The roots of theater can be traced back to the religious pageant—morality plays which instructed while they entertained and filled audiences with a sense of higher order and meaning. Stages and streets across the county and beyond get the tinsel treatment this holiday season as companies, cities and churches trot out their seasonal theater. Many of these plays, pageants and “living histories” have become a tradition in themselves over the years, while others are so original and untraditional that they’re bound to become a tradition.

LA PASTORELA (NOV. 25-DEC. 18)

The Shepherds Plays, or “Pastorelas,” originated in medieval Europe as religious dramas and were later brought to the New World and old Alta California by the Spanish missionaries. Luis Valdez and El Teatro Campesino revitalized and transformed the plays into a modern folk opera which has become a tradition at Mission San Juan Bautista. This year’s production of the highly original, bilingual, puppet-and-actor pageant is extra special as it’s directed by Kinan Valdez, and stars his father as the charming, irreverent and diabolical Luzbel. (623-2444 or www.elteatrocampesino.com.)

FOUR TICKETS TO CHRISTMAS (DEC. 1-4)

The First Presbyterian Church of Monterey presents this holiday musical, which takes place in 1905 near Cedar Grove, Ohio, on the Richmond family farm. As several generations of the singing Richmond family rehearse a church Christmas program in the family’s barn, we discover that the hired hand Luke has special gifts, grandson Nick and grandfather Chester Richmond share a secret, and daughter Emma is out of her element since there’s “dirt on a farm.” Despite a giggly piano player and local “talent,” the show does go on. (373-2711 or www.fpcmonterey.org.)

MIXED NUTZ! (DEC. 2-4)

The Nutcracker REMixed is traditional theater done untraditionally at Watsonville’s Mello Center. Directed by California’s circus and dance maestro, Tandy Beal, Mixed Nutz! features Tchaikovsky’s glorious music sung a cappella by the virtuoso vocal group SoVoSó. Live onstage with Beal’s cast of dancers and circus artists, SoVoSó provides the ethereal soundtrack to Beal’s multicolored vision, all tied up with a bright red bow of surreal fun. Comedy, juggling, aerialists, rhythmic gymnastics, contortionists, and comic high speed acrobatics are quickly making this production into a much anticipated local tradition. (763-4047 or www.mellocenter.org.)

THE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION (DEC. 2-18)

“Good King Wenceslaus looked out, on the feast of Stephen.” Most people know the Christmas carol about the good king who took food and firewood to a poor peasant during the winter holidays, but they may not know the story behind the song, the story of a Bohemian duke plagued by political intrigue, family feuding and murder. As part of The Staff Players’ annual Christmas Celebration, Taelen Thomas will offer “Good King Wenceslaus” and readings of Dylan Thomas’ classic A Child’s Christmas in Wales. In addition, Marcia Gambrell Hovick will present “The Last Birthday” with readings from The Townley Plays, a series of medieval Biblical plays by an anonymous author (or authors), first published in 1460. (624-1531 or www.cetstaffplayers.org.)

STREETS OF BETHLEHEM (DEC. 7-11)

The production of this five-day Christmas experience in Salinas takes a full year to plan and implement. Billed as a “living history interactive experience” it features tons of scenery; nearly 300 costumed citizens, musicians, beggars and kings; plus live wild animals. It’s the Christmas story brought to life in Salinas and the scope of this theatrical production is absolutely awesome. (422-9872 or www.1stbaptist.net/streets/home.html.)

CHRISTMAS BENT (DEC. 11)

Unicorn’s Traveling Theatre presents a collection of untraditional holiday writings by such authors as Dorothy Parker, H.L. Mencken and Loudon Wainwright, along with old friends Lincoln Jeffers and Mark Twain. The readings are staged at the Pacific Grove Art Center and benefit the same. (649-0259 or www.unicorntheatreinc.org.)

DANCE KIDS’ THE NUTCRACKER (DEC. 8-18)

Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Ballet has become the definitive December holiday tradition and Dance Kids of Monterey County has become the premiere local production. From the Christmas party where young Clara receives a nutcracker as a gift to the Nutcracker Prince’s epic battle with the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom of Sweets, Dance Kids’ opulent, award-winning  production is not to be missed. (373-7300 or www.dancekids.org.)

LA POSADA (DEC. 10)

The Posada was originally created by the Spanish missionaries in Mexico to represent a spiritual journey of hope and light. Brought to California by Spanish and Mexican settlers, it recreates the search by Mary and Joseph for lodgings on the eve of the Christ Child’s birth. Seaside presents its own version, a theatrical procession which will wind its way through town to the Oldemeyer Center. (899-6805.)

THE CHRISTMAS BALLET (DEC. 19-30)

The Bay Area’s hottest new holiday tradition comes to the Sunset Center in Carmel at the end of the month. Michael Smuin’s postmodern take on the Christmas ballet includes holiday music that runs the gamut from Bach, Mozart and Handel to Eartha Kitt, Elvis, The Chieftains and more. (620-2048 or www.sunsetcenter.org.)