December 12-20, 2011: Winter Solstice, Model Trains, Handbells, Fireworks, Caroling, tons of Nighttime Holiday Attractions, plus giveaways!

This Week in ReviewJohnny Monsarrat

It’s been very difficult to track down alternative events if you aren’t into Christmas, but below I list several, plus most of the Xmas events that I list are mainly secular. And I’ve got some great giveaways, too. I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!

-Johnny

Radio City Music Hall - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

Radio City Music Hall – tix giveaway

Fri 12/2 – Wed 12/28

The world famous Rockettes are in Boston! There’s spectaular singing & dancing, and I have 4 tickets to give away for the T… 866-348-9738.Wang Theatre, Boston, MA. more
A Christmas Carol - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

A Christmas Carol – tix giveaway

Fri 12/16 – Fri 12/23

Oh, wow! This week, I’m giving away 8 tickets not only for A Christmas Carol in Worcester, Fri Dec 16 at 7… 877.571.SHOW.Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St, Worcester, MA. more
Sangria with Santa Cruise - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

Sangria with Santa Cruise – tix giveaway

Thu 12/15

I’ve also got 4 tickets to give away for this cruise that’s bound to be heavenly, with Xmas themed decorations, a Santa claus, and a full … 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA. more
Cirque du Soleil - Quidam - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

Cirque du Soleil – Quidam – tix giveaway, review

Wed 12/14 – Sun 12/18

Everyone’s favorite traveling circus is Cirque du Soleil, and I have 4 tickets to give away for the Wed Dec 14 show! Click for our review! Worcester DCU, Worcester, MA. more
The Friends of Eddie Coyle - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

The Friends of Eddie Coyle – tix giveaway

Thu 12/8 – Sat 1/15

Well before “The Departed”, there was a book about Boston crime that’s been called the best crime novel ever written. Now … Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge, MA. more
Merry Xmas Caroling Mob - Loose Canon Chorale at Boston Events INSIDER

Merry Xmas Caroling Mob – Loose Canon Chorale

Sun 12/18

My favorite Xmas Caroling group this week is coming up Sunday. I went one year and it was awesome! Fun, creative, harmonic, and not to… Meet at an MBTA stop, Boston, MA. more
Handel's Messiah Community Sing at Brandeis at Boston Events INSIDER

Handel’s Messiah Community Sing at Brandeis

Tue 12/13

A lot of Brandeis events are just for their own community but this one’s open to the public. Come just to … Shapiro Campus Center Atrium, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. more
Kendall Square Holiday on Ice at Boston Events INSIDER

Kendall Square Holiday on Ice

Sat 12/17

Did you miss the Frog Pond opening? I’ve been to the Kendall Square version twice and highly recommend it! Skating is free all day, wi… 617 492-0941.300 Athenaeum Street, Cambridge, MA. more
FIRST Lego League Massachusetts State Championship at Boston Events INSIDER

FIRST Lego League Massachusetts State Championship

Sat 12/17

What’s better than Lego? Robots made of Lego!! This is the state championship for building machines that don’t do much bu… WPI, Harrington Auditorium, Worcester MA. more
Party like it's 1776! at Boston Events INSIDER

Party like it’s 1776!

Thu 12/15

The Colonial Inn, which I recently reviewed and gave a 5 out of 5 stars, is throwing an old-timey Christmas party with a performance by re-enactors singing and telli… Colonial Inn, Concord, MA. more

This week’s top items are below, or see the complete Boston Events Insider.

 

And a lot more this week at Boston Events Insider, the most popular events blog in New England, including:

Caroling at the New England Wireless and Steam Museum
Boston Santacon
Illuminations Tour (Xmas Lights in Somerville)
Winter Solistice at the Fells
Winter Solstice Celebration (Belmont)
Winter Solstice Lantern Wallk
Solstice Stroll
Solstice Sunset Celebration
Free Star Parties
Geminids Meteor Shower
The Wonders of Stars at the Holidays
Model Train Weekend at National Heritage Museum
Friends of Irene Adler Annual Dinner (Sherlock Holmes)
Roxbury Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting
Charles Hotel Tree Lighting
Christmas Caroling at Hayes Park
Messiah Sing with Pilgrim Festival Chorus
Breakfast with Santa at Battleship Cove & Carousel
Polar Express at Wachusett Mountain
Gingerbread Castle Competition
A Very Special Christmas WaterFire
Visits with Santa Claus at the Newport Mansions
Hearthside Dinner “Eat, Drink & Be Merry”
Messiah Sing at Portsmouth, NH
Community Carol Sing at Mystic Seaport
Holiday Sing-Along in Norwich, CT
Science on Screen: 12 Monkeys
GeekFaire at Pandemonium
Truth, Lies and Politics
Jane Austen Holiday Tea & Tours
Cookie Swap for a Cause
Everyone Loves Latkes Party
Grand Menorah Lighting on Boston Common
Chanukah Celebration in West Springfield
Kwanzaa Concert
Mark Twain Museum – my review
A Conversation with Jim Lehrer
New England Ringers Handbell Concert
Dickens Dinner and A Christmas Carol
Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge
Journey to the Future in Antarctica’ at Mystic Seaport
Winterfest with Fireworks

And the Largest List of Nighttime Holiday Lights and Santa events in New England, tracking 130 ongoing attractions and dozens of one-shot events!