brains and bravery, to find their way out of the woods. This beautifully hand-crafted production by Tanglewood Marionettes begins with an interactive puppet demonstration and features enchanting music from Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” opera. Ongoing through Dec. 22. Tickets start at $10. puppetshowplace.org.
20 friday Ornament Making. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. Make a colorful and unique ornament to bring some cheer to cold and cloudy days. 10 a.m. Children’s Discovery Classroom. discoverymuseums.org. Season’s Greetings. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. Explore the science of papermaking as you design and create your own greeting cards and ornaments to share with friends and family this holiday season. Dropin 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Science Discovery Museum. discoverymuseums.org. The Nutcracker. José Mateo Ballet Theatre at The Sanctuary Theatre, 400 Harvard St., Cambridge. Discover the magic and excitement of the Holiday season with the timeless tradition of Jose Mateo’s The Nutcracker. Thrilling, magical, inspiring, and affordable, our performances create memories that will last a lifetime. José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker is perfect for children of all ages. Tickets start at $15. ballettheatre.org. Santa Tea at Gore Place. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. Enjoy a three-tiered tea with a menu appropriate for both adults and children, an activity for the kids and visit from Santa! $35/pp.; $30/ pp. for members (members may purchase one additional ticket at member price). Reservations due one week prior to date. 10:30 a.m. to noon. goreplace.org/food-and-holiday-events.htm#dec14. Nutcracker. Casey Theater at Regis College, 235 Wellesley St., Weston. Share the merriment of the holiday season as the accomplished dancers of Commonwealth Ballet and major guest artists frolic, battle and dance through Clara’s holiday dream. Join with the family party set before a magical tree and enjoy the laughter, magic, and wonder of this holiday classic accompanied by the beloved Tchaikovsky score. This fully staged production is sure to captivate and entertain all ages. Free parking. comonwealthballet.org.
21 saturday Winter Wishes. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. Decorate a paper ornament with hopes and wishes for the approaching New Year that will be added to the Wishing Woods. All wishes will stay on display through the holiday season. 10 a.m. Children’s Discovery Classroom. discoverymuseums.org.
FETCH!™ Float My Boat. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. Even large ships weighing hundreds of thousands of tons stay afloat. But how? Investigate floating by building tinfoil boats and loading them with pennies until they sink. Time to roll up the shirtsleeves and dive in! © 2013 WGBH Educational Foundation. Drop-in 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Science Discovery Museum. discoverymuseums.org. Kids’ Shows: Film: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. ‘Tis the season for love, laughter, and one of the most cherished stories of all time! Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Academy Award® winner Michael Caine gives a performance that’s anything but “bah, humbug!” as greedy, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets are $5C/$7A. coolidge.org.
BOSTON
NEWTON
NORTH SHORE
Inspiring a love of dance
Family Holiday Pops “Hear the Cheer.” New Bedford Symphony Orchestra at Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase St., New Bedford. Holiday music that everyone loves will be played by a great orchestra, friends and family sharing the joy of the season, festive holiday decorations, even a party after each concert—these are the reasons the NBSO’s Family Holiday Pops Concerts have become a holiday season tradition on the South Coast! The concert has a family-friendly atmosphere, with either a matinee or early evening performance to choose from, a one-hour program (with no intermission) that is perfect for the kids, and a special experience only the NBSO can provide. Tickets start at $10. nbsymphony.org.
22 sunday Winter Wishes. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. Decorate a paper ornament with hopes and wishes for the approaching New Year that will be added to the Wishing Woods. All wishes will stay on display through the holiday season. 10 a.m. Children’s Discovery Classroom. discoverymuseums.org. Marble Runs. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. Use your engineering skills to design, build and test out roller coaster marble runs. Construct tracks out of tubes, cardboard, and other recycled materials to send marbles on a fun ride. Drop-in 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Science Discovery Museum. discoverymuseums.org. Science + You. EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester. Designed as a real-life -- but childsized -- laboratory, Science + You allows children to explore how scientists impact health and wellness. Through interactive machinery, processes and technology, Science + You opens a window into the world of the research scientist and, through fun activities, shows how science keeps our bodies healthy. Ongoing through April 2014. Free with museum admission. ecotarium.org.
Official School of
Give the gift of dance
Enroll Today Beginners Welcome • Toddler – Adult • 617.456.6333
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