'Nutcracker,' Holiday Music and Composting

Who said long holiday weekends are just for shopping? From "Nutcracker" performances to real live reindeer, there is plenty to enjoy. 

In the mood for some holiday music? Catch Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis at Tilles Center in Brookville. A Grammy Award, Davis infuses multimedia effects into this holiday performance. Saturday, 4 and 8 p.m. Tickets $53-$93. Learn more. http://www.tillescenter.org/event.cfm?id=951

Long Island Ballet Theater presents “The Nutcracker” at Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington, Saturday Nov. 30, at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 1m at 2 p.m.. The troop features professional dancers from across the country as well as aspiring professionals from across Long Island. The production feautres a narrated soundtrack, and is suitable for young audiences and ballet enthusiasts alike. Tickets, $22 for children under 17 and senior citizens,  $28 for adults. There is a “Kingdom of the Sweets Reception” after every show: $7.00 Children age 3-10 are invited on stage to experience the magic of Nutcracker and receive a gift as they exit. For tickets visit www.liballettheatre.com or call 1-866-811-4111. Group sales: 12 or more call 631-271-4626.

Learn all about composting at Queens County Farm Museum on Sunday. Join the Queens Botanical Garden staff and mix up a new batch of compost with 10,000 pounds of food scraps. Snacks will be provided but bring lunch. Email Melissa Young from Bellerose Community Composter's to sign up: young.melissa7@gmail.com. 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Floral Park. 10:30 a.m. Learn more. http://foresthills.patch.com/groups/events/p/bigcompost-and-bellerose-community-composters-workday

Holiday festivities have begun at Hicks Nurseries. Santa will be in the store in-person daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Friday to greet the children and pose for photos. Real live reindeer, arriving on Saturday and departing on December 24, can viewed during store hours which are, beginning November 29, from Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A brass band playing holiday music will be at the nursery on Friday, and then weekends through December 15. 12-4 p.m. 100 Jericho Turnpike in Westbury.