STAGE: DEC. 5-28

“Ring of Fire,” by local playwright Nancy Moss, gets its world premiere by The Actors’ Group. It’s the story of an Army couple, Gina and Frank Corelli (right, Amanda Palacios and Cyrus Legg), after his return from duty in Iraq. Civilians were killed — and so was his best friend — in an incident that’s under investigation. It’s directed by Brad Powell. In a tribute to military spouses, admission to the 2 p.m. Dec. 7 show is just $5 for military family members; playwright Moss and actress (and Army wife) Jenn Harris will take part in a discussion and Q&A afterward.
Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, repeats at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 28 (no shows Dec. 25-26) / 1116 Smith St., second floor / $16 general, $14 seniors, military, students, $12 each for groups of 10 or more / 722-6941, www.taghawaii.net

STAGE: DEC. 5

Ebenezer Scrooge bah, humbugs his way through Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The Honolulu Theatre for Youth production will be a one-hour musical version of the classic holiday tale about Scrooge’s magical journey to learn the true meaning of the season. Nathan Mark is Scrooge; Eric Johnson directs the adaptation by Barry Kornhauser. Recommended for those 5 and older.
Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, repeats 4:30 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 / Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew’s Cathedral / $16 general; $8 children, college students and seniors (opening night tickets: $20, $10) / 457-4254, www.htyweb.org

HOLIDAYS: DEC. 7

Make your reservations now for the popular Gingerbread Family Festival, below, which includes holiday music, photos with Santa and the centerpiece: making gingerbread houses with friends and family. The Oçahu event includes workspace for a group of four, pre-cut gingerbread sheets and candy decorations for the house. Proceeds go to Easter Seals Hawaiçi. You can also pick up a gingerbread kit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Easter Seals Hawaiçi office, 710 Green St., at the same price.
9:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 / $39 ($20 tax-deductible) / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / 948-4000, www.EasterSealsHawaii.org
Also: 10-11:30 a.m. or noon-1:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Kauaçi. $39 ($20 tax-deductible); 808-245-7141. Deadline to register is Dec. 5.
Note: The deadline has passed for the Dec. 7 Hilo event.

COMEDY: DEC. 12

Funnyguy Frank DeLima celebrates the holiday season with a show that includes a buffet dinner and dessert of laughter. This annual event is a sellout, so early reservations are suggested.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 (dinner from 6:30 p.m., comedy show at 8:30 p.m.) / C’est Si Bon Ballroom, Pagoda Hotel / $50 general, $25 for children 3-10 / 948-8370

HOLIDAYS: DEC. 13-14

Las Posadas, the Latin American procession that symbolizes the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for lodging in Bethlehem, will be celebrated in Honolulu with choral performances and carols at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, followed by a candlelight procession along King Street to Mission Houses Museum. The museum will host music, Latin American refreshments and piñata activities.
Also at the Mission Houses Museum is the annual Candlelight Christmas program, below, the next day, with music, St. Nicholas, gingerbread and cider and the reading of the classics “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in the Frame House parlor and “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice” in the cellar.
Las Posadas: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral (free); procession follows. Suggested donation for Mission Houses Museum activities: $6. 531-0481, ext. 707. Candlelight Christmas: 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Mission Houses Museum. $10 general, $6 children and museum members, free for museum member children. 531-0481.

CONCERT: DEC. 12

Angels & Airwaves makes its Island debut with a concert at Pipeline Cafe. Fronted by former blink-182 guitarist Tom Delonge, the band includes guitarist David Kennedy from Over My Dead Body and Hazen Street; former Rocket From the Crypt and Offspring drummer Atom Willard; and former 30 Seconds to Mars bassist Matt Wachter. Earlier this year the band released a documentary titled “Start the Machine,” and are working on a feature film involving their music. Surfer and musician Timmy Curren will open the show.
8 p.m. Dec. 12 / Pipeline Cafe / $35 general, $70 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

HOLIDAYS: DEC. 13

Celebrate the season with The Mäkaha Sons at “Mäkaha Kalikimaka 2008.” Besides the ever-popular trio of Jerome Koko, John Koko and Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, there’s entertainment by Bernard Kalua and Friends, hula by Kealo Koko, and Merrie Monarch winners Michael Casupang and Karl “Veto” Baker with Hälau I Ka Wekiu. A prime-rib lunch buffet is included.
11 a.m. Dec. 13 / Dole Cannery Iwilei Ballroom / $65 general, $50 children; $120 VIP, includes gift / 536-0545

HOLIDAYS: DEC. 13-14

Clowns, face-painting, games and crafts, magicians, entertainment and costumed characters including Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Elmo, Taz, Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester will be part of the family-friendly “Breakfast With Santa” weekend, presented annually by the nonprofit Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii. Of course, there’s picture-taking with the big guy in red. And the admission fee includes a meal.
8:30-10:30 a.m. breakfast, noon-2 p.m. lunch Dec. 13-14 / Mänoa Grand Ballroom, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiçi / $20; free keiki under 2, without a seat or meal / 951-0200, www.preventchildabusehawaii.org

HOLIDAYS: DEC. 19-21

Toy soldiers and sugarplums grace the stage as Ballet Hawaii presents “The Nutcracker.” The performers include Tony Award-nominated John Selya as the Soldier Doll and Arabian partner; Joan Boada, principal dancer from the San Francisco Ballet, as the Cavalier Prince; and Megan Fairchild, right, principal dancer from the New York City Ballet, as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Gregg Lizenbery is the mysterious Drosselmeyer. Dancers from Ballet Hawaii and other community dance programs also are in the cast.
8 p.m. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $35-$75 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

COMEDY: DEC. 26

End the year with laughter and Howie Mandel, who was an actor (“St. Elsewhere”) and comic long before his current gig as the host of TV’s megahit “Deal or No Deal.” Mandel has been a show-biz regular for three decades, with countless comedy specials under his belt.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 26 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $30, $40, $55 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com