Fun Things to do in SF During the Holidays

Hope is big these days and no play reminds us of that each holiday season like "A Christmas Carol" (opening Dec. 4) at A.C.T. In "The Rhino Christmas Panto" (opening Dec. 4) a young Scrooge is shown the true meaning of Christmas by a fairy. 

Queens can also get into the Christmas groove with two holiday episodes of "The Golden Girls" reenacted by four of the fiercest queens this side of the Sunshine State in the popular play "The Golden Girls -- The Christmas Episodes" (opening Dec. 4). "Katya: A Red Christmas" (opening Dec. 10) finds the local drag diva -- who sings -- entertaining us with her Russian holiday spirits at New Conservatory Theatre, and "Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory" (Dec. 15), an autobiographical holiday tale from one of the 20th Century's most notable writers, hits Theatre Rhino.  If you prefer entertainment of the merrier sort, then check out Kung Pao Kosher Comedy, a night of Jewish comedy on the most important Christian night of the year at, you guessed it, a TBD Chinese Restaurant.

But this month is not all about fun and games. The 3rd Annual Tree of Hope Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec. 9) at City Hall, with special guest Dame Edna, draws attention to the important work of local charity Rainbow World Fund. Help is on the Way for the Holidays X (Dec. 7) gala will benefit the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation.

The Bay Area's fall concert season is in full swing with these must-see shows:

Jingle Ball -- Dec. 3
Live 105 Not So Silent Night -- Dec. 11 
Dave Koz and Friends: Smooth Jazz Xmas -- Dec. 12
Sarah Brightman -- Dec. 16
The Cheetah Girls -- Dec. 17

Happy Holidays!

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(Images courtesy Kent Taylor, Kevin Berne, Getty)