Magical Ballet
San Diego Ballet’s “Nutcracker” will take the stage at the UCSD campus in La Jolla at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, and 7:30 p.m. on Friday Dec. 21. Tickets: From $20. (619) 294-7311. sandiegoballet.tix.com
Final Curtains
It’s your last chance to see “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” at La Jolla Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre. The critically acclaimed new musical closes Dec. 16. (858) 550-1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Christmas Puppets
Watch an elf build a snowman, the cutest little cookies dance out of an oven, and a frisky mouse nibble on a Gingerbread House in “The Merry Christmas Show,” performed by Millie Patterson at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-16 in Balboa Park. Tickets: $5. balboaparkpuppets.com
Whale of an Afternoon
Catch a glimpse of the annual gray whale migration from Birch Aquarium’s Tide-Pool Plaza, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, as part of a SEA Days presentation at Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way. Get up close to real whale baleen and learn why these mega marine mammals swim more than 10,000 miles each year. Scripps Oceanography scientists will share stories of their research. Tickets: $9.50-$14. (858) 534-3474. aquarium.ucsd.edu
Music of the Season
Bach Collegium San Diego will present “Hodie! Christus Natus Est,” a sequence of choral music for Advent and Christmas sung by candlelight, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, La Jolla, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the San Diego History Center, Casa de Balboa, Balboa Park. Tickets: $20-$40. (619) 341-1726. bachcollegiumsd.org
Grinch on Stage
The 15th annual production of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” has its holiday run, matinees and evenings through Dec. 29 at The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. Tickets from $24. (619) 234-5623. oldglobe.org
Piano Concert
La Jolla Music Society will present a piano concert by Yefim Bronfman, 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Sherwood Auditorium, MCASD, 700 Prospect St. At 7 p.m. Steven Cassedy, UCSD professor of literature and a classically trained pianist, will present a pre-concert chat titled, “The Sonata: From Start-up to Overdrive.” Tickets: $25-$75. (858) 459-3728. LJMS.org
Holiday fun at SeaWorld
With special holiday-themed animal shows, real snow, reindeer, festive décor and more, SeaWorld is the place to be this Christmas season.rldsandiego.com or call (800) 25-SHAMU.