This week in Philly: Nov. 30-Dec. 6

A few ways to spend your week in (and out of) Philly.

Monday, Nov. 30

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular returns to the Comcast Center (1701 JFK Blvd.) with a free 15-minute show displayed on their giant LED screen at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except for 5 p.m. weekdays) until Jan. 3.

Norwegian free-jazz group, the Frode Gjerstad Trio come to the Philadelphia Art Alliance (251 S. 18th St.) along with special guest trombonist Steve Swell for an evening of freeform music, starting at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 1

The Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum (100 E. Northwestern Ave.) chugs into the holiday season with loops, tunnels and festively decorated mini train cars. See the miniature rail town from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. all week.

Don't eat the display. Check out the Gingerbread Display at Peddler's Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, Pa.) featuring award-winning building replicas made entirely from sweet and edible materials. Stop by between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

Count on local brewery Saint Benjamin Brewing for dinner tonight. Starting at 6 p.m. at La Peg (140 N. Columbus Blvd.), enjoy four courses like foie gras terrine and seafood choucroute, each paired with a Saint Benjamin beer. 

You'll shoot your eye out. A staged, musical production of A Christmas Story comes to the Walnut Street Theatre (825 Walnut St.) for an 8 p.m. performance tonight.

Thursday, Dec. 3

'Tis the season for history and beer. On the Yuletide Cheers and Beers Tippler's Tour, you'll move from bar to bar, sipping, snacking and learning about colonial Philadelphia in the winter of 1777. The tour departs at 5:30 p.m. from the Historic Philadelphia Center (6th and Chestnut Streets).

Get down to the '90s NBA sounds of Space Jam at the Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) featuring free Narragansett, retro '90s game, NBA memorabilia pop-up shop. Doors open at 10 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4

Photographer Susan Nam debuts a new set of work at Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine St.), a visual observation of everyday and often overlooked Philadelphians, at a 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. artist reception.

A landmark holiday event, the 36th annual Mars Drinks Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade Presented by QVC kicks off at 7:15 p.m. and features world-class floats, giant character balloons, celebrities, antique cars, marching bands and Santa bringing the cheer through Market and Gay Streets in West Chester.

Saturday, Dec. 5

The first weekend of Mt. Airy Art Garage's (11 W. Mt. Airy Ave.) Holiday Market kicks off Saturday with dozens of artists showcasing their for-sale art, jewelry and accessories. The market runs noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 19 and 20. 

Philly band Church Girls will be putting their spin on Neil Young's Tonight's the Night, playing it in full, at a fundraiser for The Food Trust at the Ethical Society (1906 Rittenhouse Square) starting at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 6

You can never have too many latkes. Gershman Y (401 S. Broad St.) hosts the 13th annual Latkepalooza as top Philly restaurants put their spin on the potato pancake. Eat up from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Quirky musician Bradford Cox does double duty when his band Atlas Sound opens for his other band Deerhunter at Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) at a 7:30 p.m. show.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.