Every family has favorite things to do in the holiday season. But whether your family likes to sit at home and watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” or dresses up to see a performance of “The Nutcracker” every year, here are a few offerings that might not be on your radar but might become a seasonal favorite.

The reason for the season

The Earth is tilted on its axis 23 1/2 degrees, which causes our seasonal shifts. Stars play a big role in seasonal decorations and folklore. Why not learn more about the Earth, other planets, and the stars at the Southworth Planetarium, located on the University of Southern Maine campus as part of your Yuletide celebrations? The Southworth has public shows for different age groups every day of the week except Wednesday and Thursday, and prices range from $5-$6.50 depending on the time you go and your age.

Dancing day

The Nutcracker is being performed by several organizations this year, including the Portland Ballet (performing the Victorian Nutcracker), the Maine State Ballet (filled with Mid-coast students), and for those who’d like something a little less “Maine”, how about watching the Bolshoi do it live on the big screen at Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta?

Lincoln Theater: Sunday December 21, 1 p.m., $25 adults, $5 youth

Portland Ballet: Wednesday December 17 at 7:30 p.m., Merrill Auditorium, and December 13 and 14, Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 2 p.m. 471 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook. Tickets for the Merrill performance range from $20-$55, and tickets for the Westbrook performances range from $32-38.

Maine State Ballet: Saturday November 29 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday November 30 at 2 p.m., Friday December 5 at 7 p.m., Saturday December 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday December 7 at 2 p.m. The performances take place at Merrill Auditorium. Costs range from $20- 60.

This wonderful life

For a changeup, why not watch an adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” live? Clarence the Angel, Mary, Old Man Potter, and 20 more of Bedford Falls’ citizens guide George Bailey’s journey to discover that the actions of one person really can make a difference in the world. Theater at Monmouth will be running this annual show from November 7 through December 7. Tickets are $25, except on Thanksgiving night, when they’re $10.

Christmas around the world at CCAC

Got a yen for holiday travel but not the budget for it? Try some of the Christmas shows at the Chocolate Church between now and Christmas. On Saturday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m., take a musical trip to Nashville with Sonny Perry and the Nashville North Band, $12 in advance and $15 at the door. On December 5 at 7:30 p.m, see Còig (Gaelic for 5) as they perform Irish holiday music and Cape Breton traditional songs. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. On December 13 at 7:30 p.m., wish your friends Buon Natale with Newpoli, an Italian Christmas, a group specializing in southern Italian folk music. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. And then you can come home and sing Christmas carols with friends on December 22, when the annual “Sing, it’s Christmas” happens at 7 p.m. Best of all, “Sing, it’s Christmas” is totally free. And speaking of Christmas Carols …

A Christmas Carol

If you’re feeling a bit Dickensian, try “A Christmas Carol” by the Portland Stage Company, which is running from November 28 through December 24. Tickets are in the $32 price range. A Christmas Carol is running for one weekend only at the Public Theater in Lewiston, too, December 12-14, and tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for kids under 18. For $10, you can see “A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol” at the Chocolate Church, December 18- 20 at 7 p.m. and December 21 at 2 p.m.

Christmas is all about traditions, and these are some of the best. Enjoy the holiday season!

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