Get ready to once again hear, see and even feel the traditions of Renton’s holiday season.

The season kicks off with Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree on Saturday, Dec. 5 and doesn’t dim until the lights are turned off on Ivar’s Clam Lights Jan. 1.

Renton will have two chances to see two different productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday classic.

This is the ninth year that the Renton-based Evergreen City Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” in Renton, with additional performances in Auburn and Bellevue.

Anna Morris and Laurel Winans, both of Renton, and Sydney Jones of Auburn are cast as the main character “Clara.” Guest artist Daniel Wilkins is Heir Drosselmeyer this year. Jared Watson is The Nutcracker Prince.

The company is also premiering new sets and costumes this year for the two-hour show.

The shows at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center are 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. Tickets are $16-$32 and can be purchased through the Evergreen City Ballet’s website, evergreencityballet.org.

The Ensemble Ballet Theatre, based in Maple Valley, will present “The Nutcracker” at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.

Tickets are $12-$24 and are available online at www.ebtballet.org or www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2411706 and by phone at 1-800-838-3006, reference event 2411706.

Ivar’s Clam Lights

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park will one again light up with Ivar’s Clam Lights, with the celebration beginning at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and the official lighting at 7 p.m. by Mayor Denis Law. The Rainier Yacht Club’s “Parade of Boats” will sail by at 7:30 p.m., with the Argosy Christmas Ship following at 8:20 p.m. The festive lights will run nightly, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., through Jan. 1 at the park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N.

Sherlock Holmes

The Renton Civic Theatre is presenting “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol” Dec. 4-19. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are available online at rentoncivictheatre.org. The theater is at 507 S. Third St.; the phone number is 425-226-5529.

Welcome Santa

Santa arrives in downtown Renton on Saturday, Dec. 5, during the annual Piazza Tree Lighting celebration from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mayor Denis Law will officially light the tree at 5 p.m. with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving after. Also attending this year will be the Seagals and Blitz, the Seahawks mascot.

K9 Candy Cane 5K

The K9 Candy Cane 5K Fun Run and Walk is 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, starting at the Renton Community Center, 1715 S.E. Maple Valley Highway. The run/walk will travel along the Cedar River Trail before looping back to the center. Competitive runners, fun runners, walkers, junior athletes, families (with or without dogs) are invited. Online registration is at signmeup.com/109786.

Winter concerts

• The Renton City Concert Band Winter Concert is 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center, 400 S. Second St. The 65-member band will perform holiday music under the direction of Mike Simpson. Tickets are $10 adults and $7 seniors and students.

• Renton Youth Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert is 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Carco Theatre, 1717 S.E. Maple Valley Highway. Tickets are $10 adults, $7 students and seniors and $5 children.

A funny ‘Life’

The Taproot Theater will present its comedic take on the Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful (Improvised) Life,” 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Players respond to audience suggestions in the midst of an old Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The free performance is at the Renton Christian Center, 16640 S.E. Old Petrovitsky Road, Renton.

Polar Bear Plunge

The Polar Bear Plunge is the annual way to start off the New Year right with an icy dip into Lake Washington at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 1, at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N. The event is co-sponsored by Ivar’s. More information is available online at rentonwa.gov.

Letters, gingerbread

• Sending a letter to Santa is no harder than dropping it off at or mailing it to the Renton Community Center through the Dec. 4. In return senders will receive a personalized letter from Santa himself. Drop off or mail letters to: Renton Community Center, c/o Letters to Santa, 1715 S.E. Maple Valley Highway, Renton, 98057.

• The Battle of the Gingerbread Houses, in which youthful participants (grades 4-12) will compete to build gingerbread houses, is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Renton Library downtown. To register, call the Renton Library at 425-226-6043 or go online, www.kcls.org.