What did I tell you about solstices and harp players? Deborah Henson-Conant shakes things up with her electric body harp. AND she’s been nominated for a Grammy. Think she sounds cool? (I do.) I’ve got 4 tickets to give away for this show! Email johnny@eventsinsider.com. 8pm. The Regent Theatre Arlington, MA, Fri 12/21.more

Do you like the Transiberian Orchestra? You’ll love these guys. I’ve got 4 tickets to give away for this show! If you want one, email johnny@eventsinsider.com. 8pm. The Regent Theatre Arlington, MA, Sat 12/22.more

Out of all the holiday concerts we’ve featured, I couldn’t find very many devoted to R&B and soul. Oh, wait! Here’s a good one- and I’ve got 2 tickets to give away. To win, email johnny@eventsinsider.com. 8pm. The Regent Theatre Arlington, MA, Sun 12/23.more

The Sound of Music, the classic musical is being shown in Arlington along with printed lyrics so you can sing along. I’ve got 4 tickets to give away (show date unknown, let me know what’s best for you)! To win, email johnny@eventsinsider.com. The Regent Theatre Arlington, MA, Wed 12/26.more

In Beacon Hill’s Louisburg Square, the US tradition of Xmas Eve bellringing began in 1924. It’s not a widely publicized event, but a fun one. 7:30pm. Boston, MA, Mon 12/24.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. Philbrick Square, at the corner of Upland and Maple Streets Brookline, MA, Mon 12/24.more

My favorite Xmas Caroling group this week is coming up. I went one year and it was awesome! Fun, creative, harmonic, and not too religious. 4pm. RSVP appreciated. Meet at the Green Street MBTA stop on the Orange Line Boston, MA, Sun 12/23.more

It looks like this will be outdoors and they’ll serve hot cider. Yum!! And the caroling is participatory. 4-5pm. Warren Avenue at West Canton St Boston, MA, Sun 12/23.more

These folks in JP claim that theirs is the only uncut performance of Messiah this season. 4pm. St. John’s Episcopal Church Jamaica Plain, MA, Sat 12/22.more

Nothing to do on Christmas day? The Brattle’s open, and they’re showing a feel-good classic all day. The Brattle Theatre Cambridge, MA, Tue 12/25.more

This local fan club of Sherlock Holmes will have a dinner party. Too bad they don’t list any a place or time, but if you’re a fan too — track ’em down yourself, Sherlock! No location given. It’s ‘secret.’ Cambridge, MA, Fri 12/21.more

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 roleplay of actually dumping the tea (in which you stay warm indoors). 4pm. Old South Meeting House Boston, MA, Tue 12/18.more

The Middlesex Fells is a large, MBTA-accesible woodland reserve that’s great for hiking. Learn some history, hear some poetry, and go for a sunset walk. 3:30-5:30pm. Botume House Stoneham, MA, Fri 12/21.more

Walking around Beacon Hill sounds like a great Christmas alternative to me. 2pm with regular historic tours beforehand at 10am. Milk St at Devonshire St Boston, MA, Tue 12/25.more

Still haven’t seen Wes Anderson’s latest? Here’s an opportunity. Haven’t heard from many people who didn’t love it. To boot, you’ll be supporting one of the region’s best arthouse cinemas. The Brattle Theatre Cambridge, MA, Mon 12/17.more

During school vacation week, the MFA is offering a selection of educational games and crafts for children that relate to the museum’s current exhibitions. Free with admission. Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MA, Wed 12/26–Mon 12/31.more

During school vacation week, the USS Constitution museum commemorates the historic ship’s second victory in the War of 1812. 10am-5pm. Note that the museum is closed on Christmas day. The Boston Navy Yard Charlestown, MA, Sat 12/22–Sat 12/29.more

This annual ceremony offers comfort and solidarity to those who are struggling from the loss of loved ones. The holidays can be painful under such circumstances, so I’m glad this event exists. 4:-5:30pm. Mount Auburn Cemetery Cambridge, MA, Tue 12/18.more

Another holiday event with a Dickens touch, featuring Victorian carols and readings from Dickens’s works. 8pm. Old South Church Boston, MA, Fri 12/21.more

This is a hodge-podge of films curated to give you a break from the banality of the holidays. Films are appropriate for children but not mind-numbing for adults. 2pm. Harvard Film Archive Cambridge, MA, Sun 12/23.more

Sing along with the Boston Pops for Christmas. Click for our review! Symphony Hall Boston, MA, Wed 12/5–Mon 12/24.more

Here’s your last chance to catch this hugely popular holiday burlesque show this year! The Somerville Theatre Somerville, MA, Thu 12/20.more

This is your last day to see this year’s holiday revue by the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. 8pm. Jordan Hall Boston, MA, Mon 12/17.more

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

Part of Coolidge Corner’s Sounds of the Silents series, the screening of this spooky German classic is accompanied by a live orchestra. 7pm. Coolidge Corner Theatre Boston, MA, Mon 12/17.more

Here’s another ‘apocalyptic’ throwdown, featuring an interesting assortment of local performance artists. There will be music, dance, spoken word, and more. 9pm. Oberon Cambridge, MA, Thu 12/20.more

Following their successful run of ‘The Snow Queen’ last year, the advanced theatre grad student of the ART present another famous fable. It seems like a family-friendly show, but I’m guessing they emphasize the ‘grim’ in this Grimm’s fairy tale. Oberon Cambridge, MA, Thu 12/20–Mon 12/31.more

What is it about the solstices that brings all the Celtic musicians out of the woodwork? Anyway, Aine Minogue, who looks very like a Rosetti painting in this photograph, has been performing at Club Passim for the past 15 years, so evidently she’s nothing to sniff at. 7:30pm. Club Passim Cambridge, MA, Thu 12/20.more

A night of ‘afro-centric dance bands’ and an apocalypse-themed costume party. If it’s the End of Days (it isn’t) you might as well go out with a bang. 8pm-1am. 21+. Church of Boston Boston, MA, Fri 12/21.more

If you like drag and burlesque, this is the holiday gig for you. 8pm. Oberon Cambridge, MA, Tue 12/18.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

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 Cambridge, MA, Mon 12/17.more

I love this show! I’ve seen it elsewhere. New Repertory Theatre Watertown, MA, Wed 12/19–Sun 12/30.more

This offbeat holiday revue features a mish-mash of random vintage TV kitsch. 7pm. $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The Regent Theatre Arlington, MA, Wed 12/19.more