9 holiday shows in the Stockton area to make you sing, dance in December

Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record

Updated Wed, December 4, 2024 at 10:13 AM UTC

8 min read

With Christmas Day not too far off, holiday events abound in the Stockton area throughout December.

There are symphonies and mariachis to listen to at the DCA Winter Celebration of Music at San Joaquin Delta College. There's also the ballet performance of "The Nutcracker," a joint production between the Central West Ballet at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts and the Christmas Musical production at The Home Church.

Stockton residents have plenty of fun events to celebrate the holidays. Here are nine concerts, programs and theater shows being held in San Joaquin County through Dec. 15.

The DCA Winter Celebration of Music at San Joaquin Delta College

The Hospice of San Joaquin's 36th annual Stockton Tree of Lights lighting ceremony is held at the east entrance to Delta College in Stockton on Nov. 26, 2024. The tree commemorates and remembers loved ones who have passed away. The Stockton ceremony is the first of eight events in local cities (Ripon on Dec. 2, Manteca and Escalon on Dec. 3, Lodi on Dec. 5, Rio Vista and Rockford on Dec. 7, and Tracy on Dec. 10). — The Hospice of San Joaquin’s 36th annual Stockton Tree of Lights lighting ceremony is held at the east entrance to Delta College in Stockton on Nov. 26, 2024. The tree commemorates and remembers loved ones who have passed away. The Stockton ceremony is the first of eight events in local cities (Ripon on Dec. 2, Manteca and Escalon on Dec. 3, Lodi on Dec. 5, Rio Vista and Rockford on Dec. 7, and Tracy on Dec. 10).

Make your way to the San Joaquin Delta College for The DCA (Delta Center for the Arts) Winter Celebration of Music various concerts. The first concert kicked off on Nov. 23 with the Winter festival of Choirs.

"Join Delta College musicians and singers as they celebrate the arts and present the community with a series of musical winter concerts that are not to be missed," the Visit Stockton website states.

Performances are scheduled at 7 p.m. and free to the public. There are three events left, with two this week. They are:

7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, San Joaquin Delta College Mariachi Winter Concert at the Atherton Auditorium
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, San Joaquin Delta College Symphonic Band Concert at the Atherton Auditorium

The last concert of the series will be on Wednesday, Dec. 11 with the San Joaquin Delta College String Orchestra Concert at the Tillie Lewis Theatre.

Location: San Joaquin Delta College, Atherton Auditorium and Tillie Lewis Theatre at 5151 Pacific Ave. in Stockton
Hours: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6, and Wednesday, Dec. 11
I nformation: visitstockton.org

'The Nutcracker,' co-presented by Central West Ballet and Grand Theatre Center for the Arts

File photo - Hannah Swanson, portraying Clara, dances with her Christmas gift of a nutcracker in a scene from the Capitol Ballet Company production of The Nutcracker at San Joaquin Delta College's Atherton auditorium in Stockton.

The Grand Theatre Center for the Arts is co-presenting The Nutcracker with the Central West Ballet on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in Tracy.

"Your Holidays won't be complete without Central West Ballet's Nutcracker! Featuring beautiful sets, backdrops, and danced with heartwarming energy by our dancers, this magical tradition is a perfect holiday card for the whole family to cherish!" the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts website states. "Always new, always magical! Follow Clara's adventure to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy with all the characters you love!"

Tickets start at $27 and go up to $69 online. There is a $4 fee include per ticket.

Tickets can be purchased at atthegrand.vbotickets.com .

Location: Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, Madame Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Theatre (EK Theatre), 715 N Central Ave., in Tracy
Hours: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Information: atthegrand.org

Pacific Choirs' Holiday Concert

The Pacific Arch and Burns Tower are located near the east entrance to the University of the Pacific at 3601 Pacific Avenue in Stockton on Ju. 14, 2022,

The Conservatory of Music at University of the Pacific is presenting their annual choral concert with Winter Holiday-themed music on Friday, Dec. 6, the University of the Pacific website states.

"Pacific Choirs will perform under batons of Valerie Sainte-Agathe and Ash Walker," the university's website states.

Tickets are available online or at the door 30 minutes before the event and it's free to all students with a valid student ID, pacific staff and faculty. General admission starts at $10 (plus $1 fee) for seniors over 65 years old, and $15 (plus $1 fee) for adults.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and goes through 9 p.m., the university's website states.

Location: Faye Spanos Concert Hall at University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave., in Stockton
Hours: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.
Information: pacific.edu/event/pacific-choirs-holiday-concert

The Stockton Chorale: Here We Come a Caroling

The Stockton Chorale rehearses at the Cherokee Memorial Vineyard Chapel in Lodi on May, 14, 2024 for an upcoming concert.

The Stockton Chorale singing groups will be performing twice this weekend. The first performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the San Joaquin Delta College Atherton Auditorium at 5151 Pacific Ave. in Stockton.

The McNair High School Choir will also be performing as musical guests.

The second concert is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Lodi at 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Road in Lodi.

General admission student tickets are $5 for those over 18 years old with ID. General admission adult tickets are $25 and those under 17 years old enter free.

Location: San Joaquin Delta College Atherton Auditorium, at 5151 Pacific Ave. in Stockton and Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Lodi at 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Road in Lodi
Hours: Saturday, Dec. at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8
Information: stocktonchorale.org

Lodi Community Band Sounds of Christmas Concert

The Lodi Community Band is presenting the annual Sounds of Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Charlene Powers Lange Performing Arts Theatre at Hutchins Street Square at 125 South Hutchins Street in Lodi.

Guest ensembles include: Millswood Middle School Concert Band directed by Shane Park and Lodi High School Symphonic Band directed by Vince Hjerpe,

There will be a combined grand finale with Christmas Sing-a-Long arranged by James Ployhar, the Lodi Community Band website states.

Admission is free as well as parking.

Location:Charlene Powers Lange Performing Arts Theatre at Hutchins Street Square, 125 South Hutchins Street in Lodi
Hours: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Information: lodicommunityband.com

Christmas Musical Production at The Home Church

The Home Church, a Baptist church in Lodi will be holding a free three day Christmas Musical production from Dec. 12 through Dec. 14.

"Get ready to be captivated by a Broadway-style Christmas musical that brings faith and the holiday spirit together in a powerful, community-centered production. Through the eyes of Holly, her young daughter Megan, and the memories of Poppy Rufus, you'll be taken on a heartfelt journey tracing one man's life and his search for meaning," The Home Church website states.

Tickets are free. To reserve your spot, visit thehomechurch.net/christmas .

Location:The Home Church, 11451 N. West Lane in Lodi
Hours: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Information: thehomechurch.net

'The Nightmare Before Christmas' at Grand Theatre Center for the Arts

The Grand Theatre in Downtown Tracy opened its doors to the pubic Sept. 15 with free activities such as art and dance classes, along with entertainment and tours of the facilities.

'The Nightmare Before Christmas' will be presented at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts co-presented by the Children's Dance Theatre.

"The Children's Dance Theatre revisits this fun filled holiday classic! Come enjoy this talented group of dancers and theatrical performers as they reenact the King of Halloweentown, Jack Skellington's, story. When Jack becomes bored with Halloween traditions and events he stumbles upon the whimsical world of Christmastown," the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts website states.

Performances run from Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15.

Tickets start at $24 and go up to VIP for $59 online. There is a $4 fee include per ticket. VIP seating includes champagne and a charcuterie and sweet treat box for each seat and more, the theaters website states.

Tickets can be purchased at atthegrand.vbotickets.com .

Location:Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, Madame Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Theatre (EK Theatre), 715 N Central Ave., in Tracy
Hours: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
Information: atthegrand.org

Christmas production, 'The Way in a Manger at Quail Lakes Baptist Church

The Quail Lakes Baptist Church will be holding a Christmas production called "The Way in a Manger," on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15.

It will feature the Quail Lakes Baptist Church choir, band, and orchestra, the Quail Lakes Baptist Church website states.

"Jesus described Himself as being 'The Way, the Truth, and the Life,' and He was all of that as a baby in the manger in Bethlehem! Join us as we celebrate this timeless truth of Christmas!" the website states.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the free event on both Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15. The show will begin at 7 p.m.

The church said it will provide child care though space is limited. There will also be American sign language interpreters for the Sunday performance. A reception with cookies is planned after the performance on both evenings.

Location:Quail Lakes Baptist Church, 1904 Quail Lakes Dr., in Stockton
Hours: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15.
Information: qlbc.org

Stockton Symphony Holiday Pops

Stockton Symphony musical director Peter Jaffe talks to about 1,400 students about the use of time in music in the first performance of the symphony's annual Steppin' Out educational concert series at the San Joaquin College's Atherton Auditorium in Stockton on Jan. 30, 2024. The concert invites 4th and 5th graders for a concert where they learn about aspects of music. The series continues on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 10:15 a.m. at Atherton Auditorium and Feb. 1 at 9:15a.m and 10:45 a.m. at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi.

The Stockton Symphony Holiday Pops is on Sunday, Dec. 15.

The program will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Atherton Auditorium 5151 Pacific Ave. at San Joaquin Delta College.

The Stockton Youth Chorale will be performing. Peter Jaffe will be directing the music and on vocals there will be Natalie Cordone, and Cedric Berry.

"Brilliant vocalists and adorable young talents join the festivities for a program packed with goodies—It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, O Holy Night, music from The Nutcracker, Frozen, Home Alone, and many more!" the Stockton Symphony website states.

Tickets start at $10 for students 18 years old and under, and from $15 to $69 for general admission.

Location:San Joaquin Delta College, Atherton Auditorium at 5151 Pacific Ave. in Stockton
Hours: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
Information: stocktonsymphony.org

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers business and community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ AngelaydetRocha . To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow .

This article originally appeared on The Record: 'The Nutcracker,' more Stockton area holiday events to see