Editor's note: Merle Haggard's December 7-8 performances at the Golden Nugget have been canceled due to illness, according to a December 4 news release.
HEAR
Kamelot & Dragonforce Two fantastically named power-metal favorites—the former a quintet from Florida, the latter a six-piece from London—team for a night of guitar wizardry and mystical lyricism. December 7, 7:30 p.m., $30, House of Blues.
Merle HaggardThe Hag at the Nug—it’s become an NFR tradition. And with a six-decade career and 40 country-radio No. 1 hits, the enduring outlaw strummer has no shortage of gems to perform. December 7-8, 10 p.m., $99-$299, Golden Nugget.
Space Karate Get an earful of alt-rock icon Beck’s endearingly pretentious sheet-music album Song Reader, as interpreted by Space Karate, a band of local entertainers playing quirky instruments, including—yes!—accordion. December 5, 7 p.m., $10-$12, Winchester Cultural Center.
DRINK
Brew's Best Beer Fest Sometimes after braving the holiday shopping crowds, you need a beer … or eight. Sample suds from local breweries and regional favorites between taking on H&M and the Gap at Town Square. December 5, 1-6 p.m., $30.
SEE
A Christmas Carol UNLV’s Nevada Conservatory Theatre yet again gets into the spirit—three of them, in fact—of Christmas, as Charles Dickens’ yuletide classic comes to life on the Judy Bayley Theatre stage. December 3-5, 9-12, 8 p.m.; December 5, 12, 2 p.m.; $27.50-$33.
GO
Made & Found Downtown coffee hub Makers & Finders celebrates its first year with an evening of live music (featuring Vegas bands like Echo Stains and Sloan Walkers, plus DJ Buhoo), live mural painting, and coffee- and tea-inspired cocktails. Plus, an all-day food drive benefits Three Square. December 4, event begins at 4 p.m., 1120 S. Main St.
Holiday Bazaar & Junkfest Vintage furniture, jewelry and knick-knackery, oh my. Go for a double dose of high-intensity gift-finding with thrift and consignment goods, arts and crafts and everything in between. December 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Not Just Antiques Mart, 1422 Western Ave.
