Daily News picks for what to do the weekend of 12/23-12/25

HOLIDAY

A VICTORIAN LAP

There's still time to see the beautifully illuminated Victorian homes of Cape May. Board a trolley at Washington Mall for a 30-minute ride through the town's historic district Monday through Thursday. Guides talk about Victorian holiday traditions and lead Christmas sing-alongs. Visit today or next Friday and take a two-hour trolley ride that includes a living history program and refreshments.

Holiday lights tour, Monday through Thursday, leaving from the Washington Mall, $10; Spirit of Christmas Tour, Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, today and Dec. 30, $18 adults, $13 children. 609-884-5404, 800-275-4278, capemaymac.org.

LOVE THAT VILLAGE

Lots of gifts still to buy on your holiday list? Head to the Christmas Village at LOVE Park, an outdoor event modeled after the traditional Christmas markets in Germany. Vendors in more than 50 wooden booths sell traditional European food, sweets and drinks to sustain you while you shop for international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and craft pieces.

LOVE Park, 1500 John F. Kennedy Parkway, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow. 215-268-7606.

ALL ABOARD

The annual Reading Terminal Holiday Railroad features a 500-square-foot model railroad with nearly a third of a mile of track. Through Dec. 31, see 17 working train lines that rumble through scenery that's small but familiar, including Center City Philadelphia, a Christmas village and snow-covered countryside. And it's free.

Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Arch streets, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, till 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. 215-922-2317, readingterminalmarket.org.

MUSIC

BIG UPS

Nothing says "Christmas Weekend" like a performance by Big Sean. Well, maybe not, but if you've grown a little weary of "The Christmas Song" and "O Holy Night" and need a sonic change of pace tonight, the California-born, Detroit-bred rapper hits House of Blues in Atlantic City as part of his "I'm Finally Famous" tour. Also on hand: Cyhi the Prynce and Shawn Chrystopher.

Showboat, Boardwalk at Delaware Avenue, 9 tonight, $13.64, 609-236-2583, hob.com.

CASINO CLASS

Philly cabaret mainstay Eddie Bruce invites some of his buddies - the Tom Adams Trio, saxophonist Larry McKenna and vocalist Paula Johns and Michael Richard-Kelly - to perform the Great American Songbook with a holiday twist.

SugarHouse Casino, 1001 N. Delaware Ave., 5:30, 7, 8:30 and 10 p.m., tonight, free, 877-477-3715, sugarhousecasino.com.

THEATER

JOYEUX NOEL

The Lantern Theatre Company caps off an impressive 2011 by extending its run of "Private Lives" into 2012. Catch Noel Coward's comedy tonight to see a divorced couple, Elyot (Ben Dibble) and Amanda (Genevieve Perrier), discover that they are honeymooning with their new spouses (played by Leonard C. Haas and K.O. DelMarcelle) in the same hotel. Tonight's performance (the last in 2011) has the added treat of preshow cocktails at Marathon Grill, 929 Walnut St., at 6 p.m. Free drinks for all ticket holders.

St. Stephen's Theater, 923 Ludlow St., Through Jan. 8, $20-$36, 215-829-0395, lanterntheater.org

LAST CAROLS

Two classic holiday productions at Hedgerow Theatre, end tomorrow. The annual presentation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" features a large, multigenerational cast. Shows 7:30 tonight and 4 p.m. tomorrow. More interested in source material? Try the critically acclaimed one-man show "A Dickens Christmas," starring Jared Reed. 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media. $29, $26 seniors, $10 students and children under 18. 610-565-4211, hedgerowtheatre.org.

'HANUKKAH' HAPPENING

Eric Kimmel's beloved children's book "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins" gets the stage treatment, courtesy of a world premiere play by Gas & Electric Arts. Told via a play-within-a-play, Gas & Electric found influences through their source material, as well as cultural touchstones as far-ranging as "True Grit" and "The Wizard of Oz."

Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., through Sat., Dec. 31, $16-$25, 215-925-9914, gasandelectricarts.org

COMEDY

FORTUNE FOLLIES

Just as Chinese food and a movie is the go-to Christmas activity for the American Jews, the Moo Shu Jew Show, presented by the Gershman Y, is becoming somewhat of tradition around these parts. Now in its fourth year in the area, the show is part Chinese food feast, courtesy of Joy Tsin Lau Restaurant, part comedy review. Last year, the cast featured only three comedians, but the show is beefing it up with four performers this year, including Jessica Kirson, Sherry Davey, Randy Levin, Johnny Lampert.

Joy Tsin Lau Restaurant, 1026 Race St., 6 p.m., tomorrow, $65, 215-545-4400, gershmany.org

MIDDLE (EASTERN) AMERICAN

Egyptian-born, California-bred comedian Ahmed Ahmed rhapsodizes about the Arab-American experience in his searing stand-up. The inaugural recipient of the first annual Richard Pryor Award for ethnic comedy at the Edinburgh Festival in 2004, Ahmed reckons with his ethnic identity while discussing suffering through countless stereotypes and comparing the American sense of humor to the Middle Eastern one. (Hint: We're not all that different.)

Helium Comedy Club, 2301 Sansom St., 8 & 10:30, tonight; 7:30 p.m., tomorrow, $10, 215-496-9001, heliumcomedy.com

A VERY BEERY XMAS

Local smoked meats haven Percy Street Barbecue (900 South St., 215-625-8510, www.percystreet.com), has gotten its seasonal spirit on by crafting an 8-foot Christmas tree made of 400-plus beer cans. Took GM Aric Ferrell and employee Desiree Howie more than 12 hours to assemble. That's not including the time it took to drink all that beer.