• Tue, Nov 24
• Another Night Before Christmas
• at City Lights Theater Company
• (8pm)
• Theater

A woman befriends a homeless man who might be Santa in a different kind of seasonal play from City Lights. This is the West Coast premiere of Sean Grennan (book and lyrics) and Leah Okimoto's (music) work. Stars Lisa-Marie Newton and Michael Johnson.

• Tue, Nov 24
• Downtown Ice
• at Circle of Palms
• (Noon)
• Family

Skate with Shark's mascot Sharkie for an hour under the palms on Saturday November 21st at Downtown Ice, the South Bay's largest seasonal outdoor skating rink. The rink opens on November 20th and will close on January 18th. Hours of operation vary, but there is no time limit, so you can skate from open to close if you so chose.

• Tue, Nov 24
• A Christmas Story
• at San Jose Repertory Theatre
• (7:30pm)
• Theater

The San Jose Repertory Theatre brings one of the most popular and beloved Christmas stories to life this holiday season. A Christmas Story, adapted for the stage from the Jean Shepherd tale, shows you Christmas through the eyes of Ralphie Parker, a young boy whose sole wish for Christmas is to receive a Red Ryder BB gun.

• Wed, Nov 25
• The Seafarer
• at San Jose Stage Company
• (7:30pm)
• Theater

This year's season at the San Jose Stage Company contained all angles of the spectrum, from freaky to fun. It represents the evolution of these past 26 years. This season closes out with The Seafarer By Conor McPherson—a Christmas Eve card game opens the door to a supernatural end that will leave you breathless.

• Wed, Nov 25
• Suska Varda
• at JJ's Blues
• (9pm)
• Music

Suska Varda is an eclectic vocalist who covers an array of styles, ranging from jazz and folk to pop and rock. She's studied all the greats and her golden voice is a patronage to them, especially Billie Holliday, minus the nasally tinge to it. A jill-of-all-trades would be an appropriate moniker, because she never really sticks to a specific genre.

• Thu, Nov 26
• A Christmas Pudding
• at Bus Barn Stage Company
• (8pm)
• Theater

A new Christmas show from Bus Barn Stage Company spotlights holiday memoirs by Dickens, Twain, Dickinson, Longfellow, Shakespeare and more. Their stories are mingled with carols and holiday songs such as "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "The Sussex Carol" and "The Holly and the Ivy." Directed by Barbara Cannon.

• Fri, Nov 27
• Nosebleed Academy
• at Nickel City
• (6pm)
• Music

Keyboardist Thom Tucker has been in the Bay Area music scene for awhile now. He eventually became disillusioned with the direction of his previous bands and decided to forge out on his own by creating Nosebleed Academy. This new direction delves into electronic music mixed with rock. It's an unusual dichotomy that Tucker seems to be at home more with and makes work perfectly.

• Fri, Nov 27
• Willow Glen Santa Parade
• at Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen
• (1pm)
• Family

Lincoln Avenue lights up with classic holiday festivities this week in anticipation of a parade in honor of the Jolly Old Elf himself. Santa photos will be available for the kids after he takes a trip down Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen's Santa Parade. Neighboring retailers will keep their doors open, and free refreshments will be available.

• Fri, Nov 27
• Fantasy of Lights 2009
• at Vasona Lake County Park
• (6-10pm)
• Family

For the 11th year, the park is filled with fantastical lighted displays, with everything from dinosaurs to pirate ships. A drive through the park at night is transformed into a magical holiday experience. Everyone is encouraged to bring a donation of canned goods to help out Second Harvest Food Bank.

• Fri-Sun, Nov 27-29
• Harvest Festival 2009
• at San Jose Convention Center
• (9am - 6pm)
• City Events

The San Jose Harvest Festival presents a weekend of arts, crafts, food, entertainment and tons of fun. Fabulous and unique works of art will be available as well as plenty of music and tasty cuisine to sample.