Sarah’s Top Ten Picks for Live Holiday Theatre, Music and Dance 2007

Okay, I’m a Christmas hound, so I’m all over these traditional once-a-year holiday performances. You can’t go wrong with any of these. And, although they're numbered, they’re not presented in any specific order.

1. If you read any mean reviews of Ross Petty’s Peter Pan, I’m here to tell you not to believe them. Kurt Browning is immensely charming and his roller-skating turn is heart-stopping; Eddie Glen is lovable as Smee and Nana the Dog; the "Hip Hop Crock" is a scream; the schtick is hilariously corny, and the gratuitous Bollywood number totally rocks. Finally, I don’t care what Richard Ouzounian says; some of us did want to hear the theme from The Greatest American Hero one more time. It runs at the Elgin Theatre until January 6. 416-872-5555

2. The Kensington Festival of Lights, presented by Red Pepper Spectacle Arts, is Toronto's most exciting community pageant, with its lanterns, stiltwalkers, masks, puppets and fire effects. Participants include a who’s-who of the local grassroots arts scene: Shadowland, Clay and Paper, Darbazi, Samba Squad, Richard Underhill, EagleHeart Drummers and more. Go and get renewed; gather at Augusta and Oxford (just south of College) at 6 p.m. on December 21. 416-598-3729

3. This is the 20th year for Wintersong – Dances for a Sacred Season, the seasonal dance celebration by Canadian Children's Dance Theatre that explores Celtic, Native, Jewish and medieval midwinter traditions. It runs December 14 and 15 only at Ryerson Theatre; me, I’m going on Friday. 416-924-5657

4. Ballet Creole artistic director Patrick Parson has been working for six years on Glorious Soulful Messiah, a dance performance set to jazzy, soul-infused renditions of the parts of Handel’s Messiah. It runs December 14 and 15 only at Premiere Dance Theatre. I’m going Saturday; which day will you be there? 416-973-4000

5. The Christmas Story is the annual Nativity pageant performed by the community around the Church of the Holy Trinity (the one near the Eaton Centre). It’s now in its 70th season, which tells you something about its enduring power. And the baby is real. December 14-16 and 21-23. 416-598-8979

6. I have CD based on one of John McDermott’s annual Christmas concerts, and it’s a regret of mine that I’ve never been to one. Maybe somehow this year I’ll make it to John McDermott’s Bringing Home Christmas at the Princess of Wales on December 16. 416-872-1212

7. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People presents The Wizard of Oz to December 30. I’m going on the very last day! 416-862-2222

8. On December 22, Tafelmusik presents their annual authentic Baroque performance of Handel’s Messiah at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, with Handel himself in attendance (really!) Bring the music; they will probably let you sing the chorus bits. 416-964-6337

9. Okay, I was tearing up all the way through White Christmas. Besides fab tap numbers, it has a feast of immortal songs by the great Irving Berlin. It runs at the Sony Centre until January 5. 416-872-2262

10. Puppetmongers (brother and sister David and Ann Powell) present their funny, gentle and lovely Russian folk tale Tea at the Palace (pictured), about the clever peasant girl and the Tzar, with the aid of lovingly crafted puppets of all sizes inspired by Russian children’s toys. December 26 to January 1 at Tarragon Theatre's Extra Space, with a special New Year’s Day Tea Party. 416-531-1827

It's really hard to narrow down to just ten, because I also want to plug the Nathanial Dett Chorale's Indigo Christmas, the version of Sleeping Beauty that's turning the St. Lawrence Centre into an ice rink, The Snow Queen at the Distillery and – oh yeah – there are also four versions of The Nutcracker in town! Whichever you choose, go with someone you love and have a hot chocolate with them after.