This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Music, hands-on activities, plays, ballet and a troupe of dogs — there's plenty to entertain Utah families during the holiday season.

Through Dec. 1: "Oliver!" • Musical based on Charles Dickens' tale about an orphaned boy. At Hale Centre Theatre, 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City; Monday-Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 12:30, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $15-$26 at 801-984-9000 or halecentretheatre.org.

Through Dec. 29: Trees of Diversity • This exhibit showcases not only Christmas trees from around the world, but gingerbread houses, wreaths, nativities and "window shopping" style holiday scenes. At the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City; Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission. 801-966-3600; culturalcelebration.org

Through Dec. 22: West Valley City Winter Festival • In place of the Christmas parade, Santa Claus arrives at the Valley Fair Mall (3601 S. 2700 West, West Valley City) by helicopter at noon on Saturday, Nov. 24. The mall also will host local performing groups Dec. 3-6, 10-13 and 18-22. Free admission.

Nov. 26: "The Grinch-O-Saurus" • The Grinch-O-Saurus is plotting to steal the dinosaurs' Christmas. Follow his tracks through the museum and see if you can stop him in time. Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi; 5-7 p.m. Tickets, $8-$10 at 801-768-2300 and thanksgivingpoint.org.

Nov. 26: Youth String Ensemble and Youth Chamber Orchestra Fall Concert • Program includes Vivaldi's Concerto in G Major, Pachelbel's Canon and David Stone's Miniature Quartet No. 2 in D minor. At First Congregational Church, 2150 S. Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City; 7 p.m. Free admission, 801-466-2936

Nov. 27-28: "Miracle on 34th Street" • Stage adaptation of the classic 1947 film. 7:30 p.m. at The Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S. Main, Logan; tickets, $30-$44 at 435-752-0026 or centerforthearts.us.

Nov. 28 and Dec. 22: Phun With Physics • What do balloons, bicycle wheels, liquid nitrogen, flowers and a vacuum pump have in common? Physics demos like you've never seen before. At the Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City; 4-6 p.m. Tickets, $8-$11 at 801-581-6927 and nhmu.utah.edu.

Nov. 29-Dec. 1: Christkindlmarkt and Lantern Parade • Shopping, food and holiday entertainment. At This Is the Place Heritage Park, 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tickets $7-$10 at 801-582-1847 and thisistheplace.org

Nov. 30: Light the Night • Ice skating, lighting of the Christmas tree, candy window displays and other free activities. At South Jordan Towne Centre, 10610 S. Redwood Road, South Jordan; 6:30 p.m. Free admission.

Nov. 30-Dec 1: Christmas Around the World • BYU Folk Dancers perform. At the Marriott Center, 500 E. University Parkway, Provo; Friday, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10-$20 at 801-378-2981 or byutickets.com.

Nov. 30-Dec. 29: "The Nutcracker" • The 57th edition of Ballet West's production. At the Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City; tickets $19-$75 at 801-869-6922 or arttix.org.

Dec. 1, 8 and 15: Breakfast with Santa • Breakfast, holiday crafts and play time in the museum with Santa. At Discovery Gateway, 444 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City; 8-10 a.m. Tickets, $22-$33 at 801-456-5437 or discoverygateway.org.

Dec. 1: Utah's Animals • Meet snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders and more. At the Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City; 2-3 p.m. Tickets, $8-$11 at 801-581-6927 and nhmu.utah.edu.

Dec. 1: "Amahl and the Night Visitors" & "Messiah" Sing-Along • The story of Amahl, followed by Handel's "Messiah." At Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. Center St., Provo; 7 p.m. Tickets, $5-$12 at 801-852-7007 and coveycenter.org.

Dec. 1-2: Red Butte Garden Holiday Open House • Local artists sell an array of handmade gifts. Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. 801-585-0556; redbutte.org.

Dec. 1-2: Christmas wreath-making workshops • Create an evergreen wreath. All supplies will be provided, but feel free to add your own unique pieces. At Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City; 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. Tickets $6-$8. Pre-registration required, 801-585-0556 and redbuttegarden.org

Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22: Santa Saturdays at Tracy Aviary • Take a picture with the Christmas Pelican, eat holiday treats, cozy up by a fire for story time, enjoy meeting a feathered friend and make holiday toys, decorations and gifts for the birds! 589 E. 1300 South, Salt Lake City; noon-2 p.m. Tickets $5-7. 801-596-8500 and tracyaviary.org.

Dec. 3: "Santa's Favorite Elves" • Join in a night in the life of an elf. Play games, join activities. At Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi; 5-7 p.m. Tickets, $8-$10 adults at 801-768-2300 and thanksgivingpoint.org.

Dec. 3: Blue Sage Band — A Cowboy Christmas • Cowboy-themed holiday concert. At the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City; 7 p.m. Free admission. 801-966-3600; culturalcelebration.org

Dec. 3 and 10: "A Family Christmas Variety Show" • Traditional holiday music, stories and dance numbers. 7:30 p.m., at SCERA Center, 745 S. State St., Orem. Tickets, $8-$10 at 801-255-2787 or scera.org.

Dec. 7: Aspen Winds Christmas Concert • The woodwind quintet performs holiday favorites. 7 p.m. at Covey Center for Arts, 425 W. Center St., Provo. Tickets, $5 at coveycenter.org or 801-852-7007.

Dec. 7-9: Salt Lake Men's Choir • 30th annual Christmas concert. At the First Baptist Church, 777 S. 1300 East, Salt Lake City; tickets, $15 at 801-582-4921 or saltlakemenschoir.org.

Dec. 7-8: Children's Nutcracker Ballet • More than 175 dancers from ages 2 to adult. At Juan Diego High School, 300 E. 11800 South, Draper. Friday, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets $8-10 at utahnutcracker.org or 801-984-7650.

Dec. 7-8: Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert • More than 150 singers and instrumentalists from South Jordan and the surrounding area perform. At Bingham High School, 2160 W. 10400 South, South Jordan; 7 p.m. Free admission. 385-234-1165.

Dec. 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 18: "The Nutcracker" • Mountain West Ballet's annual production of the holiday classic. At Mount Jordan Middle School, 9360 S. 300 East, Sandy; 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Dec. 8 and 15. Tickets, $8-$14 at 801-572-6222 or mountainwestballet.org.

Dec. 7-8: 12 Dogs of Christmas Screen & Stage Spectacular • A screening of the movie "12 Dogs of Christmas: Great Puppy Rescue" followed by a live re-creation of the final number. At Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City; 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10-$25 at 801-581-7100 and kingsburyhall.utah.edu.

Dec. 8 and 15: Breakfast with Santa • Play games, sing songs, eat breakfast, decorate cookies. At Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi; Saturdays, 9-11 a.m. Tickets $16-$25 at 801-768-2300 and thanksgivingpoint.org.

Dec. 8: Breakfast with Santa — Oquirrh Mountain Symphony • Food, music and a visit with Santa. At Midvalley Bible Church, 13985 S. 2700 West, Riverton; 9 a.m. Tickets $5-$10 at 888-239-6237 or omsymphony.org.

Dec. 8 and 22: Bug Brigade • Observe and handle live insects. At the Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City; Saturdays, 2-4 p.m. Tickets, $8-$11 at 801-581-6927 or nhmu.utah.edu.

Dec. 10: Beehive Statesmen Christmas Concert • Christmas with barbershop harmony. At the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City; 7 p.m. Free admission. 801-966-3600; culturalcelebration.org

Dec. 10: "Santa Claws and the Missing Stocking" • The museum's dinosaurs have tried to be good all year so that Santa Claws will bring them a Christmas present. Play games, join activities. At Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi; 5-7 p.m. Tickets, $10 adults; $8 children (3-12) and seniors (65+) at 801-768-2300 and thanksgivingpoint.org.

Dec. 14-Jan. 5: "Click Clack Moo" • Children's musical based on the book by Doreen Cronin. At Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North, Salt Lake City; tickets, $18-$32 at 801-363-7522 or saltlakeactingcompany.org.

Dec. 15: Christmas bird count • Join the longest-running citizen-science survey in the world. At Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City; 1:15 p.m. Tickets $6-$8. 801-585-0556 and redbuttegarden.org

Dec. 17: "Reindeer at the Point!" • Santa sends Comet and Blitzen to the museum to show Rudolph what he is missing at the North Pole. Play games, join activities. At Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way Lehi; 5-7 p.m. Tickets, $10 adults; $8 children (3-12) and seniors (65+) at 801-768-2300 and thanksgivingpoint.org.

Dec. 18-19: Voice Male in Concert • A cappella holiday concert. At Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi; 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12-$17 at 801-768-2300 or thanksgivingpoint.org.

Dec. 20: Noel Noel Rejoice and Be Merry • The Oquirrh Mountain Symphony performs. At Midvalley Bible Church, 13985 S. 2700 West, Riverton; 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $10 adults and $5 seniors and children (6-12) at 888-239-6237 or omsymphony.org.

Dec. 22: Winter Solstice • Celebrate the return of the light in the Children's Garden. Make a wish at the Yule Log. Create winter candles and Solstice head wreaths. Enjoy hot chocolate and cider. No pre-registration required. At Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City; 10 a.m.-noon. Tickets $6-$8. 801-585-0556 and redbuttegarden.org —

All aboard the North Pole Express!

The Heber Valley Railroad's annual holiday train trips are quintessentially Utah — and all about the kids.

"It's magic," said Mark Nelson, general manager of Heber Valley Railroad. "It creates this atmosphere that makes believing in Santa really easy."

What • North Pole Express

When • Through Dec. 24

Where • 450 S. 600 West, Heber City

Tickets • $20-$47 at 435-654-5601 or hebervalleyrr.org

Scott D. Pierce