Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 9, 2016 as selected by us folks at Creative Loafing.

• Clara's Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story at Booth Playhouse


• Charlotte Symphony's Magic of Christmas at Belk Theater

• Rippin' Weekend at Snug Harbor

• Rippin' Weekend at Petra's

• Southern Culture on the Skids w/ Wooly Bushmen and Aqualads at Wet Willies