A turkey and some mistletoe might make the season bright, but nothing heralds the holidays like music. This year the Detroit Symphony Orchestra celebrates the holidays with 20 performances over a three-week period through Sunday, December 23 featuring a diverse mix of musical styles from Baroque to jazz to magical children's events.

The Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra shares the magic of The Nutcracker with Michigan residents this holiday season in two versions of the classic ballet. First, the Civic Orchestra teams with Taylor Ballet Americana in two concerts on Saturday, December 1 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday, December 2 at 3 p.m.

When the mall becomes a zoo this holiday season, shoppers can make the Detroit Zoo their mall. And the giver can give twice – recipients will love their unique gifts, and proceeds will help support the Detroit Zoological Society and preserve the world’s wildlife.

Everyone is invited to join Old St. Nick as he takes a breather from his busy holiday schedule to enjoy a delicious buffet-style waffle breakfast at the Detroit Zoo. The annual Breakfast with Santa will be held in the Zoo’s Wildlife Interpretive Gallery on three consecutive Saturdays, December 8, 15 and 22, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Michigan Opera Theatre continues its 37th season of opera with Mozart’s raucously comedic The Marriage of Figaro at the Detroit Opera House for a limited six-performance engagement November 10-18, 2007.

November brings falling leaves, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving and a new season of Detroit Symphony Orchestra "Civic Experience" concerts. These Sunday evening events showcase the DSO's Civic Youth Ensembles (CYE) in a music festival atmosphere in which classical and jazz ensembles perform in multiple venues at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will present the revolutionary Eddie Daniels, WSU Artist-in-Residence, at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 9 at Orchestra Hall. He will be performing as soloist with the Wayne State University Chamber Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Big Band. The concert will feature premieres of various works, including Patrick Williams' Concerto in Swing for Big Band.

Peter Oundjian, Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 2006, brings the DSO "home" next month - to Toronto, Canada - as part of a unique musical exchange with his other ensemble, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO).

New this season, every Friday night performance at the Max M. Fisher Music Center will be followed by a free, post-concert afterglow party. Taking place in rotating spaces throughout the building, "Friday Night Live" will offer live and/or deejayed music in a relaxed atmosphere. Dessert, coffee and bar service will be available at discounted happy hour prices.

The very popular annual Nutcracker Luncheon and Boutique will celebrate its silver jubilee when the Volunteer Council of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra presents it for the 25th straight year on Wednesday, November 14, at the Radisson-Kingsley Inn.

Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to the Pops we go! Get ready to wish upon a star as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra presents an all-encompassing retrospective of music from the great Disney songbook. Featuring selections from 70 years of classic Disney animated and live action films, "The Magical Music of Disney" continues the DSO's 2007-08 DTE Energy Foundation Pops Series with concerts that are suitable for the whole family.

With its unique blend of classical and contemporary dance, Miami City Ballet makes its highly-anticipated Detroit debut November 2-4, 2007 at the Detroit Opera House, part of the Chrysler Foundation Dance Series. Performing classic works by Twyla Tharp and George Balanchine, Miami City Ballet's mixed-repertory program will include George Balanchine's Agon and Raymonda Variations and Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room.