Where is Macy’s Mistletoe on the Go! this week?

The giant mistletoe ball swinging from a 15-foot-tall candy cane has stopped at Fish Plaza in front of the Wortham Theater Center to highlight Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

This fun project from Macy’s and the Downtown District has the candy cane and mistletoe traveling to five downtown sites to highlight the holiday happenings as well as raise money for a wonderful cause. For every couple’s “kiss-mas” photo under the ball that is posted on facebook.com/visitdowntownhouston or tweeted to @downtownhouston with the hashtag #MOTG!, Macy’s will donate a dollar (up to $5,000) to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

So be sure and pucker up on your way into the theater to see The Nutcracker, the beloved holiday ballet that is celebrating 25 years of making Houstonians happy. Ben Stevenson’s breathtaking spectacle of a little girl’s Christmas Eve dream to the Kingdom of Sweets is as vibrant and entertaining as ever. Desmond Heeley’s sets and costumes are gorgeous and the Houston Ballet dancers are better than ever. Last year the 23-performance run drew 73,000 theatergoers to Houston’s Theater District and brought in more than $3.7 million in single ticket sales revenues.

Besides seeing the Christmas grow to 40 feet, watching 200 pounds of “snow” fall and watching rats, toys and flowers dance, this production is your last chance to see ballerina Amy Fote. She reprises her Sugar Plum Fairy role on Dec. 20, 27 and 29. Artistic Director Stanton Welch calls Amy’s Sugar Plum Fairy a delight not to be missed!

Fote, who has been with Houston Ballet since 2005, says her final performance will be bittersweet.

“I have been performing in The Nutcracker since I was a Bon Bon at eight years old, and to finish with this holiday tradition, at such a festive time of year, will be wonderful and a moment I will treasure,” Fote said. After retiring Fote plans to take some college classes and explore what the future has in store for her.

There’s plenty going on downtown this month, from art to the big mistletoe to shopping.

“Besides ringing in the season with The Nutcracker,” said Angie Bertinot, director of marketing and communications for the district, “don’t forget your holiday shopping. The downtown Macy’s will be open from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m. until the 20th and will open at 7 a.m. on the 21st and doesn’t close until 8 p.m. on December 23. It’s a 65-hour sale!”

Macy’s is making your holiday shopping even easier this year. Just visit Macy’s downtown store and they will help you complete your holiday gift giving needs. Call 713.405.7192 and they’ll shop for everyone on your list and deliver right to your office or home. Plus, bring this card into the Macy’s downtown store and receive $10 off your next purchase. (Cannot be used with any other coupon offers; one per customer please). Be sure and visit downtownhouston.org or facebook.com/VisitDowntownHouston for weekly specials.

While you’re in the Theater District, enjoy these other holiday performances:

• Through Dec. 24: A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas at the Alley Theatre
• Through Dec. 30: The Santaland Diaries at the Alley Theatre
• Dec. 20 – 23: Handel’s Messiah in Candlelight atJones Hall
• Through Dec. 23: Peter Pan at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Next week: Macy’s Mistletoe on the Go! heads to Discovery Green for some ice skating!