Just a nibble of the banquet that is on the seasonal table

There are so many holiday programs happening this month that on any given afternoon or evening a person could go outside, walk a block or two and find people putting on a show. A few highlights:

Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre, The Gingerbread Man, weekends through Dec. 20; 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Arkansas Arts Center, East Ninth and Commerce streets, Little Rock. Tickets $12.50 ($10 for AAC members). Info: arkansasartscenter.org; (501) 372-4000

The classic tale of a cookie that comes to life gets a lively retelling.

Boston Brass, “Christmas Bells Are Swinging,” 2 p.m. today, Fowler Center, Arkansas State University, 201 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro. Tickets: $10-$30. Info: (888) 278-3267, yourfowlercenter.com

Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, “The Snowman: A Family Concert,” 2 p.m. today, Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. Tickets: $8. Info: (479) 443-5600

SONA offers a matinee screening of a beloved animated special, with live accompaniment.

Red Octopus Theater, Pagans on Bobsleds XXIV: One More Splash!, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, The Public Theatre, 616 Center St., Little Rock. Tickets $10, $8 for senior citizens. Info: (501) 291-3896 or redoctopustheater.com

The legacy of Red Octopus’ late head writer Sandy Baskin is honored with a compendium of her favorite holiday sketches, intended for mature audiences.

Arkansas Chamber Singers, “The Peace of Christmas,” 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Dec. 13, Old State House Museum, 300 W. Markham St., Little Rock. Free. Info: (501) 377-1121

Ballet Arkansas, The Nutcracker, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Maumelle Performing Arts Center, 100 Victory Lane, Maumelle. Tickets: $20-$52. Info: (501) 223-5150, balletarkansas.org

One of the longest running annual performances of the Tchaikovsky favorite.

Western Arkansas Ballet, The Nutcracker, 7: 30 p. m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13, ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 S. Seventh St., Fort Smith. Tickets: $25, $15 students and children. Info: (479) 785-0152, waballet.org

One of the state’s best dance schools presents the ballet for the 30th year.

“Gaither Christmas Homecoming 2015,” Verizon Arena, North Little Rock. 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets $29, $37 and $74. Info: ticketmaster.com or (501) 975-9000

Gospel artist Bill Gaither and his group present an evening of humor, music and faith.

Jim Brickman, “Comfort & Joy,” 4 p.m. Dec. 13, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville. Tickets $20-$50, Info: (479) 443-5600, waltonartscenter.org

The pianist brings his holiday show back to Northwest Arkansas.

Home Free, “Home Free for the Holidays,” 7 p.m. Dec. 15, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville. Tickets $20-$ 40. Info: ( 479) 443-5600, waltonartscenter.org

Home Free won NBC’s a cappella contest The Sing-Off.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Verizon Arena, North Little Rock. Tickets $59-$241. Info: ticketmaster.com or (501) 975-9000

The latest holiday progressive-rock opera from TSO is about a runaway taking shelter in a haunted vaudeville house.

Christmas Celebrity Karaoke, 7 p.m. Dec. 18, Verizon Arena, North Little Rock. Tickets: $20, $40. Info: ticketmaster.com or (501) 975-9000

This sing-along benefits Youth Home.

Neil Berg’s Broadway Holiday, 8 p.m. Dec. 18, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Dec. 20. Maumelle Performing Arts Center. Tickets $30-$55. Info: ticketmaster.com or (501) 9759000

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, “Holiday Pops,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19, 3 p.m. Dec. 20. Connor Performing Arts Center, Pulaski Academy, 12701 Hinson Road, Little Rock. Tickets $19-$58. Info: (501) 666-1761, arkansassymphony. org

One of the last of the big annual local Christmas programs is also one of the most popular.

Justin Moore and the Ned Perme Band, “Christmastime in Arkansas,” featuring Justin Moore and the Ned Perme Band, 7 p. m. Dec. 19, Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs. Tickets: $25. Info: (800) 7453000 or ticketmaster.com

Arkansas- born country singer Justin Moore and KATV, Channel 7, meteorologist Ned Perme perform at this benefit for Arkansas Rice Depot.

Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, 7 p.m. Dec. 21, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 22, 10 a.m, 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 23, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville. Tickets $20-$50. Info: (479) 443-5600, waltonartscenter.org

The animated special expands into a stage show with the well-known songs and characters.