Oakland weekend: The Nutcracker, Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland, ugly sweater party, more

Oakland weekend: The Nutcracker, Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland, ugly sweater party, more

Photo: Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker/Facebook

MJ Carter
Published on December 19, 2019

The holidays are officially upon us, and we have events to help you celebrate. Families can kick off the weekend with a trip to see twinkling lights at Children's Fairyland, or a performance of "The Nutcracker." And for adults, there's a traditional carol concert and an ugly sweater party with plenty of beer.

Here's where to go for some holiday fun this weekend.

Fairy Winterland

Photo: Children's Fairyland/Facebook

Children's Fairyland will be full of holiday cheer this weekend, with lights, dancing Christmas trees, puppet shows, "snow" showers and more. Grab a cup of hot cocoa or cider to keep you warm, and line up for a chat and photo with Santa. (Want to keep the fun going after Christmas? They'll also be open December 26 - 30.)

When: Friday, December 20 - Monday, December 23, 12 - 7 p.m.

Where: Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave

Price: $12+

Click here for more details

A Chanticleer Christmas

Photo: Chanticleer/Facebook

Grammy-winning traditional male vocal group Chanticleer will perform in Oakland this Saturday, performing an eclectic mix of traditional Gregorian chant, American hymns and Spanish villancicos. Attendees can also expect "shepherds, twittering angels, curious donkeys andsome very wise men and you, our faithful audience.

When: Saturday, December 21, 8:15 - 10:15 p.m.

Where: Cathedral of Christ the Light, 2121 Harrison St.

Price: $35 - 79

Click here for more details

The Nutcracker 

Photo: Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker/Facebook

The classic holiday ballet, choreographed by Graham Lustig and performed by Oakland Ballet Company, will take over the Paramount Theater. With magnificent scenery, costumes and scoring from the Oakland Symphony, kids will thrill to the tale of Marie and her soldiers as they rescue the Nutcracker Prince and enter the Land of Sweets.

Attendees can also attend after-show receptions on both afternoons for an extra fee, complete with photos with the Sugarplum Fairy. 

When: Saturday, December 21 - Sunday, December 22, 1 and 5 p.m. 

Where: Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway

Price: $24 - 99

Click here for more details

Ugly Sweater Holiday Party

Photo: Degrees Plato/Facebook

Actual "ugly" sweaters may have given way to intentionally ugly mass-market versions, but both kinds are welcome at Degrees Plato's holiday party. A special menu will feature tamales, and attendees can also enjoy winter warmer beer flights, a raffle for a "12 Beers of Christmas box," and a DJ. 

When: Sunday, December 22, 4 - 9 p.m.

Where: Degrees Plato, 4251 MacArthur Blvd.

Price: Free admission

Click here for more details