Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Music
Good Old War: This trio of troubadours from Pennsylvania makes folky, string-heavy alt-country indie rock. Reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel, these tunes are a perfect jolt of strummy warmth in the face of this new-found blast of cold weather. What is it, winter or something?

Saturday, December 10, 8 p.m., $12, Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave., Allston, 617-779-0140, brightonmusichall.com.

Food
Taza Chocolate Holiday Fiesta: If there’s one thing I’ll never get sick of, it’s Taza’s mouth-watering Mexican-style chocolate. Added to beer (like Peak Organic and Slumbrew have done) and you’ve got one of the tastiest combos this side of the Mississippi. Hit up this holiday celebration for raffle prizes and free samples of hot chocolate, Counter Culture coffee, Slumbrew’s Company’s Porter Square Porter (yep, that’s the one with Taza in it), and Sofra’s Aleppo honeycomb — all while you browse for gifts for yourself. Er, your loved ones.

Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, December 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Taza Chocolate Factory Store, 561 Windsor St., Somerville, tazachocolate.com.

Comedy
Shawn and Marlon Wayans: True story: There may or may not be 14 VHS tapes under my bed at home, all of which contain back-to-back recorded episodes of In Living Color. While I can’t vouch for Shawn and Marlon’s decision to make 2004’s White Chicks, memories of Marlon’s ridiculous spoof of Shabba Ranks should more than enough to entice anyone to check out their standup.

Saturday, December 10, 7 and 9:15 p.m, $44-$56, The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilburtheatre.com.

Theater
The Nutcracker: For anyone with a soft spot for this this classic fairy tale, choreographed by Mikko Nissinen, consider going this season — this is the last year before the sets and costumes that have been used since 1995 will be retired.

Through December 31, $45-$179, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston, bostonballet.org.

Movies
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: British spies. Suspense. Double agents. Sniffing out the mole. Gary Oldman. All mighty fine reasons to check out this new flick based on the 1974 John le Carré novel of the same name.

In theaters Friday, December 9.