The Kirkland Performance Center’s (KPC) December lineup begins with a local bang, as ‘Hey Merseilles’ makes a Pacific Northwest stop on Dec. 2.

The Seattle-based indie folk group was a favorite at KPC last season, and is only in Washington two nights, including a Dec. 3 performance in Tacoma.

While ‘Hey Marseilles’ is among the top artists coming to KPC in the 2016-17 season, the focus for December is decidedly decorative.

A unique performance, Master Chorus Eastside presents Winter in the North Countree on Dec. 4. The chorus will take a journey through Northern cultures and customs.

Storybook Theater’s Elves and the Toymakers, an annual favorite, opens at KPC on Dec. 10 with shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The show is geared for children age three to 10 and includes shows on Dec. 11, 17, 18 and 20.

With two Grammy Award nominations and one Grammy win between them, Windham Hill brings a special show on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. Guitarists Will Ackerman and Alex DeGrassi, singer, fiddler, pianist and songwriter Barbara Higbie and bassist Todd Boston are all included in this concert.

Blues artist Robert Cray comes to Kirkland on Dec. 15, bringing four decades of success in the blues genre with him. Cray has recorded 20 albums, and is a member of the Blues Hall of Fame.

A name locals should be familiar with takes the stage on Dec. 16. Geoffrey Castle has performed at local events, including Summerfest and Dennyfest, for several years and will bring a Celtic Christmas show to KPC.

The KPC takes a break from public shows for much of the month of January, with Jessie Cook scheduled to perform on Jan. 28.