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. 11am-2:30pm. RSVP. Rain date 7 days later. From Jam N’ Java Arlington, MA, Tue 12/11.more

The event of the week is protesting British tax on tea! Re-enactors will lead you through an old towne meeting and then sort of roleplay of actually dumping the tea (in which you stay warm indoors). 4pm. Old South Meeting House Boston, MA, Tue 12/18.more

Did you miss the Frog Pond opening? I’ve been to the Kendall Square version twice and highly recommend it! The rink has been open since the 6th, so it’s not really an opening. Just free skating all day, with professional performances. Also, cocoa, as usual. 2pm. Cambridge, MA, Sat 12/15.more

And another concert at a church that’s Unitarian, so it shouldn’t be too heavy with spirituality. Also participatory. 1pm. Church Boston, MA, Sun 12/16.more

In Somerville, take a 45 minute trolley tour around town to look at the most decorated houses. I’ve been and recommend it, but it’s best to buy a ticket in advance. Regular tours from 4:30-10pm. Somerville City Hall Somerville, MA, Sat 12/15.more

Nearby, The Charles Hotel is opening their ice rink with some free skating, Santa, and professional peformances. 12-3pm. Charles Hotel in Harvard Square Cambridge, MA, Sun 12/16.more

Another opportunity to listen or sing along to Handel’s Messiah. Can you handle it? (Ha! Get it…? ) 4pm. Free. Shapiro Campus Center Atrium, Brandeis University Waltham, MA, Thu 12/13.more

This Messiah sing (yup, another one) focuses just on the ‘Christmas’ part and invites the audience to sing along with the Hallelujah bit. 7pm. First Church Congregational Cambridge, MA, Sat 12/15.more

This is part of Coolidge Corner’s ‘Science on Screen’ series. A bit overlooked when it came out, The Prestige is a stylish period flick about two rival turn-of-the-century magicians, played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. Before the film, an MIT physicist will tell you about Nikola Tesla, whose experiments in electricity were groundbreaking and who is played in the film by DAVID BOWIE! Bowie as Tesla? Epic win. 7pm. The Coolidge Corner Theatre Brookline, MA, Mon 12/10.more

What is possibly Boston’s best artist community has their annual open studios this weekend. Walk around South Boston and meet the actual artists in their private homes and work studios. The opening reception is Friday evening. Fri 5-8pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm. Boston, MA, Fri 12/14–Sat 12/15.more

Oldies 103, hot cocoa, cookies, participatory caroling, tree lighting, and Santa on a fire truck. 6pm. Brighton Center Boston, MA, Mon 12/10.more

This country fusion act is another great-looking show at Club Passim this week. 8pm. Club Passim Cambridge, MA, Tue 12/11.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. This year? No description. 6-11:59pm. Features a walking tour. Inman Square Cambridge, MA, Thu 12/13.more

Nothing kicks off a holiday parade like an arrival by Santa via helicopter. Italians do things big. Cannolis to follow? 1pm. North End Park Boston, MA, Sun 12/16.more

They wear candles on their heads! This Scandinavian holiday festival, the largest of its kind in New England, is sponsored by IKEA and Volvo. No, really! 10am-4pm. Boston Center for the Arts Boston, MA, Sat 12/15.more

Another multi-cultural Solstice concert, this one by a world-class early music group. 8pm. Watertown, MA, Tue 12/18.more

There are lots of handbell concerts happening this month, but there are two opportunities to see one for free. Friday at 10 am and Sunday at 2pm. Hancck United Church of Christ Lexington, MA, Fri 12/14–Sun 12/16.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 12/14–Sat 12/15.more

Governor Patrick will attend the lighting the Menorah at the state house. 4pm. State House Boston, MA, Mon 12/10.more

I worked hard to find some Hanukkah events as well. This menorah lighting on Boston Common occurs nightly from today through the 15th at 4:30pm. Boston Common near Park St. Subway Boston, MA, Sat 12/8–Sat 12/15.more

This Chanukkah party has got bowling and cocktails, and is aimed at the twenty-something crowd. 7:30pm. Jillian’s Boston Boston, MA, Mon 12/10.more

Meanwhile, this one is for kiddies and has lots of food and crafts. 3-5pm. Temple Sinai Brookline, MA, Tue 12/11.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, Fri 12/14–Sun 12/16.more

Like the Pandemonium Geek Faire, this is basically just a bazaar. :/ 10am-4pm. Dilboy VFW Somerville, MA, Sun 12/16.more

Hmm. I was expecting a bit more from a ‘Geek Faire’ than vendors selling fan materials. After all, Pandemonium sells stuff year-round, but I guess these vendors are really special. 1-6pm. Pandemonium Books Cambridge, MA, Sun 12/16.more

Now this is 3D modeling! Check out these technology-based art projects. 7:30pm. MassArt’s Trustee’s Room Boston, MA, Tue 12/11.more

This one’s not participatory, which is a shame, because it’s the only Kwanzaa event I’ve heard of. I don’t really get Kwanzaa, but I haven’t really tried to. Maybe if I went, I’d learn something. Friday: 7pm and Saturday: 3pm. Roxbury Community College, Media Arts Center Boston, MA, Fri 12/14.more

This concert explores the solstice mythologies of various different culures, including Greek, Celtic, and Scandinavian. 4pm. Third Life Studio, Union Square Somerville, MA, Sun 12/16.more

Music! Dancing! It’s Christmas! Click for our review. Reagle Music Theatre Waltham, MA, Fri 12/7–Sun 12/16.more

. BCA Plaza Theatre Boston, MA, Fri 12/7–Sat 12/22.more

Revels puts on a fantastic annual performance, usually with a medieval bent. This year, the theme seems to be centered around Irish immigrants during the early 20th century. themed. 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. Sanders Theatre Cambridge, MA, Fri 12/14–Thu 12/27.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 12/14–Sat 12/22.more

There’s another Story Slam this week, kids. Maybe you can regale everyone with the woeful tale of how you embarrassed yourself at a Messiah sing? 7pm. Club Passim, Harvard Square Cambridge, MA, Mon 12/17.more