Best bets: From Mannheim Steamroller to classical to rockabilly, holiday sounds fill the air

Holly jolly holidays

• Mannheim Steamroller performs “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas,” featuring 15 musicians performing holiday classics accompanied by multimedia effects, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $40-$109. broadwayinchicago.com. 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20

• Duke Ellington’s Tchaikovsky-inspired “The Nutcracker Suite,” Peter Jaffe’s “Symph-Hanukkah,” Augusta Holmes’ “La Nuit et L’Amour,” Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and other holiday-themed works make up Chicago Sinfonietta’s family-friendly “Holidays of Hope” concerts, curated to include music by women, immigrants and artists of color. Kedrick Armstrong conducts. $30-$70. (312) 284-1554 or ChicagoSinfonietta.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Central Ave., Naperville, and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 E. 57th St., Chicago

• Rockabilly musician Zachary Stevenson and the vocal trio The Lovettes perform a mix of classic holiday tunes and golden oldies at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $55-$60. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19

• Daryl Nitz, Joan Curto, Judy and Bernie Rice, Marrianne Murphy Orland and Glenview’s Tom Olickal pay tribute to nonagenarian crooner Johnny Mathis during “A Johnny Mathis & Friends Christmas” concert at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $35. skokietheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21

Season of Concern fundraiser

Classic 1960s TV specials inspire “Ring-A-Ding-Swing. It’s Christmas!” a holiday show by Gary Thomas and his jazz quartet The Tom-Toms. The performance is a fundraiser for Season of Concern, an organization that provides theater artists with short-term assistance for medical or financial emergencies. linktr.ee/SeasonOfConcern. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, $30-$40, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, $15-$35

Stand-up comedy in Oak Park

Writer/comedian Laurie Kilmartin (“Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “CONAN”) headlines the Comedy Plex, 1128 Lake St., Oak Park. $25, plus a two-beverage minimum. (708) 655-7539 or comedyplex.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19

Ballet Folklórico celebrates Christmas

Ballet Folklórico de Chicago celebrates Mexico’s Christmas traditions, including a modern pastorela, or Nativity play, as part of Tradiciones de Navidad, its third annual family-friendly holiday performance. It takes place at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $10-$20. copernicuscenter.org. 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20

MCA hosts taiko concert

Asian Improv aRts Midwest (AIRMW) hosts the 22nd “Taiko Legacy” at the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. The ensemble Gintenkai will be joined by longtime collaborators Melody Takata and members of GenRyu Arts from San Francisco. Other featured artists include Yoshinojo Fujima, Ikunojo Fujima and Kioto Aoki. A musical tradition that dates back 2,000 years, taiko is known for its thunderous sound and stylized choreography. $25, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students and teachers. airmw.org/taikolegacy. 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20

“Taiko Legacy” is preceded by “Reduction 11,” a concert that includes Yoko Ono’s “Skylanding,” which is currently at the MCA. $25, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students and teachers. mcachicago.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19

Visit with The Grinch

The Grinch drops by 360 Chicago, 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, for some pre-holiday mischief. Tickets start at $35. 360chicago.com/tickets. 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, and Tuesday, Dec. 23, and 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, and Wednesday, Dec. 24