Lights, action, camera Neighbor warfare during the holidays (or anytime, according to our experience) makes you want to fill stockings with coal. Sparks fly when Buddy Hall, played by Danny DeVito, decides to light his house so it can be seen from outer space. His neighbor, Steve Finch, played by Matthew Broderick, is less than overjoyed in “Deck the Halls.’’6 p.m. Free. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St., Boston. 617-536-5400. www.bpl.org/news/calendar
B&B Last year, a group of New England Conservatory faculty, students, and alumni presented a chamber music concert series to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year’s Music for Food program is Bartok’s Duos and Brahms’s G Major Quintet. 8 p.m. Food or monetary donation for the Greater Boston Food Bank. New England Conservatory’s Brown Hall, 30 Gainsborough St., Boston. 617-585-1120. www.necmusic.edu/concerts-events
TOMORROW
Short day’s journey into night The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year and the first day of winter. Roland “Boot’’ Boutwell helps you prepare for Dec. 22 with tomorrow’s Welcoming the Winter Solstice evening of history, lore, poetry, and a walk (followed by cider and cookies). Dec. 20 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. $11. Registration required. New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham. 508-877-7630, ext. 3303. www.newenglandwild.org/learn
Best latkes We remember our parents standing over the frying pan making potato pancakes as fast as we could swallow them. You can try chef Steven Brand’s latkes on the Hanukkah Menu at UpStairs on the Square plus other goodies like brisket and matzoh ball soup. Dec. 20-23, and 27 from 5:30-10 p.m. $58 (four-course menu). Reservations recommended. UpStairs on the Square, 91 Winthrop St., Cambridge. 617-864-1933. www.upstairsonthesquare.com
Accept the excerpts If Handel’s iconic holiday piece is performed in 30 minutes, does that mean they sing “hall’’ without the “elujah’’? “The Half Hour Messiah: Handel Excerpted’’ stars soprano Joei Marshall Perry, contralto Mindy Hinkel, tenor Brendan Daly, bass Daniel Perry, and organist Heinrich Christensen. Dec. 20 at 12:15 p.m. $3 suggested donation. King’s Chapel, 58 Tremont St., Boston. 617-227-2155 www.kings-chapel.org
