FILTHY, THE SHOWMAN: Iconic filmmaker John Waters comes to town to deliver “A John Waters Christmas: Holier & Dirtier,” an evening of outrageous humor and storytelling 8 p.m. Dec. 22 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. For more information or tickets, call 215-232-2100.
Theater & Arts
Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a survey of American still life in three decades through Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
A comedy-thriller based on the classic sleuth, through Dec. 27 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Billy Elliot
Media Theatre presents the story of one boy’s passion for ballet over the boxing ring through Jan. 3, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
The Book of Mormon
The blockbuster musical-comedy about the misadventures of a pair of missionaries who are sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word, through Dec. 27 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; 215-923-1515.
A Christmas Story: The Musical
The holiday musical-comedy tells the beloved story of a boy and his quest for a BB gun through Jan. 10 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Drawn from Courtly India: The Conley Harris and Howard Truelove Collection
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of masterful drawings from the royal courts of northern India through Mach 27, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Genghis Khan: Bring the Legend to Life
The Franklin Institute presents the story of one of the world’s greatest leaders through Jan. 3, 20th Street and the Parkway; www.fi.edu.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the holiday tradition through Dec. 31 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
The Glorious Sound of Christmas
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs a holiday concert with Grammy-winning conductor Bramwell Tovey through Dec. 20 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Gremlins
The best Christmas movie ever is screened 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas Spectacular
The Philly POPS perform an evening of Christmas classics through Dec. 22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
A John Waters Christmas: Holier & Dirtier
The out cult filmmaker entertains 8 p.m. Dec. 22 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Multitude, Solitude: The Photographs of Dave Heath
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the acclaimed photographer’s black-and-white pictures of the 1950s and ’60s through Feb. 21, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Richard Lewis
The comedian performs Dec. 18-19 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
The beloved TV classic comes to life on stage through Dec. 20 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
The Skivvies
The underwear-clad comedy-music duo performs through Dec. 19 at Kimmel’s SEI Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
This Is The Week That Was
1812 Productions brings back the city’s hottest political comedy through Dec. 31 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560.
Work on What You Love: Bruce Mau Rethinking Design
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of designs by the acclaimed commercial artist through April 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
The Wrath of the Gods: Masterpieces by Rubens, Michelangelo and Titian
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring paintings and the creative processes of some of art history’s most important figures through Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
RIOT (GRRRL) NIGHT: The Shondes, Brooklyn-based feminist punk-rock group with out members, comes to town to raise your consciousness 8 p.m. Dec. 23 at Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 267-639-4528.
Music
Maureen McGovern
The award-winning vocalist performs a holiday show Dec. 18-19 at the Rrazz Room, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-422-4580.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The orchestral rock band performs 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Holidelic
Everett Bradley brings his holiday-funk spectacular to town 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Keystone A Capella Holiday Show
The Philadelphia-based vocal group performs 8 p.m. Dec. 22 at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
The Shondes
The rock group with out members performs 8 p.m. Dec. 23 at Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St.; 267-639-4528.
Nightlife
Butchqueen
A night of performers including Phi Phi O’Hara from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” 9 p.m. Dec. 18 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.
Peek-a-Boo Revue: Slay Belles
The burlesque troupe performs a holiday show 9 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Holiday Sing-A-Long Brunch
Stonewall Sports stages a musical holiday brunch, with $5 off the $25 admission with the donation of a new hat, scarf or pair of gloves for The Attic Youth Center, from noon-5 p.m. Dec. 19 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. hosted by Brittany Lynn; 215-964-9675.
Not Another Gayborhood Show!
Landon Blake andJohn Burd present a show featuring performances by Lydia Kuntmoore, Chikn Nug-it, Honeytree Evil Eye and more 11 p.m. Dec. 18 at Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St.; 215-545-8731.
Outta Town
It’s a Wonderful Life
The holiday film is screened 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228.