Your ideal artsy holiday: From Grinches to angels, there’s something for everyone in the South Sound holiday arts line-up.

What’s your take on the holidays? Are you a Grinch who’s sick of the saccharine and wants some irony? Are you a retro-vintage lover of home-baked goodness? Are you craving carols, hoping for Handel or busting out the Broadway? Luckily for us, the South Sound these holidays has a little bit of everything in its stocking, from musicals to one-man-Dickens, and from bazaars to bells.

South Sound choirs pull out all stops for holiday concerts. The Seattle Men’s Chorus brings their usual wit and flair to the Pantages, while the Tacoma Youth Chorus joins the Tacoma Symphony for “Sounds of the Season.” First Presbyterian Church brings in strings, harp and organ for Saint-Saëns’ “Christmas Oratorio” and the University of Puget Sound’s choral groups sing “The Darkest Midnight in December.” “The Messiah” is everywhere, from the Tacoma Symphony to a sing-along version at Christ Lutheran, Lakewood. Then there’s the Rainier Ringers handbell choir in Lacey, Magical Strings in Tacoma and Masterworks Choral Ensemble in Olympia.

Local theaters take on the season from every angle: Tacoma Little Theatre goes vintage with “A Christmas Story,” Paradise Theater in Gig Harbor does “Scrooge! The Musical,” Olympia Family Theater offers “Charlie Brown Christmas,” Tacoma Actors Rep does a one-man Dickens show and the Broadway Center produces a brand-new “Ye Olde Merry Holiday (TV) Spectacular.” And for dance, it’s that time of sugar plums and snow queens. You have plenty of places to watch “The Nutcracker” ballet: Tacoma City Ballet, Dance Theatre Northwest and more in Tacoma; and Ballet Northwest and Studio West Dance Theatre in Olympia.

Zoolights in Tacoma, Fantasy Lights in Spanaway, the Santa Express in Elbe, a Victorian Country Christmas in Puyallup, the Dickens Festival in Stadium and tree lightings just about everywhere — there’s no excuse not to party. And make your shopping handmade and local at bazaars in Anderson Island, Kent, Olympia, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Tacoma and more.

Anderson Island Community Club Holiday Bazaar 9 a.m. Nov. 27-28. Anderson Island Community Club, 11319 Yoman Road, Anderson Island.

Annual Lincoln Winter Market 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 28. Lincoln Elementary School, 213 21st Ave SE, Olympia. Free admission

Cousins’ Christmas Bazaar Supports R.O.O.F., Black Lake, McLane Elementary and Gift Giving Tree. Nov. 28. Black Lake Grange, 6011 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia. Free admission

Mistletoe Market 2015 Holiday vendor fair. 4-7 p.m. Dec. 4. Umpqua Bank, 11821 Canyon Road E., Puyallup. Free admission. 253-926-4059

Red Ribbon Bazaar Handcrafted items, choirs, bake sale, free kids crafts and games. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5. Steilacoom High School, 54 Sentinel Drive, Steilacoom. 253-583-6675

Kent Commons Holiday Bazaar 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec.4-5. Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. S., Kent. Free admission. 253-856-5000 kentwa.gov/KentCommonsHolidayBazaar

Girl’s Night Out - Holiday Shopping Event Sponsored by Quota International of Tacoma, a non-profit 501(c)3-organization that supports at-risk women and children in the local community. Craft/art vendors, silent auction items, raffles, appetizers and more. Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 5. Trivium Masonic Lodge, 3819 N. 27th St., Tacoma. Free admission. 253-759-9169

Griffin Shopping Extravaganza 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5. Griffin School, 6530 33rd Ave. NW, Olympia. Free admission. 360-584-3907

Hawks Holiday Happening Gift & Craft Fair More than 165 vendors specializing in handmade gifts and artwork. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec.5. River Ridge High School, 350 River Ridge Drive SE, Lacey. Free admission. 360-493-2047

St. David’s Episcopal Church Holiday Gift Faire and Bake Sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec.5. St. David of Wales Episcopal Church, 324 W. Cedar, Shelton. 360-426-8472, sdow.org

Tumwater High School Holiday Bazaar Benefiting Tumwater Theatre Company. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 5. Tumwater High School, 700 Israel Road, Tumwater. Free admission.

Annual Fair Trade Market Shop Dec. 6. Bethany Presbyterian Church, 4420 N. 41st St., Tacoma. 253-752-1123

Longhouse Holiday Native Art Fair 11 a.m. Dec. 11. The Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia. Free admission. Parking on Friday is $2; free on Saturday. 360-867-6413, evergreen.edu/longhouse

Duck the Malls 13th annual holiday arts and crafts sale presented by the Olympia Film Society. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 12. Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Free. olympiafilmsociety.org

Dance Theatre Northwest’s “The Nutcracker” 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Mount Tahoma High School, 4634 S. 74th St, Tacoma. $22-$26. 253-778-6534

Ballet Northwest “The Nutcracker” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12, 18-19; 2 p.m. Dec. 12-13, 19-20. The Washington Center for Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. washingtoncenter.org

“The Nutcracker and the Tale of the Hard Nut” Tacoma City Ballet, 3 p.m. Dec. 12-13, Dec. 19-20. Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. broadwaycenter.org

Studio West Dance Theatre “The Nutcracker” 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17; 7 p.m. Dec. 18; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 20. Minnaert Center for the Arts, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia, washingtoncenter.org

70th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Gather for carols and photos with Santa at this community event, open to the public. 5 p.m. Nov. 28. Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. Free. 253-591-5894, broadwaycenter.org

Zoolights 5-9 p.m. Nov. 27-Jan. 3. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Tacoma. $5 members; nonmembers $8.50-$10. pdza.org

Fantasy Lights Drive-through holiday light displays. 5:30-9 p.m. daily Nov. 27-Jan. 1. Spanaway Park, 14905 Breseman Blvd. S., Tacoma. $14 per vehicle, $45 per bus 25 and more

Santa Express Steam Train Rides Ride through the forest and foothills south of Mount Rainier. Trains depart Fridays-Sundays through Dec. 20, plus Dec. 21-22 at 10 a.m., 12:45 and 3:30 p.m.. Book advance reservations. Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad and Museum, 54124 Mountain Highway E., Elbe. $32. mrsr.com

Nutcracker Party With Studio West Dance Guild. 3-5 p.m. Nov. 28-29. Barnes & Noble, 1530 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia. Free

A Victorian Country Christmas 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 2-3; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 5; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 6. Washington State Fair and Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave., SW, Puyallup. thefair.com

Spice of the Season Holiday Stories by Maggie Lott and Rebecca Hom with music by Kerri Lynn Nichols 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Traditions Café & World Folk Art, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Free

Lacey Lighting of the Christmas Tree 6-6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Huntamer Park in Woodland Square, Lacey. 360-491-0857

Christ, the Savior, is Born View hundreds of nativity displays from around the world. Local musical ensembles will perform and there will be activities for families. 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4-5. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 34815 Weyerhaeuser Way S., Federal Way. Free. 253-839-4114

City of Lakewood’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St. SW, Lakewood. Free. cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation/special-events

19th Century Christmas Step back in time to savor the lilting sounds of penny whistles, the aroma of ginger biscuits, Christmas dances and the slower pace of the Christmas season in 1855. 11 a.m. Dec.5. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma. $8. 253-591-5339, fortnisqually.org

Dickens Festival 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 5. Stadium Business District and Wright Park, Tacoma. Free. 253-363-2956, dickensfestival.net

Gig Harbor Annual Tree Lighting 5 p.m. Dec. 5. Skansie Brothers Park, 3211 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor. Free. 253-853-3554, gigharborguide.com

Old Town Tree Lighting & Santa Visit 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 . Job Carr Cabin Museum, 2350 N. 30th St., Tacoma. Free. 253-627-5405

Breakfast with Santa Children must be accompanied by a paid adult. 9-11 a.m. Dec. 5. Cheney Boys & Girls Club, 8502 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor. $8. 253-530-0722

Breakfast With Santa 9-11 a.m. Dec. 5. The Home Course, 2300 Golf House Road, DuPont. $11. 253-964-8121

Deck the Hulls Parade of lighted ships led by Olympia Yacht Club. 6 p.m. Dec. 5. 201 Simmons St. NW, Olympia. olympiayachtclub.org

Holiday Open House Enjoy vintage holiday decorations and refreshments as you tour the Lakewood History Museum. 2 p.m. Dec. 5. Lakewood History Museum, 6211 Mount Tacoma Drive SW, Lakewood. Free. 253-682-3480

Holiday Story Time with Arts & Crafts 1 p.m. Dec. 5.Washington State Capital Museum & Coach House, 211 21st Ave. SW, Olympia. $2 suggested admission. 360-586-0170

Holiday Tea Join the White River Valley Museum for a holiday tea in the Museum’s Town Square exhibit. 12:30 p.m. Dec. 5. White River Valley Museum, 918 H St. SE, Auburn. $15. 253-288-7433, wrvmuseum.org

Neely Mansion’s Farmhouse Christmas Celebration Tour the mansion decorated for the holidays, light refreshments. 12:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6. Neely Mansion, 12303 SE Auburn Black Diamond Road, Auburn. $18; $15 seniors; $10 children. 253-850-2777, neelymansion.org

Holiday Open House Enjoy the Christmas decor, refreshments and the mellow sound of the Kentridge Jazz Choir’s pianist. 1-5 p.m. Dec. 6. Greater Kent Historical Museum, 855 E. Smith St, Kent. Free

Nutcracker Party Characters from the “Nutcracker” will be joining the Children’s Museum to paint faces and spread holiday joy. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 5. Hands On Children’s Museum, 414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia. Included in admission price. 360-956-9378

Saint Martin’s Jingle Bell Run 2015 Fundraiser for Saint Martin’s Athletics includes festivities such as pictures with Santa, Christmas cookies, hot cider and cocoa. 9 a.m. Dec. 5. Saint Martin’s University, 5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey. Adult registration until Dec. 5. $40; military, $30; middle school, high school and college students with valid I.D., $10; Kids 11 and younger, free. 360-412-6126, stmartin.edu

Santa Breakfast - Troop 48 Boy Scouts All proceeds support Troop 48’s scouting program. 7:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 5. First United Methodist Church of Olympia, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia. $5. 360-490-4713

Santa Paws Pet Photos Sponsored by SUNDogs and Layla and Me Photography. Noon-3 p.m. Dec. 6. University Place Civic Building atrium, 3609 Market Place, University Place. $15 for 4x6; $5 reprints; $5 additional for 5 or more subjects. up-dogpark.org .

Prairie House Museum Christmas Open House 1-3 p.m. Dec. 6. Prairie House Museum, 812 E 176th St., Spanaway. Free. 253-536-6655

Fircrest Christmas Tree Lighting 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Entertainment and refreshments at the community center after the lighting. Alice Peers Park, Regants Boulevard and Electron Ave, Fircrest. Free. cityoffircrest.net

Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival 2-5 p.m. Dec. 12. Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater. Free. ci.tumwater.wa.us

Gig Harbor Lighted Boat Parade Presented by America’s Youth. 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Downtown Gig Harbor. Free. gigharboryc.com

Historic Fort Steilacoom presents: Christmas at the Fort Reenactors will present a period candle-light Christmas in the remaining officers’ quarters. 4-7:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Historic Fort Steilacoom, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood. Adults $5, children $3, family $10. 253-582-5838, historicfortsteilacoom.org

Santa Runs Tacoma 8:30 a.m. Dec. 12. Downtown Tacoma, 253-301-1321, santarunstacoma.com

Jingle Bell Run 10 a.m. Dec. 24. Wright Park, 316 S. G. St., Tacoma. $10-$20. 253-305-1022, metroparkstacoma.org

Winter Wildland 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 26-27. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 11610 Trek Drive E., Eatonville. $8.25-19.75, free younger than 2. 360-832-6117, nwtrek.org

Pierce County Libraries Offer a variety of holiday events and activities throughout December. Call your local branch or go online to piercecountylibraries.org.

Tuba Christmas Join University of Puget Sound students and faculty. 7 p.m. Dec. 1. University of Puget Sound, Wheelock Student Center, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma. Free

Seattle Men’s Chorus: Home for the Holidays 8 p.m. Dec. 3. Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. $19-$69. 253-591-5894, broadwaycenter.org

SPSCC Holiday Concert With concert choir and concert band. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. $10 360-753-8586

Joyful Noise Christmas Concert A Christmas concert put on by Joyful Noise. 3 p.m. Dec. 5. Agnus Dei Lutheran Church, 10511 Peacock Hill Ave, Gig Harbor. Free

Masterworks Choral Ensemble - Mistletunes & Songflakes A holiday concert. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. $14-$25. 360-753-8586

Rogers High School String Quartet 2 p.m. Dec. 5. South Hill Library, 15420 Meridian E., Puyallup. Free. 253-548-3303, piercecountylibrary.org

The Darkest Midnight in December University of Puget Sound Adelphian Concert Choir and Voci d’Amici seasonal concert. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5; 2 p.m. Dec. 6. University of Puget Sound Kilworth Memorial Chapel, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma. $5-$10. Tickets available at Wheelock Information Center, 253-879-3100, tickets.pugetsound.edu

Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra Harbor Heritage Holiday Featuring the Peninsula Community Chorus at Peninsula High School. 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Peninsula High School, 14105 Purdy Drive NW, Gig Harbor. Free. 253-592-3526

Tacoma Symphony Orchestra: Sounds of the Season 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. $19-$79, 253-591-5894, broadwaycenter.org

Christmas Oratorio by Saint Saens Featuring the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church of Tacoma accompanied by strings, harp and pipe organ. 7 p.m. Dec. 6. First Presbyterian Church, 20 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma. Free. 253-272-3286. fpctacoma.org

Peninsula Community Chorus Holiday Concert All are welcome, and a reception with light refreshments will follow the performance. 3 p.m. Dec. 6. Fox Island United Church of Christ, 726 Sixth Ave., Fox Island. Free. peninsulacommunitychorus.com

Messiah Sing-Along Conducted by Anne Lyman, accompanied by professional instrumentalists and featuring professional vocal soloists. 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Christ Lutheran Church, 8211 112th St. SW, Lakewood. Suggested donation of $10

Magical Strings 3 p.m. Dec. 6. Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, 10020 SE 256th St., Kent. $15-$25

Advent Lessons and Carols A service of choral music, as well as timeless hymns, scriptures, poetry and organ music for the Advent season. 5 p.m. Dec. 6. Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N. K St., Tacoma. Free

Candlelight Sinfonietta The Olympia Symphony Chamber Ensemble perform holiday music. 6 p.m. Dec. 10. Olympia Country & Golf Club, 3636 Country Club Road NW, Olympia. $60. Tickets at 360-753-0074 or olympiasymphony.com

Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide Concert 7:30-10 p.m. Dec. 11. Urban Grace, 902 Market St., Tacoma. $20-$28; $12-$28 children 12 and younger. 253-857-3716, magicalstrings.com

Rainier Ringers Presents The Worst Christmas Ever 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Lacey Presbyterian Church, 3045 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey. Donations accepted. rainierringers.org

Federal Way Chorale Christmas Concert 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 515 S. 312th St., Federal Way. $15-$18 advance; $20 day of show; free for youth younger than 18. 253-250-3326, brownpapertickets.com/event/2342249

Harstine Island Community Choir Annual Christmas Concert With candlelight procession, carols old and new, ancient hymns and spirited holiday tunes. 3 p.m. Dec. 13. Harstine Island Community Center, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road N., Harstine Island. Donations accepted. 360-426-0471, harstinechoir.org

Balulalow: Sonoro Women’s Choir Christmas Concert 8 p.m. Dec. 11. Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N. K St., Tacoma. $26. facebook.com/songsofsonoro

Messiah Singalong 3:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Fox Island United Church of Christ, 726 Sixth Ave., Fox Island. Free. 253-549-2420

Songs of Joy - Women of Note Holiday concert. 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Shelton Performing Arts Center, 3737 Shelton Springs Road, Shelton. Free. 360-426-4471

Messiah Chorus director Geoffrey Boers returns to lead Handel’s Messiah in two performances. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, 7700 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor. Free. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. St. Charles Borreomo, 7112 S. 12th St, Tacoma. $25-$45, 253-272-7264, broadwaycenter.org

Singalong Messiah 7 p.m. Dec. 21, The Washington Center for Performing Arts, 512 Washington St., SE, Olympia. washingtoncenter.org

The Christmas Revels by Puget Sound Revels 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22, 2 p.m. Dec. 23. Rialto Theatre, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma. $12-$34. 253-756-1804 broadwaycenter.org

Aloha Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas, Mele Kalikimaka, with Hawaiian songs performed by Olympia Aloha Ukulele Pu'ukani. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 16. Tumwater Timberland Regional Library, 7023 New Market St., SW, Tumwater. 360-943-7790

PenMet Family Theater: “Holiday Toy Camp” 7 p.m. Nov. 27-Dec. 12. Rosedale Community Hall, 8205 86th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor. $3. 253-530-6634, penmetparks.org

The Games Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) Celebrate the holidays with a comedy-mystery starring Sherlock Holmes. Nov. 27-Dec. 20. Olympia Little Theatre, 1925 Miller Ave. N.E., Olympia. $11-$15. 360-786-9484, olympialittletheatre.org

Readers Theater Unlimited Performs three short non-traditional Christmas plays. 12:15 p.m. Dec. 1. Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey. Free. 360-407-3967

“A Christmas Story” Gather your loved ones and join us for ACT’s 40th anniversary of Dickens’ classic tale of hope and redemption. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20. Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N. I St., Tacoma. $20-$24. 253-272-2281, tacomalittletheatre.com

“One Holy Night” A musical telling about the birth of Jesus Christ. Come and experience the Christmas story in this creative way. 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Hope Community Church, 2425 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia. Free. 360-357-3235

“Scrooge! The Musical” Various times through Dec. 12. Paradise Theatre, 9911 Burnham Dr. NW, Gig Harbor. $10-$22. 253-851-7529, paradisetheatre.org

“Charlie Brown Christmas” 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Nov. 27-Dec. 20. Olympia Family Theater, 612 Fourth Ave E., Olympia. $13-$19

Rosebud Community Theatre: “Christmas Belles” Rosebud Community Theatre presents its fifth annual community theater holiday show. 8 p.m. Dec. 4. Todd Beamer High School, 35999 16th Ave. S., Federal Way. $15 advance; $18 day of show. 206-854-2638, rosebudctc.org

“Stardust Christmas Dazzle” Various times, Nov. 27-Dec. 31. State Theater, 204 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. $15-$41. 360-786-0151, harlequinproductions.org

“Ye Olde Merry Holiday (TV) Spectacular” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19, 3 p.m. Dec. 20. Theatre on the Square, 915 Broadway, Tacoma. broadwaycenter.org

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Your ideal artsy holiday: From Grinches to angels, there’s something for everyone in the South Sound holiday arts line-up.."