Audiences have been enjoying Handel and Haydn’s Messiah performances for 155 consecutive years. Famed British opera conductor Paul Daniel promises to deliver an unforgettable rendition of this beloved Boston tradition. Paul Daniel, conductor Kendra Colton, soprano Paula Murrihy, mezzo-soprano Brian Stucki, tenor Brett Polegato, baritone These performances are dedicated to the memory of Handel and Haydn's former Artistic Director, Thomas Dunn (1925-2008).

Price: $25.00 - $86.00

Wednesday, December 3 Free Admission 4 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. Visitors will be admitted to the MFA for free, including admission to the special exhibition, Art & Empire: Treasures from Assyria in the British Museum. Boston Children’s Chorus 5:30 p.m. Lower Rotunda The popular Boston Children’s Chorus will perform holiday favorites. Gingerbread Museum Ongoing Sharf Visitor Center A large “Gingerbread Museum,” constructed by culinary students from the North Shore Community College will be displayed in the new Sharf Visitor Center. MFA Bookstore and Shop Discount 10 a.m. – 9:45 p.m. Friday, December 5 Holiday firstFridays 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Koch Gallery Art lovers can mingle at a special holiday edition of the popular MFA firstFridays series, while enjoying the music of the Bill Duffy Jazz Trio, fine art, a cash bar serving holiday cocktails, and a delicious tapas menu. (For ages 21 and older.) Saturday, December 6-7 Amaryllis Chamber Orchestra 1 – 4 pm Linde Family Wing (West Wing) Amaryllis Chamber Orchestra, one of the more innovative and interesting groups on the music scene, will perform programs from their chamber music repertoire for wind and string instruments. Wednesday, December 17 New England Conservatory Millennium Gospel Choir 7:30 p.m. Remis Auditorium Tickets required, $25 general admission; $20 members, students, and seniors. To order tickets, go to www.mfa.org/tickets or call the Remis Auditorium Box Office at 617-369-3306. The MFA Concert Program presents the New England Conservatory Millennium Gospel Choir in its fourth annual holiday concert at the MFA. As gospel music enjoys a renaissance in the new millennium, NEC’s Millennium Gospel Choir lifts its mighty voice. The 200 multi-racial, -ethnic, and -generational members from more than 36 area churches perform traditional and contemporary gospel, spirituals, and congregational songs to ring in the holiday season.

Re-discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Conceived by the 3-time Tony Award® winning Director Jack O'Brien, the whimsical world of Whoville is beautifully realized by an A-list creative team in this delightful musical production. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small", decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday loving Whos. Don't miss this record-breaking Broadway hit this holiday season.

Price: $28.00 - $150.00

Program Details: Boston Symphony Orchestra James Levine, conductor James Sommerville, horn BEETHOVEN 'Symphony No. 7' CARTER 'Horn Concerto' STRAVINSKY 'The Rite of Spring' The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Robert Kirzinger, BSO Publications Associate, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee. Symphony+ Event: Post-concert reception with Jamie Sommerville, principal horn Higginson Hall

Price: $29.00 - $105.00

Classic acting and comedic stoner duo Cheech & Chong are back with their new tour 'Light Up America.' Successful beyond their wildest dreams, the iconic duo Cheech & Chong defined an era with their hilariously irreverent, satirical, counter-culture, no-holds-barred comedy routines. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong´s phenomenal success began on the stand up comedy circuit which led to 9 hit comedy albums and 8 hit films, breaking box office records, shattering comedy album sales, garnering multiple Grammy nominations and mesmerizing fans for more than a decade. With nine albums released from 1972 through 1985, the duo was nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album with their third album, "Los Cochinos," released in 1973. "Big Bambu," their second album, was the biggest selling comedy record of all time in 1972 and remained so for many years. Their stunningly successful comedy streak transitioned to film in 1978 with their first movie, "Up In Smoke," the highest grossing comedy of 1978, topping $100 million at the box office. Cheech and Chong co-wrote and starred in a total of eight feature films together, all directed by Chong.

Price: $39.50 - $59.50

Revels' 38th annual winter solstice celebration turns to Thomas Hardy and rural England for its holiday inspiration...This winter, The Christmas Revels travels to Thomas Hardy's beloved Wessex as we celebrate the season with familiar carols, anthems and rounds, country dances and West Gallery music, a seriously funny mummers play, exciting morris dancing, and lots of old favorites in novel settings - and you're encouraged to sing along!This year's holiday celebration in which "Church meets Tavern", features an 80-performer ensemble including our special guests from England, The Mellstock Band - four renowned singers replete with motley string and wind instruments including the notorious bass "serpent" Joining them will be our own lusty Village Quire, the feisty Casterbridge Children, The Pinewoods Morris Men, Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble, actor Richard Snee, musician Bruce Randall, soloist Mary Casey, and musician and song leader David CoffinThe Christmas Revels this year features both sacred and "village" music, poetry and stories, and old favorites like the ancient and mysterious Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, Susan Cooper's poem, The Shortest Day, The Boar's Head Carol from Oxford, and Revels' rousing and participatory signature piece, The Lord of the Dance, which is guaranteed to have you singing - and dancing - through the aisles!Inside Revels Talks at 6:15pm ----- Join BSO musician Douglas Yeo in Sanders Theatre at 6:15pm on Friday, December 19th or Saturday, December 20th for a free 30 minute talk on the Serpent, one of the most unusual wind instruments ever devised The Serpent will be played by a member of The Mellstock Band in this year's Christmas Revels General Admission seating No tickets required.

Price: $52, $42, $25 (partial view), $10 (obstructed view)

CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

Price: $25.00 - $85.00

Enjoy a holiday cocktail buffet in the cloisters, a spirited performance by the Gardner Chamber Orchestra in the Tapestry Room, and holiday brass & caroling around the poinsettia-laden courtyard and explore the museum’s unique, inspiring galleries. Come experience the enchanting Gardner Museum at its most memorable and start a new holiday tradition! Tickets are $150 for museum members and $200 for the general public including one full year of museum membership. Sponsorships of $750 (includes 4 tickets) and $1500 (includes 8 tickets) are also available. Reservations are required; tickets will not be sold at the door. To reserve tickets or for more information, please contact the Office of Special Events at 617 391 3949 or events@isgm.org

Price: $150-375

Over the past two decades, Grammy, Tony and Emmy winner Harry Connick, Jr. has proven to be among the world's most successful and multi-talented artists. This holiday concert will include selections from his upcoming CD, What a Night! A Christmas Album (available November 4) which features classics like "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas," "O come All Ye Faithful," "Winter Wonderland," and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," as well as several new tracks written by Connick. Don't miss this extraordinary holiday celebration!

Price: $35.00 - $95.00

Keith Lockhart, conductor This holiday season, historic Symphony Hall is the place to be to share in Boston's beloved Christmas tradition, the Holiday Pops. The Holiday Pops began over 30 years ago under the baton of legendary Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler and has been enjoyed by millions of Bostonians and visitors from around the world. Join this cherished tradition with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops!

Price: $33.00 - $122.00