Going North

* Concerts--John Cleese and Kenny Loggins will join the Santa Barbara Children’s Chorus and ensembles from UC Santa Barbara for a pair of “Candlelight Christmas� concerts at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara. Cleese and Loggins will present the poem that starts “ ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.� The program will also include holiday music from around the world, plus a candlelight procession. Show times: Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m. $10 general, $7 seniors and students, $5 ages 12 and younger. 965-5935.

* Shopping--The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will host its annual three-day Folk and Tribal Arts Marketplace this weekend. The museum transforms its auditorium into a colorful international market with handcrafted goods from North, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, Indonesia, India and other places. Among the offerings will be Berber rugs, baskets and leather work from Morocco; tapestries and weavings from Peru; metal sculpture from Haiti; yarn paintings, beadwork, masks and animal figures by the Indians of the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico; and dresses, jewelry and handmade Bedouin veils from Egypt. Hours: Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. The museum is at 2559 Puesta del Sol Road. 682-4711.

* Dance--Theatre UCSB will stage its “Echoes: A Dance Concert� production this weekend at UC Santa Barbara’s Hatlen Theatre. The program includes original choreography by faculty members and advanced students. Show times: Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. $16 general, $12 seniors and students. 893-3535.

* Theater--The Ensemble Theatre Company will open Yasmina Reza’s comedy “Art� on Friday at the Alhecama Theatre in Santa Barbara. The play follows three friends, one of whom buys an all-white painting for an outrageous sum. Show times: Tuesday-Saturday 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m. Through Dec. 31. Tickets $20-$30 with discounts for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more. The theater is at 914 Santa Barbara St. 962-8606. Internet: https://www.ensembletheatre.com.

* Blooms--The Orchid Society of Santa Barbara will host its 30th annual Fall Orchid Show & Sale this weekend at Santa Barbara City College, Campus Center, 721 Cliff Drive. There will be displays of the season’s prized blooms, numerous vendors, lectures, video displays and more. Donations, benefiting the orchid society, are requested. Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 962-6004 or 563-2894.

* Opera--Santa Barbara Grand Opera will open its seventh season Saturday with Verdi’s “Wayward Woman� at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. Show times: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 10, 2:30 p.m. Opening night patron seating, with reception after the performance, $100. Regular tickets: premium seating, $56; gallery seating, $28. 963-0761.

* Words--Speaking of Stories will stage its third annual “Holiday Chestnuts and Some Surprises� program Monday at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. The husband-and-wife team of Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry will lead a cast that will read holiday-related works by Stuart McLean, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Liz Balmaseda and Augustus Hodges. Show time: 7 p.m. $25. 963-0761.