“FANTASTIC BEASTS and Where to Find Them” opens in cinemas this weekend.

The holiday movie season officially starts this weekend, as the magical world of Harry Potter comes to America with a prequel. This and other fun stuff on tap for the Garden Grove-Huntington Beach-Westminster area.

MOVIES

Opening this weekend in cinemas near us:

• “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” J.K. Rowling’s latest take on the world of magic is set in American in the 1920s. Lots of special effects as bad magicians battle good ones. Rated PG-13.
• “The Edge of Seventeen.” Teenage angst with a twist. Starring Hailee Steinfeld (“True Grit”) and Woody Harrellson. Rated R.
• “Bleed For This.” Based on a true story, this is the tale of a boxer hurt in a head-on car accident who overcomes his injuries to return to the ring. Miles Teller and Aaron Eckhart co-star. Rated R.

ON STAGE

• “Get Smart” concludes this weekend at the Huntington Beach Playhouse with performances Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. In the Central Library building, Goldenwest Street at Talbert Avenue.
• “The Little Mermaid” opens this weekend at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster, with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It’s on All-American Way, north of Westminster Boulevard in the Civic Center area.
• “A Piece of My Heart” concludes this weekend at the Mainstage Theater at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It’s the story of six American nurses serving in Vietnam. For more, go to http://www.gwctheater.com/piece-heart-november-11-20/

EVENTS

The holiday celebrations will be starting now and piling up fast. On Sunday from 2-7 p.m. there’s the “Miracle on Main Street” in downtown Huntington Beach with a big lineup of entertainment culminating with the arrival of Santa Claus and the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. For more information, go to www.hbdowntown.com .