You can enter the magical world of childlike imagination at the First Coast Nutcracker. Shows begin on Friday and run through Sunday at the Times Union Center. For tickets and show times, call 904-354-5547 or log onto www.jaxsymphony.org.

A Very Merry Christmas

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company will present a Very Merry Christmas beginning Friday. It is an evening of songs, dance, and poetry. The musical show, which will feature holiday music of Motown, will be held at the Stage Aurora Performance Hall located at Norwood Avenue. The show will run through Sunday. Ticket prices are $15 in advance for all shows. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketleap.com or by calling the box office at 904-765-7372.

Drive thru Nativity

This is the last weekend to visit the Drive-thru Nativity in Lake City. It will be held at 314 Southwest Ziegler Terrace in Lake City. This event is free and begins at 6 p.m. each night. It will conclude on Sunday. For more information and directions, call 386-935-9375.

Willow Creek and Adrian Ray Bands

You can see the Willow Creek and Adrian Ray Bands in concert this weekend at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Willow Creek band will take the stage on Friday in the music hall. Adrian Ray Bands will perform on Saturday. For tickets, go to www.musicliveshere.com.

Saturday:

Fall Commencement Ceremony

Jacksonville University will host its largest fall commencement ceremony on Saturday. It will be held on the Science Green. The speaker will be Ronald A. Autrey, a 2001 JU Graduate and current board of trustee chair. Commencement begins at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be broadcasted online at www.ju.edu.

Kids Christmas Party

Jacksonville Beach kids can enjoy a Christmas Party on Saturday. It will be held at Turner Ace Hardware beginning at 11 a.m. There will be free hot dogs, drinks, crafts and games. You can also have your picture taken with Mr. And Mrs. Santa for free. There will also be a free bicycle raffle every hour. This party is sponsored by the Jacksonville Beach police Department.

The Nutcracker

The St. Augustine Ballet will present the Nutcracker beginning Saturday. This year’s cast includes dancers ranging from age 5 to 70 years old. Saturday’s shows will be held at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s show will be held at 2 p.m. The show will be held at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College.  Tickets can be purchased at www.staugustineballet.com or Abella’s School of Dance.

 Christmas in Old St. Augustine

Florida Living History will present its second annual Christmas in Old St. Augustine on Saturday. It will include live historian in period clothing, a Christmas Procession, and a Spanish Christmas Play. It will begin at 6 p.m. at the Mission Nombre de dios.

Big Orange Chorus

The Big Orange Chorus will host its annual Christmas show on Saturday. The chorus is Jacksonville’s men’s barbershop and a cappella chorus. The concert will be held at the Florida Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $25 for adults, $15 for kids. To purchase tickets, call 904-233-5245 or go online to www.bigorangechorus.com.

Cat Adoption Event

Are you looking for a cat this holiday season? There will be a cat adoption event at the Regency PetSmart on Monument Road on Saturday. It will begin at 11 a.m. and last until 4 p.m. It is sponsored by the Friends of Jacksonville Animals.