A Christmas Carol – Thursday through Sunday, times vary – Now in its 41st year, this beloved holiday tradition in the Triangle returns for just five shows. Presented by Theatre in the Park, the original musical comedy is based on the classic Charles Dickens tale and adapted for the stage by Ira David Wood III, who stars as Scrooge this year in each performance except Saturday’s matinee, in which his son, Ira David Wood IV, will portray the well-known Christmas curmudgeon. Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St.; $31+; 919-680-2787
Cider & Cookies – Thursday through Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 1-5pm – If you’re downtown doing some holiday shopping, stop by for hot cider and cookies, featuring the vintage Duke Toll House recipe. Stick around to see current exhibits like “Durham A-Z: H is for Hayti,” and “Durham Beginnings: 1865-1885.” Museum of Durham History, 500 W. Main St.; Free; 919-246-9993
Santa Train – Thursday through Sunday, 5:20-8:20pm – Take a nighttime train ride through a Christmas wonderland to meet Santa and his helpers at this 38th annual event, the Museum of Life and Science’s largest annual fundraiser and a beloved holiday tradition for the whole family. Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.; $15-$20; 919-220-5429
The Tramp’s New World – Thursday through Saturday, 8:15pm – Created and performed by Rob Jansen, this one-man show tracks the journey of Charlie Chaplin’s “Tramp” character as the lone survivor of an atomic blast; like Chaplin’s classic films, it finds humor and humanity in the unlikeliest of situations. Manbites Dog Theater, 703 Foster St.; $5-$25; 919-682-3343
People’s Choice PopUp Chorus – Thursday, 5:45pm – Enjoy a special holiday concert featuring the Durham Ukulele Orchestra. Afterwards, the PopUp chorus will perform the People’s Choice songs including “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey and “Peace Train” by Yusuf/Cat Stevens. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $8; 919-901-0875
Punch Brothers – Thursday, 8pm – Chris Thile and bandmates Paul Kowert, Noam Pikelny, Chris Eldridge and Gabe Witcher mix “bluegrass, roots, rock, pop, jazz and classical to create a unique, contemporary sound,” says Rolling Stone. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $37+; 919-560-3030
The Art of Cool Presents: Kenneth Whalum – Thursday, 8pm – This bandleader and saxophonist draws inspiration from both the old and the new, embracing and mixing the diverse musical genres of Southern gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and classical. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; $12-$15; 919-667-1100
Off the Radar: HOOKED – Friday, 6-9pm – Celia Gray returns to the Triangle with stylish and thought-provoking work. If you’ve been questioning what painting is, where the line resides between art and craft, drawing and painting, and what a mapping of these choices and conflicts look like, then come see HOOKED. On view through the end of the month. Golden Belt, 807 E. Main St., studio No. 133, Bldg. 3
“Creation” Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – The exhibit features member artists and their diverse creative processes: Why and how each of them chooses to create as they do. The thematic doors are wide open, and each artist will surprise and delight with their selections of work. Mingle and enjoy refreshments at this Third Friday reception. Pleiades Gallery, 109 E. Chapel Hill St.; 919-797-2706
$24 Art Show Opening Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – In celebration of The Scrap Exchange’s 24th year in operation, all works on display will be for sale for $24. The evening’s festivities include light snacks and drinks, a performance by local band University Ukes, as well as free art making in the Make-and-Take room. The Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Road; Free; 919-213-1278
Outdoor Caroling – Friday, 6-8pm – Join family, friends, neighbors and strangers to sing beneath the History Hub’s holiday-decked gazebo! Brother and sister violin duo Elena & Oskar Schulmeister-Antona will accompany carolers with their repertoire of holiday songs. Museum of Durham History, 500 W. Main St.; Free; 919-246-9993
Marianne Taylor Music Presents A Muscle Shoals Musical Revue – Friday, 8pm – Powerhouse singers Amy Black and Sarah Borges present a soulful celebration of the incredible music that came out of Muscle Shoals, Ala., in the ’60s and ’70s. Together, with a full band, they will perform classic songs originally recorded in Muscle Shoals by Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Lou Rawls, Bob Dylan and many others, as well as a few originals that embody the spirit and soul of Muscle Shoals. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave.; $12 in advance, $15 day of show
Holiday Celebration: Make & Take Crafts from Around the World – Saturday, noon-4pm – Bring the family and enjoy holiday crafting while also learning about different cultural celebrations. Create a peanut butter bird feeder, Diwali rangoli patterns, Chinese New Year lanterns, menorahs and more at this free, drop-in event. Doris Duke Center at Sarah P. Duke Gardens; 420 Anderson St.; Free; 919-684-3698
Nasher Creates: Sketching in the Galleries – Saturday, 10am–noon – Artist Erin Oliver presents a brief lesson and demonstration of various ways to respond to visual art by creating your own sketches. The museum will provide drawing materials for guests to try out what they’ve learned in the galleries. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Dr.; Free with museum admission; 919-684-5135
French Wines for the Holidays – Saturday, 2-4pm – Sip on various French wines and learn about perfect pairings just in time for your holiday parties and meals. Bottle 501, 3219 Watkins Rd.; Free; 919-402-1501
Meet the Maestro – Saturday, 3–4:30pm – Learn about the Durham Symphony from its Music Director, Maestro William Henry Curry. He will highlight his background and vision for the DSO in the Durham Community, along with a backdrop of the symphony’s 2015-16 concert season. Durham County Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.; Free; 919-560-0100
VOICES – Saturday, 8pm – The Chapel Hill-based singing group presents their holiday program “Rejoice This Night!,” appearing at the Carolina Theatre for the first time in their 35 years of performing. The evening will include a family-friendly holiday singalong accompanied by organ and a small orchestra. The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St.; $20, children 12 and younger are free; 504-994-5167
Arcana Grand Opening Party – Saturday, 8pm – This official grand opening celebration features two local DJs, Alex & Yair, playing soul/funk tunes for you and Jameela Fay Dallis and Austin Bouton offering tarot readings throughout the night. And, lots of beer, wine and cocktails! Arcana, 331 W. Main St.; 919-973-1675
Skate with Santa – Sunday, noon-2:15pm – Join the big man in red on ice for an afternoon of seasonal celebration just days before Christmas. Orange County SportsPlex, 101 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough; $5.50+; 919-644-0339
Procraftstinator Craft Fair – Sunday, 6pm – This first annual event offers guests the opportunity to sip on brew while shopping for gifts from local vendors. The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St.; 919-667-1100
A Very Merry Durham – Sunday, 6pm – An exuberant and absurd holiday party including, but not limited to: Christmas carols in four-part harmony; kicklines; last-minute Christmas shopping; Holiday Gorilla; guilty gift testing – gifts that are “As Seen On TV” that you can play with; local celebs; cooking with Camper, one of Fullsteam’s bartenders; a naughty or nice “lie detector” – find out if you, or a loved one, deserve candy or coal in your stocking; exuberant dancing; and a visit from Santa. Pre-show at 6, show at 8pm. Fullsteam Brewery, 726 Rigsbee Ave.; Free admission; 919-682-2337
