FESTIVITIES: Forget about that big shiny show-off in Rockefeller Center. Tonight the menorah and Christmas tree in Washington Square Park will be illuminated for all. Come bask in the glow of holiday, people.

6pm // Washington Square Park [W 4th St to Waverly Pl between MacDougal and University] // Free

FILM: In a week-long tribute to Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini (pictured), tonight The Film Society of Lincoln Center will be screening Notes for an African Orestes. The film traces Pasolini's 1970 location-hunt for a film that never got made.

6:45pm // Walter Reade Theater [165 W 65th St] // $11

THEATER: Irish-born playwright George Farquhar is finally seeing the New York premiere of his play The Constant Couple. Or rather, he would be seeing it if he was still alive – the Restoration comedy was a box office hit in 1699 but has had to wait over three centuries for a New York staging. “Steadfast Colonel Standard wants nothing more than to win the charming Lady Lurewell. But his way is littered with scheming rivals, troublesome fops, and bumbling rustics, all of whom seem to have some claim on his lady love.” The Playgoer, writing for Time Out New York, deems the “hip yet faithful production… a fresh take on wayward youth and erotic deceit, far surpassing most of what passes for romantic comedy today.” – John Del Signore

7pm // The Pearl Theater Company [80 St. Mark’s Place] // Call (212) 598-9802 for tickets, which cost $40.

MUSIC: We generally enjoy seeing Ted Leo in an outdoor space, preferably flying in the face of Mother Nature's wrath, but since it's so cold out -- we think an indoor show sounds downright cozy. Head over to the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight to catch him and his Pharmacists, with openers Lover or Perish. Tickets still on sale here!

8pm // Music Hall of Williamsburg [66 N 6th St] // $20

Over at Joe's Pub there's something of a Chanukah celebration going on. The Sway Machinery will be joined by members of Antibalas, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Balkan Beat Box and Arcade Fire to help ring in Night One. Tickets are still on sale, buy buy buy!

Listen: Birkas Kohanim.mp3 - The Sway Machinery

9:30pm // Joe's Pub [425 Lafayette St] // $12