This time of year evokes two conflicting emotions—study for finals (blah) or enjoy the holiday season. For those of you ready to take advantage of all Harvard and Cambridge have to offer for the holidays, here are some events happening over the next two weeks to keep you in a jolly mood. Enjoy holiday-themed concerts, shopping, and other events right here in Cambridge (no T-ride required).

Last month, Physics Professor Lisa J. Randall ’84 experienced a thrill unusual for scientists: she saw her name in lights on the marquee of a 2000-person theater. Randall was speaking in Portland, Oregon while on tour for her new book, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World.” The book, which was published on Sept. 20, was recently named one of the New York Times’s 100 Notable Books of 2011.

Harvard researchers have developed a swarm of inexpensive robots, called Kilobots, that can be used to test collective algorithms on a large scale. These robots, designed by members of the Self-Organizing Systems Research Group at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, can be programmed and controlled as a group rather than individually.

Scientists from Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center successfully rebuilt diseased brain circuitry in mice by transplanting new neurons. The research, which was published in the November 25 issue of “Science,” indicates that the right type of neuron could successfully integrate and partially restore functionality to areas of the brain that naturally do not regenerate neurons themselves.

The cast is both dynamic and engaging, and complements the over-the-top set with some well thought out and nuanced performances.

Discovering extraterrestrial life is not a new goal on mankind’s to-do list. The search, of course, has traditionally played a larger role in popular culture than in the halls of academia.

Psychology professor Steven Pinker, Kirkland House Master Tom C. Conley, and College Dean for Administration D. E. Lorraine Sterritt read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numero.

Occupy Harvard protesters interrupted a mayoral panel at the Institute of Politics on Wednesday evening, protesting perceived injustices at the Occupy Philadelphia camp.