Latkepalooza, Barnes Open House and more to do this weekend in Philly

Latkepalooza
December 18, 2-4 p.m.
Gershman Y
401 S. Broad St.
$20
gershmany.org

It’s one of the most anticipated events of the holiday season: Latkepalooza features more than 3,500 latkes from chefs around the city—from traditional varieties to unique creations by folks at Federal Donuts, Mission Taqueria, Circles Thai and more. Your $20 gets you 10 of these delicious potato pancakes on top of an afternoon of live entertainment and arts and crafts activities.

Holiday Lights Ride
December 15, 5:15 p.m.
Performance Bikes Parking Lot
1300 Christopher Columbus Blvd.
$5-$35 donation
bicyclecoalition.org

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia leads a two-wheeled tour of South Philly holiday lights, including the extravaganza that is Miracle on 13th Street. Tours leave from the starting point every 10 minutes from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Guests are invited to deck out their own wheels for the occasion for a chance to win a prize for jolliest bike. Afterward meet the entire caravan at an after-party at Garage South Philly. aravan for an after party at East Passyunk’s Garage South Philly.

Center City Holiday Tour
Daily through December 31, 1 and 5 p.m.
Dilworth Park at Rosa Blanca Cafe
1 S. 15th St.
$39
phillytourhub.com

Every day through the end of the year, Philly Tour Hub embarks on two strolls around Center City to experience some of Philadelphia’s most festive holiday traditions. The three-hour trek includes stops at the light and sound show at Macy’s, Reading Terminal Market, the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul and more. You can choose the 1 p.m. tour, or opt for a nighttime walk to see the Lights in all their glory at 5 p.m.

Shooting Stars’ Holiday Spectacular
December 16-17
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
601 N. Lansdowne Ave.
$8-$12
updac.org

The holidays meet “Glee” meets Broadway at this enthusiastic holiday revue featuring youth from the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. Adorned in sparkly threads and moving about a stage decked with Christmas trees, lights and other seasonal accoutrements, the kids perform toe-tapping holiday favorites like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Sparklejollytwinklejingley.” Okay, that last one may not be a well-known “favorite,” but you know you want to hear it.

Peek-a-Boo Revue Holiday Spectacular
December 18, 8-11 p.m.
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
$25
peekaboorevue.com

For all of you on Santa’s naughty list, Peek-a-Boo Revue brings back its annual Holiday Spectacular, featuring the troupe’s trademark striptease shenanigans with a seasonal twist. The Striptease Orchestra provides the tunes, while the lineup of beauties show off their tassel-twirling prowess and maybe even a bare bottom or two. Intrigued? You’re getting a lump of coal in your stocking, for sure.

Jingle Bell Rock GayBINGO!
December 17, 7 p.m.
Gershman Y
401 S. Broad St.
$25-$30
aidsfundphilly.org

A gaggle of drag queens decked in tinsel, wigs as high as a Christmas tree and whatever else they can pull from the local holiday store host this night of Bingo and general holiday irreverence to benefit AIDS Fund and area tots. Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped toy that will be given to a child infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Charity Weekend at Christmas Village
December 17-18
Christmas Village
1400 JFK Blvd.
Pay as you go
philachristmas.com

Shuffle down to the Christmas Village this weekend for a great opportunity to give back this holiday season. The Village is partnering with the Make a Wish Foundation to offer guests a chance to donate to the charity that grants wishes to youth with life-threatening diseases. There are multiple ways to give, including purchasing an ornament at the info booth and hanging it on the Wish Wall.

Cancer is Ugly! Ugly Sweater Party
December 17, 8-10 p.m.
City Tap House Logan Square
2 Logan Square
$50
citytaphouselogan.com

Head to City Tap House in your ugliest holiday sweater for this soiree that benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Besides the warm fuzzy feeling of doing something kind, your ticket grants you an open bar, light fare and live music. One lucky attendee whose sweater is deemed “ugliest” will win an employee discount at City Tap House for a year.

Barnes Open House and Holiday Market
December 16, 5-8 p.m.
The Barnes Foundation
2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Free
barnesfoundation.org

On Friday night, The Barnes opens its doors for a free after-hours tour of its latest special—and must-see—exhibit “Live and Life Will Give You Pictures.”When you’re finished exploring the masterworks of French photography, head to the museum’s Annenberg Court for a pop-up holiday market. Local vendors set up shop to sell their wares, wine purveyors offer tastings and you can snap an old-school selfie in an onsite photo booth.

Wesley Lowery
December 15, 7:30 p.m.
Central Branch of the Free Library
1901 Vine St.
Free
freelibrary.org

Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery comes to the Free Library for a conversation about his new book, They Can’t Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore, and a New Era in America’s Racial Justice Movement. Lowery and his team at the Post won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for coverage of police shootings. At the library, he’ll be joined by AP reporter Errin Haines Whack for an in-depth Q&A about that experience and his insightful new read.