Well that holiday spirit is popping up everywhere and theatre is no exception. Here are some shows to give you the holiday cheer or jeer, depending on which you crave:

Let's start with two companies playing the same show:

The first version is opening tonight. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens produced by the Scarborough Theatre Guild Runs to Dec 16

Soulpepper takes a crack at its production of A Christmas Carol begining next week and, depending on how full your spirit needs to be, I'd recommend both to you or the diehards. Opens Dec 6 and runs to Dec 23

For kids this year there are also a number of options:

Seussical - The Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People always know how to please the kids. But their mature and creative projects delight most adults as well. The show is an adaptation of several Dr Seuss stories for kids, focused on various Suess greats like the Cat in the Hat. Runs to Dec 31.

Aladdin, The ever fun and exciting, magical family musical by Ross Petty Productions What can I say? Deep down inside you really, really want to see Brett 'The Hitman' Hart give it a real go, huh? Opens Dec 6 and runs to Dec 24.

Lest we forget the dark and intense (my personal favorites, particularly this time of year!!! Ne'st pas?)

Deathtrap A great mindbender mystery. If played well this one will have your brain spinning within the first 5 minutes. A dark murder mystery about a visit from a young playwright to an older one. Runs to Dec 9 Bloor West Village Players

director's cut by Jim Millan Crow's Theatre. This dark comedy looks at the struggle of Canadian artists in the film industry. Runs to Dec 10, Factory Studio Theatre

Thom pain playing at the Tarragon Theatre is a one man show with the highly talented Tom McCamus (played Grezky's Father in the TV movie for TV people). "Called 'stand-up existentialism,' Thom Pain is an edgy and unpredictable per formance experience -- with a raffle." Runs to Dec 17 Factory Studio Theatre