As visiting family and friends arrive, locals are ever in need of new San Diego entertainment ideas throughout the holiday season.

With the great Civic and Spreckels theaters downtown and such gems as the Cygnet and the Diversionary theaters sprinkled around town, the month of December invites locals and visitors to embrace the colorful San Diego performing arts scene.

From the traditional Nutcracker to the lovable Grinch and the outrageous Scrooge in Rough show, discover the top ten San Diego plays and performances for the holiday season.

The Color Purple
This award winning Broadway production makes its first U.S. tour appearance at the Civic Theater in San Diego this December for a quick week run: December 2 - 7. BroadwaySD.com

Nutcracker by City Ballet
If you want to see the best Nutcracker Ballet in town, check out this winner of the Tommy Dance Award for "Best Nutcracker" in San Diego, playing at the Spreckels Theatre December 5 - 14. Spreckels.net

SUSHI Performing Arts

SUSHI just got a new East Village home for the holidays. Check out the new season of varied artistic installations, including the bold fashion adventure The New Barbarian Collection, on December 6. Also, check out Beyond Theory, an exhibition staged by Siberian-based artists, running November 22 - December 20. SushiArt.org

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Watch this Suess holiday classic come to life at The Old Globe in Balboa Park, running November 15 - December 28. Be sure to take a walk through Whoville outside the theater. The Old Globe also presents the Grinch Family Experience special on Sunday, December 7 at 11am. TheOldGlobe.org (main photo)

Scrooge in Rouge
Yes, you guessed it: a Christmas show in drag. Come watch Christmas come to life in a whole new light. The West Coast premiere of this British Music Hall Christmas Carol is running November 20 - December 21 at the Diversionary Theatre. Diversionary.org

It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play
Back again for another year, this unique presentation will bring a smile to even the moodiest Scrooge. Presented by Cygnet Theatre, a young but prominent part of independent theater culture in San Diego, this live radio play runs November 20 - December 28. The Cygnet also presents A Christmas Carol at The Old Town Theatre November 28 - December 28. CyngnetTheatre.com

The Princess and the Black Eyed Pea
A world premiere of this promising new show runs November 23 - December 21 at the San Diego Repertory Theatre. This culturally revamped version of the classic fable by Hans Christian Anderson is presented as a soul-filled musical. SDRrep.org

An American Christmas
This interactive experience is a holiday celebration unlike any other. Travel back to 1908 in sight, sound, and taste with the Lambs Players at Hotel Del Coronado, running December 14 - 28. Be a guest of the Marshall family for 5 courses of tradition, music, and love, with a holiday twist. Lambs Players also presents Angel's Arms and Boomers in December. LambsPlayers.org

Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings
Your favorite Plaid players are making a Christmas appearance at the Welk. Hear all your holiday favorites in four-part harmony from November 13 - December 28. WelkTheatreSanDiego.com

Holiday Pops: A Winter Pops Concert
This season Copley Symphony Hall transforms into a musical wonderland with a symphony of sound that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit, running throughout December. SanDiegoSymphony.com