It's beginning to look and sound like Christmas. Everywhere.

Holiday events are plentiful and diverse, with activities for the family, for adults, for keiki. Music fills the air; ballet is bountiful. Plus stage bon-bons. Gingerbread houses and bright lights are clearly in season, too, to make it a mele Kalikimaka.

Feel, live and sample the joys of the yuletide. Chronologically, here are 25 things to do:

1. "The Hawaiian Nutcracker," 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Hawai'i Theatre. A Honolulu Dance Theatre production, putting an Island spin on the classic holiday tale, with Hawaiian monarchs such as King Kalakaua and Princess Ka'iulani as characters, and the music of Tchaikovsky. $10, $16, $20, $24. 528-0506.

2. "The Christmas Gift of Aloha," 6 p.m. daily except Mondays, Centerstage, Ala Moana Center. A holiday music, based on a children's book by Lisa Matsumoto and Michael Furuya, exploring the meaning of Christmas and the spirit of aloha. Free. A Santa parade follows at 7 p.m through the mall.

3. Ride the Candy Cane Train, from 10 a.m. daily (every 20 minutes) through Jan. 1, at the mall level Center Court, Ala Moana Center. For those 12 and younger. $6.

4. The Pearlridge Express, a scale-model, fully functioning train, takes kids on a journey through toyland from 10 a.m. daily through Jan. 1 at the mall's Uptown Center Court. Tickets are $3. 488-0981.

5. "Shine!" under way at Kahala Mall, is a series of holiday programs by local singers. The remaining shows: 2 p.m. Saturday, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom; 2 p.m. Dec. 9, Holunape; 2 p.m. Dec. 16, John Cruz; and 2 p.m. Dec. 23, Maunalua. Free. Presented by Barnes & Noble. 732-7736.

6. Honolulu City Lights, opening Saturday, at Honolulu Hale. See story.

8. The 7th Annual Gingerbread Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Individuals or families prep, work on and take home a decorated gingerbread house. Besides the joy and pride of making your own, the creation would enhance your holiday decor at home. Cost to participate: $39, of which $20 is tax deductible, because the project is a benefit for Easter Seals Hawai'i, which presents the annual event with with Alan Wong's Restaurant. The advance sign-up deadline is past, but if available, kits can be bought on site. Watching is free. 536-1015.

9. "The SantaLand Diaries," a manic holiday comedy by David Sedaris, plays at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Dec. 8-9, and 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at Manoa Valley Theatre. Part of the Studio Series; featuring Andrew Meader as Crumpet, the elf who attacks the frenzy of Christmastime at Macy's SantaLand. $20 general, $15 military, those 65 and older and 25 and younger, and season subscibers. 988-6131.

10. A Singing Christmas Tree, incorporating choral singers arranged in a tree motif, will staged at 7 p.m. Dec. 7-10 at First Assembly of God, 3400 Moanalua Road. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with pre-show music from 6:40 p.m. Free; tickets available at the Agape Shoppe, the Cathedral Gift Shop, Logo Bookstore and the church. 836-2300, www.firstaog.com.

11. Na Leo Pilimehana headlines a Christmas concert with the Honolulu Symphony Pops, at 8 p.m. Dec. 8-9 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Matt Catingub conducts the orchestra; the Honolulu Symphony Chorus is also on the bill. $15-$78 Dec. 8, $20-$83 Dec. 9. 792-2000.

12. "The Nutcracker," at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16 and 4 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17, Leeward Community Theatre. A Hawaii Ballet Theatre production, directed by Charlys Ing. 456-8100.

13. Keiki Holiday Parade and Workshop, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 9, at Macy's Ala Moana. For youngsters 5-10, who will participate in a parade complete with holiday hats and helium balloons and trek through the shopping center. Other activities: arts and crafts, face painting and a dress rehearsal for the parade. A benefit for the Hawai'i Children's Discovery Center. Register by today. 524-5437.

14. Holiday Lights Trolley, a tour of the downtown Honolulu City Lights attraction, will be held from 6:30 p.m. (last trolley leaves at 9) Dec. 9-24, beginning and ending at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Admission is free when $20 (per ticket) or more is spent at a Marketplace restaurant or merchant; receipts during the tour period can be brought to the Guest Services Kiosk near Chai's Island Bistro.

15. Hawai'i Yacht Club Christmas boat parade, 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, Honolulu Harbor. Watch from Aloha Tower Marketplace, where Manoa DNA performs at the Pier 9 stage, and Santa prevails at the Center Atrium. Free. Bring nonperishable food donations for the Harbor House food drive and receive free 3-D Christmas glasses.

16. "Sleigh Daze (A Sleigh for All Seasons)," a Sounds of Aloha Chorus program of barbershop harmonies, will be staged at 7:36 pm. Dec. 9 and 4:06 p.m. Dec. 10 at Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College. Featuring the Tropichords, Pacific Trades, Sugar Cane Express and The Honolulu Boy Choir. $20. 262-7664.

17. Ho'okena Christmas concert, with guest star Keali'i Reichel, 7 p.m. Dec. 10, Hibiscus Room, Ala Moana Hotel. Cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. Featuring Ho'okena members Manu Boyd, Horace K. Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka and Glen H.K. Smith; hula by Nani Dudoit. The Kamehameha Schools' Sinfonietta will provide dinner music. $65 for adults, $32.50 for children 4-11. 955-4811.

18. "A Merry Christmas with Nabors and Friends," 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17, Hawai'i Theatre. Featuring Jim Nabors, in the 10th and final edition of his holiday revue, with Jimmy Borges, Philip Huber & the Huber Marionettes, Karen Keawehawai'i, Emma Veary and other guests. With the Hawai'i Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Matt Catingub. $25, $45, $55, $75; discounts for seniors, students, military and Hawai'i Theatre members. 528-0506.

19. "The Nutcracker," at 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17, Blaisdell Concert Hall. A Ballet Hawaii presentation, featuring an international cast including Joan Boada from the San Francisco Ballet, Stella Abrera and Sascha Radefsky from the American Ballet Theatre, and a large corps de ballet of local dancers. Directed by Pamela Taylor-Tongg, with live accompaniment by the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. $25-$65. (877) 750-4400. VIP opening-night packages available at 521-8600.

20. "The Nutcracker," at 7 p.m. Dec. 8; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 9; 2:30 and 6 p.m. Dec. 10; 7 p.m. Dec. 15; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Mamiya Theatre, Saint Louis School. A Hawai'i State Ballet production, directed by John Landovsky. 947-2755, 783-2747.

21. "A Cazimero Christmas," with The Brothers Cazimero, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21-23, Hawai'i Theatre. Robert and Roland Cazimero relaunch their holiday spectacle, with hula soloist Leina'ala Kalama Heine, the Royal Dance Company, Halau Na Kamalei, the Honolulu Boy Choir, and Miss and Master Keiki Hula from the Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Festival. $28, $38, $48 and $73; discounts for seniors, students, military and theater members. 528-0506.

22. Raiatea Helm and Frank DeLima team up for a holiday show at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at C'est Si Bon Ballroom at the Pagoda hotel. She's the "Sweet and Lovely" singer, he's the Portuguese prince of comedy. Doors open at 6 p.m.; a buffet dinner will be served. $45 adults, $20 children 5-10. 948-8370.

23. "Breakfast With Santa," with breakfast seating from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and lunch seating from noon2 p.m. Dec. 16-17 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i's Manoa Ballroom, is tailor-made for kids. Costumed characters such as Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Barney, Dalmatian, Taz, Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester join Santa, with magic by Mike Wong, clowns, face-painting, games and crafts. $20, includes meal and photo with Santa; free for keiki 2 and younger. A benefit for Prevent Child Abuse. 440-4613.

24. Willie K, who practically owns the performing rights to "O Holy Night," brings his "Willie Kalikimaka's Island Tour," named after his earlier Christmas CD, to Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College at 7 p.m. Dec. 17. $30 ($5 discount for seniors, military, children). 235-7310. Also: at 8 p.m. Dec. 15 at Kahilu Theatre in Kamuela ($20, $28, $38; 885-6868); and at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Kaua'i Community College ($25, $30, $35; 870-5766).

25. "Peace on Earth" Christmas concert, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Kapi'olani Park bandstand. Featuring the Keiki Palaka Band, a youth 'ukulele ensemble directed by Mel Murata, from Enchanted Lake; plus the Thursday Night Band led by Stanton K. Haugen, slack-key guitarist George Kuo, country singer Don "Geezer" Humphrey, Hawaiian singer Noelani Kanoho Mahoe, pianist Ron Miyashiro, bassist Frank Uehara and the singing-hula duo of Keith and Carmen Haugen. Free.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.