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Hark! The herald angels sing and following suit are many talented troubadours right here on earth. Don't miss these local songsters making a joyful noise this Christmas.

A cappella supergroup A Company of Voices presents its holiday repertoire during Winter Song on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at Morris Graves Museum of Art ($10). Holiday work party that night? Catch an encore performance on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship ($10).

Xmas at the SPACE is another opportunity to fill your holiday music stocking. Get warm with the Hot Toddies (Claire Bent, Fiona Gadd-Ryder and Amy Chalfant), an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio ringing in the season with tunes from the 1940s on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at HLOC's Space ($10). Joining the gals are Melissa Hinz and the Tapping Toes, guitarist James Gadd and singers Tristin Roberts and Ty Visenor. Space is limited at the SPACE so come early or reserve your spot by calling 822-3319.

The McKinleyville Community Choir Winter Concert on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at Arcata Playhouse (free, donations) promises a fun evening in an intimate setting where you and yours will be serenaded by a full choir, an ensemble group, solos and duets with accompanying instruments and a cappella songs. Plus, there's an audience sing-along and refreshments to keep the holiday spirit meter on full tilt.

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No sound embodies Christmas more than brass instruments playing traditional carols. Treat yourself to trumpets heralding in the season with Christmas Brass Bands (saxophone quartet and a brass ensemble) strolling Ferndale Main Street, Saturdays, Dec. 10 and 17 from 2-4 p.m. (free). Music to your ears.

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Kids can create delicious and fun holiday decorations at Holiday Castles and Graham Cracker Houses on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Arcata Community Center from 10:30 a.m. to noon for ages 4-6 and 1 to 2:30 p.m. for ages 7-10 ($15/$20 non Arcata residents). Meanwhile, parents browse the Holiday Craft Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (free). Sweet deal.

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What happens when ocean lovers get swanky? They throw a holiday party and year in review, call it Black & White Ocean Night and invite the public to party with them. Join Surfrider Humboldt, Northcoast Environmental Center and Humboldt Baykeeper on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Arcata Theatre Lounge for black and white surf flicks, food, drinks and merriment ($3 donation).

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Holiday time is the Season of Light. As the days grow darker, we turn to the comfort and tradition of Christmas lights, menorahs, yule logs and other symbolic sources to keep peace, love and hope alive in our hearts. Towns throughout Humboldt have their own special ways of making things merry and bright. Catch some sparkle this weekend at these family favorites.

Behold the warm, happy glow of the Al Gray Electric Lighted Parade on Friday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Redwood Village Shopping Center (free). Watch the trucks, tractors, ATVs and other vehicles swathed with lights head from the shopping center to downtown amid the festivities of Fortuna Downtown's Winter Wonderland Open House, happening from 5 to 8 p.m. (free). There you'll find Christmas carolers, refreshments and lots of old-fashioned holiday cheer.

Happy truckers honking out monotone renditions of "Jingle Bells" is one Humboldt County holiday tradition not to be missed. Grab your cocoa or your eggnog latte, bundle up and secure your spot on the curb for the annual KEKA Christmas Truckers Parade on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m., starting at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds (free). The convoy of huge trucks decked out in colorful and creative lights, many with waving and dancing holiday characters, heads down Harris Street to I Street, the to Seventh Street and down Myrtle Avenue. Rain or clear, naughty or nice. Cue the "oohs" and "ahhs."

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'Twas the month of December and all through the counties, dance troupes were rehearsing their Claras and mousies. I'll stop right there. In dance circles, December means one thing: Nutcracker time! There are a few festive versions of the classic ballet coming to magical life this month and we're shining our spotlight on one this week as well as on a special holiday adaptation of the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, featuring (wait for it) a dancing pumpkin spice latte.

First on the bill is North Coast Dance's The Nutcracker returning to the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. ($25, $12). This ballet has everything: Dancing candy, magical fairies, pompous rats, Tchaikovsky.

Next is Trillium Dance School's annual winter production, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Eureka High School Auditorium ($12-$15 reserved, $10-$13 general). This original holiday ballet has soloists and small group pieces featuring dancing ornaments, pirates, elves, a sassy gingerbread cookie, peppermints, lemon drops, hot cocoa and more. I'm putting on the holiday pounds just reading the cast list.