Holiday events and more, Dec. 19-Dec. 25

HOLIDAY

Macy's Light Show

On Christmas Eve, it's curtains for this every-even-hour Center City tradition. Ditto Dickens Village (open 10 a.m.-7 p.m.).

1300 Market St., 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4, 6, 8 p.m. through Wednesday, free, 215-241-9000, wanamakerorgan.com.

'A Christmas Carol'

It's the end of a successful run for Dickens' whole, heartfelt drama, acted professionally at a low price and in a single hour.

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., 10:30 a.m. today, 11 a.m. tomorrow & Sunday, $12-$14 215-574-3550, walnutstreettheatre.org.

'Nutcracker 1776'

Ben Franklin and Lady Liberty join the traditional cast of partygoers and pirouetting sweets in tweaked, 70-minute ballet, where talented kids dance every role.

Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 7 tonight, 1 & 4 p.m. tomorrow, $23-$43, therockschool.org.

'Holidays on Ice'

Longtime NPR fans will recognize David Sedaris' hilarious tale of woefully working as an elf at Macy's Santaland, retold by a coupla actors in a cafe setting.

Red Room Cabaret, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St., 8 tonight & tomorrow, 2 p.m. Sunday, $20, 215-923-0210, societyhillplayhouse.org.

'The Nutcracker'

Classic ballet performed by 18 members of the famed Donetsk Ballet of Ukraine, touring despite strife in their homeland. Principal ballerina Irina Komarenko dances both Marie and the Sugarplum Fairy, while 50 local students add to the cast.

Plymouth/Whitemarsh High School, 201 E. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, 2 p.m. Sunday, $28 ($18 students, seniors), 215-849-7950, internationalballet.org.

Festival of Lights

Hanukkah stories, arts, crafts and games aim to attract families. All who attend get half-price admission to the National Museum of American Jewish History, too.

Commonwealth Plaza, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 1 p.m. Sunday, free, kimmelcenter.org.

'Moo Shu Jew'

Let others eat seven fishes. Christmas Eve stand-up comedy show featuring Jon Fisch, Robin Fox, Dave Konig and Stewie Stone comes with a generous helping of dim sum.

Ocean Harbor, 1023 Race St., 6 p.m. Wednesday, $69 ($80 at door), 215-545-4400, gershmany.org.

'Disney on Ice: Frozen'

Major skating hit retelling of highest-grossing animated film, ever, comes to town for 28 performances over 11 days. Best seats available: Christmas Day.

Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., times vary, Thursday-Jan. 4, $30-$105, 800-298-4200, comcasttix.com.

HOLIDAY

MUSIC

Philly Pops Holiday Spectacular

Orchestra and three notable choirs royally ring in the season. Hurry, tix going as quick as St. Nick.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 3 p.m. today & tomorrow, $31-$116, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra

The orchestra's classic 1962 "Glorious Sound of Christmas" album is recreated in all its splendor. Bramwell Tovey conducts, with Alan Harler's Mendelssohn Club on hand as well.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 7 tonight & tomorrow, $35-$120, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Peek-A-Boo Revue Holiday Spectacular

Ms. Santa and the elves let it all (well most) hang out. Hang in for the Roddenberries' comedy set.

Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 7 tonight, $25, undergroundarts.org.

The Crossing

For their annual candlelit program, Donald Nally's superb choir offers six contemporary works, including Joanne Metcalf's "Il nome del bel fiore" inspired by Dante's Paradiso.

Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave., 8 tonight, $30, 267-627-4306, crossingchoir.com.

A Johnnyswim Christmas

"O Come all Ye Faithful" as passionate folk-rock duo Abner and Amanda puts fervent voices and tight harmonies to seasonal favorites that'll have you doing "A Christmas Waltz."

Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8:30 tonight, $20, 215-232-2100, utphilly.com.

Bobby Long

Sensitive British balladeer (best known for writing the "Twilight" film song "Let Me Sign," sung by Robert Pattinson) chases away evil spirits in this "acoustic holiday" show.

Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8:30 tonight, $17, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Robert Randolph & the Family Band

'Tis always the season for jamming when the master of "sacred steel" slide guitar is working. New Orleans trombone great "Big Sam" Williams is special guest. Philly blues rockers Stolen Rhodes snatch the microphones first.

Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Ave., 9 tonight $30-$45, 610-649-8389, ardmoremusic.com.

TubaChristmas

Brassy gathering of amateur and pro tubaists in Santa hats is so popular, they now do two shows.

Commonwealth Plaza, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, noon & 5 p.m. Sunday, free, kimmelcenter.org.

HighKickmas Extravaganza

Philly rockers HighKick throw their 7th annual party with Candy Newman, Tom Krews, the Bummachs From Space, Gilbert Godtree, Chestnut Grove and many more.

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday $12, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Wynton Marsalis fronts a holiday program of Ellington, Basie, Goodman and Dorsey. With vocal soloist Cecile McLorin Salvant.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Sunday, $40-$85, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Rock operatics rule in an elaborate saga, "The Christmas Attic," filled with treasures and mystery.

Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 4 & 8 p.m. Tuesday, $30-$70, 800-298-4200, comcasttix.com.

MUSIC

Chipocrite

Nintendo GameBoys were injured (but not complaining) in the making of this chirpy-chipped synth-pop dance music. With fellow Philly locals the Blurry Nights, Chronicles of Sound and Ova.

Black Box at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8 tonight, $10 (21+), undergroundarts.org.

Piffaro

Renaissance wind band takes us to Naples, where Italian and Spanish musical influences collided to fashion new harmonies for ancient instruments. Soprano Laura Heimes and cornetist Kiri Tollaksen add their artistry to the band's juicy sonorities.

Trinity Center, 22nd and Spruce streets, 8 tonight; Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $15-$40, 215-235-8469, piffaro.org.

Nashville Pussy

Sassy sarcastics gotta boogie "Before the Drugs Wear Off" 'cause "The South's Too Fat to Rise Again." With Valient Thorr, Against the Grain and Filthadelphia's own Screaming Rattler.

North Star, 2639 Poplar St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $15-$18 (21+), 215-787-0488, northstarbar.com.

Chase Rice

Horny country rocker chases babes with programmed beats and bangs. Doesn't disturb his down-home essence, none. Rompin' stompin' Old Dominion's on the prowl, too.

TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Sunday, $20, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

Avery Sunshine

Hurt 'n' soul singer/songwriter/keyboardist gets compared to India.Arie and Jill Scott but has a lilt, polish and urgency all her own. A product of Chester, with lots of church music (and jazz, and classical) history, Sunshine is topping the Billboard Urban AC chart and VH1 Soul playlist with "Call My Name." And sharing the bill here with Philadelphia jazz/R&B drummer/bandleader Lil John Roberts.

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Monday, $22.50, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Tyler, The Creator

West Coast rapper drops tales so twisted he rated inclusion in "Grand Theft Auto V."

TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Monday, $30, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

Matisyahu/Judith Hill

Cool juxtaposition of revertant reggae man and a most stirring studio session singer. Hill's been immortalized in the documentary "20 Feet from Stardom" and in gigs backing Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.

TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $28.50, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

- Compiled by Tom Di Nardo,

Lauren McCutcheon, Jonathan Takiff