There's plenty of things do, both in our own backyard and around the area as the holiday season ramps up.
Keswick events
The following shows are coming up at the Keswick Theatre, Glenside, Montgomery County:
Starship featuring Mickey Thomas with “Hits & Holidays” today at 8 p.m.
Comedian Pete Correale with Joe Rinaldi on Friday at 9.
The Temptations and Four Tops on Saturday and Sunday at 7.
Darlene Love on Wednesday at 7:30.
For tickets and more information, go to www.keswicktheatre.com/.
The following events are coming up at the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College:
Danu: An Emerald Isle Christmas today at 7 p.m. Danu is a leading traditional Irish ensemble, known for high-energy performances and a mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire.
Christmas with the Celts on Saturday at 7:30. This show combines ancient Irish Christmas carols and Irish dance along with contemporary songs with Irish instrumentation.
For tickets, see millercenter.racc.edu/events.
Concert by mgk
The Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia is hosting mgk’s “Lost Americana” tour featuring a fifth anniversary performance of “Tickets to My Downfall.” The singer and rapper formerly was known as Machine Gun Kelly. For tickets, see www.xfinitymobilearena.com/.
Philadelphia culture
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones bring their Jingle All the Way show to the Miller Theater in Philadelphia on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The show includes special guests Jeff Coffin and Alash.
The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Yannick Nezet-Seguin and joined by the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and guest soloists, performs Handel’s “Messiah” on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 in Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center..
Trisha Paytas performs Saturday at 7:30 in the Miller Theater. The entrepreneur and author has amassed an online audience of more than 20 million followers.
For tickets and information on these shows, see www.ensembleartsphilly.org/.
Firebird Festival
The Phoenixville Firebird Festival takes place Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Reservoir Park. It features a 20-foot Phoenix sculpture along with drummers, dancers, fire performers, live music and craft and food vendors.
Learn more at www.firebirdfestival.com/.
Reading shows
A Broadway-style production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” takes place tonight at 7 in the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading.
Popular jazz crossover musician Kenny G brings his “Miracles Holiday and Hits” tour to the Santander theater on Sunday at 7:30.
Learn more about both shows at www.santander-arena.com/.
Sports card show
The Philly Show Sports Card and Memorabilia Show runs Friday through Sunday at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Montgomery County. Hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 to 3 Sunday. See phillyshow.com/ for more information.
Sellersville Theatre
Upcoming shows at the Sellersville Theatre in Bucks County:
Wooden Ships Band — The Music of Crosby, Stills & Nash, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Wooden Ships is committed to the special tunings, keys and sounds of CSN’s iconic songs along with band’s iconic harmonies.
An Olde English Christmas With Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone on Friday at 6 and 9 p.m. Noone, the original “Herman” of the British Invasion group, leads a celebration of its legendary career and the joy of Christmas.
“Spending Christmas” with Alicia Witt on Saturday at 8. Witt is a veteran actress and singer. She will perform her entire 2024 Christmas album as well as her other Christmas songs, some of which were part of Hallmark Channel movies in which she has appeared.
Anthony Nunziata’s “Christmas & Italy” on Sunday at 7. The jazz/pop vocalist, songwriter, entertainer, and Carnegie Hall headliner sings songs from the Italian, Broadway and holiday repertoires.
Eric Gales performs Monday at 8. The blues rocker is known as a genre-defying guitar virtuoso whose work has appeared on Grammy-nominated albums and the soundtrack of Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.”
PAKT featuring Percy Jones, Alex Skolnick, Kenny Grohowski and Tim Motzer takes the stage Wednesday at 8. These top musicians present a blend of avant-garde rock, jazz, experimental, atmospheric, psychedelic and more.
For tickets and more information, see www.st94.com/.
Holiday market
Barrio Alegria is hosting its annual My Mother’s Refrigerator holiday market in downtown Reading today from 6 to 8 p.m at the WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St. The market will feature more than a dozen artists, including entrepreneurs in painting, poetry, crochet, treats and vintage collections. There will be performances by local talent. Admission is free, as is on-street parking starting at 6. For more information, visit Barrio Alegria’s Facebook and Instagram pages or email [email protected].
Celtic concert
The Reading Choral Society Chamber Singers will be joined by Celtic group New Winter for a concert featuring bagpipes and vocal harmonies on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Pennside Presbyterian Church, 253 N. 25th St., Lower Alsace Township, Berks County Admission is free. The musicians will weave the music of the winter solstice, Christmas and Hogmanay (the Scottish New Year). Learn more at www.readingchoral.org.
‘Holiday Happenings’
“Holiday Happenings” continues Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 Seventh Ave., West Reading. The event features toy train and LEGO displays, a live Nativity scene, a roving magician and a nightly visit from Santa Claus. On Saturday, the Brass Menagerie will perform, and on Sunday the Happy Dutchman Band will feature German Christmas music. Both programs run from 6 to 7:30. New this year will be a Christmas bazaar with proceeds to benefit the Children’s Dyslexic Center.
Admission is free, and complimentary refreshments will be available. To learn more about the events, call 610-373-0790.
Train display
The Heritage of Green Hills in Cumru Township, Berks County, is hosting two holiday-themed open houses of its toy train display created and curated by the senior living community’s residents on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cocoa and holiday treats will be served, and a special holiday market featuring local vendors will be held Saturday. The Heritage of Green Hills is located at 200 Tranquility Lane.
Ardmore Music Hall
The Ardmore Music Hall presents the following:
Reggae-rock band Bumpin Uglies + Ballyhoo! with Joey Harkum Thursday at 8.
WXPN free at noon concert with Rhett Miller on Friday. RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/o/wxpn-12923992071
Hoots & Hellmouth 20th anniversary celebration with the Tisburys Friday at 8.
Home for the Holidays featuring Tom Hamilton and special guests Saturday at 7:30.
The String Queens Sunday at 7.
Go to ardmoremusichall.com/ to learn more.
Christmas shows
Christmas Unplugged takes place tonight at 8 at the Newtown Theatre in Bucks County. Performers will play acoustic versions of popular Christmas songs. The concert will be illuminated by white lanterns placed throughout the theatre. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
The Newtown’s tradition of “Holiday Dueling Pianos” returns Friday at 8 featuring pianists Steve and Jenni Luhmann. The show will include sing-along holiday classics.
Learn more at www.thenewtowntheatre.com/
Lucy Wainwright Roche
Lucy Wainwright Roche performs today at 8 p.m. at the Kennett Flash in Kennett Square. Americana singer-songwriter Jason “J.D.” Webb is opening. Roche, daughter of performers Suzzy Roche and Loudon Wainwright III, is a singer-songwriter known for a deadpan sense of humor and strong voice. Learn more at kennettflash.org/events/.
