Exceptional entertainment

As the weather cools, the Atlanta entertainment scene is heating up. Whether you’re looking for something to put you in the holiday mood, or eager to see films that are generating Oscar buzz, we have some picks to get you started.

THEATER

> Top pick: “A Christmas Carol.” This Broadway-scale version of the Dickens classic is like a gift to the city. In David Bell’s musical adaptation, some of the town’s top talent shows up to sip wassail and educate old Ebenezer Scrooge on the error of his miserly ways.

Today-Dec. 24. Alliance Theatre. 404-733-5000, alliancetheater.org

> Crowd pleaser: “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” Playwright Joe Landry’s radio take on the Frank Capra film classic is a delight for the senses. You know the folks of Bedford Falls. Part of the fun is the way Landry structures little narratives for his radio players, who return to Theatrical Outfit for the second year.

Through Dec. 21. Theatrical Outfit, Balzer Theater at Herren’s. 678-528-1500, theatricaloutfit.org

> Under the radar: “Invasion: Christmas Carol.” Dad’s Garage handles the Dickens classic in its gonzo style: a female Scrooge, ghost “invaders” each night and audience participation. Pray that you don’t get picked.

Today-Dec. 23. Dad’s Garage. 404-523-3141, dadsgarage.com

MOVIES

> Top pick: “Revolutionary Road.” Academy Award-winning director (“American Beauty”) Sam Mendes pairs his wife, Kate Winslet, with Leonardo DiCaprio for the first time since “Titanic” for a big-screen adaptation of Richard Yates’ 1961 novel about charismatic but destructive suburbanites.

> Crowd pleaser: “Marley & Me.” Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson star in this tale of a big dog who teaches a family life lessons, adapted from John Grogan’s sentimental book.

> Under the radar: “Slumdog Millionaire.” Movie critic Roger Ebert says this is a breathless, exciting story, heartbreaking and exhilarating at the same time, about a Mumbai orphan who rises from literal rags to literal riches, all on the strength of his lively intelligence. The film bridges the two Indias, cutting between poverty and the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

CONCERTS

> Top pick: Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole, T-Pain, Gym Class Heroes and Keri Hilson. The best-selling everywhere act of this year —- rapper Lil Wayne —- is giving his first Atlanta concert since the release of his multimillion-selling album (“Tha Carter III”), and there’s sure to be some extra celebrating as it’s on New Year’s Eve. The bonus? He has three hot local acts in tow —- Keyshia Cole, T-Pain and burgeoning singer-songwriter Keri Hilson. Gym Class Heroes also performs.

8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. Tickets are $49.75-$89.75 at www.livenation.com, the Philips Arena box office and Ticketmaster, 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com.

> Crowd pleaser: Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration. McDonough Christian rockers Casting Crowns’ show is an unqualified hometown hurrah. This year lead singer Mark Hall, Melodee DeVevo, Hector Cervantes, Juan DeVevo, Chris Huffman, Megan Garrett and Andy Williams have seen their “The Altar and the Door” top Billboard’s Christian album listing —- and even this week continue to hover in the Top 10. And the group’s new holiday album, “Peace on Earth,” is in the Top 5.

7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. Tickets are $22-$77 at Ticketmaster, 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com.

> Under the radar: Ledisi. How this electric singer still falls under this category is for her record label and managers to ponder. As anyone who saw her last headlining show here can attest, the jazz and R&B power sends currents through this intimate venue —- plus she has new material from her holiday album (“It’s Christmas”).

8:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. $27.50 at Ticketmaster, 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com.

VISUAL ARTS

> Top pick: A joint ticket to the “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center and “The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army” at the High Museum of Art. This ticket gives you access to the whole museum. You won’t want to miss “The Louvre and the Masterpiece.” Remember: Vermeer’s “The Astronomer” is on view through Feb. 15.

The two-fer ticket does not have to be used in one day. Adults: $39, Tuesdays-Thursdays; $41, Fridays-Sundays. Children, ages 6-17: $25. Free for children 5 and under. www.atlanta.net/treasures. Joint group (10-plus people) tickets are also available at a 20 percent discount. 404-733-4550 or 1-866-524-7687.

> Crowd pleaser: “Norman Rockwell’s Home for the Holidays.” America’s favorite illustrator shaped our vision of the holiday season as New England winter with a dash of Merrie Olde England, as you’ll see in this exhibition of his covers for the Saturday Evening Post at the Atlanta History Center. It’s interesting to see how he acknowledges the World Wars —- mostly as soldier homecomings —- without dampening holiday cheer. The concurrent exhibition “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” makes for a great multi-generational outing. It’s especially festive on Candlelight Nights, when the grounds and buildings are illuminated and special performances are offered.

Candlelight Nights: 5-9 p.m., Dec. 9 and 16. $15; $7, children. Reservations advised. 404-814-4150.

10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5:30 p.m. Sundays. (Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) $15; $12, students, seniors; $10, 4-12, children 3 and under are free. 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. 404-814-4000. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.

> Under the radar: “Little Things Mean a Lot.” The Swan Coach House Gallery’s annual exhibition of gift-sized artwork in all mediums assembles more than 100 Georgia artists in one place.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. 3130 Slaton Drive. 404-266-2636. www.swancoachhouse.com.

OTHER MUSIC & DANCE

> Top pick: “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is the Blind Boys of Alabama’s traditional Gospel Christmas show —- after almost 70 years of four-part, folk-solid harmonies —- joined here by the Gee’s Bend Singers, a group created from the famous quilt makers.

8 p.m. Dec. 19. $21-$50. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org

> Crowd pleaser: Atlanta Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” has been going strong for four decades. John McFall’s choreography plays to the kids in the audience, with the giant tree dominating the family Christmas and those delicious dances in the land of the Dew Drop Fairy. (Note that just the four opening shows are performed with a live orchestra.)

Various times, Dec. 5-28. $15 to $115. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., 404-817-8700, www.atlantaballet.com

> Under the radar: Holiday Jazz Vespers is one of the musical jewels of the city, this year with jazz vocalists Kathleen Bertrand and Alexandra Jackson, pianist Gary Motley and others joining Dwight Andrews’ Atlanta Jazz Chorus. The show benefits the vespers’ historic home, First Congregational Church in downtown Atlanta.

7 p.m. Dec. 13. $25-$50. $85 for concert and reception. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth Street N.W., 404-659-6255, www.rialtocenter.org

FAMILY

> Top pick: Murphy’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Murphy’s, the longtime Va-Hi eatery, helps Atlantans usher in the next holiday with its annual Christmas tree lighting. The Grady High School Choir takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. and the Atlanta Boy Choir performs at 7 p.m. Onlookers bundle up, and sip on hot chocolate and cider while the tree gets lit at 7:30 p.m. Those who opt to stick around for a meal can expect a relaxed mix of international and local cuisine, fresh-baked treats and a smart wine list.

Free. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Murphy’s, 997 Virginia Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-872-0904, www.murphysvh.com.