An abundance of holiday events on tap throughout the region [Events roundup]

The following events are planned for the week ahead throughout the region:

• Electronic violinist, dancer and artist Lindsey Stirling brings her “Snow Waltz Tour” to Santander Arena, Reading, on Monday at 8 p.m. Last year, Stirling released her enchanting Christmas album, “Snow Waltz,” via Concord Records. The album features whimsical twists on Christmas classics like “Sleigh Ride,” “Deck the Halls,” “Joy to the World” and “O Holy Night,” in addition to originals like “Snow Waltz” and “Ice Storm.” For tickets and more information, see santander-arena.com.

• The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, presents Jessica Lynn’s A Very Merry Country Christmas on Friday at 7 p.m. The show, which has become a New York holiday tradition, is touring nationwide. The show is a full multi-media presentation featuring dancers, choirs, surprises and special FX. People of all ages become a part of the show and experience the magic of Christmas while raising money and collecting toys for Toys for Tots. On Sunday at 2 p.m., the Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley presents Candi Carley-Roth playing seasonal favorites on the Colonial’s Wurlitzer. Blind since birth, Carley-Roth began picking out melodies on the piano at age 5; by 17 she was studying classical organ. Today, she is nationally renowned. For tickets and more information, see thecolonialtheatre.com.

• The Winter Blast Dog Shows run today through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks. Today’s show is hosted by Berks County Kennel Club; Thursday’s and Friday’s shows are hosted by South Jersey Kennel Club; and Saturday’s and Sunday’s show are hosted by Valley Forge Kennel Club. Each day will include beginner puppy competitions, all-breed conformation shows, junior showmanship and pee wee competitions for children 5-18 years old, and obedience trials. Admission is free through Friday, then $10 for adults and $5 for children on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, the Feline Frenzy Cat Expo, featuring adoptable cats from local rescues and cat-related vendors, comes to the Expo Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, see phillyexpocenter.com.

• The Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College presents the Squirrel Nut Zippers on Friday at 8 p.m. and Christmas at Killarney: An Irish Christmas Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 2 and 7 p.m. Squirrel Nut Zippers are bringing their joyous, raucous Holiday Caravan Tour back, performing all of the hits from Christmas past. The show will feature songs from their “Christmas Caravan” and “Mardi Gras for Christmas” albums, as well as other Zippers favorites. From heartwarming ballads to boisterous dance tunes, the band conjures an atmosphere nestled somewhere between the wondrous lights of Christmas and the backroom din of a speakeasy. Christmas at Killarney features Irish traditional holiday music and holiday favorites against a backdrop of Irish dancers. For tickets and more information, see millercenter.racc.edu.

• The historic Newtown Theatre will present A Motown Christmas featuring York Street Hustle on Saturday at 8 p.m. York Street Hustle is a 10-piece, 1960s soul ensemble that has previously played five sold-out shows at the Newtown Theatre. This concert will feature a mix of Motown and Stax holiday classics, ’60s soul hits, and B-sides by Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Otis Redding, Nina Simone, Al Green, Gladys Knight, the Jackson Five and many more. On Tuesday at 8 p.m., the Newtown hosts its third annual Illuminated Classical Christmas Concert. This one-of-a-kind concert will be illuminated by hundreds of elegant white lights and feature string musicians from the Newtown Chamber Orchestra. For tickets and more information, see thenewtowntheatre.com.

• The Yocum Institute for Arts Education, West Lawn, presents the children’s show “The Elves and the Shoemaker” on Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Meet Mrs. Claus and join elves Brighton and Baxter in their adventures and misadventures as they encounter a poor shoemaker and his wife and learn the true meaning of Christmas in this interactive, enchanting tale for the whole family. Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with an online minimum of $3 at yocuminstitute.org.

• A St. Peter’s Village Christmas runs from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and features shopping in the village stores, Christmas carolers, authentic 19th century re-enactors, and photos with Santa from noon to 2. The village is located off Route 23 near Knauertown.

• Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, on Saturday at 11 a.m. for its annual SantaFest, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your cameras to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The jolly pair joins PAWS for People Therapy Dogs to greet good girls and boys and hear their holiday wish lists. Admission is $15 for ages 2 and older. For more information, visit helicoptermuseum.org.

• The Reading Symphony Orchestra presents its “Home for the Holidays” pops concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading. “Home for the Holidays” is the newest concert to be added to the RSO’s annual schedule, featuring local performers such as renowned American baritone and Reading native Timothy McDevitt and the Boyertown Area Senior High School Select Choir. The evening will also include hot chocolate, carolers, a sing-a-long and even a special appearance from Santa himself. Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for Helping Harvest. For tickets and more information, see readingsymphony.org.

• A Christkindlmarkt will be held Saturday from 1 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester, when approximately 75,000 holiday lights will cover 13 blocks in historic downtown West Chester. Hosted by the Chester County Art Association and Downtown West Chester, Christkindlmarkt features more than 90 vendors set up outdoors as Gay Street is shut down between Darlington Street and Matlack Street to offer individually handcrafted and locally-designed products such as art, ceramics, jewelry, homeware and more. For more information on this and other weekend activities, visit www.gwcc.org.

• Visit Daniel Boone Homestead, Exeter Township, and experience Christmas as it was almost 300 years ago during A Homestead Holiday, taking place Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about English and Pennsylvania German holiday celebrations, enjoy parlor music with Bob Mouland, listen to the Homestead Carolers, visit with Santa and the Belsnickel, and enjoy Christmas crafts and activities. Throughout the historic area, visitors will hear about the different Christmas traditions of the families who lived on the property throughout the 18th century as they tour the festively decorated buildings. Make sure to keep an eye out for the Belsnickel, part of 18th-century rural Pennsylvania German Christmas lore. Visitors can warm up with complimentary hot chocolate and hot wassail. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for ages 65 and older, and $5 for ages 6-17. For more information, see thedanielboonehomestead.org.

• Reading’s Centre Park Historic District will hold its annual holiday house tour, featuring 11 properties, including six private homes, on Saturday and Sunday. Owners, residents and neighborhood organizations will open their doors for ticket holders to enjoy the historic district’s late Victorian and early 20th century architecture decorated for the holidays. The weekend begins with the moonlight tour Saturday at 5 p.m. The limited-admission event gives guests an opportunity to view home interiors glowing with holiday spirit, while the entire neighborhood is alive with light. Sunday’s self-guided tour begins at 11 a.m. and will take ticket-holders inside some of the most highly decorated and interesting properties in the historic district. The showcased homes feature period architecture, ornate woodwork and ornamental stained glass combined with the owner’s unique decor. A champagne brunch will be served at the Inn at Centre Park. Tickets may be purchased in advance at centreparkhistoricdistrict.org or by calling 610-375-7860. This event is rain or shine.

• Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading, presents Puerto Rican pop and urbano rapper/singer-songwriter Justin Quiles on Thursday at 8 p.m. Quiles’ high-tenor singing voice, rapid-fire delivery, and hook-laden songwriting propelled his 2016 debut album, “La Promesa,” to the highest rungs of the Latin charts. Between 2015 and 2019, the year his charting sophomore album “Realidad” appeared, Quiles issued nine charting singles even as his videos garnered hundreds of millions of views. His 2021 chart-topping “La Última Promesa” included all-new material performed with a premier cast of collaborators. For tickets and more information, see santander-arena.com.

• The Wheatland Chorale, our area’s premier choral ensemble, under the direction of their new Artistic Director David J. Fitzpatrick, presents Resounding Joy! on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, Wyomissing. This concert will reflect on the meaning of joy through exciting and inspirational carols and seasonal works. Hear fresh arrangements of  familiar carols like “Brightest and Best,” “The First Noel,” “Joy to the World” and “Sussex Carol,” along with other pieces that focus on various aspects of joy. This concert will surely put you and your family in the holiday spirit. Tickets may be purchased at the concert venue for $25, $20 for groups of six or more, and $10 for students. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.wheatlandchorale.org.

For additional information, go to www.wheatlandchorale.org