in German folklore, alongside a “dark” holiday market. All Holiday Lights events begin around 5:30 p.m. 

Lighted Boat Parade — As it has done for many years, the Santa Cruz Yacht Club is presenting the Lighted Boat Parade, a chance to see the Santa Cruz Harbor at its twinkly best, just after sunset Saturday, Dec. 6, at around 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Disco at the North Pole.”

Boardwalk’s Winter Wonderland — The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is breaking out of its summer mindset and embracing winter. Beginning Thanksgiving Day, the Boardwalk will be open with fire pits, holiday s’mores, decorations, photos with Santa, and, of course, lots of rides, games and arcades. It takes place Thursday through Sunday this week, then on weekends only until Dec. 20, when it’s open every day, through Jan. 4. Noon to 7 p.m. 

In the clubs

“Merry Mex-Mas with El Vez” — El Vez, aka The Mexican Elvis, and his band The Centuries come to Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz for a “Merry Mex-Mas” celebration. The Southern California cult icon gives a gonzo interpretation to Christmas traditions. Dec. 17, 8 p.m. showtime. 

“A John Prine Christmas” — There are few public figures more revered among the general public than the late folksinger John Prine. Singer-songwriter Jenner Fox, as close to a Prine disciple as you’ll ever meet, puts together this tribute to Prine featuring such jewels as “Silent Night All Day Long” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” with a lot more Prine favorites. Dec. 19, at Felton Music Hall. 

Winter Solstice Concert — Pianist Barbara Higbie, vocalist Vicki Randle and cellist Mia Pixley mark the changing of the seasons at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Dec. 6, all to perform traditional and original music appropriate to the coming season. 

The Christmas Banditos — The Crepe Place is embracing the holiday with two free shows featuring the Christmas Banditos, Dec. 16 out back at Garden Stage and Dec. 19 in the main room, 5:30 p.m. both nights.

The Trolley Drops — The Trolley Drops, a jug band in the spirit of Dan Hicks & the Christmas Jug Band, will be busy this holiday season with a show titled “Twistmas Carols.” The conceit is they borrow melodies from well-known old chestnuts from pop, rock, folk, jazz, etc., but rewrite the lyrics with a more seasonal bent. The Drops play Dec. 4 at Pono Hawaiian Grill in Santa Cruz; Dec. 7 and Dec. 11 at Abbott Square downtown; Dec. 12 at Stockwell Cellars; Dec. 14 at the Holiday Craft Show in Davenport; Dec. 17 at the VFW Hall in Santa Cruz; Dec. 19 at Discretion Brewing; and Dec. 22 back at Abbott Square. Showtimes vary. The Trolley Drops’ full schedule is here. 

Community gatherings and family events

“Chanukah Rock of Ages” — Temple Beth El in Aptos is set for its annual “Chanukah Rock of Ages” extravaganza on Friday, Dec. 19, at the temple, 3055 Porter Gulch Rd. in Aptos. A big latke dinner is followed by a Rock Shabbat service with the musical group Rock of Ages at 7 p.m. 

‘Elf’ — The former Cocoanut Grove ballroom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, now just The Grove, will host a screening of the ingenious holiday comedy “Elf” (see it for Bob Newhart, if nothing else) on Sunday, Dec. 7. Things get started with cookie decorating at 4:30 p.m. followed by Santa storytime at 5 p.m. and the film at 5:30 p.m.

Holidays on the Ranch — Yes, they had the holidays 100 years ago. Wilder Ranch State Park celebrates old-fashioned season’s greetings with live caroling, demonstrations of blacksmithing and wreath-making, and other Victorian-era holiday-themed activities 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13. 

Winter on the Wharf — Snow? At the wharf? The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is going all out to mark the changing of the season with face-painting, balloon animals and photos with Santa and, yes, genuine snow to play in, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. It’s free.