Thursday, Nov. 27
Somerville Road Runners’ 29th Annual Gobble, Gobble, Gobble at 9 a.m. at Davis Square, Somerville. Free (to watch) or $49 (to run). This 4-mile race benefiting local charities starts and ends in Davis Square, with postrace festivities at The Burren.
Thanksgiving Game day from noon to 10 p.m. at the New England Science Fiction Association’s clubhouse at 504 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville. Free, but you must request a seat by email to attend. A variety of games for all tastes and abilities are available for nonmembers twice a month. Or bring your own game and teach others how to play.
“Home Alone” screening at 2:45 and 7 p.m. at The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $13 to $17. When he is mistakenly left behind during Christmas while his family flies off to Paris, young Kevin McCallister finds himself home alone and in a standoff with a couple of would-be burglars.
“Risky Business” at 4:45 and 9 p.m. at The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $13 to $17. Tom Cruise stars as Joel, a rich kid who gets involved with a call girl while his parents are on vacation and learns some very valuable lessons about sex and commerce.
Friday, Nov. 28
“Summer, 1976” play at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge (and continuing through Sunday). $27 to $87. The second wave of feminism is cresting when two women form a friendship: Diana, a fiercely iconoclastic artist, and Alice, a free-spirited yet naive young housewife. Alice and Diana bring us directly into the small moments that change the course of their lives in this play The New York Times praises as “sharply observant … subtly, insistently feminist.”
The Erinn Brown Band at 7 p.m. at The Burren, 247 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville. $25 to $30. A blend of rock, soul and blues, they released “The Sun and The Moon” in 2024.
Yoko Miwa Trio performs from 7 to 8:15 and 8:45 to 10 p.m. at The Mad Monkfish, 524 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. Free, but $25 food-and-drink minimum. The Japan-born jazz pianist performs with Brad Barrett (acoustic bass) and Scott Goulding (drums).
Friday’s Comedy Gold at 7:30 p.m. at The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $24 to $30. Performers to be announced.
Indie rock band Vundabar performs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $20 to $25. The band celebrates the 10th anniversary of its second album, “Gawk,” which added a postpunk sound to the mix.
Fourteenth Annual David Boobie Burlesque at 8 p.m. at the Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville (continues Saturday). $25 to $50 and 18-plus. One of the area’s unique holiday traditions – sort of the Harvard Square November complement to Davis Square’s December “Slutcracker” – is the Bowie-flavored striptease that comes just after Thanksgiving every year. Features Niki Stardust and her Total Blam Blam David Boobie Band (aka Niki Luparelli and The Gold Diggers).
Starry Nightfall Couples Paint Night at 8 p.m. at Muse Paintbar, 461 Artisan Way, Assembly Square, Somerville. $55. Create a part of the painting for a finished product that hangs together. No art experience required.
Dinty Child and Mark Erelli perform at 8 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $35 to $40. Multi-instrumentalist Dinty Child and singer-songwriter Mark Erelli blend Americana, folk and roots music.
Post-Thanksgiving DJ Jam from 8 to 11:45 p.m. at Boston Swing Central, 26 New St., Suite 3, Cambridge. $10 to $13. Learn the moves the first hour, then enjoy some swing dancing.
Automatique Brit and Indie Dance Party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at ManRay, 40 Prospect St., Central Square, Cambridge. $12 to $17 and 19-plus. Britpop favorites, international indie jams, dance rock and electro at a monthly dance party.
The Glitter Boys at 10 p.m. at The Sinclair, 52 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $15. The DJ duo of longtime friends Kyle Buresh and Stephen Maling spin vinyl records from the ’70s and ’80s.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Herbstalk Wintergreen Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. Free entry. The marketplace features handmade herbal products and botanical goods created by New England crafters, an array of free educational talks related to herbalism and holistic well-being, as well as Bipoc-led classes and art exhibitions.
Porter Square Book’s one-year anniversary from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. A slideshow of the past year with events, bestsellers and other memories while local authors gives out book recommendations in a friendly competition. At 5:30 p.m., join for a toast and cake, followed by a presentation of holiday gifts from PSB Libromancers.
Small Business Saturday & Makers Market from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville. Free. An annual makers market pop-up for holiday gift shopping, food and drink specials by Bow’s resident businesses, entertainment, prizes and more.
Turkey Fest Movie Day from noon to 10 p.m. at the New England Science Fiction Association clubhouse at 504 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville. Free. The NESFA’s annual exploration of the worst of cinema comes back for another year.
Crafts, Cocoa & Cheer from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Assembly Row, 399 Revolution Drive, Somerville (continues Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21). Free entry. Live holiday music, free kids’ crafts and warm cocoa. Today: DJ Axelrod.
“Ben-Hur” film showing at 2 p.m. at the Harvard Film Archive at The Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing Sunday). $10. Charlton Heston stars in this 1959 Biblical epic, which scored a dozen Oscar nominations (and won 11) and is remembered for its chariot race, filmed with 15,000 extras as cheering Romans in an arena.
“Summer, 1976” play (continued) at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge (and continuing through Sunday). $27 to $87.
Charles Hotel tree lighting from 4 to 7 p.m. in the upper courtyard at The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Square. Free. This family event includes free snacks, crafts and a story time for kids, and the lighting is followed by a visit from Santa, while the Cambridge Fire Department collects new, unwrapped toys for its Annual Toys for Tots drive. Jimmy Tingle hosts.
Jeff Stout Quartet performs from 7 to 8:15 and 8:45 to 10 p.m. at The Mad Monkfish, 524 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. Free, but $25 food-and-drink minimum. Stout is a local favorite and among the busiest freelance jazz trumpeters in the New England area. He is performing with Ben Cook, piano; Marty Ballou, acoustic bass; and Mark Teixeira, drums.
Steep’d: An Ambient Tea Lounge from 7 to 10 p.m. at First Street Market, 59 First St., Cambridge. $35 to $45. An immersive tea lounge that includes a rotating lineup of musical performances, DJs and visuals alongside handcrafted teas from Virgo’s Room.
Unladylike Comedy: Stronger Than Stone from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. $5 suggested donation. This comedy night is a benefit for Stone House in Roxbury, caring for adults and children of domestic abuse. Features Nick Hesper, Sarah Fitz, Star Sapphire, Grace Mack, Caroline Berteletti and Julie Wesner.
Chris Brokaw, Franklin Bruno and Beth Kaplan perform from 7:40 to 9:45 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $15. Brokaw, best known for his indie rock career with Codeine, has released more than two dozen solo albums of instrumental and vocal music since 2002. Joining him is singer-songwriter Bruno, who has been a member of Nothing Painted Blue since its inception in 1986, and Kaplan, a founding member of the art-rock band Salem 66 in the 1980s.
14th Annual David Boobie Burlesque (continued) at 8 p.m. at the Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. $25 to $50 and 18-plus.
Midnight at the Mad Monkfish with Camila Quintero from midnight to 1 a.m. at The Mad Monkfish, 524 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. Free to enter. The Berklee jazz vocalist has two student Downbeat Jazz Magazine awards for outstanding jazz vocalist performance and overall pop-blues vocal performance.
Sunday, Nov. 30
Boston Women’s Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Spring Hill, Somerville. Free entry. Pop-up featuring more than 30 local women makers, artists and entrepreneurs upstairs and downstairs at The Armory. Discover handcrafted gifts, including jewelry, art, skin care, candles, apparel and home goods, and meet the makers.
Game day from noon to 10 p.m. at the at the New England Science Fiction Association clubhouse at 504 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville. Free. A variety of board, card and role-playing games for all tastes and abilities are available. Or bring your own game and teach others how to play.
Crafts, Cocoa & Cheer (continued) from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Assembly Row, 399 Revolution Drive, Somerville (continues Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21). Free entry. Today: The Eight Tracks A Cappella.
“Summer, 1976” play (continued) at 2 p.m. at the Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. $27 to $87.
“Ben-Hur” film showing (continued) at 2 p.m. at the Harvard Film Archive at The Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $10.
Poets Nina Rubinstein Alonso and Tomas O’Leary from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Central Hill. Free. Rubinstein Alonso shares readings from her poetry chapbook “The Ones I Could Tell Anything” and O’Leary reads from his work “In The Wellspring of the Ear, New and Selected Poems.”
Evenings of Art: Self-Portraits Inspired by Frida Kahlo from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge. $27. Explore Kahlo’s distinctive style and the stories behind her paintings, then create self-portraits inspired by her world.
Justin Martin performs at 3:30 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. Free. The blues and folk guitarist has played all over New England with his band, Sons Lunaris.
Introduction to Latte Art from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge. $65. Learn how to create beautiful designs on your lattes in this interactive workshop.
The Secret Sauce at 7 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $23 to $25. Janet Feld, Esther Friedman and Jackie Damsky perform “tasty originals and choice covers, with lots of sweet three-part harmony, plus guitar, mando and violin.”
The David Haas Group: A Coalition of the Willing from 7 to 9 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. Free. Hear Haas on piano and his band members Kevin Frenette on guitar, Todd Brunel on sax and bass clarinet, Glen Dickson on clarinet, Joe Musacchia on drums and Kit Demos on bass and modular synthesizer.
Louis Thélot Fusion 5tet from 10 to 11:30 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $10 to $15. This quintet is led by French jazz violinist Thélot, performing his original music, with Paul Vanier (keys), Aki Oliviero (guitar), Ferran Rico (bass) and Ben Fig (drums).
Monday, Dec. 1
“Illuminate: Contextualizing Asian American Women’s Stories through the Archives” exhibit (Monday through Friday until Jan. 23) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Arthur & Elizabeth Schlesinger Library, 3 James St., Cambridge. Free. This exhibit spotlights the stories of Asian American women whose collections are held in the Schlesinger Library. It examines how race, ethnicity, gender, citizenship and migration affect our collective memory of history.
Bruce Schneier and Nathan Sanders read from “Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government and Citizenship” at 6 p.m. at the Gambrill Center, 314 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. $5. Security technologist Schneier and data scientist Sanders examine the ways AI is transforming democracy – for better and for worse.
Carla Kaplan reads from “Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford” at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Jessica Mitford, a British aristocrat whom Time magazine crowned “Queen of the Muckrakers,” fought fascism in the Spanish Civil War, became an American Communist and pioneered popular journalism, including her 1963 book, “The American Way of Death.” Northeastern University’s Margaret Burnham joins.
Cambridge Edition Book Club at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free, but RSVP. This time, the selection is “The Frozen River” by Lawhon.
Picture + Panel: Surviving Childhood with Melissa Mendes and Travis Dandro at 7 p.m. at the Boston Figurative Arts Center, 285 Washington St., Ward 2, Somerville. Free to $5, and 21-plus. Mendes, creator of “The Weight” and Dandro, author of “King of King Court,” are at this monthly confab of graphic-novel creators sponsored by the Boston Figurative Arts Center, Porter Square Books and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation. This month the panel tackles how graphic memoirs transform family trauma and addiction into art that breaks generational cycles.
“Myra Breckinridge” film showing at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Film Archive at The Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing Sunday). $10. This 1970 comedy film based on Gore Vidal’s 1968 novel stars Mae West, John Huston and Raquel Welch, which didn’t save it from being deemed among the worst films ever made. With a transgender hero on a mission of sexual and political transgression, it has emerged as a cult classic.
The Tall Trio from 7 to 8 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $10 to $15. Every Monday night, the Lilypad’s Tall Trio warms up the stage for a night full of jazz legends. Usually led by Elan Mehler with Max Ridley and Dor Herskovits.
Winter wreath-making workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. $90. Learn the art of natural wreath making using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Materials and tools, including a grapevine wreath base, floral clippers, fresh greenery and dried florals, are included. Ticket includes a drink from Aeronaut.
Pitch a Friend at 7:30 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. Free. Prepare a three-to-five-minute slide presentation to pitch your amazing single pal to a room full of other singles and onlookers. “Like Shark Tank, but for love and friendship.”
Blacksmith House Poetry Series: Martín Espada and Pádraig Ó Tuama at 8 p.m. at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 42 Brattle St., Harvard Square. $5. Espada reads “Jailbreak of Sparrows,” with Ó Tuama, whose latest book is “Kitchen Hymns.”
Karaoke Noir from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at ManRay, 40 Prospect St., Central Square, Cambridge. Free to enter and 19-plus. Choose from among more than 5,000 songs from new wave, goth, punk, metal and postpunk genres.
Nick Mulvey performs at 8:30 p.m. at The Sinclair, 52 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $25. The British singer-songwriter is supporting the release of “Dark Heart, Part 1,” released in June and “Dark Heart, Part 2,” released in October.
Jerry Bergonzi Quartet from 8:30 to 10 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge (and continuing most Mondays). $10 to $15. Bergonzi brings his tenor sax to this seated show with bandmates Phil Grenadier on trumpet, John Sullivan on bass and Luther Gray on drums.
The Fringe performs at 10 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge (and every Monday) $15. Remaining members of The Fringe (formed in 1971), tenor-saxophonist George Garzone and bassist John Lockwood perform contemporary jazz.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Santa Paws all day at Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Somerville. Starts at $40. Bring furry friends to visit Santa’s Shed and get a photo.
Sketch, Shade, Smudge: Drawing from Gray to Black (Tuesday through Sunday through Jan. 18, 2026) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Special Exhibitions Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. An exhibition celebrating the act of drawing using charcoal, chalk, crayon and graphite.
Book signing: Dr. Tom Frieden, author of “The Formula for Better Health” from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at MIT Press Bookstore, 314 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free. Drawing from decades leading New York City’s health department after 9/11, directing the CDC during the Ebola epidemic and fighting tuberculosis and other lethal threats in India and around the world, Frieden combines compelling stories with insider knowledge to show you how to win the battle for health.
Abigail Hing Wen reads from “The Vale” at 6 p.m. at The Signet Society, 46 Dunster St., Cambridge. Free, $21 with book. The tech leader shares from her live action/animation short film prequel “The Vale – Origins,” starring three-time Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, along with behind-the-scenes materials and a discussion of the book. This event is perfect for parents, middle-grade readers and anyone interested in AI.
The First Commander Remembered: Washington’s Legacy in Cambridge at 6 p.m. at the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge. Free. Debunk myths and trace the evolution of the public memory of George Washington in Cambridge, featuring J.L. Bell, author of “The Road to Concord: How Four Stolen Cannon Ignited the Revolutionary War” and Charles Sullivan, executive director of the Cambridge Historical Commission. Part of “Washington in American Memory,” a seven-part speaker series.
“Have You Read This?” Book Moot at 6:30 p.m. at Pandemonium Books & Games, 4 Pleasant St., Central Square, Cambridge. $5, registration required. This time, discuss “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Sven Beckert reads from “Capitalism: A Global History” at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Tracing capitalism’s history during the past millennium and across the world, it emerged from trading communities across Asia, Africa and Europe. University of Connecticut’s Manisha Sinha joins.
Great Books Book Group from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cambridge Main Library, Curious George Room, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge. Free. This month’s title: Arthur Rimbaud’s “The Drunken Boat,” “Vowels,” “Eternity,” “Memory,” “To a Reason” and “Dawn.”
Smut Slam from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville (and the first Tuesday of every month). $10 suggested donation. An open mic invites participants to tell five-minute, real-life dirty stories. Kat Sistare hosts.
Bluesy Tuesy Social Dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the New England Science Fiction Association clubhouse at 504 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville (and every Tuesday). $5 to $25. DJs play at this weekly partner blues dance event that includes a lesson for beginners in the first hour.
Indie trivia at 8 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. Free. Test your knowledge every Tuesday. Aeronaut opens the taproom to players and hosts for this independent game of knowledge.
Harvard Wind Ensemble fall concert at 8 p.m. at Harvard’s Lowell Lecture Hall, 17 Kirkland St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Founded in the 1960s, the ensemble offers musicians of the Harvard community the opportunity to study and perform original literature for winds and percussion.
Berklee Strings Takeover with Honeyjaw and the Berklee Contemporary Cello Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $10 to $20 donation. Berklee students perform a variety of funk, jazz, math rock, folk and fusion tunes in three musical groups.
Jam session with Nick Brust and Liz Sinn from 10:30 p.m. to midnight at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $10 to $15. The Boston jazz saxophonist and pianist-composer have put together a quartet with bassist Ehud Ettun and drummer Rafael Barata to perform uncommon standards and originals. The house band plays a set up front, followed by an open jam session.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Edna Andrade: Imagination Is Never Static (Tuesday through Sunday through Jan. 4) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Special Exhibitions Gallery of the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Emphasizes the central role of drawing as well as interdisciplinary exploration in artist and educator Andrade’s (1917–2008) art and in modernist movements of the 20th century.
“On Display Harvard” from noon to 1 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free, but RSVP. A movement installation created by Heidi Latsky Dance. It is part of On Display Global, a worldwide social justice initiative in which communities across the globe perform in commemoration of the United Nation’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Felice Frankel reads from “Phenomenal Moments: Revealing the Hidden Science Around Us” at 6 p.m. at the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge. Free, $23 with book. The science photographer and author explores light and shadow, form, surfaces, traces left behind and transformation through her fine art photos. Harvard’s Melissa Franklin joins.
Lovell Holder reads from “The Book of Luke” at 6:30 p.m. at All She Wrote Books, 75 Washington St., East Somerville. $32 with book. After the car accident that ended his football career and left his body scarred, 22-year-old Luke Griffin joins the cast of “Endeavor,” a competition-based reality show that tests endurance and problem solving. Ten years later, he’s a father of two and the stay-at-home husband to America’s only openly gay senator. When his husband’s serial cheating is exposed, he impulsively joins the cast of the latest season of “Endeavor,” expecting to be forced to admit some hard truths. All She Wrote Books owner Christina Pascucci-Ciampa joins.
Terence Keel reads from “The Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence” at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Keel examines the systemic failures within forensic medicine by showing how incomplete autopsy reports, mishandled medical documents and strategically lost evidence effectively shield law enforcement from accountability. Boston University’s Zohra Ahmed joins.
Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. Free, and 21-plus. Singers and musicians are welcome to showcase their talents at this event held on the first Wednesday of each month. Hosted by Mike Morrissey.
Tavern Talk with Dan Breen: From Belmont Street to Brisbane from 7 to 8 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. $14 to $18. Explore Somerville’s own rear admiral Ralph Waldo Christie and the technical glitches that drove his fellow submariners to distraction in the darkest days of World War II.
Bert Seager’s Heart of Hearing performs from 7 to 8 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $5 to $15. The jazz quartet of piano, tenor-saxophone, upright-bass and drums brings listeners into improvised jazz.
“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” screening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Somerville Public Library West Branch, 40 College Ave., near Davis Square. RSVP. This 1920 film is a groundbreaking silent horror film and an example of German Expressionism. The film is not rated, but this program is intended for adult audiences. A live score accompanies the movie.
Songwriters in the Round from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Spring Hill, Somerville (every first and third Wednesday). Free. Four songwriters share the stage, taking turns performing and occasionally joining in on harmonies or guitar. Inspired by Nashville’s Bluebird Café “guitar pulls,” the event encourages conversation and collaboration.
Comedy with Wednesday’s Rising Stars at 8 p.m. at The Comedy Studio, 5 John Kennedy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $15 to $20. Five next-generation comedians take the stage.
Mark Lipman: “Mosaic Things” album preview at 8 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $25 to $27. The Boston musician explores the complexities of male-male relationships in this new project.
Gill Aharon Trio performs from 8:15 to 10 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge (and every Wednesday). $10. A mix of influences inspires composer and pianist Aharon, founder of the Lilypad performance and event space. The trio includes bassist Jef Charland, guitarist Andrew Stern and drummer Randy Wooten.
The Lilypad Variety Show from 10 p.m. to midnight at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $5. Enjoy new talent performing music, art, poetry, comedy and dance.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Christmas tree lighting ceremony (rain date: Dec. 9) from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Central Hill. Free. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne oversees the annual event.
Harvard Art Museums at Night from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. During this recurring event, wander exhibits, make art, catch spotlight tours, browse the shop, enjoy sounds from DJ C-Zone and buy refreshments from local breweries.
ArtsThursdays at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Explore “Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic,” a new exhibition that documents debris collected and photographed that had washed up along the beaches of Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania from places as far away as China.
Rachel Slade reads from “Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. (And How It Got That Way)” at 6 p.m. at the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge. RSVP. Cosmopolitan called “Making It in America” an “enlightening look at the history of manufacturing in America and how we got to where we are today.”
Collins Branch Book Club at 6 p.m. at the Cambridge Public Library Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Ave., West Cambridge. Free. This month’s title: “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo.
Cornhole mixer at 6 p.m. at CambridgeSide, 100 CambridgeSide Place, East Cambridge. $10. Four players at each set of boards (two men, two women) and every five minutes, men shift to the right. Cornhole portion lasts one hour; a mixer follows.
Donald Langosy: The Journey of Eduardo Gunkla opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St., East Cambridge. Free, but RSVP. Langosy’s new series, depicting his journey to make sense of the loss of two friends, the poet Antonio Giarraputo and the artist Stephen Curtis, features a linked group of oil paintings and Photoshop compositions on canvas. The exhibit runs through Jan. 9.
Winter Wine-Up: Vins & Vibes from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 575 Cambridge St., Cambridge. $35. East Cambridge Business Association hosts this event with French wines, live music, artisanal cheeses and local oysters to kick off the holiday season.
Anthony M. Amore reads from “The Rembrandt Heist: The Story of a Criminal Genius, a Stolen Masterpiece and an Enigmatic Friendship” at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Amore explores the life of Myles Connor, an art thief known for stealing “Portrait of Elsbeth van Rijn” from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, to find out his motives. Kelly Horan, deputy editor for the “Ideas” section in the Boston Globe, joins.
Jordan Thomas reads from “When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World” at 7 p.m. at Patagonia, 39 Brattle St., Cambridge. Free but RSVP. A firsthand account in a debut book about six months spent with an elite firefighting force called Los Padres Hotshots experiencing some of the most indescribable fires in California.
Mina Nystad performs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Mad Monkfish, 524 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. Free, but $25 food-and-drink minimum. The Norwegian vocalist blends jazz and folk into heartfelt stories with Pavle Zvekic (piano). Nick Isherwood (acoustic bass), Cristian Acevedo (drums) and guest performer Coy Simmons (alto sax).
Blues Union dances from 7 to 11 p.m. at Dance Union, 16 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville. $10 to $25. A lesson in the first hour, then an hour to socialize, rest or practice with a partner before two hours of social dancing. Wear shoes that allow you to pivot; no need to bring a partner.
Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club presents “City of Peace” at 7:30 p.m. at Agassiz Theatre, 5 James St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Dec. 7). $10. Khoma and Khaliava leave the Kyiv-Brotherhood Monastery and venture off into the Ukrainian countryside on this summer vacation gone wrong. What was supposed to be a peaceful journey turns into a harrowing adventure.
The Adventure Time Trio at 7:30 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square, Somerville. Free. Adventurous modern jazz drawing from Brooke Sofferman’s extensive original material and some jazz standards reimagined.
Scottish country dance from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at New England Science Fiction Association clubhouse at 504 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville. $5 to $20. Learn and practice in gender-neutral language. A warm-up and lesson in the first hour are followed by an hour of social dancing. Kat Dutton emcees and teaches.
Comedian Cristina Mariani at 8 p.m. at The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $29 to $32. The stand-up comedian has toured with Theo Von and opened for big names including Tom Segura, Christina Pazsitzky, Ron White, Harland Williams, Brian Simpson, Ari Shaffir and Freddie Gibbs. She has made several appearances on “Kill Tony,” a live podcast stand-up comedy variety show created and hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe.
Adam Hersh Trio from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge (and every Wednesday). $25. The trio includes Hersh on piano and Max Gerl on bass, accompanied by Corea and Holdsworth’s alum Gary Novak on drums.
A stronger
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