SATURDAY, 12/10

Free Community Day - ICA, Boston

The ICA celebrates its fifth anniversary in its iconic waterfront building with musical performances by the AS220 Criss Cross Orchestra, some of the rocking-est kids from Music Clubhouse at Sociedad Latina, animated films, a tap dance performance, art-making activities, tours, and more. Free

A Latin Holiday Concert with Sol y Canto - Watertown

The concert event features Sol y Canto performing fresh arrangements of popular Latin tunes, fun, interactive bilingual children’s songs from their Parents’ Choice Award-Winning CD, El Doble de Amigos/Twice as Many Friends, and Latin American holiday songs from all over Latin America and the Caribbean. A crafts extravaganza and delicious Latin food round out the event. The concert benefits scholarship efforts in El Salvador. Purchase tickets in advance. Cost: $5-$15

Snow Queen - Loeb Drama Center, Cambridge
Opens 12/10

Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale comes to life in a new stage adaptation for children and their families. When a young boy named Kai is taken away by a wicked enchantress, his best friend Gerda must embark on a perilous journey to the north pole to rescue him. Using puppets, music and magic, this exuberant, heart-warming production takes a theatrical journey to a magical kingdom and the Snow Queen’s icy palace. Cost: $15

Pitching in for Kids 7th Annual Candy Land Tournament - Faneuil Hall, Boston

Kids play Candy Land and sample some of Boston’s best local vendors with entertainment, arts and crafts, and raffles. Every child leaves with a Hasbro toy. All proceeds will benefit Pitching in for Kids. Cost: $10 Donation/per family; $5 Donation/per individual

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 12/10 & 12/11

Watch City Dickens Christmas Festival & Market - Charles River Museum of Industry, Waltham

The Watch City Dickens Fair & Marketplace includes both performance and shopping experiences. An interactive theatrical experience includes Victorian Carolers, a Victorian Santa Claus, and his workshop elf. Queen Victoria holds court and roving actors present scenes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Visitors can interact with Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future and more.

20 vendors offer hand-crafted reproduction Victorian merchandise including wooden toys, leather gifts, porcelain china, top hats, and jewelry. Children can type letters to Santa on one of the museum’s 19th century typewrites and search for Santa’s elves in a scavenger hunt. Adults $10; Seniors, Students, Children (6 & up) $5; Children (under 6) Free

SUNDAY, 12/11

Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys - Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline

Young fans jump, dance and sing in the aisles to the sounds of Vanessa Trien and her lively Jumping Monkeys Band’s movin’, grooving’ original kids’ music. Cost: Adults $9.75; Children $7.75

The 238th Anniversary Boston Tea Party Annual Reenactment - Old South Meeting House, Boston

Visitors can take on the role of Patriot or Loyalist in a spirited reenactment of the Boston Tea Party. Hear from John Hancock, Francis Rotch, Joseph Warren, and Samuel Adams. Then, witness a re-enactment of the historic event. Purchase tickets in advance online or by phone. Cost: $9  

Cookies and Carols: A Winter Family Event - New School of Music, Cambridge

The New School of Music hosts a free winter sing-a-long, a musical craft and cookie potluck from 3pm-4pm; be sure to bring your favorite treats to share! (No nuts, please, in case of allergies.) At 4pm, the Boston Neo-politan Chamber Orchestra presents: A Family Concert: Dances & Animals. Pre-Concert Activities Free; Concert Suggested Donation $10

Recklez “Kid-Centric” Performance - Harvard Coop for Kids, Cambridge

Recklez, the Harvard Klezmer band, gives a special “kid-centric” performance that will have everyone kicking up their heels. Free