7 must-see shows to get you in the holiday spirit

It’s time to get in the Christmas spirit!

There are some upcoming holiday-themed concerts and plays, including A Christmas Story, Dayton Ballet’s “Nutcracker” and 98 Degrees at Christmas that can help you do just that.

Here’s a list of some of the area’s hot-ticket holiday shows.

>> Must-see concerts close to home

“TIMELESS MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS”

Nov. 1-Dec. 31: This holiday revue features Christmas carols, costumed performers and elaborate sets. La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro. 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $61-$75 adults, $30 children 11 and younger. 937-746-4554 or www.lacomedia.com.

A CHRISTMAS STORY

Dec. 12-17: Victoria Theatre Association presents the beloved holiday story in a Projects Unlimited Star Attraction Series production. Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton. 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. $30-$60. 937-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.

98 Degrees, (from left) Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, Nick Lachey and Justin Jeffre, will perform a holiday show at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati on Dec. 15. CONTRIBUTED

98 DEGREES AT CHRISTMAS

Dec. 15: 98 Degrees at Christmas: The reformed pop group with Ohio roots is currently out on a holiday tour. Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $50.50-$70.50. www.cincinnatiarts.org.

HOME FREE

Dec. 15: Home Free: The a cappella group, the winner of the fourth season of NBC's "The Sing-Off," bring A Country Christmas to Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy. 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. $25-$45. VIP packages are $120 and $220. 937-339-2911 or www.hobartarena.com.

Dayton Ballet’s holiday classic The Nutcracker is on stage from Dec. 15-23 at the Schuster Center in Dayton. CONTRIBUTED

THE NUTCRACKER

Dec. 15-23: "The Nutcracker": Dayton Ballet presents this holiday favorite. Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton. Times vary. $17-$72. 937-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Dec. 17: "Handel's Messiah": The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra presents this holiday show with Dayton Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Westminster Presbyterian, 125 N. Wilkinson St., Dayton. 6:30 p.m. $31 adults, $29 educators, military and seniors 60 and older, and $14 students. 937-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.

Jennifer Nettles will perform in a holiday concert on Dec. 19 at Taft Theatre in Cincinnati. (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for IEBA)

CHRISTMAS WITH JENNIFER NETTLES