5 things to do this weekend, including the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party and ‘A Christmas Carol’

Usually at this time of year, it’s Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. But we have a delightful break with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. It’s a rare event that brings together history buffs, modern-day change-makers, crowds of patriots and people who like to watch tea be dumped into water, but that’s exactly the special blend of people that this once-in-a-lifetime event will attract. If that’s not your thing, we have a few other offerings you might enjoy, of both the Christmas and non-Christmas variety.

It’s one of the most famous acts of protest in America. On December 16, 1773, dozens of men ransacked three trade ships at Griffin's Wharf in Boston in protest over the taxation on imported tea. There have been events throughout the city this year to mark the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, and there’s a flurry of events surrounding the big day this weekend. There will be two talks on Thursday: first, a dialogue bringing together change-makers of today and then there will be a deeper dive into the history of the day at the Lexington Historical Society. A series of reenactments will also take place this weekend, two of which will hearken back to historical conversations held at the Great Hall in Faneuil Hall Marketplace — a debate held in the aftermath of the tea party and another held in 1873 about women’s suffrage. Perhaps the most anticipated reenactment will be held at 8 p.m. at the Atlantic Wharf, where members of the public are invited to watch a storming of ships and dumping of tea. Check out a full list of events, some of which require tickets.

Salman Toor’s paintings and works on paper depict queer love, often inspired by his own experience as a queer man in Pakistan and New York City. Thanks to programming at the Rose Art Museum, in addition to visiting the gallery in person, you can also learn more about the exhibit from the comfort of your home. If you prefer to see the 45 Salman Toor works on display in this exhibition, visit the Rose Art Museum in person. If you’re curious to learn more about the inspiration and context behind the works, consider an online lecture Thursday at 7 p.m. “Shadow Park: Queer Counterpublics in the Art of Salman Toor” will bring together art historian Jackson Davidow, anthropologist Brian A. Horton and art curator Sayantan Mukhopadhyay for a discussion about queer displays of love in public places. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have the urge to view ornate, traditionally crafted Christmas decorations amid the smell of German sausage cooking on an outdoor grill, you have one final weekend to visit Vaillancourt Folk Art’s mini-outdoor German Christmas Market in Sutton. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, small wooden booths will set up shop outside the Vaillancourt mill building to offer visitors sweet treats from Worcester’s The Queen’s Cups, alcoholic beverages and handmade crafts. Go inside the Vaillancourt shop for an experience that is probably the closest thing to a real-life Santa’s workshop. Vaillancourt Folk Art makes decorative chalkware using traditional Victorian methods. It’s one of the only places in the world that still uses these methods, and its attention to craftsmanship makes it sought after around the world. Inside the shop, you’ll see a seemingly endless selection of Christmas decorations both made in-house and imported, a museum of Vaillancourt works from years past and a glimpse into the workshop where artists are often painting figurines right in front of visitors.

It’s nice to have options, and when it comes to productions of “A Christmas Carol,” you have your pick of the litter. The North Shore Music Theatre features a full production, now in its 32nd year, with actor David Coffee returning for his 29th year as Scrooge. At the Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth, actor Neil McGarry returns for his 10th year not just as Scrooge, but as all the characters. The one-man show will just play Sunday night before McGarry brings his show to Cotuit and Orleans early next week. Worcester’s Hanover Theatre will be staging its 16th year of the Dickens story, with music, special effects and a ghost of Marley that flies onto the stage from high above. I’m personally partial to this production since it features the theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer, a majestic organ with 2,495 pipes and the largest of its kind in New England. Audiences who arrive early will be treated to an organ concert before the play.

With the recent news of ImprovBoston closing after over 40 years in operation, you may feel the sudden urge to go support your local improv community. Luckily for us, we still have venues like the Improv Asylum to keep doing what they do best: saying “yes, and.” Improv Asylum has a continuing calendar of events all year round. This weekend’s lineup includes The Main Stage Holiday Show (a 90-minute, holiday-themed sketch, improv and music show), as well as family-friendly matinees on Saturday and Sunday called “‘Twas” and a not-so-family-friendly show titled “Raunch” at 11:59 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday evening is Improv Boston’s recurring all-improv show, “The NXT Show.” Ticket prices vary. Check the event listings to learn more.