This week’s top entertainment – Santacon, a ‘Star Wars’ pub crawl and Wayne Brady

With all the family get-togethers, company holiday parties and end-of-the-year shindigs, schedules tend to fill up quickly this time of year.

But you’ll want to set aside the time for these seven events happening Dec. 8-14.

SantaCon 2017

The original SantaCon happened in San Francisco in the ’90s as some kind of practical joke-turned-flash mob-turned actual mob. These days, SantaCon (capital S, capital C) refers to any public mass gathering of people dressed as Santa, and you’ll find events happening across the country in unison on Dec. 9. Fresno’s event will be led by New Rock DJ Skippy and the New Rock Street Team and will feature live music, food trucks and a photo booth. It’s also a Toys for Tots donation site. Details: 2 p.m. Saturday. Tioga-Sequoia beer garden, 745 Fulton St. Free. 559-486-2337, www.santacon.info

‘In Search of Fellini’

This month’s Fresno Filmworks selection is the debut film from Nancy Cartwright, the longtime actress who’s best known as the voice of Bart Simpson. It’s a “Felliniesque” fantasy, based in part on Cartwright’s own adventure trying to meet the famed Italian director, according to the New York Times. Cartwright wrote and produced the movie and will do a free question-and-answer session following the 5:30 p.m. screening. Details: 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday. Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave. $8-$10. 559-485-9050, www.fresnofilmworks.org

Star Wars Pub Crawl

This is the sequel to the Tower District’s 2015 Star War Pub Crawl, which was held in celebration of the release of “The Force Awakens.” Two years later, there’s another installment in the Star Wars franchise and another reason for a night out dressed as your favorite Star Wars character. We’re hoping there’ll be a few Porgs. Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tower District Bank of America parking lot. $5. Fresno Zombie Society on Facebook

‘A Christmas Story’

This 1983 film is such a holiday staple that it has its own museum. TBS famously ran it on a 24-hour loop for years and FOX created a live, stage-play version (it airs Dec. 17). For those who haven’t seen it in an actual theater (that’s most of us, sadly), the Crest Theatre is screening “A Christmas Story” as part of its December film series. Details: 7 p.m. Saturday. Crest Theatre, 1170 Broadway Plaza. $5. FresnoCrest on Facebook

Swede Fest

At this point, Swede Fest should need little explanation. The low- (or no-) budget amateur film festival has been running for almost a decade now and the event’s organizers have gained national attention for their cardboard cut-out movie re-creations – including a spot on “Good Morning America.” The free event is a must-do for movie addicts and film enthusiasts of all ages. Details: 5 p.m. Sunday. Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave. Free, all ages. 559-485-9050, swedefest.com

KJUG Acoustic Christmas

Country radio station KJUG hosts its second annual Acoustic Christmas, with a lineup of rising stars headlined by Michael Ray. The guy was mentored by Big and Rich. Also on the bill is “The Voice” season seven winner Craig Wayne Boyd; Runaway June, one of Rolling Stone’s “10 New Country Artists You Need To Know,” and the local husband/wife duo Terra Bella. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted at the door to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Details: 6 p.m. Monday. Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia. Free. 559-625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org

Wayne Brady

It’s a rare entertainer who can run the gamut the way Wayne Brady has. While he may be best known as a comedian (one of the breakout stars of the improv show “Whose Line Is It Anyway”), Brady also starred as Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of “Hamilton;” played host on several television shows (including “Don’t Forget the Lyrics”) and has released several albums of contemporary music. Details: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Tachi Palace, 17225 Jersey Ave., Lemoore. $35-$75. 800-942-6886, www.tachipalace.com

This story was originally published December 7, 2017 at 1:24 PM with the headline "This week’s top entertainment – Santacon, a ‘Star Wars’ pub crawl and Wayne Brady."