Coastal Ga. Weekend: Savannah And Coastal Events Dec. 7-10

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Kids can meet Santa at the Georgia State Railroad Museum's Santa Train this weekend. / Georgia State Railroad Museum on Facebook

There are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit this weekend. Jessica Leigh Lebos of Connect Savannah and Claire Sandow of the Tourism Leadership Council have a few suggestions.Jessica and Claire talk weekend events.

Claire's picks:

-The Savannah Philharmonic will celebrate the season with favorite tunes at the Holiday Pops concerts at Johnny Mercer Theatre. Saturday's matinee is designed for families, complete with the Savannah Children's Choir. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 3 p.m.; $15 matinee, $15-80 evenings.

-Kids can meet Santa at the Georgia State Railroad Museum's Santa Train. It includes a short ride on a steam locomotive, activities and holiday crafts, animals visiting from Oatland Island and more. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; $15.

-Savannah rarely gets snow or ice, but you can still enjoy some cold-weather fun at Skatefest at the Savannah Civic Center. The rink opens Saturday and has skating sessions nearly every day this month. Full schedule here; $8.

-The Westin's holiday celebrations are in full swing, with a gingerbread village and special events all month. This Saturday, kids can enjoy breakfast with Santa and holiday tea with princesses. On Sunday, the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra will swing for the season at a dinner supporting the Empty Stocking Fund. Full schedule and details here.

Jessica's picks:

-There are plenty of chances to catch great local theater this weekend. The Savannah Children's Theatre is performing A Charlie Brown Christmas. Over at the Savannah Rep Playshop, the Savannah Repertory has an unusual twist on the Christmas Carol: Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. And Collective Face continues their run of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvey at Savannah State's Kennedy Fine Arts Center.

-You've got two chances to break out your ugly holiday sweater on Saturday. First, the bars around Ellis Square are hosting the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, featuring drink specials, giveaways and more. Saturday, 2-10 p.m.; $17.50-25 (depending when you buy). You can also take your tacky knitwear to Grayson Stadium for the Ugly Christmas Sweater Soiree, including craft cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music and more. Saturday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; free.

-Miss those heady days when the Magic Mike cast was popping up all over town? Experience the "magic" firsthand at Girls Night Out, The Show at Stage on Bay. It's, well, exactly what it sounds like. Saturday, 8 p.m.; $20-60.

-If your bent runs more toward burlesque, you've got two chances to catch the Savannah Sweet Tease this weekend, in shows featuring their new protege performers. Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m.; $10.