Welcome to the holiday season, when shopping malls and post offices have long lines and a lot of waiting.

One way to keep the holiday mood alive and to relax after a long day is to take in a local magical performance of “The Nutcracker.”

Seeing a live performance of “The Nutcracker” is a popular tradition during the Christmas season. “The Nutcracker” is a two-act ballet with the musical composition from Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The ballet has a Nutcracker coming alive, sugar plum fairies dancing and snowflakes falling as young Clara falls asleep and experiences a fantasy that comes to life.

Here is a roundup of local performances of “The Nutcracker.”

Amherst

Students of The Dancers Loft, 5 Pine St. Extension, No. 6 Mill Annex, Nashua, will perform “Nutcracker Ballet.”

The role of Clara will be performed by Gabrielle Masseur. Kelsey Mercurio will perform the role of Fritz, and the Sugarplum Fairy will be performed by Katherine Proulx.

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

Where: Souhegan High School, 412 Boston Post Road, Amherst.

Admission: $20. Tickets can be purchased by calling the school at 882-0415 or at the door.

More information: E-mail thedancersloft@gmail.com. 

Derry

Gate City Ballet, 125 Northeastern Blvd.

Artistic director Sarah-Beth Smith and the Gate City Ballet staff have choreographed this production with dancers from Nashua, Hollis, Merrimack, Windham, Derry, Londonderry, Manchester, Salem and five Massachusetts towns: Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Pepperell and Townsend.

Whitney Leyland from Dance Progressions in Derry will perform the role of Clara. All other roles are held by Gate City Ballet students.

When: 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

Where: Stockbridge Theatre, Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry.

Admission: $18 reserved seating; senior and group discounts available. Tickets available by calling 437-5210 or visiting www.stockbridgetheatre.com.

More information: Call 882-0011 or visit www.gatecityballet.com.

Merrimack

The students of the Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance, 387 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, will present their annual performance of “The Nutcracker Act II.”

This consolidated version of “The Nutcracker Ballet” contains the opening party scene, the march and the land of the sweets. It runs about 45 minutes and is in its 18th year.

Belinda Bridgeman-Freeman, artistic director and owner of the academy, calls the annual performance a labor of love.

She and volunteers set up the stage and seating for about 500 people the day of the show.

After the performance, they break the set down and move everything to Mastricola Upper Elementary School.

The next day, the dance troupe, consisting of students from Merrimack, Bedford, Hudson, Nashua, Manchester and Weare, does three more performances for the students.

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Where: Merrimack High School, 38 McElwain St.

Admission: $15; children younger than 2 admitted free. Tickets available at the door, by calling 424-9199 and at www.belindabridgemanacademy.com/Performances.html. There is an additional $1 fee per ticket when ordered online.

More information: Call 424-9199.

Nashua

Northern Ballet Theatre, 36 Arlington St., Nashua, has the mission to educate and introduce the art of dance to New Hampshire students.

After an open audition call to all students in the state, these will perform in this year’s production:

Emma Chew, Sophie Chew, Gabrielle Olsson, Elena Longan, Vanessa Longan, Jalena Gathright, Emma Fenlon, Angela Wang, Emma Wood, Maria Sulc, Genevieve Foy, Natalie Foy, Koyla Checkina, Katya Checkina, Natalia Trikoz, Zoe Lussier, Georgia Power, Kevin Ma, Lillian Ma, Claire Hobbs, Aiyana Zubhuza, Rebbeca Rendina, Rachel Redina, Sonya Chung and Makayla Aviles.

The production of “The Nutcracker” is choreographed by NBT’s founder and artistic director, Doreen Cafarella.

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18.

Where: Edmund M. Keefe Auditorium, 117 Elm St., Nashua.

Admission: $18 for section B, $22 for section A. Tickets can be purchased by calling 889-8408 or at www.nbti.org.

More information: Call 889-8408 or visit www.nbti.org.

Bedford

The ensemble from Bedford Dance Center, Route 101, will present a full-length adaptation of “Nutcracker Ballet.”

The production is under the direction of Karen Pariseau, owner and director of the Bedford Dance Center.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

Where: Bedford High School, 47B Nashua Road.

Admission: $15. Tickets can be purchased by calling 472-5141 or visiting www.bedforddancecenter.com.

More information: Call 472-5141 or visit www.bedforddancecenter.com.

Manchester

Ballet Misha, the resident dance company of the Dimensions in Dance School, 575 South Willow St., Manchester, will have three performances of “The Nutcracker” at the Dana Center at St. Anselm College.

This production features original choreography by artistic director Amy Fortier and two Broadway dancers, who are New Hampshire natives, as guest artists.

When: 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.

Where: Dana Center, Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive.

Cost: $18-$20. Tickets available at the door, by calling 668-4196 and at www.dimensionsindance.com/nutcracker.htm.

More information: Call 668-4196.