With the smell of fresh evergreen in the air, holiday entertainment abounds throughout the city.  The choices below offer something for everyone.

A Very Darren Christmas

Dec. 7, Emerson Colonial

It’s beginning to look a lot like CHRISSMAS.  Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Darren Criss kicks off the holiday season with an eclectic collection of Christmas classics, novelty tunes, and modern-day folk-pop ballads.  The concert is based on his best-selling holiday album of the same name. You’ll be Glee-filled! (emersoncolonialtheatre.com)

The Illusionists: Magic for the Holidays

Dec 8 - 10, Emerson Colonial

Celebrate the season with this mind-blowing showcase featuring some of the world’s most incredible illusionists.  They’ve shattered box office records with a powerful mix of outrageous artistry and sophisticated magic.  (emersoncolonialtheatre.com)

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914

Dec 8 - 23, Greater Boston Stage Company

It’s Christmas, 1914, on the Western Front.  In this award-winning production, a German soldier steps into No Man’s Land, singing "Stille Nacht," initiating an extraordinary night of unity, music, and peace among enemies.  This remarkable, true story is told through the words and songs of the men who experienced it, delivering a touching testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Sleep in heavenly peace. (greaterbostonstage.org)

ChristmasTime at Reagle Music Theatre

Through Dec 10, Robinson Theatre

Reagle’s beloved Christmas extravaganza returns in a production designed to transport the entire family into a world of more than 100 performers, a full orchestra, precision dancers, a living nativity, a visit to the North Pole, and a glimpse of Victorian Christmas in Boston.  Let it snow!   (reaglemusictheatre.org)

Boston's Big Band Christmas

Dec 12, City Winery Boston

The 19-piece Compaq Big Band is back with vocalist Alexandra Grace for a Big Band Christmas show.  Their exhilarating show will be filled with seasonal favorites running from traditional swing and very untraditional jazz, to rock, ballad, and jazzy waltz tunes – all with high-energy arrangements.  It’s exciting, inspirational and just plain fun. Even the biggest Grinch will be tapping his toes. (citywinery.com).

Christmas with The Back Bay Ringers

Dec 15, Union Church

Join the Back Bay Ringers for a retrospective concert featuring both classical and contemporary favorites, brought to life on a dazzling array of handbells, chimes, and other percussion pieces. This year’s program will include everything from “All I Want For Christmas Is You” to “Silver Bells,” “Change Ring Prelude on Divinum Mysterium” and “Stille Nacht.”  (backbayringers.org)

A Boston Christmas: Bright Star

Dec 15 - 16, Old South Church

Inspired by the 300th anniversary of Bach’s arrival at the Thomaskirche, “A Boston Christmas: Bright Star” features The Back Bay Chorale in three musical “scenes”—beginning in Leipzig, 1723, moving on to the Harlem Renaissance, and ending with music from the present day to bring the fanfare to a close.  Enjoy Holiday music from around the world.  (bbcboston.org)

Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools

Dec 15 - 28, Sanders Theatre

This year’s 53rd annual Midwinter Revels transports audiences to Medieval England and the colorful Feast of Fools where everything is topsy-turvy by design.  Enjoy charming dance, carols, comedy, and storytelling as Revels celebrates the winter solstice at Harvard University’s historic Sanders Theatre. Sing in exhaltation. (revels.org)

Langston Hughes' Black Nativity

Through Dec 17,  Emerson Paramount Theatre

“Black Nativity” presents the traditional Christmas story as a narrative of common people receiving the divine gifts of joy and hope. With a swell of energetic, gospel music performed by children and adults, the Christ Child arrives amid dramatic dance propelled by African drums. Written by Langston Hughes, “Black Nativity” is a gift from Boston’s black community to people of goodwill from all cultures and spiritual traditions. With tidings of comfort and joy!  (emersontheatres.org)

Christmas at Emmanuel

Dec 17, Emmanuel Church

With mistletoe hung, Emmanuel Music will join Cambridge Common Voices and the Boston Children’s Chorus for an opulent celebration of the holidays, centered around Benjamin Britten’s dramatic cantata “Saint Nicolas,” inspired by Saint Nicholas’ slegendary care for the poor and oppressed. Set against the lush horns and arias of Bach’s cantata, “Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen,” BWV 65, the evening links holiday traditions old and new with a newly commissioned motet by Jonathan Woody. (emmanuelmusic.org).

A Christmas Carol: A Musical Ghost Story

Through Dec. 23, North Shore Music Theatre

This original adaptation based on Dickens’s classic novella has been seen by more than one million North Shore theater-goers since its debut in 1989.  The award-winning musical follows miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical journey of redemption where he ultimately discovers the true spirit of the season.  David Coffee returns for his 29th season as Scrooge in a delightful evening of song, dance, and sparkling special effects. (nsmt.org)

Holiday at Pops

Through Dec 24, Symphony Hall

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of New England's most popular Christmastime traditions, as Keith Lockhart, The Boston Pops, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus offer 39 concerts showcasing holiday favorites, as well as exciting new arrangements of seasonal classics. Plus there’s an annual visit from St. Nick himself.  Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin.’  (bso.org)

Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Through Dec 31, Citizens Bank Opera House

Mikko Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker” returns to the Opera House with beloved characters, glittering sets, and dancing to lift your spirits.  Join young Clara as she gazes in wonder at waltzing flowers,  a magical dancing bear, her handsome Prince, sugar plum fairies, and the gently falling snow in Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet.  Share the joy of dance.  (bostonballet.org)

Blue Man Group

Ongoing, Charles Playhouse

The famous men in blue have just reimagined their antics with new high-tech delights and a finale meant to send audiences soaring into the New Year.  They’re bald, they’re blue, and they’re the perfect holiday gift experience.  Plus no assembly required.  (blueman.com/boston)

And to all, a good night!