Super “Follies”:Touchstone’s annual holiday revue is back. “Christmas City Follies XVII,” Dec. 1-18, Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem, is described as “The Super Bowl of Lehigh Valley Christmas season.” Locals and tourists alike have come to count “Christmas City Follies” as part of their holiday tradition for an evening or afternoon of original sketch, characters, songs and more. The show ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous. Last year’s show included a quartet of lady pirates, penguins bursting into confetti, and Santa Claus singing melancholy 1990s tunes. Returning characters include Touchstone co-founder Bill George’s cantankerous The Old Guy and Mary Wright’s silent Little Red. The cast of actor-creators’ new scenes are expected to include a shout-out to Bethlehem’s 275th birthday and a Friars’ Club-style roast of Santa. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays - Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; 2 p.m. Dec. 17, and 7 p.m. Dec. 18. Tickets: touchstone.org, 610-867-1689

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“Christmas” kicks:“Broadway Christmas Wonderland,” 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, State Theatre for the Arts, Easton, features glittering costumes, a dazzling cast and the highest-kicking chorus girls this side of Radio City Music Hall. A cast of 24 singers and dancers from London, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles start the Christmas season in style with holiday favorites, including “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “Let it Snow” and many more. The show is produced by Spirit Productions and David King, who produced “Spirit of the Dance.” Spirit Productions owns The Palace Theatre, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and The King’s Castle Theatre, Branson, Mo. Tickets: State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton St., Easton; statetheatre.org, 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132

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Oh, “Carol”:For the 27th year, Civic Theatre will present “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 2 - 23, 19th Street Theatre, Allentown. The time-honored Lehigh Valley tradition is based an adaptation from the Charles Dickens’ classic by William Sanders and Sharon Glassman. The timeless and magnificent tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his redemption has allowed literally thousands of children and adults to share the magic of their fellow passengers on the road of humanity. In the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, every one.” Tickets: Civic Theatre Box Office, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown; CivicTheatre.com, 610-432-8943

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