Edgar Allan Poe, Lego Robots, Caroling, Winter Solstice, Evening Holiday Lights, Scavenger Hunt, and Santa Convention!!

12/15/09 by

Don’t forget that during the holidays, I post two entries a week! This one is my overview of what’s happening in New England, and I’ve tried really hard to include some non-Christmas stuff. I also have the largest list of non-churchy Xmas caroling opportunities. However, the previous post (hit “Prev”) is the largest list of nighttime holiday light attractions in New England. You’re welcome! 🙂

Below are this week’s top items, and click to see the complete Johnny’s List of Weird Boston Events.

The Raven in the Frog Pond: Edgar Allan Poe and the City of Boston 12/17 Boston Metro
Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston? I got to meet Mayor Menino recently because the three of us on the “Boston Poe Committee” got a spot named Edgar Allan Poe Square near Boston Common last Spring. This week a new exhibit on Poe opens at the Boston Public Library, and they’re having literary debators from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Boston debate over Poe’s legacy and which city can best claim Poe as their own.
Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Boston, MA.617-552-3710. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
FIRST Lego League Massachusetts State Championship 12/19 Worcester
What’s better than Lego? Robots made of Lego!! This is the state championship for building machines that don’t do much but are fun to watch. Their website is impossible to navigate but I got a press release so this event must be happening.
WPI, Harrington Auditorium, Worcester MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Winter Solstice Lantern Wallk @ Ipswich River 12/19 North Shore
OK, so much for pretending it’s not Christmas. I got all the way through two events before — SMACK! — oh wait, it’s the Winter Solstice too! Here are a few solstice park events. Let’s face it, a solstice sunset looks very much like any other sunset. But when’s the last time you bothered to stop to watch a sunset? Preregister for this one. You walk with lanterns and they’ll have a campfire! 4-6pm.
Ipswich River, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA.978-887-9264. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Solstice Celebration @ Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary 12/20 Metro West
Also with a campfire! Pre-register.
Stony Brook, 108 North Street, Norfolk, MA.508-528-3140. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Boxborough Winter Solstice Sunrise 12/21 Metro West
7am-8am. This one sounds really beautiful. At a state park, get up early and watch the sun rise through stone structures that are possibly of Native American origin.
Half Moon Meadow Brook, Depot Rd, Boxborough, MA.978-443-5588. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Solstice Celebration @ Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary 12/21 Western Mass
And they’re also doing it at Arcadia National Park, which is out in Western Mass. These people are smart about attendance and doing it for sundown, 5:30-8:30pm. 413-584-3009.
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, 127 Combs Road, Easthampton, MA.413-584-3009. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Winter Solstice Celebration @ Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary 12/19 Boston Metro
1-3pm. This one claims to have “traditional solstice activities”. Traditional? How traditional, like a human sacrifice?
Habitat, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA.617-489-5050. see details on the complete Johnny’s List

And a lot more this week at the Complete Johnny’s List of Weird Boston Events, including:

Wright Brothers 106th Anniversary @ McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Paperfest & World of Paper Crafts at Children’s Museum, Free Movie: The US vs John Lennon, Boston Santacon, Illuminations Tour (Xmas Lights in Somerville), Caroling @ Brighton Main Streets, Merry Christmas Caroling Mob – Loose Canon Chorale, Holiday caroling with Arlington Street Church, Main Street Caroling in Salem, Holiday Brunch Sing Along, Holiday Sing Along in Newburyport, The Beehive’s Santa Brunch, Christmas by Candlelight @ Winslow Farm, Messiah Sing @ Portsmouth, NH, Holiday Handjobs, Santa @ the Dighton Library, Grand Menorah Lighting on Boston Common, Harvard Square Holiday Crafts Fair, Romance in the Austin Era @ Gore Place, Victorian Christmas Feast @ Astors’ Beechwood Mansion, Mrs. Gore’s Holiday Tea & Tours, Wenham Museum’s Gingerbread Contest, Holiday Hijinks Scavenger Hunt, Sleep No More, The Nutcracker, Annual Kwanzaa Concert, and more.

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