Wild lights, punk bargains and getting a Handel on the season

This week's round-up includes plenty of opportunities to meet Santa.

Listen 3:14
Image courtesy of Winterthur

Image courtesy of Winterthur

Yuletide at Winterthur
5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware
Through Jan. 6; Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$6-$22 (included with museum admission)

Art collector and horticulturalist Henry Francis du Pont was passionate about flowers and furniture, and you’ll see plenty of both at the Winterthur Museum, his childhood home. During the holiday season, the museum adds a holiday-themed display, outfitting the rooms with lavish Christmas décor. The exhibit includes a magical Christmas tree, a fully decorated dollhouse mansion, and a display of antique Santas. The Yuletide tour will replace the introductory tour during the season. Reservations are advised.

Made In Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia at LOVE Park
1501 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Through Dec. 24; hours vary

If you still have Christmas shopping to do, you might want to stop by two markets in the city open through 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Dilworth Park and Love Park host holiday markets with a variety of vendors offering everything from jewelry, Christmas decorations, handknit items, and an array of arts and crafts. More than 80 area and global vendors are gathered in Love Park for a German-themed marketplace, while the Holiday Market at Dilworth Park focuses on local vendors.

Punk Rock Flea Market
Bok Building
1901 S. 9th St., Philadelphia
Dec. 14; 4-10 p.m.
Dec. 15-16; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$5 for all three days

Everything vintage is up for sale at this flea market, so look for vinyl records, throwback clothing, arts, crafts, jewelry, musical instruments and, of course, punk music.

Polar Express Family Festival with Santa
Please Touch Museum
Memorial Hall
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia
Dec. 15; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
$19 for adult caregivers and children

This holiday event revolves around the “The Polar Express” story and movie. There’s a meet and greet with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a theater performance, story time and a musical parade to conclude the day.

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Wild Lights
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, Pennsylvania
Through Dec. 31 (except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day); 6-10 p.m.
$12.95 – $17.95

Illumination meets animation as the zoo lights up its 16 acres in celebration of the holiday season. Santa and his reindeer will be on hand at his workshop to greet young fans and visitors who are young at heart.

“A Christmas Story”
Haddonfield Plays and Players
957 E. Atlantic Ave., Haddonfield
Through Dec. 22; performance times vary
$10-$15

In this rendering of the Christmas classic, Ralphie Parker just wants a Red Ryder BB gun, but he’s thwarted by everyone around him. But, given that this is Christmastime, there’s a miracle on the way.

Charles Lloyd
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts
736 S. Broad St.
Dec. 18; 7:30 p.m.
$45

Saxophonist Charles Lloyd has been through many iterations in his career – from performing with jazz stalwarts Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, Cannonball Adderley and Chico Coleman, to fronting his own quartet with Jack DeJohnette, Keith Jarrett and Cecil McBee. He dropped out of music to seek personal enlightenment but returned with a renewed commitment to stretching the boundaries of jazz music. Here’s a chance to hear him playing standards, avant-garde and world music.

Chestnut Hill Community Holiday Parade
Germantown Avenue (from Rex & Germantown to The Fareway)
Dec. 15; 9-10 a.m.

Part of Chestnut Hill’s holiday celebration, the parade brings marching bands, horses, choirs and classic cars to Germantown Avenue. Santa, and the hardest working mascot in show business, the Phillie Phanatic, will also be there.

Godshall’s Food Truck Challenge
Headhouse Square
Second and Pine streets, Philadelphia
Dec. 15; noon-5 p.m.

Godshall’s sponsors the Food Truck Challenge, a competition feature a dozen of Philly’s most popular food trucks. Along with the food, there’s Santa (he’s everywhere!) hot chocolate, crafts, free samples and swag.

Can You Handel It?
The Singing Fountain
East Passyunk Avenue at Tasker Street, Philadelphia
Dec. 16, 2-3 p.m.

Join the pop-up choir singing the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah Part 2 on East Passyunk Avenue. You don’t have to have any experience or even know the song, all you need is the willingness to participate. Live musicians will accompany the chorus. You can download sheet music here, but it will be provided along with (we hope) piping hot cups of hot chocolate.

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