CONCERT: DEC. 16

English reggae star Pato Banton brings forth the beats in a gig that's part of the Vans Triple Crown concert series. The Mad Caddies also performs. Tickets are $25 presale, $50 VIP. Doors open 6 p.m. for this all-ages show.

7 p.m. Dec. 16 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

COMEDY: DEC. 17

Comic/DJ local boy Paul Ogata offers a one-night farewell concert before he flies off to the Mainland in search of greater fame. Ogata, once named the Funniest Asian-American Comedian in the United States, performs along with comedians Cathy Tanaka, Shawn Felipe and Stan Egi. Tickets are $21 advance and $40 VIP for these 18-and-older shows. Doors open at 5 p.m.

6 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 17 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: DEC. 31

Get ready for an "Unforgettable" evening when Grammy-award winning songstress Natalie Cole arrives to help ring in the New Year. The daughter of the late jazz great Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole's hit list includes her 1975 debut album "Inseparable" and the critically acclaimed "Unforgettable, With Love." Tickets, which go on sale Dec. 14, are $90 general, $120 silver seating, $170 gold seating, $200 platinum seating. Prices include the pre-show, concert, standard cocktail and half-bottle of sparkling wine.

9 p.m. Dec. 31 / Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom / 947-7877

CONCERT: DEC. 31

The 9th annual Ho'omaka Hou rings in the New Year with local favorites The Makaha Sons, Kapena, Robi Kahakalau, The Opihi Pickers, Herb Ohta Jr. and Kanilau. Tickets, which include the concert, buffet dinner, two drinks, unlimited juice and soft drinks for keiki and party favors, are $225 adults, $135 ages 5-12. Cabaret tickets, which do not include the buffet or drinks, are $85 adults and $55 ages 5-12.

7 p.m. Dec. 31 / Sheraton Waikiki, Hawaii Ballroom / 921-4600

CONCERT: DEC. 31

Take a trip into exotica this New Year's Eve with The Forbidden World of Don Tiki. This retro spectacle showcases 10 musicians, the Don Tiki Dancers, below, elaborate costumes and amazing choreography. Also appearing will be Lopaka Colon, Noel Okimoto, Willow Chang and Sherry Shaoling. The band later morphs into Don Tiki's Inferno to dance the night away.Tickets for the show plus two drinks are $80.

10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Dec. 31 / Pacific Beach Hotel, Grand Ballroom / 921-6137

COMEDY: JAN. 7

Former "Saturday Night Live" star Jon Lovitz headlines a Honolulu concert courtesy of The Laugh Factory. The comedian-actor, who has lent his voice talents to "The Simpsons" and "The Critic," has appeared in the movies "A League of Their Own" and "The Wedding Singer." Coming up, you can catch Lovitz in "The Producers," "The Benchwarmers" and "Southland Tales." Tickets are $29 and $39.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

STAGE: JAN. 12-15

The All New Shanghai Circus opens the New Year with its showcase of gravity-deyfing acrobats. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30 general, with discounts for 12 and younger, seniors and military.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 12-14 and 2 p.m. Jan. 14-15 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: DEC. 22

"Feel the Spirit of Christmas" is the title of a concert by Island favorite Na Leo. The trio — Angela Morales, Lehua Kalima Heine and Nalani Choy — will offer holiday favorites as well as songs from its new CD "Feel the Spirit." Michael W. Perry and Larry Price host. Tickets are $28, $38, $48 and $68 general, with discounts for those 55 and older and military.

8 p.m. Dec. 22 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: DEC. 19

That Pez-obsessed band Less than Jake is packing its ska sounds for a gig in Honolulu. The punk-pop group made its debut in 1994 with "Pezcore" and went on to release more hit albums, such as "Losing Streak" and "Anthem." Tickets are $22 advance, $45 VIP. Doors open at 6 p.m.

7 p.m. Dec. 19 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: DEC. 16-17

Famed singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, left, returns to our shores for an acoustic Christmas concert that includes old and new compositions along with holiday tunes from his 2005 Christmas CD release. Sedaka's rock and pop hits span the decades, from "Calendar Girl" to "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" to "Love Will Keep Us Together." The second show has just been added because of popular demand. Tickets are $25, $37.50 and $45.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 16-17 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506