Through December 16 (Fridays) • times vary • Late Night Catechism • Welk Resorts Theatre. The international comedic one-woman play featuring a nun. www.welktheatresandiego.com, 1-888-802-7469.

Through December 31 • times vary • Jingle Bell Rock • Welk Resorts Theatre. A fun trip through Winter Wonderland. www.welktheatresandiego.com, 1-888-802-7469.

December 1–11 • times vary • A Christmas Carol • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Temecula Valley Players presents the Dickens Christmas classic. tickets.temeculatheater.org, 1-866-653-8696

December 2–3 • times vary • The Nutcracker • Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts. Under the direction of Cassandra Lund and Pablo Infante, the North County Academy of Dance presents the holiday favorite. www.northcountyacademyofdance.com, 760-703-4958.

December 2–4 • times pending • Reasons to Believe • Community Lutheran Church Escondido. “A story that shows people facing today’s real-life events, describing challenges that come when they try to discern how they too fit into the stable story.” www.clcesc.org/music-arts/community-players-theater

December 2–18 • times pending • Little Women • Patio Playhouse. Louisa May Alcott’s tale of the four March sisters’ struggle to support themselves as their chaplain father is called away during the Civil War. www.patioplayhouse.com, 760-746-6669

December 3–4 • times vary • The Wizard of Oz • California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Presented by Broadway Theatre Arts. www.artcenter.org, 1-800-988-4253

December 3 • 4–8 p.m. • Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland • California Center for the Arts, Escondido. A free annual event that includes Victorian carolers, seasonal music, light show, art activities, costumed entertainers, treats and more to get everyone into the holiday spirit. www.artcenter.org

December 3 • 8–11 p.m. • Mickie Arnett • Tesoro Winery*. Admission is free with a suggested two drink minimum per person. 951-308-0000

December 4 • 2 p.m. • 17th Annual Holiday Concert • California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Meals-on-Wheels presents the Coastal Communities Concert Band. www.artcenter.org, 1-800-988-4253

December 4 • 3 p.m. • Christmas Concert • Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts. The Fallbrook Music Society presents a Christmas concert with William Chunestudy Men’s Chorus & Mixed Chorus. Start the holidays with a concert of traditional Christmas music in a variety of styles, including a cappella and instrumentals. www.fallbrookmusicsociety.com or call 760-451-8644.

December 4 & 11 • 3 p.m. • Candlelight Classics • The Merc. Golden Valley Music Society and Temecula Presents brings a concert featuring Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. tickets.temeculatheater.org, 1-866-653-8696

December 9 • 8 p.m. • An Irish Christmas • California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Riverdance and Magic of the Dance Stars, featuring Darren Maguire, Diaran Maguire and Collette Dunne, in an evening of Christmas in Ireland with dancing, music and Irish merriment. 1-800-988-4253, www.artcenter.org

December 11 • 4 p.m. • Orchestra Nova—Holiday Spectacular • California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Under the direction of Maestro Jung-Ho Pak, Orchestra Nova, children’s choir, sing-a-long and other surprises will abound. Dinner and show packages are available with a dinner reception and wine tasting after the show, and an appearance by Jung-Ho Pak. 1-800-988-4253, www.artcenter.org

December 16–17 • times vary • Christmas in the Air • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Presented by the Southwest Women’s Chorus, a mix of classical, traditional carols, sing-a-longs, solos, spirituals and contemporary Christmas songs. tickets.temeculatheater.org, 1-866-653-8696

December 17–18 • times vary • The Nutcracker • California Center for the Arts, Escondido. West Coast Ballet Theatre. 1-800-988-4253, www.artcenter.org

December 17–23 • times vary • The Nutcracker • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Mark Erickson directs the Ballet Studio and Fine Arts Network production with member of the Inland Valley Opera. tickets.temeculatheater.org, 1-866-653-8696

December 20 • 7 p.m. • Dance Moves • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. The PGK Project and Temecula Presents presents an intimate, non-traditional dance. www.CityOfTemecula.org, 1-866-653-8696

December 23 • 8–11 p.m. • Kenny Marquez • Tesoro Winery*. Admission is free with a suggested two drink minimum per person. www.tesorowines.com, 951-308-0000

December 30 • p.m. • Swingin in the New Year • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Swing in the New Year early with the Manhattan Transfer’s Cheryl Bentyne and the Elliot Deutsch Big Band. 1-866-653-8696

January 6–15 • times vary • Spring Awakening** • Welk Resorts Theatre. A new musical set in late 19th century Germany following a group of teens struggling to understand sexuality and violence in a society where adults refuse to answer tough questions. **Parental discretion is advised due to strong language, sexual situations and a frank portrayal of child abuse and suicide. www.welktheatresandiego.com, 1-888-802-7469.

January 14 • 7:30 p.m. • Z90.3 Jingle Jam with Pitbull, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Nayer and more • Valley View Casino Center. 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard in San Diego. www.valleyviewcasinocenter.com

January 19–22 • times vary • Shen Yun 2012 • California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The San Diego Falun Dafa Association presents with a live orchestra. 1-800-988-4253, www.artcenter.org

January 19 through February 26 • times vary • How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying • Welk Resorts Theatre. Go-getter J. Pierrepont Finch rises in the business world in this sardonic look at corporate America. www.welktheatresandiego.com, 1-888-802-7469.

January 20 • 8 p.m. • Luther Hughes & the Cannonball–Coltrane Project • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Temecula Presents presents an evening of jazz inspired by Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane. tickets.temeculatheater.org, 1-866-653-8696

January 21 • 7:30 p.m. • The Suite Life • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Golden Valley Music Society and Temecula Presents presents Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite from his 1920 ballet. tickets.temeculatheater.org, 1-866-653-8696

January 21–22 • times vary • Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour • Valley View Casino Center. 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard in San Diego. www.valleyviewcasinocenter.com

January 22–25 • times vary • Once Upon A Mattress Jr. • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. The City of Temecula Youth Musical Theater presents the story of the Princess and the Pea with a modern twist, performed by area youth. 951-694-6444, 1-866-653-98696

January 28 • 7:30 p.m. • Jonathan Winters Show • California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The legendary, iconic comedian Jonathan Winters is a one-man theatrical troupe with special guest stars Mary Ann Mobley, Pete Barbutti and singing impressionist Paul Boland. 1-800-988-4253, www.artcenter.org

January 29 • 3 p.m. • A Klezmer Celebration 2012 • Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Golden Valley Music Society and Temecula Presents presents the 2nd Avenue Klezmer Ensemble with a new program with music associated with Molly Picon, New York’s Queen of Yiddish Theater. tickets.temeculatheater.org, 1-866-653-8696

Tuesdays (through December), 8 p.m. • Tongue & Cheek, So to Speak • Welk Resorts Theatre. A comedic ventriloquist show starring Kevin Johnson. www.welktheatresandiego.com, 1-888-802-7469

Tuesdays (beginning in January), 8 p.m. • Britain’s Finest • Welk Resorts Theatre. A Beatles experience. www.welktheatresandiego.com, 1-888-802-7469

Wednesdays, 8 p.m. • Welk Illusions • Welk Resorts Theatre. Magician Anthony Hernandez. Children under 3 are not permitted. www.welktheatresandiego.com, 1-888-802-7469

Thursdays–Sundays • Music at the Merc • The Mercantile. www.TemeculaPresents.org, 1-866-OLD-TOWN (866-653-8696)

In addition, the following casinos* offer live entertainment each week. Check their Web sites for entertainment schedules: www.valleyviewcasino.com for the Main Stage Bar every Thursday through Saturday at Valley View Casino & Hotel; www.harrahsrincon.com for the Oasis Lounge every Wednesday through Saturday at Harrah’s Rincon Casino; and www.casinopauma.com for the Red Parrot Lounge every Friday through Sunday at Casino Pauma.

*This is a 21 and older event.