There’s an almost endless selection of year-end holiday events. From the Amy Hanaiali‘i & Willie K Holiday Show, Friday through Sunday at the Hawaii Theatre, and Diamond Head Theatre’s hit production of “A Christmas Story: The Musical,” which continues Friday through Wednesday, to religious observances and free shows at the malls and shopping centers, the choices offer something for everyone who feels like celebrating.

Here’s a closer look at three of them:

Ballet Hawaii: ‘The Nutcracker’

Ballerinas are silent performers who convey emotions with precise poses and exacting movements. Megan Fairchild, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet since 2005, says that an invitation to sing in the 2014 Broadway revival of “On the Town” was a chance to step out of her comfort zone.

“I refused it at first because I don’t sing, but they said the role didn’t involve any principal singing. ‘You’re in a singing lesson. It doesn’t matter what you sound like.’ So I auditioned as an exercise to step out of my comfort zone, and I got the role at the audition. How do you say no to getting to make your Broadway debut in a classic?” Fairchild said in a phone call from New York.

In the long term, spending time backstage with the singers of “On the Town” got her interested in singing lessons, Fairchild said. This month she was anticipating her visit to Honolulu, where she will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Ballet Hawaii’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

Fairchild is one of several Hawaii favorites who are back to perform in Ballet Hawaii’s production. Other returnees include Timour Bourtasenkov, founding member of the Carolina Ballet; Margaret Severin Hansen, also of the Carolina Ballet; and John Selya, a veteran of the American Ballet Theatre and Twyla Tharp Dance, who looks forward to doing “Nutcracker” in Hawaii so he can also do some midwinter surfing.

Expect to see several Hawaii performers in major supporting roles, and local celebrities, politicians and Ballet Hawaii supporters in nondancing roles.

Fairchild, 31, has been one of the most popular and consistent of the guest stars. She’s been dancing “Nutcracker” since she was 9, and dancing Sugar Plum Fairy professionally for 12 years.

“I love that the music is so beautiful that I don’t hate it after all of these years. It’s good music, it’s a good story, it’s magical but it’s also just part of my Christmas. It’s part of how I celebrate the holidays, too, getting to perform it. When I was on Broadway last year, I didn’t do ‘Nutcracker’ for the first time in my life since I was 9, and I kind of missed it. I’m happy to be back doing it. It’s part of my year.”

Fairchild’s leading man this weekend is Kleber Rebello, a principal dancer with the Miami City Ballet, who will be dancing the role of the Cavalier. Rebello and Fairchild will be working together for the first time.

“I’m not even really meeting him until we arrive, a day before the show — but we both do the same version of ‘Nutcracker’ in our respective companies,” Fairchild said. “It should be exciting.”

‘Jazzed Holidaze’

Pianist Rich Crandall has been performing at Studio 909 in the Musicians’ Union building on Kapiolani since 1997. Hawaii jazz scene veterans Bruce Hamada (bass) and Stacey Tangonan (drums) are joining him Tuesday in Studio 909 for his annual “Jazzed Holidaze” show.

“The material we perform is a mixed bag of secular and Christian music,” Crandall said, via email. “On the secular side we do things like ‘Winter Wonderland,’ ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’ and Vince Guaraldi’s ‘Christmastime Is Here.’ On the more reverential side we include jazz renditions of carols such as ‘O Holy Night,’ ‘Away in the Manger,’ ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Adeste Fidelis.’”

“It’s familiar Christmas music, so everyone knows the melodies,” he added. “It’s easy to get away with an evening of instrumental music — sometimes reflective, sometimes joyful.”

Crandall and Hamada have been working together since 1980. Tangonan came into the picture “maybe four or five years ago.”

Crandall says that the title of the program “just emerged somehow. The ‘daze’ just makes reference to the frenzied hubbub that often surrounds the holiday season, and in my other life as an educator.”

‘Makaha Kalikimaka’

The Makaha Sons celebrated Christmas with “Kalikimaka” concerts for many years. Jerome Koko, a founding member of the original Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau and its successor group, the Makaha Sons, is continuing the tradition with this year’s “Makaha Kalikimaka” dinner show.

“‘Makaha Kalikimaka 2015’ on December 20th at the Pacific Beach Hotel: prime rib buffet, lots of entertainment, lots of hula,” Koko said, describing the event. “I’ll have Mark (Yim) and Kimo (Artis) with me — and a special guest. Come to the concert and see who it is.”

Koko is preserving a musical legacy that dates back to 1974, when he and Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, Sam Gray and the Kamakawiwo‘ole brothers (Skippy and Israel) founded the Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau. The group continued through several membership changes — Jerome’s younger brother, John Koko, joined the group in 1983; the name was changed to Makaha Sons after Israel abruptly left in 1993. Kauakahi and the Koko brothers continued until John Koko died of heart disease in 2012. Kauakahi retired in 2014.

Joining Koko, Artis, Yim and their “special guest” will be two hula dancers: Koko’s daughter, Jeri-Lynn Kealolahilahi Koko, and John Koko’s son, Shadow Koko. Shadow’s dramatic hula to “Noho Paipai” is always a crowd favorite.

“It’ll be a lot of fun,” Jerome continued. “We’re looking forward to getting back in shape with the Christmas stuffs.”

PARADES

Ewa Beach: 10 a.m. Saturday; starts at Ilima Intermediate School parking lot; proceeds to Fort Weaver Road, Kuhina and Hanakahi streets, North and Fort Weaver roads; returns to the school parking lot.

Olomana: 2:30 p.m. Sunday; starts at Maunawili Elementary School; proceeds to Ulupii, Ulupuni, Uluohao, Uluhala, Ulupuni and Ulukou streets; returns to the school.

HONOLULU CITY LIGHTS

Open daily 8 a.m.-11 p.m. through Jan. 1. Events include:

Free Photo with Santa Nights: 7-9 p.m. Friday and Wednesday, Honolulu Hale Courtyard.

Free Milk & Cookies Night: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday fronting Honolulu Hale.

Family Movie Night: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Civic Center grounds. Outdoor screening of “Polar Express” and food booths. Bring blankets for lawn seating. The dancing light bulb mascots make an appearance and pose for photos 6-7 p.m. near Sky Gate.

FAMILY FUN

Palama Settlement Community Holiday Event: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Gym, with an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus, presents from Toys for Tots for keiki, food, prize giveaways, information booths and entertainment by Central Middle School band, Tekniqlingz Dance Crew and Palama’s youth hula and fireknife dancers. Also accepting donations of nonperishable food items; toiletries; new, small kitchen appliances; and gifts for keiki ages 3-13. 848-2517, palamasettlement.org.

Ward Winter Village Ice Rink: Through Jan. 10, Ward Village Courtyard, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, 4-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekday school holidays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Christmas Eve;and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Tickets: $15 for 90 minutes of skate time in the 4,200-square-foot rink. 591-8411, wardvillageshops.com/icerink.

>> “Frozen” Sing-a-long on Ice: Friday, with screenings at 6 and 8 p.m.

Kawaiaha‘o Church Christmas events: Outdoor events, concerts, a live Nativity, a queen’s blessing, keiki activities, games, crafts, storytelling and free gifts, 7-8:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday-Wednesday. Free. 469-3061, kawaiahao.org.

Hokulani Imaginarium show “Season of Light”: 1 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Windward Community College. $5-$7. 235-7433, aerospace.wcc.hawaii.edu/imaginarium.html.

12 Days of Christmas at the Polynesian Cultural Center: Features canoe rides on the lagoon (beginning 6:30 p.m., $5, free by presenting a Pepsi product upon entry), festive train rides throughout the center ($3 for ages 5 and older, free for ages 4 and under), live entertainment and photos with Santa. Through Dec. 23, Hukilau Marketplace, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie. 293-3333, polynesia.com, hukilaumarketplace.com/events.

>> Snow Day: 2-5 p.m. Saturday near the main entrance, where families can build snowmen and make snow angels in lots of “Hawaiian” snow.

19th annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade: 4-8 p.m. Saturday; boat parade featuring a procession of blinged-out boats begins 6 p.m. through the Hawaii Kai marina. At Hawaii Kai Towne Center, Halau Hula Mai ka Puuwai a ka Manao performs at 4 p.m., and Grammy Award-winning singer John Cruz appears at 5 p.m. 396-0766, hawaiikaitownecenter.com.

Christmas at Queen Emma Summer Palace: Family festivities include storytelling and viewing of Queen Emma’s home with caroling by Emmalani Serenaders, Way of Salvation Youth and Adult Choir, Na Kane of Kaneohe Congregational Church, Kaumakapili Church Choir and others, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, 2913 Pali Highway. $5, free for ages 12 and under. 595-6291, daughtersofhawaii.org.

Breakfast With Santa at Hawaii Prince Hotel: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, Mauna Kea Ballroom, third floor; doors open 7:30 a.m. Features keiki activities, balloon twists, face painting and a photo opportunity with Santa beginning at 7:45 a.m. $37, $17 for ages 3-10. 952-4789, hawaiiprincehotel.com/events.

Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday: Shine On!: Holiday music will play as keiki decorate gingerbread cookies and make a stained-glass votive tea-light holder (take a free shuttle to Spalding House in Makiki Heights for dreidel making), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday (activities end 3 p.m.), Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St. The PG-rated “Shaun the Sheep Movie” will screen at Doris Duke Theatre at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free. 532-8700, honolulumuseum.org.

Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s third annual Jingle Rock Run: 6 p.m. Sunday, with a Keiki Sprint (for ages 12 and under) at 5:30 p.m.; pre-race entertainment and food begins 4 p.m. $25-$40. hawaii.wish.org.

Christmas Movie Marathon: Enjoy screenings of holiday-themed films including “Mickey’s Magical Christmas,” “Santa Buddies,” “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas,” “Secret of the Wings” and “A Very Merry Pooh Year,” 1-8 p.m. Monday, Ewa Beach Public & School Library. Free. 689-1204.

“The Ghosts of Honolulu’s Past: A Holiday Ghost Tour”: Local historian Steven Fredrick leads a four-hour walking tour Dec. 25; begins 7 p.m. in the Capitol district in downtown Honolulu. For ages 21 and older. $40. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. filmguy54@hotmail.com, stevestoursandfilms.vpweb.com.

Sheraton Waikiki’s “Santa’s Serenade” and “Santa’s Selfie”: Sand sculptures created by Florida-based Sandsational Sand Sculpting are being displayed through early January in the lobby, 2255 Kalakaua Ave. sheraton-waikiki.com.

Fire Truck Hawaii: 20- to 25-minute Honolulu City Lights tour aboard a classic 1936 firetruck. Tours start at 6 p.m. and leave every 30 minutes, through Dec. 27; check in 15 minutes before departure time. Meet at Mission Houses Museum (near the double French doors), 553 S. King St. Reservations: firetruckhawaii.acuityscheduling.com. Cash only: $12, $6 for ages 2 and under. 781-7389.

Laser Holidays: Laser light shows with dancing lights choreographed to festive songs, Bishop Museum Planetarium, 1525 Bernice St. Daily matinees ($5 plus admission) at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. through Jan. 3; evening shows ($10, $7 for ages 4-12) Wednesdays-Saturdays at 7 p.m. through Jan. 2. Free for ages 3 and under. 847-3511, bishopmuseum.org.

Ward Village’s Honolulu City Lights Trolley Tours: Through Dec. 30 nightly; arrive 10 minutes prior to departure time. The trolley stop is at the bus stop on Auahi Street. A portion of proceeds benefits Hawaii FoodBank. $6.50, free for ages 3 and under (must sit on adult’s lap). Tickets: holidaylightstour.com. Information: 591-8411, wardvillageshops.com/events.

Christmas cruise with Atlantis Cruises: Holiday-themed live entertainment, with Santa, carols and a prime rib and lobster dinner. Through Dec. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; check-in at 5 p.m.; departs from Pier 6 at Aloha Tower Marketplace. $104-$159 for adults, $56-$98 for ages 7-12. 973-1311, atlantisadventures.com.

PERFORMANCES

Christmas music with Arsenio, Cathy and Michelle: 7 a.m. Friday, Pacific Guardian Center, 737 Bishop St. Free. 382-9495.

Drill Team Hawaii’s “The Gifts of Christmas”: 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Kaimuki High School auditorium. More than 80 girls ages 6-17 perform a showcase of modern, ballet, gymnastic and drill-squad routines while joined by 60 prep-class students and guests from ‘Iolani Dance Team, NIX PAC Dance Studio, Pas de Deux, the Tonga Sisters, Hula Hui o Kapunahala and Ka Hale i o Kahala Halau Hula. $18. Tickets: 258-4864, dejoby@hawaii.rr.com.

Amy Hanaiali‘i & Willie K holiday show: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Hawaii Theatre Center, 1130 Bethel St. $25-$55. 528-0506, hawaiitheatre.com.

‘Iolani School presents “Chorus & Hokuloa Concert”: The ‘Iolani School Chorus and students in grades 5-12 perform its winter concert featuring the Hokuloa Singers, 7:30 p.m. Friday, St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Free. 949-5355.

Royal Hawaiian Band Christmas Concert: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aiea Public Library. Free. 483-7333.

Honolulu Handbell Ensemble Christmas Concert: Also features vocalists, instrumentalists and the Kapiolani Community College Synthesizer Ensemble, noon Saturday, Hawaii State Library. Free. 586-3520.

“Seven Days Till Christmas”: Free music series, 6-7 p.m. Saturday through Christmas Day on the Waikiki Beach Walk Plaza Stage, 227 Lewers St. Schedule: Saturday, Ka Hale i o Kahala Hula School with kumu Leimomi Maldonado; Sunday, Kualoa featuring Derrick Lee and Friends; Monday, Olapa-Ku i ka Lai o Hokuaulani Hula School with kumu Hokuaulani Nihipali; Tuesday, Coyne Street; Wednesday, Kamalu and the Hula Maidens; Thursday, Pookela featuring Greg Sardinha; and Christmas Day, Ohana Kalikimaka featuring Blaine Kia and Family. Valet parking: $6 (up to four hours) at Embassy Suites by Hilton and the Wyndham Vacation Ownership with a same-day purchase from any Waikiki Beach Walk merchant. waikikibeachwalk.com.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 29th annual Christmas Concert: 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Honolulu Tabernacle, 1560 S. Beretania St. Parking available at Spa Fitness Center parking structure. Free. 358-6935.

Fourever Fab Performs The Best of the Beatles, Live in Concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, Ainahau Showroom, Waikiki; doors open 6:30 p.m. The Fourever Fab Show features keiki from Hawaii Youth Chorus in a performance of “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” A portion of proceeds to benefit Sounding Joy Music Therapy. $39.99-$89.99. Tickets: 725-4136.

Kawaiaha‘o Church Christmas concerts: Annual Christmas Concert, 7 p.m. Saturday. Free. kawaiahao.org.

Ward Village Holiday Concert Series: Features Mark Yamanaka and Kuapoa, 7-8 p.m. Saturday, Ward Warehouse Amphitheatre. Free. wardvillage.com.

Happy Hawaiian Christmas: Features entertainment by Ben & Maila, Kuana Torres Kahele, Kapena, Kanoe Gibson, Taz Vegas, Hookena and Streetlight Cadence, hosted by Kimo Kahoano, 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Ala Moana Hotel. $75-$100. 944-4333.

Makaha Kalikimaka with the Makaha Sons: 5 p.m. Sunday, Pacific Beach Hotel. $70, $100 for Golden Table. 542-8289.

17th Annual Jazzed Holidaze: The trio of Rich Crandall, Bruce Hamada and Stacey Tangonan puts a unique jazz spin on traditional and popular Christmas music, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Studio 909, 909 Kapiolani Blvd. Presented by Rich Crandall. BYO food and drink. $15. music-formats.com.

‘NUTCRACKER’

Hawaii State Ballet: 7 p.m. Friday, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Saint Louis School’s Mamiya Theatre. $16-$36; group discounts available. Tickets: danceticketing.com/23357. 947-2755, hawaiistateballet.com.

Ballet Hawaii: Features dancers from New York City Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Carolina Ballet, along with hundreds of local students performing amid Peter Dean Beck’s fairy tale sets in Anne Namba’s vibrant costumes, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets: $35-$99. 521-8600 or visit the Blaisdell Box Office, ticketmaster.com or ballethawaii.org.

>> Warm-up at the Bar: 5:30-7:15 p.m. Saturday, Honolulu Club, 932 Ward Ave., with pre-performance reception and live entertainment, food, wine and parking at the club and an orchestra-level seat for “Nutcracker.” $98. eventbrite.com.

Diamond in the Rough Productions: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Paliku Theatre. $10-$19. Email DITRDirector@yahoo.com.

STAGE

“A Christmas Story”: Based on the cult holiday movie about a boy who wants nothing but an official Red Ryder air rifle sitting under his tree for Christmas, 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapuu Ave. $15-$35. 733-0274, diamondheadtheatre.com.