Music of a wide variety, appropriately themed theatricals and the Nutcracker are the highlights of a winning lineup of seasonal Nashville entertainment. Throw in the annual big doings at Opryland, the welcome warmth of a Belle Meade Christmas celebration and the artsy festivity of the many family-friendly activities at Cheekwood, and you have yet another Music City miracle filled with wondrous things to do and see. Some of the good stuff even lasts beyond Dec. 25, meaning there’s still time to groove on the merriment after all of your own holiday pressure is off. Parents take note: There are many cool events for kids of all ages this year—whether they’re aware of it or not—so get ’em away from the television or the computer and get them into the blessed swing of things.

Musical Events

Nashville Symphony

The Nashville Symphony is gearing up for fabulous holiday-themed performances this year. “It’s A Wonderful Holiday!” inaugurates the musical festivities as guest conductor Jeff Tyzik leads the orchestra through a program of seasonal favorites, including “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Ave Maria,” “White Christmas” and many more. Performances are Nov. 28-29 at 8 p.m. in TPAC’s Jackson Hall. Tickets: $22-$67. On Nov. 29 at 11 a.m., also in Jackson Hall, Byung-Hyun Rhee will be at the baton for “Happy Holidays!,” a family-friendly program brimming with holiday cheer, including a visit from jolly old Saint Nick. Tickets: $10-$20. Finally, for those looking to steep themselves in the ultimate holiday classical music event, conductor George Mabry leads the Nashville Symphony Chorus through Handel’s beloved Messiah on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. at War Memorial Auditorium. Tickets: $12-$42. To purchase tickets, phone 255-ARTS or visit wwwticketmaster.com.

Gaylord Entertainment Center

While not explicitly a Christmas-themed event, Nashvillians who want a dose of that ol’-time religion to ring in the holidays will revel in the spiritual sounds of gospel-music legend Bill Gaither, who brings his “Gaither Homecoming Tour”—including musical friends such as The Isaacs and Jeff and Sheri Easter—into the GEC on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22.50-$32.50. After a hugely successful first-ever Christmas tour last year, award-winning country artist Martina McBride again hosts her spectacular multimedia theatrical event, “The Joy of Christmas,” in various American cities this season. The show lands at the GEC on Dec. 12, and will again feature impressive, state-of-the-art digital projections, extravagant set designs and brilliant lighting, along with a returning troupe of actors who re-create bustling city-street tableaux, the hubbub of Santa’s workshop and a Nativity scene. And, of course, there’s popular, acclaimed vocalist McBride, who interacts warmly with her audience, shares story-time and Christmas carols with the kiddies and serves up a selection of the season’s classic songs. The cheery fun begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $32-$42. Once again, Grammy and Dove award-winning artist Michael W. Smith brings a gala holiday entertainment into Nashville when he brightens up the GEC on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. with the culminating performance of his “Christmastime Tour.” Along with other musical friends, Smith shares the stage with singing groups Point of Grace and The Katinas, regaling audiences with seasonal and post-modern inspirational favorites. Tickets are $18.50-$65. To purchase tickets for GEC events, phone 255-ARTS or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Ryman Auditorium

No venue in town offers as much tradition as Ryman Auditorium, and a couple of holiday extravaganzas will light up the hallowed hall this year. First up is “Jim Brickman & Friends Holiday Concert Tour.” Brickman is sort of like John Tesh—only different. He’s also sort of like Yanni—only different from that, too. He’s a pianist/singer/pop tunesmith who’s built up a warm and fuzzy audience, just the kind of people who will enjoy his performance on Dec. 10. Brickman’s special guest is Kristy Starling. The music and power of positive thinking begin at 8 p.m. Tickets: $34.50-$42.50. Paul O’Neill’s rockin’ Trans-Siberian Orchestra seems to have found a home in Nashville for post-Christmas musical entertainment. The group returns to the Ryman on Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m. for “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” based on the eclectically inspired group’s recorded collection of both original and classic holiday music. Tickets: $33.50-$44.50. Tickets are available through the Ryman box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling 255-ARTS.

Blair School of Music

Vanderbilt University’s Blair Concert Series brings young singers and musicians together for a holiday-inspired opera, Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, which tells the tale of a crippled shepherd boy who assists the three wise men in their search for the Christ child. The production is under the direction of Gayle Shay, and Robin Fountain conducts the music. Performed Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. in the Ingram Center for the Performing Arts on the Vanderbilt campus. Tickets: $5-$12. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets. Call 255-ARTS or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available at the Sarratt Center, Blair School of Music main office and at the door. Call 322-6042 for further information.

Belmont University

In seasons past, Nashville’s First Couple of country music, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, have presented their brand of holiday magic at Ryman Auditorium and Gaylord Entertainment Center. This year, their show, “Simply Christmas,” christens Belmont University’s newly constructed Curb Event Center as the kick-off date of a 19-city tour. Besides the sweet stylings of Grant/Gill, the show also features comedian Henry Cho and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. Performances are Nov. 28-29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $50-$125. The Curb Event Center is located at 2002 Belmont Blvd. For tickets, phone the Curb box office at 460-8500 or call Ticketmaster at 255-ARTS. Belmont’s more-traditional lineup of popular (and free) seasonal events will also be happening in typically fine fashion, beginning with the Nashville Children’s Choir’s “Annual Holiday Concert,” 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Belmont Heights Baptist Church. On Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., the university’s annual “Christmas at Belmont” concert will be performed on campus at Massey Concert Hall. (This program will be taped by PBS for broadcast at 8 p.m. on Dec. 25.) On Dec. 7, at 4:30 p.m., the “Belle Voci Christmas Concert” will be performed in Wightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett Center. Events conclude on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. with Belmont Camerata Musicale’s “A Camerata Christmas,” performed at Belmont Mansion. For more information, phone 460-6408.

Dance

Nutcracker

The holidays in Nashville just wouldn’t be the same without this local enchanting annual rendition of Tchaikovsky’s beloved Christmas tale. With the accompaniment of the Nashville Symphony, the Nashville Ballet takes to the stage of TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall for eight performances, Dec.12-14 and 19-21. Ticket prices range from $20-$47. Phone 255-ARTS.

Theater

A Christmas Carol

For the past four years, esteemed actor Mark Cabus has performed his one-man A Christmas Carol to the delight of Nashville audiences, offering an amazing tour de force of 36 beloved Charles Dickens characters. The show returns Dec. 11-14 and 18-20, 7:30 p.m., with presentations at the new home of Cabus’ Green Room Projects at Freedom Middle School’s Shelby Theater in Franklin. Performances on Dec. 13-14 coincide with historic Franklin’s “Dickens of a Christmas” Festival, featuring gaily decorated streets and shops, along with Victorian carolers, roasted chestnut vendors and many other richly seasonal celebrations. Tickets are $15, with special group rates available for parties of 10 or more. Phone 665-3066.

The 1940s Radio Hour

With two previous productions under its belt, Boiler Room Theatre has mastered the art of The 1940s Radio Hour, an engaging and warmhearted glimpse of the performers and behind-the-scenes shenanigans at a live radio broadcast that takes place during Christmastime 1942, when the country is engaged in World War II. The show includes big-band standards such as “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” “You Go to My Head,” “That Old Black Magic,” and “Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy,” plus holiday favorites like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and a swinging ’40s-era rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Laura Green directs a typically enthusiastic BRT cast in a production that blends old-fashioned show-biz savvy with warm holiday spirit. Recommended for all ages. Performances are Nov. 21 through Dec. 21. Tickets range $12-$19, with special discounts available on Tuesdays and matinees. Lower-priced dinner and show packages are available in conjunction with Saffire Restaurant, located next to the theater in The Factory at Franklin. For more information, phone 794-7744 or visit www.BoilerRoomTheatre.com.

Nunsense and NunCrackers

Dan Goggin’s Nunsense musicals are huge audience-pleasers, and Circle Players is presenting NunCrackers Dec. 5-14 at TPAC’s Johnson Theater, with special-engagement performances Dec. 20-21 at Gordon Jewish Community Center in Bellevue. The zany proceedings take place in the basement of Mount Saint Helen’s Convent, where the good sisters are putting on their annual Christmas program, which is being taped for cable access TV. Comic holiday antics combine with traditional carols plus the usual “Nunsense-sense of humor” that has made Goggin’s plays so widely popular. For tickets, $12-$17, visit www.ticketmaster.com or phone 255-ARTS. Tickets for special engagement performances can be obtained by phone at 332-PLAY or by e-mail at tickets@circleplayers.net.

God’s Man in Texas

It’s not exactly a Christmas show, but the Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s reprise production of David Rambo’s God’s Man in Texas is certainly suitably religious in its spirit. Returning cast members David Alford, Warren Hammack and Brian Webb Russell re-create this acclaimed drama about Southern preachers at odds with their faith—and each other—first presented locally to critical praise in April 2002. Performed Dec. 3-14 at TPAC’s Polk Theater. Tickets are $17-$45. Phone 255-ARTS or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas

Nashville Children’s Theatre gets with the theatrical holiday spirit this season with A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas, currently playing at the company’s Hill Theatre. Laurie Brooks has fashioned this original script from pieces of actual Ingalls family history, as Ma, Pa, Laura, Mary and Carrie find themselves in Iowa in the winter of 1876, gathering personal strength and preparing to return to Walnut Grove. Scot Copeland is the director. Performed through Dec. 13. Phone 254-9103 for tickets.

Santa’s Frozen Christmas

Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre is also getting into the act for the kids with its production of Santa’s Frozen Christmas, a holiday musical scripted by the company’s own John Chaffin. Lydia Bushfield directs this tale of Santa’s elves who go the extra mile to make sure Christmas happens on time. Morning performances are Dec. 2-20. Tickets are $8.65 (which includes a beverage), and the kids can bring their own brown-bag snack. As an added bonus, Santa himself and his merry holiday gang will be on hand after the show for picture-taking. Reservations are required. Phone 646-9977.

Celebrations/Annual Events

“A Country Christmas” at Gaylord Opryland

Now in its 20th year, Gaylord Opryland’s “A Country Christmas” remains one of America’s most enthralling holiday events, offering music, glitter, tradition and warmth for families. Returning to Opryland for their final appearance are the world-famous Rockettes, who once again are the lead attraction of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” which also includes audience favorites such as the legendary “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the awe-inspiring “Living Nativity.” The usual standby Opryland attractions will also help Nashvillians to celebrate the season, including the ever-popular Fantasy in Ice, Linda Davis’ Family Christmas Dinner Show, Treasures for the Holidays, the Yule Log Ceremony, Santa’s E-Mail, carriage rides and the spectacular Opryland Christmas lights display. Other highlights include a cruise on the General Jackson and a holiday brunch at Springhouse Golf Club. Events begin Nov. 19 with a tree-lighting ceremony and continue through Jan. 4. Opryland offers various package deals for those who want to make an overnight stay. Call 458-1400 or (888) 777-OPRY (6779) for reservations, tickets and scheduling information.

Cheekwood

’Tis the season when Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art really shines, with its “Festival of the Holidays,” Nov. 28-Jan. 4. This year’s lineup of special events includes the usual festive gatherings, ethnic celebrations, eye-catching displays and seasonal exhibits, including “Artistry of the Nativity” (Nov. 28-Jan. 4), “Light Up Cheekwood” (Nov. 28), and the ever-popular gift attractions in the Holly Berry Shoppe (Nov. 28-Dec. 2). Other events include the “Angel Dinner” (Dec. 4), “Navidad: Festival of the Holidays” (Dec. 6), the “Audubon Christmas Bird Count” (Dec. 13), “Holiday Tea” (Dec. 7), “Hanukkah: Festival of the Holidays” (Dec. 14), “Christmas: Festival of the Holidays” (Dec. 20) and “Kwanzaa” (Dec. 27). For details on events, times and venues, call 356-8000.

Belle Meade Plantation

As always, Belle Meade Plantation celebrates the holidays with its tradition-rich decorations, historical ambience and elegant gift-buying opportunities. This year’s festivities, which continue through Jan. 4, include a look at an all-American Christmas through the art of Thomas Nast, plus “A Southern Christmas at Belle Meade,” which offers a view of how the Southern holiday celebrations of Nashvillians in 1860 compared with those in the North. Phone 356-0501 for more information.

Holiday Arts Festival

Now in its 13th year, the Sarratt Gallery at Vanderbilt’s “Holiday Arts Festival” again affords Nashvillians an opportunity to purchase beautiful and unique holiday gifts, all handcrafted by Tennessee artists. The festival happens Dec. 7-14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-6 p.m. Sun. Contact: 322-2471.