Activities

Morris Arboretum Holiday Garden Railway

The Morris Arboretum’s Holiday Garden Railway—free with regular admission. Display is open daily November 25-December 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed December 24 & 25).

Holiday Garden Railway Grand Opening—Saturday, November 26, 1-3 p.m. Come see the Holiday Garden Railway dressed in its wintry finest and enjoy a fun craft for the kids. Free with garden admission.

Friday Night Lights on December 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Enjoy the Holiday Garden Railway all lit up and decorated for the season during special evening hours. Cost: non-members $16/adult, $8/child; members $9/adult, $3/child. Tickets: http://www.morrisarboretum.org

Morris Arboretum Holiday Classes
Register: http://www.morrisarboretum.org

Holiday Wreath—Saturday, December 3. Create a wreath from fresh boughs of greens; 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; $50, $45/members.

Holiday Tabletop Tree with Lights—Monday, December 12. Design your own tree from long-lasting greens and decorate with bows, glass balls, fresh flowers and lights; 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; $65, $55/members.

Create a Beautiful Holiday Arrangement for Table or Mantle—Sunday, December 18. Design a one-of-a-kind arrangement with greens, flowers, branches, candles and accessories; 1-3 p.m.; $60, $50/members.

December Wellness Walk

December Wellness Walk—Friday, December 16. Adorn yourself in holiday attire for an hour enjoying the great benefits of walking; begins at Locust Walk, by College Hall; noon. Register: http://tinyurl.com/zyc6sm4

Holiday Skate

The Penn Ice Rink will host two Holiday Skate events at the Class of 1923 Arena on Sunday, December 11 and Sunday, December 18 from 1-2 p.m. Admission is free with the donation of a new toy for Toys for Tots.

Performances

Penn Glee Club Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 3. A winter tradition: the Penn Glee Club will return to Morris Arboretum for their annual holiday concert with hot cocoa and cookies in the garden; 2-3 p.m.; free with admission.

Holiday Celebration with The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass

Friday, December 9. A jazzy holiday celebration mixing classic, big band jazz and New Orleans swing; 8 p.m. with youth programming at 10:30 a.m.; tickets: www.annenbergcenter.org/

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker

Monday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 13. The original, direct from Moscow enchanting the whole family with larger-than-life magical props, a 60-foot tree and spectacular Russian-made costumes and sets; 7 p.m.; tickets: www.annenbergcenter.org/

World Cafe Live Holiday Performances
Tickets: http://www.worldcafelive.com

An All-Star Christmas—Sunday, December 4. Featuring Jimmy McFadden, Kevin Walsh, Billy Penn Burger, Steve Prentice, Samantha Desper Poole, Chris Duncan, Ritchie Rubini, Olivia Rubini and Tony Cappella; 8 p.m.; $12.

The Secret Sisters Christmas Tour—Thursday, December 8. Performing originals and Christmas classics; 8 p.m.; $15 in advance or $18 at the door.

Runnin’ Late Holiday Show—Saturday, December 10. Six-piece Wilmington band Runnin’ Late will bring a mix of favorite holiday tunes and original songs; 8 p.m.; $7 in advance or $9 at the door.

Cartoon Christmas Trio’s 21st Season with the Wilmington Children’s Chorus—Sunday, December 11 and Sunday, December 18. The classic interpreter of holiday cartoon jazz performs music from classic Christmas cartoons; 7 p.m.; $12.

We Kids Rock Band’s Holiday Show—Saturday, December 17. Kids can sing, dance and clap along to catchy originals and traditional holiday favorites in fun musical styles including rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm & blues, punk, ska and country; 11 a.m.; $10.05.

Hot Breakfast! And Friends Present: A Very Dorky Christmas—Saturday, December 17. Delaware’s Premier Acoustic Dork Rock Power Duo presents an old-timey holiday show; 8 p.m.; $16.

The Peek-A-Boo Revue Holiday Spectacular —Sunday, December 18. Philadelphia’s longest-running burlesque show performs to holiday songs from the Striptease Orchestra; 8 p.m.; $25.

Mistletoe Jam 2016—Thursday, December 29. Featuring John Faye & Those Meddling Kids, Soraia, Mach-22, Joey DiTullio Band, Robbie Casablanca, Curtis Jr. and Scarlet Sunrise; 6:30 p.m.; $15 in advance or $18 at the door.

New Year’s Eve with the David Bromberg Quintet—Saturday, December 31. Americana godfather David Bromberg performs the blues with his quintet to ring in 2017; 10 p.m.; $60.

Shopping

UCAL Holiday Craft Show

Gifts handmade by 30 local artists  at the Arts League’s gallery. Opening reception Friday, December 2, 5-8 p.m.; shop open daily December 2-18, Mon.-Fri. 5-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon-6 p.m. Vendors and info.: http://www.ucartsleague.org

Penn Bookstore Sale-A-Bration

December 8 & 9. Save 20% storewide and enjoy holiday treats, including free festive photos, 2-6 p.m., hot cocoa and cookies from 4-6 p.m. and free gift wrapping all day.

Computer Connection Holiday Wishbook

December 8 & 9. In conjunction with the Sale-A-Bration; raffle prizes, refreshments and giveaways; second floor, Bookstore.

Go West! Craft Fest

Sunday, December 18. 80+ local artists and crafters; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Rotunda. Vendors and info.: http://gowestcraftfest.wixsite.com/home

Holiday Sale at the Penn Museum Shop

Tuesday, December 13-Wednesday, December 21. Special savings for Penn and CHOP employees in the Museum gift shop. Entry is free to PennCard holders; the Shop is open during regular Museum hours. Info.: (215) 898-4046.

Special Events

Museum: Celebrations Around the World

Saturday, December 3. Groups from across the region share their cultural heritage through music and dance performances, craft stations, storytelling and more at Penn Museum; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; free.

Fels Institute Holiday Party

Saturday, December 3. Faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited for an evening of food, drink and merriment; 7-10 p.m., Inn at Penn. Cocktail attire required. Tickets: http://www.fels.upenn.edu/event/fels-institute-government-2016-holiday-party

University Club Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 7. University Club Holiday Party, for Club members and one guest per member; 4-6 p.m. at the Inn at Penn.

Kwanzaa Celebration

Thursday, December 8. Hosted by Makuu Black Cultural Center; 6 p.m. in Hall of Flags, Houston Hall.

Penn Transplant Holiday Party

Monday, December 12. Celebrate 10,000 transplants and 50 years of transplantation; 5:30-8 p.m., Smilow Center for Translational Research Commons. RSVP by November 25: (800) 789-7366.

Winter Beer Festival at World Cafe Live

Sample the offerings of over 40 craft breweries on Monday, December 26; 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Cost: $45 (ages 21+). Tickets: http://worldcafelive.com