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The Lawrence Hall of Science’s planetarium is playing “Traditions of the Winter Sun,” a short film about Ohlone and other cultures’ traditions surrounding the cosmos, from now to Feb. 27. Photo credit: Lawrence Hall of Science

☀️ Learn about Ohlone and other cultural traditions for the sun, moon, planets and stars in the 30-minute planetarium show, “Traditions in the Winter Sky.” Show runs from now to Feb. 27 at the Lawrence Hall of Science. $5 plus admission fee

🇯🇵 Watch four films directed by famed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in 4K. Films that will be shown include High and Low, The Hidden Fortress (which was a huge influence for the creation of Star Wars), Yojimbo and Ikiru. Showings run from Dec. 19 to Feb. 20. BAMPFA. $5-$18

🎄 The Berkeley Path Wanderers Association’s December Festive Hike is a two-hour, 2.5-mile walk that will go through North Berkeley and pass by houses that are decked in lights for the holiday season. Make sure to bring a flashlight. Friday, Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m. Meet at 1170 The Alameda. FREE

🤴 In the cabaret and political satire show A Very Scrumpy Christmas, King Scrump is visited by the ghosts of politicians’ past, present and future and learns that he’s probably not going to heaven. Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. 2120 Allston Way. Pay what you can

🇨🇺 The great Cuban percussionist Jesús Díaz y su QBA turns out the dance floor at La Peña’s monthly community dance party, which includes inclusive dance class, and a consent-centered dance floor. Friday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. La Peña Cultural Center. $15-$30

🎶 Hosted by MacArthur Grant recipient Corey Harris, “True Blue” is a concert and conversation between a brilliant blues artist and Creole/blues great Cedric Watson, a prolific songwriter who has crafted an expansive, multilingual repertoire on his double row Hohner accordion. Friday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. The Freight. $39-$44

🎅 Take a photo and have a pancake breakfast with Santa. Eggs, fruit and sausages are included in your breakfast, and additional dietary food options will be available. Saturday, Dec. 20, 8:30 a.m.-noon. 1301 Shattuck Ave. $10 (pre-registration required)

🎤 The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus returns to Zellerbach Hall, where they’ll sing classic holiday carols mixed in with modern pop hits while dressed in ugly sweaters and elf costumes. Saturday, Dec. 20, two performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. $43-86 (tickets 50% off for students)

🥁 Jeremy Steinkoler, a stellar drummer and educator, performs with his son Evan, a rising pianist, vocalist and songwriter who’s already racked up an impressive array of awards as a Northwestern undergrad, joining forces with ace bassist Sam Bevan for an afternoon of jazz and original songs. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. The Back Room. $25

❄️ Celebrate the winter solstice and learn more about the festivals of “earth’s resting season” with the Chavez Memorial Solar Calendar & Education Project. Meet at Cesar Chavez Park, and check out their website for detailed directions to the solar calendar. Sunday, Dec. 21, 4-5:15 p.m. FREE

🕉️🕍 ☪️ ✝️ Berkeley-based Sacred Music Fellowship, which holds two weekly jam sessions featuring both sacred and secular music, presents the second annual Interfaith Holiday Concert. Led by Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu music leaders, it’s a truly interfaith holiday experience where Ziker, hora, mantra, and carols meet in a participatory singalong with a unique mix of languages and cultures. Sunday, Dec. 21, 5 p.m. Hillside Club. $25

🎻 Getting through the shortest day of the year is a lot easier in the company of the luminous Albany composer and multi-instrumentalist Barbara Higbie, who returns to the Freight for her annual solstice concert with a brilliant cast of friends, including Berkeley guitarist Vicki Randle, percussionist Michaelle Goerlitz, cellist Mia Pixley, bassist Kofy Brown and rising mandolin star Jasper Manning. Sunday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. The Freight. $44-$49

📘 The Berkeley Public Library’s Mystery Book Club will feature Agatha Christie’s Midwinter Murder. Dress up in 1920s-1930s attire or as your favorite Agatha Christie character, and come ready for a potluck and trivia. Tuesday, Dec. 23, 4-6 p.m. West Branch Library. FREE

🎭 And now for something completely different, Nittel Nakht Variety Show brings the Borscht Belt to Berkeley with live bands, comedy, crankie/instrumental puppet show, and a burlesque act. Wednesday, Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m. Ashkenaz. $20-$25

🎹 In his younger days, before he became the proprietor of the Back Room, blues/jazz pianist Sam Rudin played dozens of holiday gigs, experiences he distills in his 8th annual Merry Christmas From a Jewish Atheist concert, an affectionate program of seasonal favorites. Wednesday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m. The Back Room. $15

🍺 Featuring Julian on drums, Steve on bass, and Colin on electric piano and accordion, the East Bay-raised Hogan Brothers return to Jupiter for their long-running final Friday residency, delivering a delectable repast of funk-laden jazz (or jazz-tinged funk). Friday, Dec. 26, 7 p.m. Jupiter. FREE

🎻 Forget balkanization, Ashkenaz’s traditional Balkan New Year’s Eve concert brings everyone together with a triple bill featuring True Life Trio, Fanfare Zambaleta, Dan Cantell & Friends and a midnight champagne toast. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. Ashkenaz. $35-$40  

🎻 La Peña’s New Year’s Eve dance party returns with one of the Bay Area’s best Latin jazz bands Orquesta La Moderna Tradición, a charanga ensemble that blends violins, woodwinds and driving Afro-Cuban rhythms. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. La Peña Cultural Center. $35-$100

📚 Storyteller, Moth host, and author Corey Rosen returns to Mrs. Dalloway’s for an evening of live storytelling and interactive inspiration in celebration of his new book “A Story for Everything.” Admission includes one paperback copy and a seat at the event, which features Rosen sharing stories and practical tools for turning everyday experiences into compelling narratives. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m. Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore. $20

♻️ Mayor Adena Ishii is seeking art from Berkeleyans — specifically artwork that celebrates the city’s regenerative culture, whether that is renewal, material reuse, or the art of giving new life. The winning artwork will be displayed in Ishii’s office and considered for cash prizes up to $800 and public recognition. Applications close on Wednesday, Dec. 31

👩‍🎨 The David Brower Center is also accepting applications from Northern California artists for their annual exhibition, Art/Act: Local 2026. The artwork should explore the impacts of borders on environmental issues. Four artists will be offered $1200 and space to display their work in the center. Applications close on Monday, Jan. 26

🗓️ See more things to do in Oakland and Richmond. And check out our big list of affordable things to do anytime in Berkeley.

If there’s an event you’d like us to consider for this roundup, email us at the-scene@berkeleyside.org. If there’s an event that you’d like to promote on our calendar, you can use the self-submission form on our events page.

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Co-founder, Berkeleyside

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