Calendar

If you've got out-of-town guests staying at your house, there will come a time in their visit when you will need to suggest, gently, "Why don't you get the hell out of here and go do something?" Here are holiday events to keep them out of your hair.

The IMAX Nutcracker at Cinemark IMAX Theatre. Filmed in breathtaking IMAX 3D, this non-ballet adaptation set in present-day London, with more than 150 performers and costumes and nine complex sets, is one of the most impressive undertakings ever done in a live-action large-format film. Opens November 9. The IMAX Theatre is located at 11891 Webb Chapel Rd. Call 972-888-2629 for more info. Advance tickets at www.cinemark.com.

Harold Kraus opening at the Southwest Gallery. If art gets your guests going, Kraus is a fabulous impressionistic painter, and he'll be showing 25 new paintings at one of the most respected galleries in the Metroplex. Kraus will also be present at the reception on November 24, from 5-8 p.m., at 4500 Sigma Rd. Call 972-960-8935 for more info.

The Nutcracker presented by the Dallas Children's Theater. This year, the holiday classic will be interpreted by the Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts. This nationally celebrated troupe will use two styles of puppetry -- shadow puppetry and Black Theatre rod puppets -- to produce a wonderful treat for kids of all ages. From November 30 through December 22 at The Crescent Theater, 2215 Cedar Springs, 214-978-0110. $15 for adults and $13 for kids.

The Nutcracker presented by the City Dance Theatre. If puppets aren't your guests' thing, send them to the human version at the Garland Performing Arts Center. November 30 through December 2. Call 972-205-2780 for exact dates and tickets.

The Turtle Creek Chorale Holiday Show at the Meyerson Symphony Center. The first half of the show will feature the citizens of Turtletown, Texas, holding auditions for their greatest Christmas pageant ever; the second half features the Chorale singing beautiful music, accompanied by the North Texas Harp Ensemble and the Meyerson's world-renowned organ. December 2-16. Call 214-526-3214 for exact dates and ticket info.

"Holiday Open House & Awards Ceremony" at the Irving Arts Center. This year's free event is themed "Mexican Holiday Traditions." Twenty-two trees will be creatively decorated by PTAs from Irving schools, and local media celebrities will award cash prizes on December 14. There's always something going on at the Irving Arts Center. 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Ste. 300, Irving, 972-252-7558. Or see www.ci.irving.tx.us/arts.