Dec 20-28, 2010: Caroling, Free Movie Previews, Israeli Dance Marathon, Sound of Music Sing-A-Long, Snowfire, Solstice, Boxing Day, and Holiday Lights!
12/20/10 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Ho ho ho! Don’t get stuck indoors all week. Go out and do something! And if you’re not into Xmas, here are a bunch of secular or somewhat-secular alternatives! (Most of the nighttime holiday lights are simply Santa celebrations, not church events.)
Love this blog? Subscribe to email, 
, or 
and if you help get the word out, I’ll put you on my priority list to win free stuff! 
-Johnny
| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Fri 12/24Boston MetroFree movie preview tickets: Gulliver’s Travels, Green Hornet |
 |
|||
| I have free tickets for movie previews in Boston! Gulliver’s Travels is a comedy with Jack Black (Mon Dec 20, 7pm, Fenway Theatre Boston), and The Green Hornet (Mon Dec 20, 7pm, Boston Common Theatre) is a superhero comedy with Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz. Boston, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 12/24Boston MetroHoliday caroling – High Street Hill |
 |
|||
| It’s not too late for Xmas caroling! This one is always Christmas Eve at 5:45pm on the Upland Road Green. It’s been happening for 30 years at the same time. Upland Road Green, Brookline, MA. more more |
||||
| Fri 12/24Boston MetroChristmas Eve Caroling – Louisburg Square on Beacon Hill |
 |
|||
| But I might suggest going to Louisburg Square instead, where the American tradition of bellringing on Xmas Eve was started in 1924, and caroling too, I think. I went a couple of years ago and they had bellringers. Unfortunately, nobody led the crowd, which made no attempt to stay on tempo or in tune. 7:30pm. 20 Louisburg Square, Boston, MA.Beth Ketterson, 617-854-9019, or Mary Jane Sawyer, 781-444-5119. more |
||||
| Mon 12/20Boston MetroCaroling at Brighton Main Streets |
 |
|||
| And here’s another. Celtic Christmas with traditional music, a sing-along, and food. Free! 7pm. It’s a chamber of commerce but the event seems fairly non-commercial. Meet at Police Station 14, Brighton, MA. more |
||||
| Sat 12/25Boston MetroAll-Night Israeli Dance Marathon |
 |
|||
| Want to avoid Xmas? It’s hard! I have searched for years trying to find alternative Xmas Day events and came up with not much. I’m guessing this event is a lot of fun and they’re inclusive of anyone interested in folk dance. It’s easy to pick up. 6pm-4am. MIT, Walker Gym, 142 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA. more |
||||
| Mon 12/27Boston MetroExplore Jewish Boston by Foot on Christmas Day |
 |
|||
| You wanna see some Jewish history? You could do woise! It’s a walking tour of Beacon Hill. 2:30pm. This one repeats every Monday. Meet at Milk St near Devonshire St, Boston, MA.866-939-2557. more |
||||
| Sat 12/25 – Thu 12/30Boston MetroSing a Long Sound of Music |
 |
|||
| I prefer the events that are participatory. Here’s another. The Sound of Music, the classic musical is being shown in Arlington along with printed lyrics so you can sing along. How fun!! How secular! And it’s happening several days in a row. Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA. more |
||||
| Tue 12/21Boston MetroWinter Solstice Celebration (Mattapan) |
 |
|||
| Also secular, this winter solstice celebration takes place in a park in Metro Boston. And it will be at sunset, a convenient time for those of us who like to sleep in. 6:30-8:30pm. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill St, Mattapan, MA. more |
||||
| Tue 12/21Metro WestBoxborough Winter Solstice Sunrise |
 |
|||
| This one sounds really beautiful, if you’re able to get up this early. At a state park, watch the sun rise through stone structures that are possibly of Native American origin. 7-8am. Half Moon Meadow Brook, Depot Rd, Boxborough, MA.978-443-5588. more |
||||
| Tue 12/21SpringfieldSolstice Celebration |
 |
|||
| There’s a bonfire at this one, too. I love bonfires but I haven’t seen one since I was a kid. I really want to go! 5:30-8:30pm. Arcadia, 127 Combs Road, Easthampton, MA. more |
||||
| Tue 12/21SpringfieldSnowfire |
 |
|||
| What is this? I don’t really get it. It is a bonfire in the snow? Well, they’re celebrating! Costumed characters promenade, there’s hot chocolate and cookies, caroling, and presumably a fire. Amelia Park, Westfield, MA. more |
||||
| Tue 12/28 – Sun 1/2Western MassNew Years’s Jam at Earthdance |
 |
|||
| It’s not until next week, but they claim this all-weekend dance festival is sold out, so buy early. It’s an off-beat way to spend New Years. Plainfield, MA.413-634-5678. more |
||||
| Also Fun | ||||
| Sat 12/25Boston MetroXmas Day Alternatives: Movies, Chinese Restaurants, and a few Bars |
 |
|||
| On Christmas Day itself, movie theatres and video rental shops may be open. Restaurants are closed by law but a few bars will be open. Here’s one, for example, The Fireplace in Brookline. Or try your local Chinese restaurant. And see IMDB for a list of movie theatres. Various Locations, Boston, MA. more more more |
||||
| Fri 12/24 – Fri 12/31New HampshireSki Resorts open for Xmas Day |
 |
|||
| There are most likely many ski resorts open Xmas Day. Here’s one. Call your favorite ski resort if you have one. Various Locations, Various. more |
||||
| Fri 12/24 – Fri 12/31Boston MetroMuseums Open After Xmas and a Few on Dec 24 |
 |
|||
| To my great surprise, museums only take Christmas Day off. Some are open Dec 24 and it’s a great indoor opportunity while festivals are at a low point. Here are some that I found that are open Dec 24. Concord Museum, 9am-1pm, http://www.concordmuseum.org; The DeCordova Sculpture Museum, 10am-2pm, http://www.decordova.org; ICA Boston, 10am-9pm, http://www.icaboston.org; The Gardner Museum, 11am-5pm, http://www.gardnermuseum.org; The Museum of Fine Arts, 10am-4:45pm, http://www.mfa.org; The Museum of Science, Boston, 9am-2pm, http://www.mos.org; and Plimoth Plantation, 9am-12pm, http://plimoth.org. Various Locations, Boston Area. more |
||||
| Mon 12/27 – Thu 12/30New HampshireHoliday Luncheons and Sleigh Rides at Remick Museum |
 |
|||
| Tamworth is pretty far north, but if you’re heading up to the White Mountains for skiing, stop by and get a sleigh ride, um, there’s snow up there, right? 58 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth, NH.603-323-7591. more |
||||
| Sun 12/26 – Mon 12/27Metro WestBoxing Day Celebration at the Old Manse |
 |
|||
| The Old Manse is a historic home and they’re showing what Boxing Day is this year. So, what is it? Well, they’ll have a bake sale and special tours. (It’s a slow news week.). 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA.978-369-3909. more |
||||
| Tue 12/21New HampshireMessiah Sing at Portsmouth, NH | ||||
| Portsmouth, however, is right over the border and easy to get to from Boston. I’ve been to an event like this elsewhere. Join a community and sing-a-long to Handel’s “Messiah”. Website says bring your own score?? Um, for $14, you’ll be handing out scores, right? Note: this one’s serious, you will need to be able to read music at least a little. The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St, Portsmouth, NH. more |
||||
| Tue 12/28 – Thu 12/30Lowell AreaCarnival Days at One Stop Fun |
 |
|||
| One Stop Fun is a combination gymnasium and play center, and because kids have a vacation week off from school, they are amping it up with carnival attractions like moonbounces. I bet it’s great fun for us adults too!! 49 Power Road, Westford, MA. more |
||||
| Mon 12/27ConnecticutIce Carvings by Executive Chef Trad Dart |
 |
|||
| Mystic aquarium is a great place to visit anytime, but this week you can watch ice carving, too! 12-2pm. Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT. more |
||||
| Thu 12/23Boston MetroOur review of Love Seasonally |
 |
|||
| If you missed Love Seasonally, the ImprovBoston show that’s a parody of holiday traditions, there’s one more show on Dec 23! Click for our review. ImprovBoston, Cambridge, MA. review website |
||||
| Fri 12/17 – Wed 12/29Boston MetroOur review of The Christmas Revels |
 |
|||
| And Revels continues through December 29. It’s fantastic, and interactive, because you can participate in the singing and dancing. Click for our review! Photo by Roger Ide. Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA. review website |
||||
| Holiday Lights | grade | Mon 12/20 | Tue 12/21 | Wed 12/22 | Thu 12/23 | Fri 12/24 | Sat 12/25 | Sun 12/26 | Mon 12/27 |
| Metro WestMillis, MAMillis Wonderland | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | |
| This is a private home, not a commercial “attraction”, but still good. Slowest nights are Tuesday-Thursday. 60 Causeway Street more |
|||||||||
| North ShoreStoneham, MAStone Zoo’s Zoolights | B- | M | T | W | R | F | S | M | |
| 2010: Daily 5-9pm. 250,000 lights and lots of animals. But the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the rest are poorly lit. Only OK. Santa is available. 149 Pond Street, 617-989-2000. more |
|||||||||
| North ShoreStoneham, MAHoliday Landscapes | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | M | |
| It’s a private home but a really expansive lights display, with lights that flash in rhythm to music broadcast over an FM transmitter. 83 Franklin St more |
|||||||||
| South ShoreCarver, MAEdaville Railroad’s Christmas Festival of Lights | A+ | M | T | W | R | F | S | M | |
| The biggest and best “holiday lights” display in New England. It’s quite non-religious, with Santa letting kids sit on his lap but also plenty of generic fare like Frosty the Snowman and a tip of the hat to Hannukah. They have a train ride, ferris wheel, carousel, and other rides. 2010: They have 7 million lights, and fireworks December 3, 10, and 17. See website for coupons. Daily. I’ve been and it’s a ton of fun even for adults who are kids at heart and like people-watching. Rt 3S to exit 6, Rt 44W for 8 miles to Rt 58 for 8 miles. 2010: 4-9pm M-F, 2-9pm Sat, Sun. Pine Street, 877-EDAVILLE. more |
|||||||||
| South ShoreBridgewater, MABridgewater Festival Of Lights | ? | M | T | W | R | F | |||
| Free. 200,000 lights with a walk-through village. Santa and free coffee and hot chocolate by an outdoor fireplace. At the private home of Dale and Cindy Higgins. 2010: 5-8:30pm M-F, 5-9:30pm SS. 55 Alexander Drive, 508-279-2894. more |
|||||||||
| South ShoreAvon, MAEnchanted Village at Jordan’s Furniture | ? | M | T | W | R | F | |||
| Free! It’s a 1958 Jordan Marsh display that’s been restored to health by Jordan’s Furniture. Website is unclear for how long the display goes. Jordan’s Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr more |
|||||||||
| Southern MassAttleboro, MALa Salette Shrine Festival of Lights | B+ | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| 2010: 5-9pm. Very religious: it’s a shrine. But I’ve been and it was nice anyway. Over 300,000 lights covering 10 acres. Trolley rides Fri-Sun. 947 Park Street, 508-222-5410. more |
|||||||||
| Western MassSpringfield, MASpringfield’s Bright Night at Forest Park | A | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| 2010: Sun-Thu, 5-9pm, Fri-Sun, 5-11pm. 550,000 lights. Surprisingly good though — the 2nd to Edaville. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo (open during school holidays in Dec) at same time. Daily. And check out the holiday lights at Dunn & Phillips, 185 Belmont Ave., Springfield. Rt 83, 413-733-3800. more |
|||||||||
| Western MassFlorence, MALook Park’s Winter Wonderland | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Hayrides and lights at night. Look Park Zoo. 38,000 bulbs. 2010: Breakfast with Santa 12/4. 300 North Main Street, 413.584.5457. more |
|||||||||
| New HampshireCandia, NHLighted Winter Wonderland at Charmingfare Farm | ? | R | W | F | S | ||||
| They have a 30 minute horse drawn night ride. Live reindeer. Petting zoo. Evenings. Route 27, 603-483-5623. more |
|||||||||
| New HampshireEnfield, NHLa Salette Shrine & Center | B | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Another very religious site has 45,000 evening lights spread across 30 acres. Here’s the idea. Two kids said they saw the Virgin Mary, and the parents based an entire church on that. And I couldn’t even get away with “the dog ate my homework”! , 603-632-7087. more |
|||||||||
| ConnecticutNew Haven, CTAnnual Fantasy of Lights | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Benefits the Easter Seals. Was not able to confirm this is their 2009, not 2008, calendar. Open nightly. Light House Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road, (203) 777-2000. more |
|||||||||
| ConnecticutEast Windsor, CTWinterFest at Connecticut Trolley Museum | ? | S | M | ||||||
| Trolley ride through holiday lights, sing-along carols and meet Santa. 2010: 5-9pm. 58 North Road, 860-627-6540. more |
|||||||||
| ConnecticutMystic, CTChristmas by the Sea | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| 2010:10am-4pm. Re-enactors sing sea chanteys and tell old timey stories. Gingerbread lighthouse contest. more |
|||||||||
| ConnecticutMystic, CTLantern Light Tours | ? | S | S | ||||||
| This is a walk through a re-enactment museum portraying Christmas eve 1876! Wow!! 2010: 5-8:15pm. more |
Love this blog? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter and please tell your friends!