Stop pretending your some sort of tough guy and go see the goddamn Nutcracker already. You know you want to. You're fascinated by people in tights. Plus, the local productions are simply amazing. In Tacoma, Tacoma City Ballet does its thing at the Pantages. In Oly, catch Ballet Northwest's take at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

[Pantages Theater, Tacoma City Ballet presents The Nutcracker, $24-$60, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890]

[Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Ballet Northwest presents The Nutcracker, $14-$28, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, 360.753.8586]