CABARET‘A Drag Queen with a Very Large… Vocabulary’Friday, 8 p.m.SEI Innovation Studio at theKimmel Center1300 S. Broad St.$19, Kimmelcenter.orgCelebrated Philly drag queen Martha Graham Cracker, her alter ego Dito van Reigersberg and a band of songwriters perform a show of original songs, blending soul, funk and pop, and exploring the duality of the Martha/Dito personas that inhabit one being.RELATED:Shows to see in Philly this weekend and beyondHOLIDAYSCity Hall Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting SpectacularThursday, 6 p.mCity Hall1401 John F. Kennedy BlvdFree, Philachristmas.comThe lighting of City Hall’s Christmas tree is one of Philly's biggest holiday moments.Philadelphia natives will perform during the celebration, including Grammy-nominated R&B artist Jazmine Sullivan. Hot chocolate is free. And Mayor Nutter will light the tree for his last time in office.A Longwood ChristmasThrough Jan. 10Longwood Gardens1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square$20, Longwoodgardens.orgThough beautiful year-round, Longwood Gardens is especially lovely during the winter. Brilliant red and green blooms fill the conservatory, while trees, ponds and the Peirce-du-Pont House are covered in twinkling lights. Watch the fountains dance in time to light displays and holiday music. And then you can warm up next to the bonfire.Deck The AlleySaturday, 3 p.m.Elfreth’s Alley$25, Elfrethsalley.orgWho actually lives on the country's oldest residential street? The residents of Elfreth’s Alley open up their historic homes, decorated with seasonal finery (the homes, not the residents). An upside-down Christmas tree, caroling and visits from Ben Franklin and Colonial Pennsylvania’s cranky Santa “Belschnickel” make for a festive and humorous history lesson.FOOD & DRINKTippler’s Tour Yuletide Cheers& BeersThursdays through Dec. 19Depart from Historic Philadelphia Center600 Chestnut St.$45, Historicphiladelphia.orgA Red Coat soldier leads this tour of pubs, regaling with stories, drinking traditions and toasts from the Revolutionary War. Hearty snacks and seasonal drafts are served at each stop — Salon 401, National Mechanics, Victoria Freehouse and City Tavern — while the tippler guide gives perspective on imbibing during the winter of 1777.SHOPPINGFranklin Flea Holiday MarketSaturdays through Dec. 19801 Market St.Free, Franklinflea.comFor lovers of vintage holiday ephemera, the Franklin Flea Holiday Market is a sigh- and squeal-inducing mother lode. But beautiful handmade gifts and year-round vintage live here too, making it one of the best places in the city to shop in good conscience with and for a crowd.THEATER‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’Through Jan. 10Walnut Street Theatre825 Walnut St.From $20,Walnutstreettheatre.orgAfter a successful Broadway run, “A Christmas Story, The Musical” comes to Walnut Street Theatre for the holidays. Fans of the beloved movie can hear Ralphie’s Christmas present cajoling, his father’s grumbled asides and Scott Farkus’s taunts belted with heart and hilarity.
