Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Big To-Do: Short Cuts, our midweek round-up of what’s going on around Boston, as selected by Boston Globe critics and writers.

Thursday

• Return to James Cameron’s Pandora as his latest sci-fi sequel, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” hits theaters.

• Who doesn’t love a nature docuseries? Check out “Born to Be Wild,” debuting on Apple TV.

• Lily Collins trades France for Italy as “Emily in Paris” heads to Rome for its fifth season, premiering on Netflix.

Friday

• The Nova Comedy Collective gets into the holiday spirit with “A Christmas Carol”-themed production at the Rockwell in Somerville.

• Ska-punk band Streetlight Manifest rocks out at Roadrunner for the group’s annual holiday show.

• Comedian and “Ella McCay” star Kumail Nanjiani debuts his new comedy special “Night Thoughts” on Hulu.

Saturday

• Acclaimed musician Deke Dickerson takes over the Burren in Somerville for a “Roots Rockin’ Holiday Special.”

• Social media star and stand-up comic Joe Fenti tapes his new special at Somerville’s Center for Arts at the Armory.

Sunday

• Andrew Mayer and Will Smalley host the annual stand-up and sketch holiday show at the Comedy Studio.

Ongoing

• Santa joins conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for the annual Holiday Pops festivities, through Dec. 24.

• “Midwinter Revels: A Scandinavian Story for Christmas” continues at Cambridge’s Sanders Theatre through Dec. 28.

• Explore the exhibit “Of Light and Air,” looking back on the watercolor works of Winslow Homer, at the MFA through Jan. 19.

Last Chance

• Wheelock Family Theatre’s new production of “Annie” wraps up its run on Sunday.

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Thanks for reading our new Wednesday newsletter. Keep an eye out for Friday's regular Big To-Do email written by Marie Morris. Send comments to arts@globe.com.