By John Egan

Known as the “sunny side of the Golden Gate Bridge,” Marin County is truly a destination for all seasons. And for the holidays this year, Marin is ho-ho-hosting festivities that’ll bring you plenty of music and merriment, ranging from concerts to Winter Solstice Celebrations.

Here are six hand-picked Marin events that are sure to lift your holiday spirits.

 

Mayflower Chorus presents Miracle, Mystery and Magic
Marin Center Showcase Theatre 
8:00pm Friday, December 8th
2:30 and 7:30 Saturday, December 9th

Winter is a world of miracle, mystery and magic, a time when visions from the past and celebrations in the present inspire hope for a brighter future. While the magical story of Santa Claus and his flying reindeer dominates the holiday season, older myths that explore the human experience of winter have been put to music over the centuries. Ancient solstice celebrations countered the dark-night mystery of winter with story and song, religion borrowed those traditions and wove into them celebrations of light, star-sightings and miraculous births, and all across the planet, long winter nights have brought people together around hearths and fires to keep warm, feast, dance and sing. The winter holidays are a fantastic time for kids, for falling in love, for pageantry and parties, but also for reflecting on past dreams and future possibilities. Tickets on sale now.

 

Marin Dance Theatre: Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop
Novato High School Performing Arts Center

Saturday, January 6, 2024, 1:00pm and 5:00pm
Sunday, January 7, 2024, 1:00pm and 5:00pm

Marin Dance Theatre, an internationally recognized dance training center, located in San Rafael, presents this delightful full-length children’s ballet choreographed by the Bay Area's accomplished choreographer and MDT Artistic Director, Lynn Cox. This will be the 26th-year celebration of this enchanting story about Sophie!
The full-length ballet of “Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop” features over 120 dancers of all ages, including professional guest artists. Enjoy the Dickens-style Street scene that comes alive with townspeople, aristocrats, school children, cadets, and mysterious masqued players.

 

Marin Ballet: "Nutcracker" 
Marin School of the Arts Theater: 625 Arthur St in Novato
Two performances each day at various times on Saturday, December 9th, and Sunday, December 10th 

Rich in old-fashioned holiday grandeur, one can never get enough of the Nutcracker during the holidays, especially since most of us missed it last year! Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker is always a lovely holiday experience to share with those you love. Welcome back to the theater!

 

Marin Symphony Holiday Choral by Candlelight
Saturday, December 7th at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 8th at 4:00pm
Saint Rafael's Church in San Rafael

A seasonal Marin classic, the Marin Symphony Holiday Choral will be hopping with holiday classics, traditional carols and favorite theme songs. Traditional and contemporary holiday music and carols in the beautiful setting of Saint Raphael Church accompanied by Marin Symphony instrumentalists, percussion, organ, and piano.

 

Lorin Rowan & the Deep Blue Jam 
7:00 on Wednesday, December 13th
Sweetwater Music Hall

Ready for some truly original Christmas magic music? Come join Lorin Rowan & the Deep Blue Jam with Special Guests Mookie Siegel/keys & Dick Bright/violin as they present their original and classic holiday music with a modern rock/smooth jazz/deep blues twist! The evening will start off with an intimate acoustic set of classic seasonal renditions, followed by a set of full-on dance band holiday grooves that will have you “rockin’ around the Christmas tree!”

 

New Year's Eve: Petty Theft - Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Saturday, December 31st 
Hopmonk Tavern - Novato

An Easy, Fun & Funny way to spend New Year’s Eve, right here in Marin. The tavern continues the goal of making your last day of the year hassle-free & funny. Start the evening early in the Beer Garden, under vintage oak trees for a delightful dinner before the show. Reserve a group of tables together and bring your party to us.

 

For all you need to plan your Marin County vacation, visit the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website or Facebook page.