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By Kate Daly
Special to The Almanac
Locals are in luck with so many popular holiday happenings back on the calendar this year.
Holidays with the Friends, a free family event, will take place again at Folger Stable in Wunderlich Park in Woodside on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks is hosting the party with ponies, a petting zoo, a Woodside Vaulters demonstration, ornament making, cookie decorating, choral music, refreshments, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Last year more than 600 people attended. On-site parking is very limited, so guests are asked to go to nearby Woodside School at 3195 Woodside Road and take the free shuttle bus.
Starting on Dec. 8, with shows at 1 and 4 p.m., more than 85 members of Dancers Repertory Theatre will perform “Twas the Night Before Christmas” at Woodside Performing Arts Center at Woodside High School, 199 Churchill Ave.
Based on Clement C. Moore’s Christmas poem, the dance and theatrical production will repeat with shows on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 1 and 4 p.m.
Tickets are $24. Go to twasthenight.org to book seats.
This is Coleen Duncan’s 15th year as artistic director. She’s a fan of glittering costumes and mainly works with children, but many adults participate in this annual tradition as well.
Once again, the Menlo Park-based professional ballet company Menlowe Ballet has brought in students from Menlo Park Academy of Dance to perform in the annual production of “It’s a Wonderful Nutcracker.”
The two-hour show at Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, at M-A High, 555 Middlefield Road in Atherton, combines the classic Nutcracker story with Frank Capra’s film from the 1940s, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” As a result, Tchaikovsky and ballet go hand-in-hand with Duke Ellington and ballroom dancing.
There will be seven full performances starting on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., Dec. 14 at 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m., Dec. 21 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m.
On Dec. 15 at 11:30 a.m., audience members with special needs are invited to attend a 50-minute sensory-sensitive version of the show. On Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. the program will be shortened to 65 minutes to appeal to families with children ages 5 and under.
Tickets range from $25 to $62. To order them go to menloweballet.org.
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Santa will greet visitors at the Woodside Fire Protection District’s open houses at all three stations.
There will be free photo opportunities with Santa and refreshments served at Station 7, 3111 Woodside Road in Woodside; Station 8, 135 Portola Road in Portola Valley; and Station 19, 4091 Jefferson Ave. in Redwood City.
The firefighters have championed a holiday toy drive for years. Collection bins are set outside of each station. Families are encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys for needy children on the Peninsula.
On Friday, Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Village Hub Holiday Party and Gift Faire will feature 15 local designers and makers selling clothing, jewelry, wooden furniture, paintings, cards and honey, plus a selection of wares made by younger members of the community.
The event, at 3154 Woodside Road in Woodside, includes live music, cookie decorating, lunch by reservation, and a bouncy house.
Photos with Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will benefit the Young Dreamer Network.
For more information go to thevillagehub.org.
