Yale Weekend, like Christmas, comes but once a year. Instead of presents, however, The Weekend tends to bring not only alcohol and dates, but also undergraduate dances. This fall, there are eight of them, including one at Quincy House which attracted the attention of most of the College by threatening to use mattresses for decoration.

Actually Quincy has combined with Leverett for the evening, offering "Music To Do What You Want To Do By," with three bands. At Leverett, the Eddie Goldman sextet will play soft, seductive songs while the Herb Pomeroy Trio, a jazz group formerly at The Stables in Boston, will provide an occasional diversion. Meanwhile, in Quincy the "Whirlwinds" will supply twist music. The entire extra-vaganza costs $3.25 and begins at 8:15 p.m.

OPEN OR CLOSED?

Theoretically, the dance is just for Leverett, Quincy, and interested Yale men. In practice, however, friends of men in either House seem reasonably assured of a welcome. This general principle of "semi-closed" dances holds for most of the events tonight.

Lowell, Eliot, and the Freshman Union, however, regard their dances as "open"--no matter what the college, class, or House, anyone can come.

Lowell House this a slow band, Ken Reeves and his Men, and a twist group, Ricky Coyne and the Guitar Rockers. Two singing groups, the Krockodiloes and Yale's Dukesmen will be featured at intermission. Time: 8:30 p.m.; price: $3.50.

Eliot House is sponsoring "The Dance," with Gary Berger's Big Band. The Whiffenpoofs and the Krockodiloes will sing during intermission. The price is somewhat higher: $4; the dance begins at 8:30 p.m.

And in the Freshman Union, there is "The New Heaven." Two big brassy bands start up at 8 p.m., and admission is $2.50.

Tonight's "semi-closed" dances include Winthrop's blast, at which Russ Keane and his Five Boys will provide the dancing music. Three Mr. Magoo cartoons and two W. C. Fields comedies will be shown in the Junior Common Room. Halftime intermission will feature singing by the Harvard Squares. This dance begins at 8 p.m.; cost: $2.

Kirkland's dance goes on at 8:15 p.m., with music from "The Blue Notes," a group adept at slow music and twists. The ubiquitous Krockodiloes will appear at intermission, paired as at Lowell with the Dukesmen. The cost: $3.50.

Dunster, Dudley, and Adams are having closed dances.

The Hasty Pudding will have a dance for members and their guests. Harry Marshard will provide the music.

Movies in the Square are:

* "The Lavender Hill Mob" with Alec Guinness, which laughs its way through an implausible gold robbery. It goes on at 5:30, 7:30, and 9:30 p.m. at the Brattle Theatre.

* "Carry On Teacher," a British situation comedy about a school under evaluation by two disagreeing school inspectors. Playing with it, at the Harvard Square, is "Lonely are the Brave," starring Kirk Douglas. The main film goes on at 3, 6:30, and 9:15 p.m.

Strindberg's "The Ghost Sonata" is at the Loeb Drama Center, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $2. The Charles Playhouse is giving "The Threepenny Opera," tonight at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Unfortunately, the most traditional part of the football weekend--the post-game coktail party--cannot really be scheduled. One just has to crash it, pretending to be in search of a long-lost buddy from the Other Place, pleading the need for a brotherly drink, or just demanding the return of a purloined date.