This version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ features traditional Victorian Hymms and carols, and remains authentic to Dickens’ intentions. You can see it for yourself, too! We have two pairs of tickets to giveaway to the 12/11 show. The Plaza Black Box Theatre Boston, MA, Fri 12/6–Sat 12/21.more

Even if you’re *from* Boston, I heartily encourage you to check out The Boston Duck boat tours. They combine history, a cool, water-faring vehicle, and a bit more humor than you’d expect to create a truly unique, boston-centric, expierence. Learn the origin of ‘Bean Town’, drive past the oldest buildings, a piece of the Berlin wall, and if you Quack nicely, they’ll even let you drive the boat. We’re giving away two tickets for this for 12/15 and 12/22, and you can enter by e-mailing giveaways@eventsinsider.com. Boston, MA, Sat 12/7–Mon 12/23.more

Not Jenny’ looks to be a dramatic affair with car crashes, broken dreams, broken bones, with a darkly humorous twist. Win a pair of tickets to ‘Not Jenny’ for the 12/11, 7:30 PM show by e-mailing Giveaways@eventsinsider.com. Stanford Calderwood Pavilion Boston, MA, Mon 12/9–Sun 12/15.more

Elvis and The Beatles, the best concert that never was, now *is*. How zen. Thanks to the Mahoney Brothers, that dream that many thought would never come true, has via these virtuoso impersonators who are so good even Dick Clark, who met the *actual* Beatles and *actual* Elvis, thinks this concert is ‘Absolutely Incredible’. Even better? Win we have a pair of tickets for 12/14 show. E-mail giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win. 8pm. Regent Theater, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA, Sat 12/14.more

Elvis. Ricky Nelson. Buddy Holly. The Beach Boys? The Beatles?! The Everly Brothers!? What is this black magic? How can you get all these legendary acts on one stage for one show? Via fancy costumes, quality production, and outstanding talent of the Mahoney Brothers, who turn musical impersonation into an artform. Win two tickets to the 12/13 show by e-mailing giveaways@eventsinsider.com. Regent Theater, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA, Fri 12/13.more

Win two tickets to ‘I Have a Dream: An Interfaith Choral Experience’. Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! Berenson Hall Hebrew Coll Newton, MA, Sun 12/15.more

Who Framed Roger Rabbit merged Disney and Warner Brothers, and live action and animation so perfectly that it’s a fantastically entertaining film AND fascinating behind-the-scenes production story. Learn a little bit about this spectacular film, and the laws of cartoon physics at the Coolidge Corner Theater. 7:00 pm. Coolidge Corner Theatre Brookline, MA, Mon 12/9.more

The 7th annual Arlington Street Church carol-along. This is at a church that’s Unitarian, so it shouldn’t be too heavy with spirituality, though pews tend to be pretty uncomfortable. 1pm. Church Boston, MA, Sun 12/15.more

Decorate gingerbread houses pre-cooked and assembled by the hotel’s pastry Chef at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, so all the hard work is done for you. What’s left is decorating them with gum drops, frosting, candy ribbons, and whatever else you can muster up, maybe even a Junior Mint driveway. Call 617-806-4250 for reservations and times. Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge, MA, Sun 12/15.more

Happy Anniversary! It’s the 240th year since Bostonians introduced sea life to the wonders of Caffeine- or the Boston Tea Party for you history nuts. The event of the week is protesting British tax on tea! Nothing says, ‘Screw you guys,’ like turning the local harbor into a giant pot of Darjeeling, right? Re-enactors will lead you through an old towne meeting and then sort of role-play actually dumping the tea into the harbor (though you stay warm indoors). 6:30pm. Old South Meeting House Boston, MA, Mon 12/16.more

There are plenty of non-Xmas events this week, and thank goodness. This one is the annual display by the National Railroad Association, which is only $7, but the museum itself is free and is always free, and features revolutionary war exhibits and other New England history. Sat 10am-4:30pm, Sun 12-4pm. National Heritage Museum Lexington, MA, Sat 12/14–Sun 12/15.more

Kwanzaa honors the ‘Nguzo Saba’ which contains seven principles including unity, creativity, peace, self determination, cooperative economics, and more. This Kwanzaa concert is not participatory, which is a shame, because it’s the only Kwanzaa event I’ve heard of. Friday: 7pm and Saturday: 3pm. Roxbury Community College – Media Arts Center Boston, MA, Fri 12/13–Sat 12/14.more

This fundraiser for the American Islamic Congress is a classy Back Bay affair honoring several Islamic men and women that did extraordinary things this year, Mediterranean Cuisine (hopefully Shwarma!), music, and a silent auction. Tickets are as little as $35, which is really reasonable for a dinner benefit. 6pm. Back Bay Boston, MA, Fri 12/13.more

This popular 1806 estate is holding a special high tea, followed by a guided tour. There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly Austenish about it, but I think guests dress up! Bust out your Regency finest. Tea time is 1pm. Gore Place Waltham, MA, Sat 12/14–Sat 12/21.more

The 9th annual Candy Land tournament! The board game that any 2 year old can play because it involves no skill whatsoever! And meant to get you to come shop at Faneuil Hall, of course. 10am-12pm. Faneuil Hall Boston, MA, Sat 12/14.more

A…cookie swap. Interesting. For every cookie swapped a dollar is donated to charity, but the rules and regulations of his event remain nebulous. However it’s popular and features cookies, some of which are free, so I doubt you’d have a bad time. There’s also a best cookie contest. 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EST). Boston, MA, Sun 12/15.more

The Good Man’ is a….’finely tuned, extremely well balanced script is bolstered by powerful yet understated performances and straightforward storytelling.’ if Film Ireland is to be believed, and I believe them. Catch the New England Debut 12/16. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbhkBN00ayQ&feature=player_embedded 7:30pm. Studio Cinema Belmont, MA, Mon 12/16.more

Oldies 103, hot cocoa, cookies, participatory caroling, tree lighting, and Santa on a fire truck. 6pm. Brighton Center Boston, MA, Mon 12/9.more

This country fusion act is another great-looking show at Club Passim this week. 8pm. Cambridge, MA, Tue 12/10.more

If you’re going to attend one of these merchant-driven Holiday Strolls, this is a nice place to do it. Charles Street has a lot to offer: Old-Boston charm, legendary art and antiques dealers, cool architecture, and fanciest convenience store I’ve ever seen. 6-9pm. Beacon Hill Boston, MA, Thu 12/12.more

This one’s even better — I’ve been there and recommend it highly. They’ll have hot cider, wandering carolers, a scavenger hunt, and soaks in the hot tub (bring a bathing suit) at Inman Oasis. Santa will be there, too. At least, that’s what they did last year. No mention of a hot tub on this year’s website. 6pm-11:59pm. Features a walking tour. Inman Square Cambridge, MA, Thu 12/12.more

Holy Handel! Another Messiah sing! At this one, you are free to join along, for the good or ill of the people standing next to you. 8pm both days. Carey Hall Lexington, MA, Fri 12/13–Sat 12/14.more

It’s not too late for Xmas caroling! This one is always Christmas Eve at 5:45pm on the Upland Road Green. It’s been happening for 30 years at the same time – and surely some residents have gone every single year hoping once, just once, they’d do ‘Dominick The Donkey’ (eehaww eehaww). 5:45. Philbrick Square Brookline, MA, Sat 12/14.more

Tea with Santa. I guess the big guy would drink tea as opposed to coffee, and it’s nice of him to share his drink of choice with the masses. For 35 dollars you, yes *you* could sip with Santa. Gore Place Waltham, MA, Sat 12/14–Sat 12/21.more

A trolley tour of local, holiday decorated houses? I’m listening. It ends with choral music, hot cocoa, and cookies at Somerville City Hall? I’m sold! There’s also a bike tour. 4:30pm-10:00pm. Somerville City Hall Somerville, MA, Sat 12/14.more

This is a charity event where you race naked except for sneakers, speedos, and Santa beards & caps – and year-to-date it’s raised over a million dollars for charity. And there’s a post-run celebration that hopefully includes blankets and pants. They run east on Boylston and then west on Newbury St. 1pm run, check in starts at 10am. Lir Boston, MA, Sat 12/14.more

Or perhaps you’d prefer to ride a bicycle than run in a speedo. This is a 22 mile ride from Arlington to Boston and back, while caroling, with a holiday party afterwards to combat homelessness – Costumes encouraged. POSTPONED TO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22.Jam N’ Java Arlington, MA, Sun 12/15.more

The enduring messages of Legally Blonde are 1) Don’t judge a book by its cover, and 2) Every good idea deserves a musical. This one has gotten good reviews, and seems to have all the glitz, glamour, and bombastic pagentry you’d want from a broadway production. 8pm 12/8, 12/15, 12/22 at 4pm. AFD Theatre, 22 Academy Street, Arlington, MA, Fri 12/6–Sun 12/22.more

Litmus is putting on a game night with classics like Mario Kart and Apples to Apples, and there’s a FIFA Tournament I’ll be winning. Yep I said it. Bring it on. Looks like Boston has an interactive entertainment scene beyond PAX East and the Harmonix guys! 6-9pm. Cambridge, MA, Wed 12/11.more

Black Nativity isn’t any more crazy than White People Nativity, since Jesus was Middle Eastern. See this performance of theatre, singing, dancing about the baby who took over the world. (Or something like that.) Seems pretty religious. 3:30pm or 8pm. Blackman Auditorium, Northeastern University Boston, MA, Fri 12/13–Sun 12/22.more

What sets apart this particular Messiah concert is its pedigree: Boston Baroque is one of New England’s finest groups, certainly for early music, and Jordan Hall is one of its most beautiful and acoustically perfect venues! Tickets are priced accordingly, though. 7:30pm. Jordan Hall Boston, MA, Fri 12/13–Sat 12/14.more

Revels puts on a fantastic annual performance, usually with a medieval bent. This year, the theme seems to be centered around Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James). Whether you enjoy more highbrow and scholarly entertainments or are happy merely to sing carols at your local town tree-lighting, Revels never disappoints. The Nutcracker is the only other annual show of such quality with such a wide appeal. If you’re under 30 you gets discounted tickets, too. Take that, AARP! 1pm, 5pm, and 7:30pm shows. We’re giving away tickets to the Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30pm, and Friday, Dec. 27 at 1pm show! Enter to win via giveaways@eventsinsider.com. Sanders Theatre Cambridge, MA, Fri 12/13–Fri 12/27.more

Freezepop is kind of a local legend. as they had the *best* songs in that ‘Rockband’ game you may remember from years ago. The Indie Rock Ranger’s Holiday Spectacular features them and four other bands. 2013 8:00 PM. Cambridge, MA, Sat 12/14.more

There are always lots of performances of Handel’s Messiah during the holidays, but this one’s got a pedigree: It’s performed by the Handel and Haydn Society at Symphony Hall. Dress to impress! Showing up to Symphony Hall in jeans is lame, and also no fun – you can ‘handel’ yourself better then that. 3pm and 7:30pm. Boston, MA, Sat 12/14.more

This is your last day to see this year’s holiday revue – ‘The Twelve Gays of Christmas’ (puns, I love em’!) – by the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. 8pm. Kid’s show: 1pm. Boston, MA, Sun 12/15–Sun 12/22.more

Rock N’ Soul is a great pun for a cool show, featuring a bevy of local artists and musical performers. Not much info on the style, if the music is holiday themed, or if the woman dressed up as Billy Idol is single, but it’s been going strong for five years now, and could be worth a look if you enjoy surprises. 7:30pm. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA, Sun 12/15.more

What could make the Christmas season more insane?! Jon Waters! Mr. Waters brings a one-man, X-rated, Holiday season focused show to Boston, and if you’re looking for something that’slike nothing else on the entire planet, I’d check it out. Mature audiences with thick skin only. 8pm. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA, Sun 12/15.more

Sex, lies, Antlers! Now that’s a tag line! ‘The Reindeer Monologues’ features an accusation of sexual harassment at the North Pole, and as the media gets involved, everyone starts pointing fingers…erm hooves. This has the potential to be a great satire and pretty funny too. 2pm, 4pm, and 8pm shows. The Factory Theater, 791 Tremont St, Boston, MA, Tue 12/17–Sun 12/22.more

Oh my gosh! Is that a lute?! Sign me up. Take my money, I’m there! This is another multi-cultural Solstice concert, by the world-class early music group Seven Times Salt. 7:30pm. Seven Times Salt Boston, MA, Tue 12/17.more