'Bah! Humbug!' says cranky Scrooge

Travel back to 19th-century London Saturday and meet Ebenezer Scrooge at the Walnut Street Theatre production of A Christmas Carol.

The play, based on the 1843 novel by Charles Dickens, takes audiences to the world of the vitriolic, selfish, and greedy Scrooge - who begins to change his feelings toward Christmas when he receives visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future.

Kids can enjoy craft activities Saturday and Sunday at the Franklin Institute as part of its holiday programing.

Activities will include papermaking, with participants creating the sheets with pulp from recycled office material, from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. At 1:30 and 4, during the science of ships workshop, kids can try Morse code, see the Titanic-era artifacts from the institute's museum collection, and more. During the solar-observation workshop, also at 1:30 and 4, take a look at the huge star through a Zeiss refracting telescope. Programs continue Dec. 26 to 31.

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Activities are free with general admission. Admission: $16.50, $15.50 for military with valid ID, $12.50 for children, free for members. Information: 215-448-1200 or www.fi.edu.

Santa Claus is coming to Franklin Square from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Santa will ride the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel and play golf, and read stories from noon to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 2 p.m.  

Brunch with Santa at Atlantic City Country Club costs $29.95 for adults, $14.95 for children 4 to 12. It is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. www.accountryclub.com.