Holiday Events: Here are the top Christmas concerts, 'Nutcracker' shows and parades

Get out your calendar, set aside the time and get tickets to see the top holiday shows and parties coming this season. Here are our editor's picks for the holidays:

CONCERTS

98 Degrees The turn-of-the-millennium boy band brings their new holiday tour pulling hits from their 1999 album This Christmas. $39.50 and up. 8 p.m. Dec. 8. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. Also playing Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Dec. 11.

Squirrel Nut Zippers The Swing revival group of the '90s presents the Christmas Caravan Tour, featuring holiday hits and their own original music. $23-$25. 7 p.m. Dec. 9. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Florida Orchestra Holiday Pops Under the direction of William Waldrop, with guest vocalist Camille Zamora, the orchestra presents a collection of yuletide favorites and a holiday sing-along. $15-$45. Dec. 15-17 at Tampa's Straz Center, St. Petersburg's Mahaffey Theater and Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Handel's Messiah The Florida Orchestra and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay will perform the famous Hallelujah chorus. $15-$50. 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Dec. 22 at Mahaffey Theater and Dec. 23 at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra The critically-acclaimed, multi-platinum band is bringing an updated presentation of "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve." $15-$45. 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Amalie Arena, Tampa.

Bowzer's Rock 'n' Roll Holiday Party Featuring Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, Garry Puckett and The Union Gap, the Original Comets, Sha Na Na Reunion with Johnny Contardo and Henry Gross, Joey Dee and Bowzer and the Stingrays. $38.75-$78.75. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

Ten Tenors Holiday The Australian vocal group re-imagines holiday favorites. $47.50-$77.50. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.

STAGE

St. Petersburg Ballet's The Nutcracker $24, $12 students/seniors. Dec. 1-3. Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live stage adaptation of the classic animated television special. $35-$100. Dec. 16 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Capitol Theatre, Clearwater.

WWE Live Holiday Tour Nothing shows the Christmas spirit like a pile driver by WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. The show coming will bring the Singh Brothers, U.S. Champion AJ Styles, SmackDown Women's Champion Natalya, SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens and many more. $20-$115. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30. Amalie Arena, Tampa.

The Family Blessing Inspired by The Nutcracker, the production follows a young boy named Michael. $19-$39. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.

A Christmas Carol Nebraska Theatre Caravan presents the longest-running production in the United States of the Dickens classic. $38.75-$78.75. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 20. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze An acrobatic cirque spectacle, Broadway musical and family show all in one. $35-$65. Dec. 20. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.

Next Generation Ballet's Nutcracker Renowned principal dancers from Miami City Ballet and New York City Ballet perform with NGB's award-winning young dancers.$30 and up. Dec. 21-23. Straz Center, Tampa.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical The classic TV favorite brought to life on stage. $35-$100. Dec. 22. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

PARADES AND FESTIVALS

There's Snow Place Like Tarpon A giant party in downtown Tarpon Springs will have carriage and hay rides, 20 tons of snow, giant inflatable characters, visits with Santa, DJ dancing, an illuminated boat parade and an obstacle course. 5 p.m. Dec. 1.

Snowfest and Santa Parade The day starts with the annual Santa Parade at Central Avenue and Fifth Street in downtown St. Petersburg. After the parade, 65 tons of snow are blown into St. Petersburg's North Straub Park. 10 a.m. Dec. 2.

Santa Fest and Santa Parade Curtis Hixon waterfront park is transformed into a winter wonderland for the holiday party with a parade that steps off at Morgan Street and Madison Street and ends at the park where the party continues with crafts, games, holiday entertainment and photos with Santa. 11 a.m. Dec. 2.

Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade and Tree Lighting 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Dunedin Marina.

Cotee River Christmas Boat Parade 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Sims Park, New Port Richey.

Alafia Lighted Boat Parade Spectators free, $25 boat entry. 5 p.m. Dec. 2, Riverview Civic Center.

Pass-a-Grille and Vina Del Mar Lighted Boat Parade 5 p.m. Dec. 2. Merry Pier, 801 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach.

St. Pete Beach and South Pasadena Boat Parade 6 p.m. Dec. 8. Horan Park, St. Pete Beach.

Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade 6 p.m. Dec. 9. Tampa Sailing Squadron, Ruskin.

Gulfport Lighted Christmas Boat Parade 6 p.m. Dec. 9. Gulfport Municipal Marina.

Hernando Beach Christmas Boat Parade 6 p.m. Dec. 9. Hernando Beach Yacht Club, Hernando Beach.

Madeira Beach "Festival of Lights Boat Parade 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9. ROC Park, Madeira Beach.

Island Estates Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Coachman Park, Clearwater.

Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade 6:20 p.m. Dec. 15. The Club at Treasure Island.

Redington Beach/Indian Shores Lighted Boat Parade 6 p.m. Dec. 17. McDonald's Restaurant, 650 150th Ave., Madeira Beach.

Tampa Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade 6 p.m. Dec. 23. Rick's on the River, Tampa.