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It’s an awfully busy time of year, especially if you’ve saved all your holiday shopping for the last minute (not that we would do such a thing, no sir!). But there’s still plenty of fun to be had and delicious things to savor. Here are seven great possibilities.
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1 SEE: A watery superhero (who’s, like, majorly buff) or a beloved floating nanny
Among the big new movies landing in theaters this week are an utterly charming “Mary Poppins” reboot/sequel starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the long-awaited “Aquaman,” starring Game of Thrones’ Jason Momoa, who looks like he was born to play a superhero. We have a roundup of your cinematic options (including Christmas releases). And if you’re itching for a good movie-related conversation starter, here’s our list of the 10 best films of the year.
2 EAT: A ramen bonanza
Slurpable noodles, savory broth and sake chasers? Yep, we’re talking ramen, baby. Japan’s crazy-popular Ramen Nagi just opened its second U.S. location in Santa Clara — so now you have two places to stand in those ridiculously long (and irresistible) lines. East Bay? Head for the new Tokyo-based Jinya Ramen Bar in Pleasanton.
3 HEAR: Sumptuous seasonal music
There are wonderful holiday concerts of all sorts around the Bay Area this weekend. Your options range from world-class gospel or R&B star John Legend, to Brian Wilson performing one of the best Christmas albums ever. Or, if you’re more classically inclined, the S.F. Symphony is presenting a “Festival of Carols,” featuring its renowned chorus and a bevy of guests. Oh, and the California Symphony is performing a score to the animated classic “The Snowman” as part of a family-friendly concert.
4 PLAY: Sprinkles, mummies and more
The holidays always bring an onslaught of houseguests. Why not wow Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru with a visit to one of the Bay Area’s epic museums? We’re not talking paintings, either. We’re talking ice cream, pharaohs and computer circuits. Check ‘em out here.
5 WATCH: Cindy Lou Who as you never imagined her
The cute, lovable kid from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” emerges as a foul-mouthed trailer denizen with a drinking problem in the R-rated comedy “Who’s Holiday!” playing in San Jose. Adults, go and laugh and blow off some holiday angst, but know that this production is NOT not for the young’uns. Meanwhile, there are some other, more traditional theater and dance holiday productions to choose from. A roundup is here.
6 PLAY: Twinkle lights
The entire Bay Area is alight with holiday displays and this is The Weekend to check them all out. In fact, we’ve actually mapped out where to see the very best (and tucked a sneak peek sampling in the slide show above)! Here’s the lowdown on the best twinkle lights in Alameda County, Contra Costa, the Peninsula and Santa Clara County and the 19 most fab across the entire Bay Area.
7 CATCH: A soul-singing star with a (sort-of) new sound
Deniece “Niecy” Williams has earned a reputation of being one of R&B’s most versatile singers, having worked with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Roberta Flack to Weather Report. Now she’s headed to Oakland for a string of gigs to showcase a new album and more contemporary jazz/blues sound. Details are here.
