Winter may not bring snow to San Francisco, but our city will still swirl with no fewer than five holiday productions of The Nutcracker.

Never fear the avalanche of options; we’ve cracked this nut for you.

San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker
The spin: The dazzler earned its local stripes long ago with epic sets, never-ending costume changes, and a familiar 1915 San Francisco setting — not to mention the dramatic snowstorm in the first act.
Best for: Ages 5+.
Save the date: Opens Fri.
Take your seat: War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., at McAllister St. (415-865-2000). Tickets online at sfballet.org. Adults and children, $22-$275.

City Ballet School’s The Nutcracker
The spin: More informal (and affordable) than the Opera House, the classic two-hour production showcases up-and-coming City Ballet students.
Best for: Ages 3+.
Save the date: Opens Sat.
Take your seat: Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St., at Bay St. (415-563-6504). Tickets at 415-392-4400 or online at cityboxoffice.com. Adults and children, $20-$35.

World Dance Fusion’s The Jewish Nutcracker, a Maccabee Celebration
The spin: A new one entirely, with Clara transformed into Miriam and her dream into a retelling of the story of Hanukkah. Hour-long matinees promise to hold them rapt with a mix of flamenco, Chinese dance, and capoeira.
Best for: Ages 3+.
Save the date: Opens Dec. 15.
Take your seat: ODC Dance Theater, 351 Shotwell St., b/t 17th & 18th Sts. Tickets at 415-863-9834 or online at odcdance.org. Adults, $25; students/seniors, $20; kids, $15.

The Dance-Along Nutcracker: Clara’s Magical Mystery Tour
The spin: A 95-minute romp loosely based on the classic, with the audience on its feet for dance numbers. Think tie-dye, Motown, and a fairy booth for accessorizing your getup.
Best for: Ants-in-their-pantsers of all ages. (But take cotton for tiny ears; the band can get loud.)
Save the date: Opens Sun.
Take your seat: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., at 3rd St. Tickets at 415-978-2787 or online at sflgfb.townalive.com. Adults, $25; children, $16.

Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets
The spin: Designed specifically for young fans, the whimsical production full of colorful costumes and live music clocks in at a manageable 50 minutes.
Best for: Ages 3-7.
Save the date: Opens Sat.
Take your seat: Children’s Creativity Museum (formerly The Zeum), 221 4th St., b/t Howard & Folsom Sts. (415-820-3320‎). Tickets online at brownpapertickets.com. Adults and children, $20-$35.

VISIT
Home for the Holidays Open House
What: Mingle with marine mammal patients and vets, listen to a reading of The Revenge of the Sea Otter, and finish off with complimentary cider and snacks.
Why: Seal the deal.
When: Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Rd., Sausalito (415-289-7325). Free.

LISTEN
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra Presents Peter and the Wolf
What: Chita Rivera narrates the perennial classic, followed by a holiday sing-along.
Why: Sounds good.
When: Sat., 1 & 4 p.m.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., at Grove St. Tickets at 415-864-6000 or online at sfsymphony.org. Adults, $15-$57; ages 17 and under, half price.

OGLE
Reindeer Rendezvous
What: Meet live caribou in town for the holidays and learn how they tough out life near the Pole.
Why: Strengthen your Santa story.
When: Thru Jan. 16. Daily, 12:30 p.m.
Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr., in Golden Gate Park (415-379-8000). Event is free with museum admission. Adults, $30; kids 12-17, $25; kids 4-11, $20; kids 3 and under, free.

Photo: Austin Forbord / Courtesy of Rapt Productions