Local Shops Think Outside the Santa Cap with Holiday Offerings

Christmas events are piling up, but don't worry. We have it covered with a few lineups, including our .

Take a glance at these events that put a twist on the typical holiday shindig. Whether it's a beer sampling, DJ Top Kat or a grumpy Santa named Metalliclaus, take advantage of the creativity of these small businesses and have a little fun with all the holiday hoopla. Or, catch an off-the-wall show for some yuletide fun.

It's all in good cheer.

• When: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
• Where:
• Cost: $5, includes a photo with Metalliclaus.
• Why go: Detroit Comics invites those who are not feeling so festive to head on down, even bring the kids and "relax in the company of those who have also had it with everyone and everything!" There will be food, fun, and sing-a-longs with Metalliclaus, the grumpy Santa! 
• What else: Proceeds to benefit Childrens Hospital of Michigan Foundation.

• When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday
• Where:
• Cost: Tickets are $25 in advance of the event, $30 at the door. Ticket price includes endless samples, beer-themed appetizers and more.
• Why go: The ' fifth annual Winter Beer Tasting offers the theme Polar Beer this year, as the proceeds from the event will benefit the Arctic Circle of Life at the . A selection of limited-release, seasonal craft beers from around the world will be offered, both on draft and bottled. Beer selections include Wittekerke Winter Double Wit Ale, Gulden Draak Vintage Ale 2008, Scaldis Noel, Trappistes Rochefort 10, Anderson Valley Winter Solstice, and Bell's Double Cream Stout.
• What else: Tickets are available at the upstairs bar of the WAB or by phone at 248-546-3696.

• When: 6 p.m.- 10 p.m. Friday
• Where:
• Cost: Free
• Why go: Scratch a few names off your list while sipping quality craft beer and listening to live music?  The evening starts with Bellisima Musica then kicks up a notch with DJ Top Kat and finishes with two fabulous local bands, The Luddites and I Love Lightning Bugs.
• What else: Proceeds to benefit FernCare.

• When: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23
• Where:
• Cost: $15
• Why go: Have a laugh at Go Comedy's Third Annual Holiday Sketch Revue.
• What else: For more information, visit www.gocomedy.net.

• When: 3 p.m. Sunday
• Where:
• Cost: $20
• Why go: A twisted take on two classic tales, Silent Night of the Lambs mixes one part thriller (The Silence of the Lambs) and one part holiday TV special (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer) to create a twisted recipe. Rudolph's daughter Clarice (Melissa Beckwith) is all grown up. She's an FBI agent on the biggest case of her life: a serial killer called The Skinner is killing off tiny boys with crutches and little girls who sell matches. To enter the mind of this serial killer Clarice must challenge the mind of another madman- a fat, jolly, bowlful of jelly madman (played by Dave Davies). With his help can she find The Skinner before he kills again without losing her sanity?
• What else: For more shows, check out WhoWantsToEatCakeTheatre.com. 

For more weekend-things-to-do options, visit our events guide here. If you'd like to post your own event, .