"Drop by Smolak Farms’s barn for quality time with Santa and his helpers. The kids will be able to make holiday crafts, make food for the reindeer, and hand a wish list to the red-suited man himself. Parents are welcome to get a photo of the kiddos with Santa. The best part? No lines. (Every Sunday in December; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St., North Andover; $5 per child, adults are free)"
"The Rose Kennedy Greenway’s Carousel will get even more magical with the holiday season as carolers grace the grounds. Head down to the Carousel to catch performances by The Revels of Cambridge, Chorus Pro Musica of Boston, and the Boston Children’s Chorus on three Fridays in December, respectively. You’ll get free hot chocolate and treats from Boston Public Market vendors like Third Cliff Bakery, Taza Chocolate, Red Apple Farm, and Daniele, Inc. Plus, the Carousel will be open extra late so you can take a spin until 7 p.m."
Paint Nite, Boston’s grown-up arts-and-crafts corner, is hosting a slue of gingerbread house-making events throughout the season at various bars and pubs around town. Attendees are welcome to sip on beverages and decorate gingerbread houses, pre-built for your convenience (geometry and archictecture don’t mix well with wine). Reserve your spot now!
"Join the Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart, celebrating his 20th anniversary with the orchestra, in a performance filled with holiday music favorites, the traditional Pops sing-a-long, and even a visit from jolly old Santa Claus.
A New England Christmastime tradition, the Boston Pops Holiday concerts began under Arthur Fiedler in 1973 with a three-concert series at Symphony Hall. Since then, public demand for the performances has grown, with many of the concerts continuing to sell out each year, and the orchestra makes annual regional tours throughout the Northeast."
Click here for discounted tickets!
Join the ICA for tastings, artisan demonstrations, DIY workshops, and more every Friday from 5-8 PM in the Water Café.
This Friday, December 18th is All Wrapped Up: "Warm up with a free mug of cider, get pro gift wrapping tips to make your presents shine inside and out, and take advantage of one-night-only discounts,. There’s still time to find that perfectly personal gift! Peruse the ICA Store, named one of “10 Great Gift Shops” by Boston Magazine, for everyone on your list."
Click here for the full ICA Calendar!
Admission to ICA after 5 is included in the regular admission price.
Head over to the South End Buttery this Wednesday for a festive night of holiday cookie decorating! Sip on some wine & enjoy some buttery treats while learning some decorating tips from the pros. Each guest will receive 12 delicious sugar cookies to decorate and take home - or gift to a lucky someone!
Click here to reserve your seat!
"What has 200 wheels and antlers?
The Jingle Ride of course!
The 19th Annual Ciclismo Classico Jingle Ride is one of the longest-running Boston holiday sporting events and certainly one of the most colorful. What started out as a simple and fun idea to bring some cycling magic to the holidays has evolved into an annual event that many come to year after year. For those who love a parade, love to sing, or who get a kick out of wearing antlers or a holiday costume, the Jingle Ride is a must for your holiday calendar.
This year’s ride starts and ends at the Kickstand Café, the popular café in a popular location in Arlington Center next to the Minuteman Bikeway. Registration begins at 10:15. They'll provide some delicious hot beverages and pastries to fuel us up!
The 22-mile ride (round-trip) follows the Minuteman Bikeway and then heads for Harvard Square, the Esplanade, Boston Common, and Newbury Street. The group makes occasional stops to sing carols for passersby, and enjoys bringing some unexpected holiday cheer to all who witness the group. The most-beloved stop is at Harvard Square, where the Harvard Square Business Association serves cookies and hot cocoa to the group – an especially welcome treat in chilly December!
It’s a parade, not a race – so if you have a bicycle, we’d love your holiday spirit along for the ride!
Riders are encouraged to give a $25 suggested donation for the ride; the beneficiary is Horizons for Homeless Children."
Click here for more info.
"Swing by Downeast this Saturday for a night of dancing with DJ Zeke (of Downeast trivia fame) -- and dont forget your canned goods + non-parishables to donate to the Charlestown Food Bank.
We'll be serving up fresh cold CIDERS and BEERS (Lagunitas Brown Shugga) for this one!
The Downeast Tap Room is located at 200 Terminal St in Charlestown, Under the Tobin Bridge. This is a free event, and open to the public."
"“A Nutcracker…with real soul”
Tony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker, Boston’s original holiday classic, is back for its 15th season and packed with more magic for the whole family.
Urban Nutcracker puts a modern spin on the 19th Century fairy tale and transports the audience to an enchanted world not unlike their own. Say hello to Clarice & co…you’ve entered the world of the Urban Nutcracker. Strains of Duke Ellington dovetails with the buzz of neon driven by the heartbeat of Tchaikovsky. You could say it is a fusion of modern, multicultural and classical dance…but it’s more! It’s an organic interpretation brought about by a unifying of cultures. This is how art succeeds. This is why classic ballet, urban tap, hip hop, swing, flamenco, step and jazz blend into something special.
Each year the Urban Nutcracker runs at the Back Bay Events Center (John Hancock Hall) in Boston’s Back Bay."
Click here for discounted tickets.
’Tis the season for holiday cheer. There is no shortage of Boston events to put you in the Christmas mood. Check out these 3, provided by Boston.com.
1. Caroling at the Carousel
"The Rose Kennedy Greenway’s Carousel will get even more magical with the holiday season as carolers grace the grounds. Head down to the Carousel to catch performances by The Revels of Cambridge, Chorus Pro Musica of Boston, and the Boston Children’s Chorus on three Fridays in December, respectively. You’ll get free hot chocolate and treats from Boston Public Market vendors likeThird Cliff Bakery, Taza Chocolate, Red Apple Farm, and Daniele, Inc. Plus, the Carousel will be open extra late so you can take a spin until 7 p.m. (December 4, 11, and 18 from 6 to 6:30 p.m., free)"
2. Kiss108's Jungle Ball at TD Garden
"If you have teens, this veers into can’t-miss territory. This year, IHeartRadio and Boston’s Top 40 radio Kiss108 will host a killer lineup for their annual holiday blowout concert, including artists like Calvin Harris, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, 5 Seconds of Summer, and The Weeknd. (December 10 at 7 p.m.; TD Garden; $20+)"
3. Paint Nite Gingerbread House-Making
"Paint Nite, Boston’s grown-up arts-and-crafts corner, is hosting a slue of gingerbread house-making events throughout the season at various bars and pubs around town. Attendees are welcome to sip on beverages and decorate gingerbread houses, pre-built for your convenience (geometry and archictecture don’t mix well with wine). Tickets for any of the 10 upcoming gingerbread house nights are available online now. (December 2-22; $50)"
Click here for the full list of events.
