While some of us may have fabulous holiday vacation plans, most of us will undoubtedly spend our winter break in front of the television at our parents’ house. What is the best way to beat the holiday doldrums? Keep yourself entertained — there are plenty of activities in Seattle to occupy your time.

A Christmas Carol at the ACT Theatre (Nov. 28 – Dec. 27):

Revisit the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, as well as Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and of course, Ebenezer Scrooge in this classic tale of charity and making amends. In its 33rd annual production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, ACT Theatre brings these characters and many more to life. Ticket prices range from $32 to $47 and are available online.

acttheatre.org/TicketsPlays/Play.aspx?prod=1535

Candy Cane Lane in Ravenna (early December – Jan. 1):

Since the 1940s, the residents of the Ravenna neighborhood have been brightening up their homes and front yards for this winter wonderland spectacular. Drive or stroll through this frenzy of lights, figures and other decorations to truly get into the holiday spirit. The entrance is near 20th Avenue and is hard to miss. Free.

Gingerbread House (Nov. 21 – Jan. 1):

Pretend you’re Hansel and Gretel this holiday season, and get seduced into the Holiday Gingerbread Village at the City Centre, on Sixth Avenue and Union Street. Seattle architecture firms teamed up with the culinary staff at the Sheraton Seattle hotel to create the gingerbread wonderland, using 1,200 pounds of dough and 800 pounds of icing.

Donations for the Northwest chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation are accepted.

downtownseattle.com/content/visitors/eventDetail.cfm?eventID=1079

Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker (Dec. 11 - Dec. 30):

Sugar plum fairies, rat kings and snowflakes abound in the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 25th anniversary of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. Tickets for the festive ballet range from $24 to more than $100, depending on when you go and where you sit, but dress up and make a night of it for even more fun. Check out the Web site for a variety of performance times and dates.

pnb.org/season/nutcracker/

Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses (Dec. 7 - Dec. 22):

Sing along to your favorite holiday songs with the Seattle Men’s Chorus and the Seattle Women’s Chorus holiday concerts, “Fruitcake” and “Dressed in Holiday Style,” respectively. The Women’s Chorus, accompanied by the Rainbow City Band, performs in Meany Theatre Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, while the Men’s Chorus performs from Dec. 7 until Dec. 22. Tickets range from $20 to $65.

flyinghouse.org/