PICK OF THE DAY

Harp for the holidays

Susanna had a banjo on her knee, and Deborah Henson-Conant has a harp on her hip. The wild and crazy Boston-area harpist, who has delved into the Boston jazz scene and soloed with orchestras including the Boston Pops, has lately ventured into the world of rock ’n’ roll. Her recent tour with Grammy Award-winning guitarist Steve Vai will likely inform her solo show in celebration of the solstice. With her 32-string, 11-pound, electric “hip-harp,” she mixes music, voice, sound loops, and spoken word in a performance sure to bring figurative and literal light (her harp has LED lights on it) to this dark time of year. Dec. 21, 8 p.m. $25, $22 advance, $16 students and seniors, $75 VIP includes pre-show artist reception. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 781-646-4849, www.regenttheatre.com

THURSDAY

We three singer-songwriters A trio of Boston-area singer-songwriters come bearing original tunes. Dietrich Strause brings story songs, Kimon Kirk offers throwback pop, and Brian Webb delivers Americana-tinged rock. Dec. 20, 9 p.m. $10. Lizard Lounge, 1667 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. 617-547-0759, www.lizardloungeclub.com

FRIDAY

Keeping a low profile Bassist Greg Loughman and his indie rock band Lowman celebrate the season with a special Lowman Holiday Show. The event promises homemade cookies, a carol singalong, an ugly Christmas sweater contest, and a Yankee swap of things you have around the house (wrapped, please). The Adam Janjigian Trio provides pre-party jazz. Dec. 21, Adam Janjigian Trio, 7-8:30 p.m., Lowman at 9:30 p.m. Early show free, holiday show $10. Acton Jazz Cafe, 103 Nagog Park, Acton. 978-263-6161, www.actonjazzcafe.com

Doomed to eat According to the Mayans, the world is about to end. That’s as good an excuse as any for a fancy dinner. At the Doomsday Dinner & Candle Vigil, you can partake of stuffed ribeye steak, lobster-filled flautas, lamb shank with mole manchamanteles and yucca fries, chocolate del diablo, and special end-of-days libations. If the world is still around Saturday morning, celebrate with a Mexican Bloody Mary at the Survivalists Brunch. Dec. 21, doomsday dinner 5:30-11:11 p.m. Dec. 22, brunch 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Reservations recommended, prices a la carte. Canned food donations accepted for Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee’s Food Pantry. Olé Mexican Grill, 11 Springfield St., Cambridge. 617-492-4495, www.olerestaurantgroup.com

Legendary tales The Scandinavian “Legend of the Mistletoe” and the Greek “Halcyon Days of Peace” are part of “The Winter Solstice in Legend and Song” presented by storyteller Diane Edgecomb, Celtic harpist Margot Chamberlain, and instrumentalist Tom Megan. Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. $12-$15. South Acton Congregational Church, 35 School St., South Acton. Dec. 22, 8 p.m. $25. Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St., Jamaica Plain. www.livingmyth.com

Celebration is brewing Even though this concert is titled The Brew End of the World Party, don’t worry, be happy. Instead of endings, the quartet that hails from Amesbury aims for renewal and new beginnings with a high-energy, celebratory rock show. Dec. 21, 8 p.m. $15. Blue Ocean Music Hall, 4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury. 978-462-5888, www.northshorepavilion.com

SUNDAY

Merry movies A murder mystery feature, a George Kuchar video diary, and short comedy classics are featured in this year’s Vintage Christmas Show of flicks. The two-hour program is appropriate for all ages. Dec. 23, 2 p.m. Free. Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St., Cambridge. 617-495-4700, www.hcl.harvard.edu/hfa