My favorite Christmas show is held by Revels, with dancing and a look back to 1907 like you’ve never seen before! I have two pairs of tickets to give away for 12/14 show. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com to win! SANDERS THEATRE Cambridge, MA, Fri 12/14–Thu 12/27.more

Here’s an opportunity for hot local tech startups to mingle with job-seeking technophiles over cocktails. There will also be lectures about grassroots marketing. One Marina Park Drive Boston, MA, Mon 11/26.more

I’ve seen events at Frog Pond and the ice skating performances are surprisingly impressive! This one is just before the official tree lighting, at 5pm. Boston Common Boston, MA, Thu 11/29.more

This is a holiday party with a casino that benefits an LGBT charity. They’ll have a stand-up comic and dancing, too! 7-11pm. Faneuil Hall Boston, MA, Sun 12/2.more

The 19th century war ship the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the oldest active duty ship in the nation… And they have an annual tree lighting ceremony! Why show up outside some city hall and watch them flick a switch, when you could watch the USS Constitution crew fire the cannons?! Beforehand, there is a period-themed open house at the Commander’s house. 1-4:30pm. Take public transit, parking is limited. Bldg 5 Charlestown Navy Yard Charlestown, MA, Sun 12/2.more

Town-wide holiday nights are a dime a dozen, and are usually just ploys to get you to shop. At least this one features a variety of performances and a reading by local authors at Brookline Booksmith. Brookline, MA, Thu 11/29.more

This festival is a good excuse to visit this historic museum if you’ve never been. It’s not as good an excuse as their Boston Tea Party re-enactment next month, though. Old South Meeting House Boston, MA, Fri 11/30–Sat 12/1.more

This tree lighting ceremony is a lot more than just flicking a switch on! No details about this year’s lineup yet, but past performers have included the Boston Ballet, the Rockettes, and local favorite Joey McIntyre. 5-9pm. Boston Common Boston, MA, Thu 11/29.more

Basically, this is a merchant event where stores stay open late. But Santa’s coming to Depot Square 6:30 for a tree lighting, and there are ‘holiday pops’ concerts at 4pm and 8pm. 4-9:30pm. Lexington, MA, Fri 11/30.more

Student art sales are a great way to find a creative holiday bargain. This one’s at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. At least there’s no merchant mark-up and you’re benefiting the students directly. Who knows?— You might land a piece by the next Kiki Smith or Damien Hirst! Tower Building Lobby Boston, MA, Sun 12/2–Sat 12/8.more

Remember all those charity road races last week? There are plenty coming up for the holidays, too. Here’s one in Harvard. I’m not sure what pre-Christmas celebrations they’re alluding to in the description, though. I don’t see any pictures of well-meaning neo-pagans in capes? Cambridge, MA, Sun 12/2.more

The editor of the Best American Short Stories will discuss what goes into the making of this popular annual publication and Jennifer Haigh and Edith Pearlman will read from their work. All of this happens over high tea at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. $45, which is pretty much a standard price for high tea at a fancy hotel. Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston, MA, Sun 12/2.more

Tree lighting and performance, ho hum. Cambridge, MA, Sun 12/2.more

3:00 pm. The humanist love speaker series concludes with the betrothal of an award to OkCupid! for creating a welcoming and positive environment for atheists, Humanists, and agnostics. Harvard Science Center (One Oxford Street) Hall E Cambridge, MA, Sun 12/2.more

Attend this charity event with videogames, board games, roleplaying, and food — and somehow this gets toys to kids in a hospital. They’ll have 20 different kinds of games, from Rock Band to ping pong. If that’s not enough, there’s also booze. 7pm. Microsoft NERD Cambridge, MA, Sat 12/1.more

If they’re going to talk about foams and molecular gastronomy, I am so in.This week’s lesson taught by Ferran Adri. 7 pm. Tickets required. Harvard Science Center Cambridge, MA, Mon 12/3.more

And yet another. ‘Please Buy from Us’ is their main artistic theme. Merry Giftmas! 10am-5pm. StoveFactory Gallery Charlestown, MA, Sat 12/1–Sun 12/2.more

Learn about various indigenous cultures from around the world through music, performances, crafts, and food. This organization is AWESOME. They have been helping to protect the rights of indigenous peoples since the ’60s. Cambridge, MA, Fri 11/30–Sun 12/2.more

This fundraiser for the American Islamic Congress is a classy Back Bay affair honoring Zeren Earls (who founded Boston’s First Night) and also featuring music and stand-up comedy. Tickets are as little as $35, which is really reasonable for a dinner benefit. Back Bay Boston, MA, Sat 12/1.more

I almost never list shopping events, but I’m happy to encourage you to buy books and to support one of Boston’s best local businesses. The HBS warehouse sale is not to be missed, whether you’re looking for a bestseller, a coffee table book for a Christmas present, or a scholarly title. Somerville, MA, Sat 12/1–Sun 12/2.more

Awesome owl events just keep coming. ‘Owl’ see you there! Ha ha ha. Get it? ‘Owl’…? Hello…? Is this thing on? (tap tap tap) 7-9pm. Fort Nature Refuge Boston, MA, Wed 11/28.more

When the demons fight the angels, what do the demons think? This comedy is an adaptation of the story by C. S. Lewis, the author of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College Boston, MA, Fri 11/30–Sat 12/1.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 tp Symphony Hall in jeans is lame, and also no fun. Symphony Hall Boston, MA, Fri 11/30–Sun 12/2.more

This powerhouse performer presents her unique blend of spoken word, hip hop, and live music to raise money for AIDS awareness, care, and prevention. Lily Pad Cambridge, MA, Sat 12/1.more

There’s always an opera at the Boston Early Music Festival, and this year they’re presenting Orfeo, written in 1607 and widely regarded as the first ever opera. Click for our review. Jordan Hall Boston, MA, Sat 11/24–Sun 11/25.more

Every year the second year students at the Harvard Medical School put on a musical comedy show to raise money. I’ve been and it’s fantastic. I called to confirm that it’s open to everyone, not just the students. It’s a fundraiser! Cambridge, MA, Thu 11/29–Sat 12/1.more

Or enjoy handbell concerts all over Massachusetts! Cambridge, MA, Sat 12/1.more