Candlelight Carols
Presented by Nova Voce, the concert will feature Christmas music from the Renaissance as well as carols by 20th century composers. www.novavoce.org. Sat., Dec. 11, 8 p.m. $10-$12. St. Patrick's Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Rd. 704-577-6273.

Christmas Arts & Crafts Boutique
The event is sponsored by the Mooresville Artist Guild and will feature original, hand made items. Dec. 3-24. Visual Arts Depot, 103 West Center Ave, Mooresville. 704-663-6717.

Christmas at St. Mary's
Carolina Pro Musica's annual event features Christmas music of the 18th century, plus the music of Bach, Handel and carols. St. Mary's Chapel, 1129 E. 3rd St. www.carolinapromusica.org. Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. $7.50-$15. 704-334-3468.

A Christmas Carol … more or less
A take on the Dickens tale as a married couple perform as a duo when the rest of the cast is snowed in and can't make it. Sat., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. $10. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

A Christmas Carol
Classics Theatre of Charlotte presents the Charles Dickens' holiday classic. Nov. 26-Dec. 19, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. $10-$12.50. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542.

Christmas in Cannon Village
Several holiday events throughout Cannon Village in Kannapolis. www.cannonvillage.com. Through Dec. 18. 704-938-3200.

Christmas Lights at Riverbend
View the Christmas lights at Riverbend Farm from a wagon ride. The Christmas Shop will also be open nightly. Dec. 2-Jan. 1, 7-10 p.m. $3-$5. Riverbend Farm. 704-888-2891.

A Christmas Story
Humorist Jean Sheperd's memoir of growing up in the midwest of the 1940s. Dec. 9-11, 16-18, 8pm; Dec. 12 & 19, 2:30pm. $10-$15. Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring Street, NW, Concord. 704-788-2405.

A Christmas to Remember
Presented by the Havana Social Club, it promises to be the biggest variety show in the southeast featuring singers, dancers, actors, and much more. Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m. $10. Havana Social Club. 704-892-7000.

A Christmas Twist
A Christmas comedy produced and directed by the Young Yorkville Players. www.yorkvilleplayers.com. Dec. 10-12; Dec. 17-19. $8. McCelvey Center, York, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. 803-628-5025.

Downtown Countdown to 2005
New Year's Eve festivities featuring music, food, a street party and fireworks. www.charlottecentercity.org. The Square at Trade & Tryon, downtown. Fri., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. 704-332-2227.

Gingerbread Lane
The halls of the resort will showcase an exhibit of gingerbread structures. The exhibit is also a competition and fundraiser. All proceeds will go to Godstock. www.ballantyneresort.com. Through Christmas. Ballantyne Resort, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. 704-248-4000.

Great Russian Nutcracker
Moscow Ballet's version of the holiday classic. www.ovensauditorium.com. Dec. 15; Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. $25-$49. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-522-6500.

Hayride With Santa
Ride with St. Nick through the woods and munch on hot chocolate and cookies. McAlpine Creek Park. Sat., Dec. 18, 2-4 p.m. $3. 704-568-4044.

Holiday Market at Gateway
Gateway Village comes alive with the magic of a Bavarian Christmas Market offering food, music, entertainment and unique gift shopping. www.holidaysinthecity.org. Fridays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Continues through Dec. 18. Gateway Village, West Trade Street. 704-332-2227.

Holiday Open House
Featuring Smith Academy Children's Chorus, holiday favorites and a pot luck lunch buffet. Wed., Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Rd. 704-522-6222.

A Huntersville Christmas
Huntersville's downtown will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Activities include include pony rides, a rock climbing wall, face painting, Santa & Mrs. Claus and more. www.huntersville.org. Fri., Dec. 10, 6-9 p.m. 704-766-2220.

I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus
Special holiday murder mystery dinner theater. Price includes buffet dinner and show. Cash bar will be available. Dec. 8, 7-9:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, 7-9:30 p.m. $45. Extravaganza Depot, 1610 N. Tryon St. 704-343-9200.

Jerusalem in Lights: the Real Christmas Story
See your favorite Christmas scenes and watch as Old Jerusalem comes to life with thousands of Christmas lights. www.narroway.net. Dec. 10-11; Dec. 17-18. $5-$10. NarroWay Productions, Fort Mill. 803-802-2300.

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas
Based on the stories by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Ages 5+. Dec. 3-12. $10-$15. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
Leonard Bearstein and his 19-bear animatronic orchestra will perform their 45-minute program of holiday music daily. Dec. 3-31. Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St, Bank of America Corp Cntr. 704-887-4730.

A Mad, Mad Madrigal!
An interactive musical that's two parts Renaissance Festival, one partMadrigal, 63/100 parts Monty Python and all completely insane. www.geocities.com/epic_arts_rep. Dec. 3-21, Fri & Sat, 9:30pm; Sun & Mon, 7:30pm. $10-$20. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-347-2817.

Messiah
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will be joined by the Oratorio Singers and present Handel's Messiah. www.charlottesymphony.org. Dec. 15, 7:30pm at First United; Dec. 16, 7:30pm at Christ Covenant Church, Matthews. $20. First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Nuncrackers
Nunsense Christmas Musical will feature all new songs and typical Nunsense humor. Dec. 2-11, Thurs.- Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun. 2:30 p.m. $10-$12. Little Theatre of Gastonia, 238 S. Clay St., Gastonia. 704-865-0160.

Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical
CPCC Theatre presents a musical about the nuns from Nunsense celebrating Christmas in town their own way. Dec. 3-12, Fri., Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2:30pm. $12. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

The Nutcracker
The classical ballet performed by N.C. Dance Theatre and accompanied by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 11, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 12, 2 p.m.; Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 18, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19, 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. $15-$50. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

The Nutcracker
Presented by Piedmont Dance Theatre. The production's cast represents seven local dance and gymnastic schools. www.piedmontdancetheatre.com. Dec. 10-11, 7pm; Dec. 11-12, 2pm. $8. A.L. Brown Auditorium, 415 East 1st Street, Kannapolis. 704-932-8888.

Rock & Roll Christmas
Annual holiday ice show presented by figure skating clubs. Pineville Ice House, 400 Towne Centre Blvd. Sat., Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m. $5, under 3 are free. 704-889-9000 ext. 129.

Rockapella Comfort and Joy
Five guys with zero instruments deliver a familiar blend of Christmas tunes plus other Rockapella favorites in this yuletide treat. www.blumenthalcenter.org. Dec. 15-16, 8 p.m. $12.50-$25. McGlohon Theatre. 704-372-1000.

Sante Christmas Show
Three course meal with entertainment provided by Carolina Voices. Dec. 8; Dec. 15. $42.95. Sante, 165 N. Trade St., Matthews. 704-845-1899.

Singing Christmas Tree
Carolina Voices celebrate 50 years of bringing holiday music to life through music, puppetry and dance joined by the Grey Seal Puppets and the Charlotte City Ballet. www.carolinavoices.org. Dec. 10, 8 p.m.; Dec. 11, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Dec. 12, 3 p.m. $12-$25. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-374-1564.

Soup & Song
Jerry Helton, accompanied by Betty Rawls on piano, will perform holiday favorites. Event includes lunch. www.rockhillarts.org. Wed., Dec. 15, 12 p.m. $15. Gettys Center, 201 E. Main Street, Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

Spirit of the Season
A Christmas Concert for a cause. All proceeds from the concert will be used for a mission trip to an area of Jamaica devastated by hurricanes. There will also be a bake sale at the concert. www.matthewschristmasconcert.com. Fri., Dec. 10, 7-7:30 p.m. $2. Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 S. Tryon St.

The Santaland Diaries
Mark Scarboro returns as the young man who takes a job as an elf at Macy's during the Christmas season to earn extra money. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. Dec.1-23, Wed-Sat, 7:30pm; Dec. 19, 2:30pm. $20. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

'Tis the Season
A compilation of seasonal celebrations from around the world by the Taradiddle Players. Ages 3+. www.ctcharlotte.org. Dec. 10-19. $10-$12. Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 1017 E. Morehead St. 704-376-5745.

Tree of Angels
A benefit for the children of SCAN of NC and Barium Springs Home for Children. Choose from the "angels" the children made themselves which have their name, age, and wish for this Christmas. www.legendsespresso.com. Dec. 3-14. Legends Espresso Bar & Sweets, 123-E Trade Ct, Mooresville. 704-799-2225.

The True Meaning of Christmas
The Afro-American Cultural Center's Teen Dance and Drama Ensembles will present "The True Meaning of Christmas." www.aacc-charlotte.org. Sun., Dec. 12, 4 p.m. $5-$7. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

The Voices of Christmas
The North Meck. Community Chorus will present holiday and seasonal favorites. Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cornelius. Mon., Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Free. 704-947-0438.

WBT Holiday on Ice
Outdoor skating for the whole family. For holiday hours, visit www.wbt.com. Dec. 3-Jan. 2. $5-$8. The Green, 425 South Tryon Street. 704-374-3558.

Volunteer Opportunity

Friendship Trays, Inc.
2401-A Distribution Street
Charlotte, NC 28203
Web: www.friendshiptrays.org
Phone: 704-333-9229
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Friendship Trays is always in need of volunteers to help prepare or deliver meals, but especially during the holidays when the "regulars" may have family commitments.

United Family Services
601 East 5th Street
Suite 400
Charlotte, NC 28202
Web: www.unitedfamilyservices.com
Phone: 704-332-9034
Store Volunteer Contact: Daisy Goodwin 704-332-2513
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
A Holiday "store" will be set up for women and children who are domestic violence survivors. Donations and volunteers are needed for this event. The wish list includes: household items (pots/pans, silverware, iron, sheets/blankets, decorative items, toaster, etc.), women's clothing and undergarments (sizes 8-26), children's clothing and undergarments (all sizes), accessories (hair scrunchies, gloves, purses, barrettes, etc.), hair/skin care products, makeup (all skin types), school supplies (stationary, pens, etc.), infant items (potty seat, formula, pacifiers, etc.), all kinds of children's toys and games, Disney and family movies, electronic items (video games, CD players, headsets, etc.) Note: all items must be new. Please, no used items.