Go: Dance, sing and ring in the holiday

1. Dancing trio

Now in its 20th season, Columbia Dance and its cast of 100 dancers will present “The Nutcracker.” Audiences can watch mischievous mice, toy soldiers and sugarplum fairies dance to Tchaikovsky’s score. Performances are 7 p.m. Dec. 16; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 18; and 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Royal Durst Theatre, 3101 Main St., Vancouver. Tickets are $20, $15 for students and seniors, $10 for ages 12 and younger. 360-737-1922 or www.columbiadance.org

Dance Fusion NW presents “Christmas Stories,” an original holiday dance production that features tap-dancing reindeer, disgruntled elves and plenty of holiday spirit. Tales such as “The Music Box” and “Nightmare on Christmas Eve” will be told through dance, acting and vocal performances. Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at Ridgefield High School, 2630 S. Hillhurst Road, Ridgefield. Tickets are $16, $12 for students and seniors. 360-521-9973 or www.dancefusionnw.com

Artistic Director Maricar Drilon and Northwest Classical Ballet present “The Nutcracker,” the holiday story of Clara and her nutcracker, performed by the company’s professional and pre-professional dancers. Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and noon and 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at Camas High School, 26900 S.E. 15th St., Camas. Tickets are $18. 888-487-7454 or www.northwestclassicalballet.com

2. Brass rings

Big Horn Brass Holiday Show returns with its holiday show, complete with traditional carols, popular holiday tunes and new takes on familiar favorites. The 15-member ensemble will be joined by vocalist Laura Berman as the ensemble takes audiences on a musical trip with the “Polar Express” and showcases the work of Northwest composers and arrangers. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Skyview High School Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver. Tickets are $25 and $10 for students. 360-735-7278 or www.vancouversymphony.org/bigHornBrass.php

3. 12th century songs

Kicking off its 10th anniversary season, In Mulieribus will perform “Alleluya: A Nywe Werk.” The group’s name is a Latin phrase meaning “amongst women” and features seven women vocalists who focus on pieces written before 1750. This concert will feature selections from a 12th century manuscript, as an ode to the group’s very first concert. There will also be audience favorites from the last 10 years, including work by a German abbess and early English carols. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater, 218 W. 12th St., Vancouver; and at 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1716 N.W. Davis St., Portland. Tickets are $25 to $30, $20 for seniors and $15 for students. 503-283-2913 or www.inmulieribus.org

4. Landmark showing

See “Symbols of the Season” through Dec. 31 at Pittock Mansion, 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive, Portland. A tradition for 50 years, the holiday exhibit turns the mansion’s rooms into decorated scenes of wonder inspired by symbols of the season, including angels, ornaments, evergreens, snowflakes, sleds and Santa Claus. Local musicians play regularly in the mansion’s Music Room. The mansion is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, through Jan. 1. Closed Dec. 25. Admission is $11; 10 for seniors, $8 for youth, free for ages 6 and younger. 503-823-3623 or www.pittockmansion.org

5. Best bah humbug

Join Willamette Radio Players for a live performance of the radio drama “A Radio Christmas Carol,” adapted from the classic tale by Charles Dickens of the transformation of miser Ebenezer Scrooge. The performance begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Clark County Food Bank. A suggested donation of $5 will help produce future performances. 360-546-9645 or www.kigginstheatre.net/events/re-imagined-radio