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Your week: December 12-18

Philadelphia holiday events, concerts, performances and more.

HOLIDAYS

Nutcracker Market

Dozens of vendors fill three tiers of the Kimmel Center, offering homemade honey, high-end jewelry, artisanal sweets, doll and dog couture, and more.

Kimmel Center, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today and tomorrow, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, free, kimmelcenter.org.

Chestnut Hill Parade

Morning community procession includes fire trucks, candy tossing, antique cars, caroling and the unstoppable duo of Santa Claus and the Phillie Phanatic.

Germantown Avenue from Rex Avenue to the Market at Fareway, 9-10 a.m. tomorrow, free, 215-248-8810, chestnuthill.org.

Parade of Lights

Twinkling boats parade on the Delaware. (Beforehand, crafts, carols and gingerbread boat-making indoors.) At sundown, Santa boards circa 1902 tug Jupiter, best viewed from the Seaport Museum balcony, although you can also peep decked-out vessels from Penn's Landing.

Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (parade at 5:15 p.m.) tomorrow, $10-$13.50 (under 2 free), 215-413-8655, phillyseaport.org.

Running of the Santas

Keep wee believers far from this Northern Liberties dual-pub drink fest, wherein 10,000 partakers dress like - but don't behave like - Mr. and Mrs. Kringle. Party bands play, too.

McFadden's, 461 N. 3rd St., 9 a.m. tomorrow, Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th St., 11 a.m. tomorrow, $30, runningofthesantas.com.

'Nutcracker 1776'

Rock School dancers give Tchaikovsky classic a jaunty Revolutionary theme in a 70-minute, family-friendly production.

Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Ave., 1 & 4 p.m. tomorrow & Sunday, $25 ($15 student), 610-431-4321; Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.,

7 p.m. Dec. 19, 1 & 4 p.m. Dec. 20, $23-$43, therockschool.org.

HOLIDAY

MUSIC

Philadelphia Orchestra

Even world-class musicians jingle bells this time of year. Tomorrow's "Christmas Kids' Spectacular" (11:30 a.m., $19-$40) is geared toward future patrons. "Glorious Sounds of Christmas" (7 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 19 and 20, $35-$120) recalls the days of Currier, Ives and Ormandy.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, info above, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Mendelssohn Club

For its holiday concert "A Feast of Carols," the large chorus, Mendelssohn Brass and busy organist Michael Stairs play their popular program of seasonal music, led by Alan Harler.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Chestnut Hill, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., 5 p.m. tomorrow, $30-$40, 215-735-9922, mcchorus.org.

Nick Lowe's 'Quality Holiday Revue'

Ranging from "Old Toy Trains" to "Children Go Where I Send Thee," British pub rocker's understated holiday album was one of the joys of the season a year ago. Now he's finally come round to perform it live.

Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $29.50-$39.50, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

Philadelphia Singers

The Singers and a brass quintet, led by David Hayes, perform Pachelbel's "Magnificat," Giovanni Gabrieli's "In Ecclesiis" and "Deep in the Night" by Jennifer Higdon, plus carols in this majestic and resonant space.

Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul, 18th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway, 8 p.m. tomorrow, 3 p.m. Sunday, $25-$40, 215-751-9494, philadelphiasingers.org.

Temptations & Four Tops

Motown's legendary tag team is back with a holiday special. Can they tempt you? Top this!

Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $67-$87, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.

Anthony Hamilton

Earthy urban stylist/composer has crafted an amazing set of seasonal originals and revamped covers "Home for the Holidays." Hear 'em live, here.

Harrah's, 777 Harrah's Blvd., Atlantic City, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $45-$75, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

'A Soulful Christmas'

Edwin Hawkins proclaims "Oh Happy Day" as special attraction of this holiday concert with the J. Donald Dumpson Singers and a host of community choirs.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $25-$45, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Earl Phillips Big Band

Roll over Tchaikovsky as an 18-member jazz troupe romps and stomps through "The Nutcracker Suite."

Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 7 & 9 p.m. Wednesday, $15, 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

'Christmas in Mexico'

Pianist Juan Pablo Horcasitas plays traditional carols. Star-shaped pinatas compete in a community contest that offers glimpses of Christmas Posada.

Commonwealth Plaza, Kimmel Center, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, free, 215-592-0410, kimmelcenter.org.

MUSIC

Brad Mehldau

Purveyor of lilting ballads and post-bop romps, this noted jazz pianist should be well chilled for serving in sonically splendid club.

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 tonight, $45, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Marco Benevento

Prog-minded fusion keyboardist vies for attention and ears in his two-night stand, with Hank & Cupcakes opening tonight and the Beardspace tomorrow.

Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9:15 tonight & tomorrow, $15-$28, 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

Trey Anastasio

Left to his own devices, the Phish man still offers gobs galore of jamtastic guitar work and surreal lyrical head trips. Plus experimentation in every style from Latin jazz to modern serial music.

Tower Theater, 19 S. 69th St., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $39.50-$49.50, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

Will Downing

Quiet-storm music master has all kinds of good ideas for how to spend an evening. "Turn Off the Lights" for starters. Carol Riddick opens.

Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $44.50-$57.50, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.

Justin Timberlake

Song 'n' dance, acting 'n' clowning whirlwind locks 'nsync with Philly fans again. While finally in the home stretch, it had been looking like J.T.'s durable "20/20 Experience" might run to 2020.

Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $49.50-$175, 800-298-4200, comcasttix.com.

STAGES

'Beauty and the Beast'

Tale as old as time get reimagined with a pair of destitute sisters and their dad, a handsome Beast and breathtaking sets. Best for ages 5 and up.

Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2nd St., times vary through Feb. 1, $18-$36, 215-922-1122, ardentheatre.org.

'Calamari Sisters'

Buxom, brash, belting Brooklyn sisters drag themselves back to town for "Another [onstage] Christmas." Expect seven fishes, sausage jokes and "Santa Baby."

Penn's Landing Playhouse, Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., times vary through Jan. 4, $45-$65, 855-448-7469, plplayhouse.com.

Mummenschanz

The return visit of this remarkable Swiss troupe of acrobatic silent performers, who stretch the boundaries of creativity, flexibility and just plain laugh-out-loud fun is always a special treat.

Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 8 tonight, 2 & 8 p.m. tomorrow, 3 p.m. Sunday, $30-$75, 215-898-3900, annenbergcenter.org.

Philadanco

Our internationally renowned dance troupe puts on "Risky Business" program that includes one work by Christopher Huggins and another titled, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." Catch them now. In January, they tour Europe.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 tonight, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $29-$46, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

'The Snow Queen'

Puppets and music tell the Hans Christian Andersen tale of a brave young girl's attempt to rescue a friend from a chilly sovereign. (Story inspired Disney's similarly icy mega-success.)

Arts Bank Theater, Broad and South streets, tomorrow-Jan. 4, $16-$29, enchantmenttheatre.org.

Bill Nye

Looks like a member of a barbershop quartet. Acts like your favorite teacher. "The Science Guy" has tactfully taken down fact-deniers on TV. Now he reignites passion for bio, chem, etc.

Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $35-$49, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

- Compiled by Tom Di Nardo,

Lauren McCutcheon, Jonathan Takiff