DANCE

Dec. 11-28: Many dance aficionados dread December, and its inevitable "Nutcracker" mania. Is Myron Johnson joining that fraternity? The Ballet of the Dolls artistic director is giving his divinely twisted version of Tchaikovsky's classic a rest, turning instead to Hans Christian Andersen and his tale of New Year's Eve woe involving a poverty-stricken girl, frigid temperatures and the sale of flammable materials -- a production Johnson is billing it as a "New holiday show for the whole family." I don't know about you, but I hear Donna Summer. (8 p.m. Dec. 11-13, 18-20 and 26-27; 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 21 and 28. $24-$26. Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls. 612-436-1129 or www. RitzTheaterFoundation.org.)

• RICK NELSON

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Dec. 17-18: The Minnesota Orchestra will reach out to all who love yuletide, Scando-style, in two mid-December concerts. Along with Christmas songs from Scandinavia will be music of Schubert, Sibelius and Grieg. Sarah Hicks, the orchestra's assistant conductor, will lead the band, as well as soprano Michelle Areyzaga, tenor Robb Asklof, hardanger fiddler Andrea Een and the Minnesota Boychoir. Topping it all off: a candlelight procession, lobby decorations and sweet treats. (7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18. $22-$42. Orchestra Hall, 11th St. and Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-371-5656, or www.MinnesotaOrchestra.org.)

• CLAUDE PECK

ONSTAGE

Dec. 18-21: Theatre Latté Da and Cantus brought this historical curiosity to life last year in a beautiful little production. On Christmas 1914 during World War I, Allied and German soldiers set aside the war and frolicked in the no-man's land between their trenches. Latté Da's Peter Rothstein plumbed diaries and documents for authentic readings and Erich Lichte put carols and patriotic songs into the mouths of his Cantus singers. The result is a rich and moving mixture of text and music. The piece will tour the Midwest before landing in Minneapolis for six performances. (7:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21. $25-$35. Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-673-0404, www.ticketmaster.com or State Theatre box office, 805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.)

• GRAYDON ROYCE

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

 Dec. 6-28: Get a taste of Christmas bling, Gilded Age-style, at the Summit Avenue mansion of railroad boss and financier James J. Hill. Costumed actors will portray Hill's servants in a one-hour tour that takes guests through the ornate first floor and basement work areas to show how the Hill house -- the state's largest and most expensive when it was completed in 1891 at a cost of nearly $1 million -- was prepared for the holidays. (1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28. $4-$8. 240 Summit Av., St. Paul. Reservations recommended, 651-297-2555.) The house also plays host to a program of Victorian-era Christmas stories, performed by Craig Johnson and Kirby Bennett, with light refreshments and tours of the house. (7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 26. $6-$10.)

• MELISSA WALKER

NIGHTLIFE

Dec. 12: On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me ... a beer? That's what they'll be singing during this one-night pub crawl. The fourth annual event will gather more than 300 people to mosey down 1st Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Organizers haven't finalized the dozen bars, but they're eyeing places such as Bootleggers, the Imperial Room, the Loon and Sneaky Pete's. Crawlers must buy a "12 Bars of Christmas" T-shirt, which will get them drink specials and cover charges. Part of the proceeds will go to charity. Deadline for ordering a shirt is Nov. 25. (6 p.m. Dec. 12. T-shirt is $15. 21 and older. Along 1st Av. N., Mpls. Contact 12barsofchristmasbarcrawl@gmail.com or go to 12barsminneapolis.com)

• TOM HORGEN

ONSTAGE