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Whether this weekend is all about celebrating the holidays, or avoiding them, we have some great ideas for fun stuff to do — from yummy cookies you can make at home to holiday shows to a bizarro movie with the lovable Emma Stone.
And, as always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.
1 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are all over
Whether you’re in the mood for a holiday classic production like a “Nutcracker” or “A Christmas Carol,” or a great blues concert, there are a ton of live shows — and one wacky film festival — to catch this weekend.
2 COOK & SCARF: It’s holiday baking time
Don’t you love those holiday movies where every batch of cookies that comes out of the oven is absolutely perfect? Well, these three new cookbooks will help you approach that nirvana-like Holiday Cookie Zen. And we couldn’t resist sharing this amazing ultimate gingerbread cut-out cookies recipe.
3 PLAY: Two amazingly Christmasy day trips
Speaking of holiday movies, wouldn’t you love to visit those one of those bucolic towns they depict, where everything is cute, everyone is charming, and even the goldfish are imbued with holiday spirit? Forget it, those places don’t exit. But these two Gold Country towns within two hours of the Bay Area come pretty close.
4 LISTEN: New holiday tunes
Some of our favorite singers and musicians are out with new holiday albums this year. Here are 12 of the best releases.
5 WATCH: A strange and addictive movie
Yorgos Lanthimos, the guy who made “The Lobster,” is back with a new, equally bizarro and engrossing movie starring Emma Stone that tops our list of new movies and shows you should totally watch this weekend.
6 BAKE & EAT: Perfect panforte
This rich, thick Italian cake jammed with fruit, honey and nuts can be a holiday MVP. Here’s how to make it.
7: SEE & HEAR: ‘Mamma Mia! is back
The beloved jukebox musical built on a silly love story and the songs of ABBA, is back in the Bay Area as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Read all about it here.
Originally published at Randy McMullen