🎁 Philly holiday fun to check off your list | Things to Do

I’m in full holiday mode: Christmas music is on full blast, precious pasteles are in the freezer, and I’ve already successfully made one batch of coquito (with more to come). How are you embracing the end-of-year cheer? What traditions do you keep, or love to break? Let me know!

As we near the end of 2024, I just wanted to say thank you so much for reading. It’s been a joy to connect with all of you, and I look forward to continuing the fun next year!

One programming note: This newsletter will be taking a short break, but we’ll be back in your inboxes on Jan. 9, 2025. Happy New Year!

This (and next) week’s lineup:

— Rosa Cartagena (@_RosaCartagena, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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Famous crooner (and notable Penn grad) John Legend is bringing his Christmas tour to the Philly region this weekend, playing in Allentown tonight and Atlantic City tomorrow. He talked to pop music critic Dan DeLuca about his favorite Christmas song and how it felt to hear Bruce Springsteen call out his version of “Dancing in the Dark.” In addition to Christmas hits, Legend will be opening up on stage about his personal life and family memories.

🎸 I’m a believer: A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, running through Dec. 22 at Forrest Theatre, delivers not one but two very convincing Diamond singer-actors who will have you singing along to his biggest hits.

💚 Laughs and sass: Philly drag queen Cookio Diorio plays the hilarious and inventive character of Mabeline Grinchester, the Grinch’s bitter ex-wife who lights up the green celebrity (and the stage) with killer vocals and an irresistible attitude. Hear notable opera singers as her guest stars for the show’s final weekend.

🪝 A new Peter Pan: Head to People’s Light in Malvern for the family-friendly musical Peter Panto, and get a taste of the British holiday theater tradition. The retold classic is a delight.

🪄 The Potter parody: The much-buzzed-about comedy Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience arrives in Philly for a stint starting Dec. 26. Touring with an all-female cast for the first time, the show features two actors performing all seven Harry Potter books in just 70 minutes.

🥘 Delicious dishes: Avoid kitchen chaos by ordering holiday takeout from your favorite Philly spots. Whether it’s Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year’s, our takeout guide has you covered.

📅 My calendar picks this week: ‘Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil, Wicked Sing Along Drag Brunch, The Nutcracker Dipped in Chocolate

Celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa with fun events from the Weitzman Museum and the African American Museum. Start tonight with the adults-only Latkes & Vodkas movie night (great name) at Khyber Pass Pub to watch the beloved silly-vulgar classic Eight Crazy Nights starring Adam Sandler. On Dec. 25, the Weitzman will be open for performances, crafts, and more family-friendly activities for Being ______ at Christmas. Beginning Dec. 26, the AAMP will host a week of various Kwanzaa celebrations, including live drumming, a cooking class, an open mic, a bazaar, and arts and crafts classes.

🎁 Presents for procrastinators: No judgment, but if you haven’t found gifts yet for your loved ones, might we suggest extremely Philly ideas? From Kalaya chef Nok Suntaranon’s cookbook to Iannelli’s cannoli kits, find the best gems in our very Philly gift guide.

🥂 Say salud: New Year’s Eve is around the corner and if you’re still firming up your plans, we rounded up eight great Philly bars where you can raise a toast and ring in 2025.

🎄 Dazzling displays: Looking for the best holiday activity for all ages? Head to one of the many amazing light shows in the area this month, from the Macy’s Christmas Light Show to the Miracle on South 13th Street, and much more.

🚗 Awesome autos: Car nerds, this one is for you — a new exhibit at Philly’s Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum showcases 30 historic Volkswagens and the brand new electric minivan, the ID.Buzz.

🗑️ Need to know: Christmas Day will bring many closures across the city. We have a handy guide to what’s open and closed, from grocery stores to pharmacies.

Pop music critic Dan DeLuca and classical music critic Peter Dobrin break down the best upcoming concerts:

🎻 Thursday: Philadelphia Orchestra will perform The Muppet Christmas Carol tonight at Marian Anderson Hall. It was hardly a box-office smash at its release in 1992, but The Muppet Christmas Carol has become deeply lodged in the emotional memory of a generation or two. Seeing it along with live orchestra (score by Miles Goodman, songs by Paul Williams) heightens the experience, as promised in two performances with conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos.

🎤 Thursday to Sunday: Philly trombonist Jeff Bradshaw is playing eight Soulful Jazzy Christmas shows at South on North Broad Street. The band leader, whose albums include Bone Apetit and Bone Deep and has worked with Jill Scott, The Roots, Jay Z, and others, plays two shows Thursday through Sunday.

🎤 Thursday to Monday: Musiq Soulchild, the silky smooth R&B-soul man, hasn’t released a new album since 2017′s Feel the Real, but he still commands a big following in his hometown. The artist born Taalib Johnson is also playing eight shows, through his residency at City Winery Philadelphia, where he’s playing two shows each on Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday.

🎻 Saturday and Sunday: See the Philadelphia Orchestra perform Messiah at Marian Anderson Hall. The tradition lives, and this year with some spectacular voices. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Handel’s grand, deeply moving oratorio, with soprano Lucy Crowe, mezzo Emily D’Angelo, tenor Spencer Britten, bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, and the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir.

🎤 Monday: For the last three years, jazz vocalist sensation Samara Joy — who won a best new artist Grammy in 2023 — has closed out her holiday themed fall tour in Philadelphia. Every year, it gets bigger, moving from Ardmore Music Hall to the Miller Theater last year, and now to Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center. That’s where the singer touring behind her new album Portrait is on her “A Joyful Holiday” tour with the McLendon Family on Monday. She’ll be performing with many of her bountifully talented family members, including her bassist father, Antonio McLendon, singing cousins Tiera Lovell Rowe and Thomas Niblack, and her grandfather Elder Goldwire McLendon, 94, who is sure to steal the show.

This week I’m listening to the holiday music greats, from Héctor Lavoe and El Gran Combo, to Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. Who are you listening to this season? Drop me a rec.