5 things to do this weekend, including Midwinter Revels and 'The Snow Queen'

Late December has arrived, and for some, it brings the Christmas holiday. Those looking to bask in the cheeriness of the season can listen to classical music at a candlelit concert or participate in the annual Midwinter Revels. Other wintry events include a production of the ballet “The Snow Queen,” as well as a shining festival of trees from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. More merry weekend picks, below.

The day after Christmas, keep the festive spirit alive with an evening of music. Candlelight concerts allow audience members to experience classical arrangements, ranging in genre from jazz to pop and more, in intimate spaces, enhanced by the flicker of flames. At the New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre, artists will perform works such as “O Holy Night” by Adolphe Adam, selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker" and “The Snow Is Dancing” by Claude Debussy. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show start at $50.50, while those for the 9 p.m. event start at $38.

Grand Kyiv Ballet arrives at the Emerson Colonial Theatre for a one-night performance of the glittering work “The Snow Queen,” adapted from a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. With music from Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi, the production shares the story of two friends, Kai and Gerda. When Kai is spirited away in a snowstorm to the kingdom of the Snow Queen, Gerda must bravely search for him, encountering robbers, trolls, forest fairies and other fantastical characters. Tickets start at $47.58.

Starring Will Ferrell, “Elf” tells the story of Buddy, who was transported to the North Pole as a child. Although he was raised by Santa’s elves, Buddy learns about his biological father and travels to New York City to meet him. At Symphony Hall, the movie screening will be accompanied by the Boston Pops playing composer John Debney’s score. Conducted by Keith Lockhart, the music is sure to inspire some holiday cheer. Tickets start at $86.99.

Fans of the hit musical “Wicked,” based on a book by author Gregory Maguire, will enjoy this year’s Midwinter Revels, a holiday tradition at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre. During this production, Maguire’s story “Matchless” will be performed, led by director Debra Wise, music director Elijah Botkin and Master of Ceremonies David Coffin. Inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, the story follows a young boy’s journey finding “warmth and light in the darkest days.” Scandinavian song and dance, presented by actors, musicians and the Revels chorus, bring magic to life, illuminating spectators’ winter days and nights. Tickets start at $65.

Travel to Wellesley’s Garden of Elm Bank, where the Massachusetts Horticultural Society has organized a Festival of Trees. Featuring a garden with trees decked in sparkling lights, visitors can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while exploring the outdoors, then head inside to view miniature snow village trains. The main attraction is the indoor display of 72 trees, decorated according to different themes, from “Alice in Wonderland” to Taylor Swift. End the journey by sitting around a firepit with family and loved ones, roasting s’mores. Peak ticket pricing for adult non-members costs $29 and $10 for kids ages 3-17.