Holiday Events at Various Locations

The holiday season isn’t only about shopping, weight gain and generalized angst. There are a number of cultural happenings crowded into the next few weeks, including a free December 6 holiday concert by the Henderson Symphony Orchestra. Sounds of the Season (7 p.m. at the Henderson Convention Center) will feature a program of holiday favorites, choirs from Coronado and Foothill High Schools and complimentary hot chocolate.

Nearby, Clark County Museum celebrates Heritage Holidays December 7 and 8. The museum dresses its collection of vintage Nevada buildings in holiday finery for the entire month, but Heritage Holidays is its sole nighttime event, replete with twinkling lights, carolers, crafts, treats and visits from the big red dude. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and admission is free.

Finally, the Springs Preserve Holiday Express is running Fridays through Sundays until December 23. It’ll whisk you and your kids away to Santa’s village (actually the Preserve’s splendid Boomtown exhibit) for storytelling, cookie decorating and other shenanigans. Tickets cost $12 and are available at springspreserve.org. –Geoff Carter

Ramana Vieira at Various Locations

The singer/pianist might have been born in Northern California, but her Portuguese roots define her artistry. Vieira is one of the most prominent ambassadors for fado, a 200-year-old musical expression of melancholy and fatalism. She’ll perform both fado ballads and American classics. December 7, 7 p.m., free, Clark County Library. December 8, 7 p.m., $12-$14, Winchester Cultural Center. –Mike Prevatt

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka at Charleston Heights Arts Center

Here’s the (golden) ticket: Rainbow Company Youth Theatre bringing Dahl’s 1964 novel—about young Charlie Bucket, chocolate bars and Oompa-Loompas—to life. Days & times vary, December 7-16, $6. –Spencer Patterson

Otherwise at 172

The Las Vegas hard rock kings’ first gig at the Rio’s newest music venue aims to be a special one. During the first set, fans will experience acoustic renderings, cover songs and new material. The quartet will follow that by performing all of its second full-length album, True Love Never Dies. December 8, 7 p.m., $33. –Mike Prevatt

Ty Dolla $ign at Drai's

No one brings the heat to more R&B and hip-hop tracks than go-to collaborator Ty, who just popped up on Canadian producer Kaytranada’s “Nothin Like U” after releasing the team-up album MihTy with fellow Drai’s resident Jeremih. December 8, 10:30 p.m., $30-$50. –Brock Radke

History of the Las Vegas Strip at Nevada State Museum

Author Lynn Zook speaks about her new book, Gambling on a Dream—the story of the Strip, circa 1930-1955, when it was just a “pot-holed, two-lane highway.” December 8, 2 p.m., free. –Geoff Carter

An Evening with Jose and Friends at Bazaar Meat

Discover differences between meats like Jamón Ibérico and salchichón and learn to carve from a cortador before tasting a menu curated by chef José Andrés himself. December 10, 7 p.m., $95. –Leslie Ventura

WWE Smackdown Live at T-Mobile Arena

Brush up on your audience chants. AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and more are coming to town to deliver Glam Slams and Atomic Leg Drops. December 11, 4:30 p.m., $27-$130. –Geoff Carter