The Berks County Parks & Recreation Department’s 37th Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area in Spring Township has begun, open Wednesday through Sunday through Dec. 14, then daily from Dec. 16 to Dec. 23. Hours are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free parking and admission. Go to @berkscountyparks on Facebook for information on musical acts and food and beverage offerings for each evening’s festivities.
This weekend, the parks department is holding a Kids Holiday Craft Workshop on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Berks County Heritage Center, Bern Township. Santa will be taking visits at Epler’s Schoolhouse. For ages 3 and up. Free.
Philly ‘Nutcracker’
The Philadelphia Ballet’s annual production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” opens Friday and runs through Dec. 31 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Learn more at www.ensembleartsphilly.org/.
Holiday market
The Handcrafted Holiday Market returns to Reading’s GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Friday and Saturday. The event brings together artists, makers and the community for shopping, artmaking, food and entertainment. There will be a sketch comedy performance, a new Studio Artist Ornament Sale and local food and drink vendors. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
For details, workshop registration, and the full vendor list, visit goggleworks.org/handcrafted-holiday-market/.
Meek Mill is returning to Philadelphia for a concert this weekend. (Associated Press)
Meek Mill & Friends
Hip-hop star Meek Mill & Friends appear at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday at 8 p.m. The popular rapper is a Philadelphia native and is billing this as a homecoming. Learn more at www.xfinitymobilearena.com/events.
Train exhibit
The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum’s Nostalgic Christmas Trains exhibit is open every weekend through Jan. 11. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 Sundays. The museum is at 500 S. Third St., Hamburg. Learn more at www.readingrailroad.org.
‘Wicked’ tribute
The Pennsylvania Philharmonic presents “Good Witch Bad Witch” Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Phoenixville Middle School and Dec. 14 at 2:30 at Bucks County Community College. The program features performances by two regional Broadway stars accompanied by the orchestra. For tickets and more information, go to www.paphilharmonic.org/.
Mindi Abair, Peter White and Vincent Ingala are kicking off the holiday season at the Miller Center for the Arts in Reading. (file photo)
Holiday jazz
A Peter White Christmas with Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala is coming to the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest holiday concert. Learn more at www.berksarts.org/holiday-kickoff.
Dave Koz show
The Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour comes to the Lansdowne Theater in Delaware County on Saturday at 8 p.m. It features jazz saxophonist Koz with special guests Haley Reinhart, Casey Abrams and Kayla Waters. Learn more at thelansdownetheater.com/.
Schwenkfelder market
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Pennsburg, Montgomery County, is holding its Christmas Market on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. See schwenkfelder.org/Christmas-market to learn more.
Engelbert Humperdinck is coming to Reading. (Associated Press)
Santander shows
The following shows are coming to the Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading:
The Blippi “Join the Band Tour” comes to the theater on Thursday at 6 p.m. The children’s entertainer and his friends will explore what makes music. The show also is scheduled for Philadelphia’s Miller Theatre on Wednesday at 6 p.m.(ensembleartsphilly.org).
Singer Engelbert Humpderdinck brings his “A Winter World of Love” tour to the theater on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Learn more at www.santander-arena.com/.
Irish band
The Irish acoustic band Lunasa performs Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at www.KutztownPresents.org or by calling 610-683-4092 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.
Visit with Santa
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa & Mrs. Claus is set for Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Graeme Park in Horsham, Montgomery County. Children ages 3-8 are invited to have a snack with Santa and Mrs. Claus while hearing a classic Christmas story. Kids will complete a small craft project and can visit with Santa and have their picture taken (bring your own camera/phone). Learn more and purchase tickets at www.graemepark.org.
The Reading Liederkranz presents its Christkindklmarkt Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 and Sunday from noon to 5 at the club’s grounds in Lower Alsace Township, Berks County. The event features vendors, festive German food and drink and entertainment. Learn more at readingliederkranz.com/christkindlmarkt.
Pottstown art show
The Pottstown Area Artists Guild presents “A Members’ Show” starting Friday and running through Jan. 23 at the Montgomery County Community College North Hall Gallery, 16 E. High St., Pottstown. The opening reception is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Regular exhibit hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Friday from 8:30 to 4:30.
The Joanna Furnace Complex is decorated for Christmas. (Courtesy of Hay Creek Valley Historical Association)
Joanna Christmas
Christmas at Joanna is set for Friday-Sunday at Historic Joanna Furnace in Robeson Township, Berks County. The event presents a celebration of Christmas as it would have looked in 1875, featuring plenty of candlelight and traditional entertainment. The Belsnickel will make appearances. Other children’s activities include wagon rides, the new Christmas express and a Christmas Light Maze. Gifts and festive foods will be available for sale.
Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 4 to 9 Saturday and Sunday. For additional information visit www.haycreek.org, see Hay Creek Valley Historical Association on Facebook or call 610-286-0388.
Homestead holiday
The Daniel Boone Homestead in Exeter Township, Berks County, will host “A Homestead Holiday” Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Experience Christmas as it was almost 300 years ago. To learn more, go to www.thedanielboonehomestead.org or the Daniel Boone Homestead on Facebook or call the homestead at 610-582-4900.
Chillin’ on Main
Building a Better Boyertown presents its annual Chillin’ on Main celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It features holiday shopping, food and drinks, family fun, entertainment and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. For details, visit www.buildingabetterboyertown.org.
Folk Festival
The Goschenhoppen Historians Pennsylvania German Folk Festival takes place Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 at the Henry Antes Plantation in Green Lane, Montgomery County. Learn the holiday heritage of Pennsylvania Germans while enjoying traditional food and handcrafted items. More information at goschenhoppen.org/christmas-market-2/.
Christmas on the Farm
Kutztown University’s Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center presents Christmas on the Farm on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be visits from the Belsnickel, music in the barnyard, crafts, folklife demonstrations, hearth-cooking, farm animals, children’s activities and more.
Dickens Festival
The DIckens Festival in Narberth, Montgomery County, takes place Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The characters from “A Christmas Carol” roam the town’s streets for an afternoon. Learn more at www.narberthonline.com/dickens-festival.html.
LeAnn Rimes is bringing her tour to Montgomery County. (Associated Press)
LeAnn Rimes
Popular country singer LeAnn Rimes’ “Greatest Hits Christmas Tour” comes to the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Montgomery County, on Saturday at 8 p.m. Learn more at www.keswicktheatre.com/.