Top Holiday Events in Narberth, Bala Cynwyd and Beyond

For those Patch users looking to include community events alongside the family visits, shopping and other mayhem of the holiday season, we've got some suggestions:

• When/Where: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 in downtown Narberth. There's also at the at 11 a.m.
• Why Go: This popular free event "has become the fastest-growing holiday festival in the Philadelphia area," in the words of the Narberth Business Association. Narb-land gets transformed into 1840's London, as Ebenezer Scrooge (played by the fabulous former Inquirer food writer Rick Nichols) and all the characters from "A Christmas Carol" roam the borough's downtown streets for the afternoon. Includes a scavenger hunt for the kids, as they seek out the Dickens characters (dressed head-to-toe, made up, and in character to the nines) in order to win a prize. Click  for coverage of last year's festival.
• More Information: info@narberthonline.com

• When/Where: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at , 314 Levering Mill Rd, Bala Cynwyd
• Why Go: Church members will see singing and instrumental performances, Christmas readings and more.
• More Information: umcbala@­aol.­com

• When/Where: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Narberth train station
• Why Go: Christmas carols and hot chocolate start at 2 p.m., and Santa arrives an hour later on SEPTA's Paoli-Thorndale line, courtesy of Narberth's Fourth of July committee.

'Found Wandering' Christmas Concert

• When/Where: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at
• Why Go: Sarah and Colin Comstock, whose band Found Wandering mixes bluegrass, folk and rock, will join musicians from throughout the Northeast in performing traditional Christmas hymns arranged in a variety of musical styles. Proceeds from a free-will offering at the concert will go to Philadelphia's Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission shelter.
• More information: www.narberthpres.org, 610-664-4880

Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony in Gladwyne

• When/Where: Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the 
• Why Go: Join in the fun at the second annual Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony. Song books will be provided for carol singing around the 20-foot Christmas tree. You can drink cider, eat cookies and shop for trees and wreaths, and there will also be some kid-friendly surprises.
• Cost: Free

The Nutcracker at BMFI

• When/Where: 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute
• Why Go: The Nutcracker ballet is being broadcast from the Bolshoi Theatre for the second year at BMFI. With music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and choreography by Yuri Grigorovich, the ballet tells the story of Marie and the Nutcracker Prince
• Cost: General admission is $20, admission is $18 for BMFI members and $10 for students.

Patch editors Thomas J. Walsh, Danielle Vickery and Eric Campbell and contributor Amanda Mahnke contributed to this report.