5 Things To Do This Weekend, From Ice Penguins To 'The Emperor's New Clothes'

It’s way too cold outside, but at least the days are getting longer. Here are five ideas for how to entertain yourself and your family over the holiday break:

Free Community Concert at the Strand | Sunday, Dec. 30 | Strand Theatre, Boston

The city of Boston presents the sixth annual free concert at the Strand Theatre, featuring Boston Baroque. The Grammy-nominated orchestra will play four classic works by Bach and Vivaldi. (The event is free, but you still need to reserve tickets ahead of time.)

'If Beale Street Could Talk' | Through Jan. 3

One of my favorite winter break pastimes is catching up on all the movies I meant to see but didn’t. “If Beale Street Could Talk” is a breathtaking adaptation of James Baldwin’s 1974 novel by “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins, and it comes highly recommended by ARTery critic Sean Burns. (Read his review along with recaps of three other new films out this week.)

Penguin Ice Sculpture | Until It Melts | New England Aquarium, Boston

In honor of the New England Aquarium’s beloved real-life penguins, the museum has commissioned a penguin ice sculpture. The piece, which is on view outside the aquarium, depicts a penguin family and the number 142 — an accounting of all the penguin chicks to be hatched and raised in Boston over the years.

'The Emperor’s New Clothes' | Through Dec. 31 | American Repertory Theater, Cambridge

Every year the American Repertory Theater stages an imaginative, kid-friendly production of a familiar fairy tale. This year it’s Hans Christian Andersen’s satire of ruling-class egotism, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” — with a disco twist!

Stop Motion Animation Workshop | Thursday, Dec. 27 - Sunday, Dec. 30 | Boston Children's Museum

If you’re looking for something a little more hands-on for the kiddos, try this stop-motion animation workshop at the Children’s Museum. Appropriate for children ages 6 and up. (Read more about kid-friendly entertainment in Boston this week.)