In Orlando this weekend: Early bird Christmas concerts and shows

Central Florida arts organizations are ready to celebrate Christmas before you can even finish off the leftover Thanksgiving turkey. It’s become traditional for the holiday arts season to begin as soon as the pumpkin pie is polished off, and this year is no exception. Here’s a chronological look at a half dozen holiday events this weekend in Orlando and beyond.

‘Moonshine & Mistletoe’: Nov. 24 brings the country musical “Moonshine & Mistletoe” to the Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden. D.J. Salisbury’s original story tells of an Appalachian family struggling during the Great Depression of the 1930s. When a prodigal son returns home, old wounds are opened, but the family finds that the music and magic of the holidays might be just what it needs to heal.

Produced by Victory Productions and Jessica Huckabey Theatricals, the show is making its world premiere. It runs through Dec. 23. For more information, go to gardentheatre.org.

‘White Christmas’: Chase Williams and Nate Elliott play the smooth-talking World War II veterans who charm sisters played by Jandrea Novak and Samantha O’Donnell in this theatrical adaptation of the beloved movie. The heart of the show is the music of Irving Berlin, including of course the famous title song.

Mayme Paul will direct the production, which opens Nov. 25 at the Athens Theatre, 124 N. Florida Ave. in DeLand. The production continues through Dec. 17, with an audio-described performance Dec. 3 and an American Sign Language interpreted performance Dec. 8.

Patrons are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for children age 11 or younger or gift cards (Amazon or the like) for those ages 12-16. The donations will be distributed to children in need in conjunction with The Neighborhood Center, a DeLand charity.

For more information, go to athensdeland.com.

‘Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker’: On Nov. 25, Orlando Community Arts presents its annual production, an adaptation of the traditional “Nutcracker” ballet that jazzes things up by reflecting the dance heritage of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, India and Spain and other cultures.

For the first time, this year will see the Jones High School orchestra and jazz community band perform at the show, along with jazz saxophonist Naomi Joy Nelson. Guest artists include award-winning dancer Joe Stylezzz, who first performed in “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” in 2008. His 9-year-old daughter Elli Stylezz, already a 6-year veteran street dancer, will perform alongside him.

This year’s cast includes Sari Witherspoon as Clare, Dominiq Luckie as the Prince, Xiomi Dean Johnson as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Ava Page as Lead Sugar Plum Doll, Sa’Naa Natalia Brahimi as Snow Queen and Andre Gallon as the Mouse King.

“Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Walt Disney Theater of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. For more information, go to drphillipscenter.org.

‘Home for the Holidays’: Americana quartet Act of Congress joins the Orlando Philharmonic for a re-envisioned “Home for the Holidays” concert, with performances at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center.

Alabama-based Act of Congress has completed five tours as U.S. cultural ambassadors, led by the U.S. State Department, and performs its own arrangements of favorite Christmas carols.

Brandon Martin will narrate the concert, which also features the Opera Orlando Youth Company and violinist Annabelle Gardiner. Mauricio Céspedes Rivero conducts. For more information, go to orlandophil.org.

Messiah Choral Society’s ‘Messiah’: The community organization’s 51st performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” with its glorious “Hallelujah Chorus,” will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 26 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center. The event is free, with seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. John Sinclair conducts.

For more information, go to messiahchoralsociety.org.

‘A Voctave Christmas’: Maestro Sinclair will be back at Steinmetz Hall at 8 p.m. Nov. 26, this time conducting the Bach Festival Society choir and orchestra. Acclaimed a cappella group Voctave is the headliner for this night of holiday music, which also features the Lake Nona High School choir.

For more information, go to bachfestivalflorida.org.

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.