There's no place like shows for the holidays
Put down the shopping list and forget the recipes, the holidays are about whimsical amusement. This season, take a break from the hustle and catch a show.
Here’s an advent calendar of concerts and theatrical productions — including the first "Nutcracker" of the season — coming to Nassau and Suffolk.
CONCERTS
NOV. 23
Irish Christmas in America
Watch Séamus Begley (Traditional Singer of the Year for Irish public TV service TG4) and Niamh Farrell sing and dance in a traditional Irish-style show, which is peppered with humor and history.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., Patchogue Theatre, 71 E. Main St.
INFO $20-$60; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
NOV. 24
Gary Hoey
Who says Christmas can’t rock? Watch as instrumental guitarist Hoey brings his “Ho-Ho-Hoey Rockin’ Holiday Tour” to town.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., 37 W. Main St., YMCA Boulton Center, Bay Shore
INFO $40; 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org
NOV. 25
The Clairvoyants
This Austrian magician/mentalist duo from “America’s Got Talent” will bring wonder with their “Clairvoyants Christmas” show.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $35-$69.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
NOV. 27
Brian Setzer Orchestra
This Massapequa Stray Cat returns to his old stompin’ grounds for a holiday homecoming with his “Christmas Rocks! Tour.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $39.50-$199.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
NOV. 30 AND DEC. 7
Eileen Ivers
The Queen of Celtic Fiddle will mix old Wren songs and American carols with a bit of jigging for her “Joyful Christmas” show.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., Nov. 30, 1 South Ave., Adelphi Performing Arts Center, Garden City; 8 p.m., Dec. 7, 37 W. Main St., YMCA Boulton Center, Bay Shore
INFO $38-$45 (Adelphi); 516-877-4000, pac.adelphi.edu; $50 (Boulton Center); 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org
DEC. 5
Brian Wilson Presents “The Christmas Album Live”
The rock and roll legend will perform “The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album” in its entirety, including his original classic, “Little Saint Nick,” with special guests Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $49.50-$149.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
DEC. 7
Tony Orlando & Dawn
This trio will come together for “A Christmas Reunion,” which will include seasonal carols as well as signature songs like “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” “Knock Three Times” and “Candida.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $49.50-$135.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
DEC. 8
Kenny G
This saxophonist from Seattle gets his Santa on with his “The Miracles Holiday and Hits Tour.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $49.50-$140.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
DEC. 9
Jewel
Watch as the '90s songstress weaves her hits (“Hands,” “You Were Meant for Me”) with Christmas favorites as part of her “Handmade Holiday Tour.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., The Paramount, Huntington
INFO $39.50-$180; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
DEC. 14
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Picture magic tricks and circus acts going on while Christmas carols are sung live with a touch of comedy.
WHEN | WHERE 7:30 p.m., Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale
INFO $53.50-$73.50; 516-231-4848, nycblive.com
DEC. 14
Rex Fowler & Friends
Fans of Aztec Two-Step will rejoice as ATS songs are blended with holiday faves as Fowler leads the charge.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., 37 W. Main St., YMCA Boulton Center, Bay Shore
INFO $45; 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org
DEC. 16
98°
This boy band, featuring Nick and Drew LaChey, bounces back with its “At Christmas Tour” delivering season’s greetings with a smile at NYCB Theatre at Westbury.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $39.50-$117.59; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
DEC. 16
Darlene Love
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer will bring down the house with her rousing rendition of “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” during “A Darlene Love Christmas.”
WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m., Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington
INFO $67-$87; 516-767-6444, landmarkonmainstreet.org
DEC. 20
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The tradition continues as TSO makes its triumphant return to Long Island with its “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” show featuring lasers, pyrotechnics and a massive multimedia production.
WHEN | WHERE 7:30 p.m., NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum
INFO $58-$68; 516-231-4848, nycblive.com
DEC. 21
Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti
The 2016 “America’s Got Talent” finalist from Bethpage croons his favorite holiday tunes from his new album “Christmas With Sal."
“It’s like coming over to my house for Christmas. I sing and tell stories about Christmas with my big Italian family,” says Valentinetti, 24. “It’s a feel-good, pick-me-up type of show that will put you in the mood for Christmas."
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $29.50-$86.23; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
DEC. 21 & 23
Countess Luann
Luann de Lesseps from “The Real Housewives of New York” will croon and swoon in her “Holiday Cabaret Show.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., Dec. 21, and 7 p.m., Dec. 23, The Paramount, Huntington
INFO $69.50-$225; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
THEATER
THROUGH DEC. 29
“A Christmas Carol”
See Jeffrey Sanzel portray Ebenezer Scrooge as he makes his life-changing transformation on Christmas Eve night.
WHERE Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson
INFO $20, 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com
THROUGH DEC. 30
“White Christmas”
Watch as Irving Berlin’s musical get revived featuring songs like “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano” and “How Deep Is the Ocean,” as well as the title track.
WHERE Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St.
INFO $28-$35; 631-724-3700, smithtownpac.org
THROUGH DEC. 30
“Elf”
Experience the 2003 hit movie transformed into a musical about Buddy the Elf from the North Pole.
WHERE John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport
INFO $73-$78; 631-261-2900, engemantheater.com
NOV. 24
“It’s a Wonderful Life” live radio play
Get a feel for what it was like to witness a live radio broadcast as a quintet of actors in full costume acts out Frank Capra’s seasonal tale complete with sound effects.
WHEN | WHERE 3 p.m., Patchogue Theatre, 71 E. Main St.
INFO $25-$45; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
FOR THE KIDS
NOW THROUGH DEC. 29
“Barnaby Saves Christmas”
Come along for the ride as Santa’s littlest elf and his reindeer friend Franklynne go on a journey to save Christmas.
WHERE Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson
INFO $10; 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com
NOV. 24-25
"The Nutcracker"
The Long Island Ballet Theatre presents this Christmas perennial, aimed at kids and with narration to clarify the storyline. Children (ages 3-10) can even go on stage for a reception at the Kingdom of the Sweets for a $10 donation.
WHEN | WHERE 1 and 4 p.m. Nov. 24 and 2 p.m. Nov. 25, Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington
INFO $32; 516-767-6444, landmarkonmainstreet.org
NOV. 25
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
See the Peanuts characters come to life in a yuletide tale about the true meaning of Christmas, which is based on the animated TV special.
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Patchogue Theatre, 71 E. Main St.
INFO $15-$25, 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
DEC. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 26
“My Christmas Elf”
See the world’s best toy maker Mittens learn how to become a family elf and discover the magic of Christmas in this comedic new musical at CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale.
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, and 2 p.m. Dec. 26
INFO $15; 631-218-2810, cmpac.com
DEC. 27-28
“Frosty the Snowman”
Witness the world’s most famous snowman and his friend Jimmy as they try to prevent adversary Ethel Perpot from melting all the snow in Chillsville.
WHEN | WHERE 1 p.m. both days, Bayway Arts Center, 265 E. Main St., East Islip
INFO $11 advance, $13 day of; 631-581-2700, broadhollow.org