Priority list includes new holiday offerings from Dance Kaleidoscope, at Fairgrounds

Note: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, I've included events through Dec. 3.

Indiana Chinese Lantern Festival

The Fairgrounds gets into the holiday light attraction game with this unique event. The illuminating works of artists from Zigong, China, are featured at this first-ever event featuring 33 handmade lantern displays—including a 100-foot-long dragon. Performances and handcraft demonstrations are also featured, along with pay-as-you-go Chinese food and Fair-familiar offerings. Through Jan. 7 Indiana State Fairgrounds Details   

“A World of Christmas”

Dance Kaleidoscope offers a new spin–and leaps—on the holidays. The first act is an ethereal piece set to the music of Benjamin Britten. The second incorporates music and styles from around the globe. Nov. 30-Dec. 10  Indiana Repertory Theatre Upperstage  Details

Damien Escobar

Escobar, the youngest student to enter The Juilliard School, went from earning money playing violin in the New York subways to a high-profile spot on “America’s Got Talent” in the duo “Nuttin’ But Stringz.” Now working without his partner/brother, he still specializes in string versions of R&B and hip-hop tunes.Dec. 1  The Palladium Details

“A Christmas Story”

The story that put Indiana on the holiday map made the inevitable transition to stage musical in 2009. But it’s taken until now for the tour to get to its spiritual home state. When it was written, its lyricists/composers were barely known. Now, thanks to their work on “Dear Evan Hansen” and “La La Land,” Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are the biggest names involved in the show. Nov. 28-Dec. 3  Murat Theatre  Details

“The North Wing”

Defiance Comedy, the gang that has staged a string of IndyFringe Festival hits, as well as serialized sketch shows, takes on the holidays via Aaron Sorkin. Expect irreverent, recommended-for-adults-only laughs. Dec. 1-16  IndyFringe  Details

Also

The Stutz Building hosts its Artists Holiday Open House Dec. 1.

Sandi Patty returns as hostess and newcomer Kyle Van Newkirk from NBC’s “World of Dance” is a guest performer for this year’s Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra “Yuletide Celebration” Dec. 1-23 at Hilbert Circle Theatre

“Front Page Flo,” a new musical concerning a reporter tracking a Soviet spy in post-World War II New York, gets a staging Dec. 1-16courtesy of Bloomington Playwrights Project, Bloomington

Actors Theatre of Indiana revives its charming “A Year with Frog and Toad” for four performances Nov. 25-26.