December 12-20, 2011: Winter Solstice, Model Trains, Latkes, Handbells, Fireworks, Caroling, tons of Nighttime Holiday Attractions, plus giveaways!
12/12/11 by
Johnny Monsarrat
This Week in Review
It’s been very difficult to track down alternative events — but I found some if you aren’t into Christmas! And the Xmas events that I list are mainly secular, anyhow. This week I’ve got some great giveaways, too. I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
The Week in Weird
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Christmas Boat Parade and Fireworks
Wed 12/14 – Sun 12/18
I’ve seen boat parades before, and they are spectacularly slow. Boats go slow. But the lights at night will be lovely, I don’t doubt, and they’re doing i… Newport, RI.
Caroling at the New England Wireless and Steam Museum
Sun 12/18
Before the Newport event perhaps you could swing by this caroling event. 5-6:30pm. Everyone’s encouraged to bake and share some… 401-885-0545.East Greenwich, RI.
Boston Santacon
Sat 12/17
I’m sure it’s fun to join hundreds of people dressed as Santa. Unfortunately, then they go bar hopping in the afternoon. This is the… 206-769-2092.Start at Faneuil Hall (Purple Shamrock), Boston, MA.
Illuminations Tour (Xmas Lights in Somerville)
Sat 12/17
In Somerville, take a 45 minute trolley tour around town to look at the most decorated houses. I’ve been a… 617-625-6600 ext- 2985.Somerville City Hall, Somerville, MA.
Winter Solistice at the Fells
Mon 12/19
The Middlesex Fells is the large woodland that you can get to on the subway for hiking. Learn some history, hear some poetry, and go for a su… Botume House, 4 Woodland Rd, Stoneham, MA.
Winter Solstice Celebration (Belmont)
Sat 12/17
This one claims to have stories, cider, and “traditional solstice activities”. Traditional? How traditional, like a human sa… 617-489-5050.Habitat, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA.
Winter Solstice Lantern Wallk
Sat 12/17 – Sun 12/18
Gee, this one looks even nicer. When’s the last time you bothered to stop to watch a sunset? Preregister for this… 978-887-9264.Ipswich River, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA.
Solstice Stroll
Sat 12/17
Although quite far from Boston, you can’t beat a candlelight stroll through a park at sunset and s’mores and hot chocolate around a fire. RSVP. 4-6pm. Ravenswood Park, Gloucester, MA.
Solstice Sunset Celebration
Sat 12/17
Here’s another with “solstice stories”, a campfire, songs and hot chocolate. You can reserve snowshoes ahead or bring a sled, if there’s snow. 4-6pm…. Bartholomew’s Cobble, Sheffield, MA.
Free Star Parties
Sun 12/18
Look through a telescope and learn about the stars from a real astronomer! Note that these events are generally cancelled if the weather is cloudy. 7-10p… Moose Hill, 293 Moose Hill St, Sharon, MA.
Geminids Meteor Shower
Tue 12/13 – Wed 12/14
The Geminids are one of only a few annual meteor showers. Dec 13 & 14, peaking at 11pm at the evening of Dec 13th. Make sure to g… Go somewhere without city lights, Everywhere.
The Wonders of Stars at the Holidays
Sat 12/17
Unsure about how to look for meteors? Just look up!! Well, if you want some extra assistance and education, this state park has… 508-655-2296.Broadmoor, 280 Eliot St, Natick, MA.
Model Train Weekend at National Heritage Museum
Sat 12/17 – Sun 12/18
There are plenty of non-Xmas events this week, and thank goodness. This one is the annual display by the Nation… 781-861-6559.33 Marrett Road, Concord, MA.
Friends of Irene Adler Annual Dinner (Sherlock Holmes)
Thu 12/15
What fun! This local fan club of Sherlock Holmes will have a dinner party. Too bad they don’t list any a place or time, but if you’re a fan too … Cambridge, MA.
Ho Ho Holidays
Roxbury Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting
Mon 12/12
Now on to the Christmas themed events. Can’t stop it, might as well enjoy it! I like the ones that have participatory carol… Marcella Park, 260 Highland St, Roxbury, MA.
Christmas Caroling at Hayes Park
Sun 12/18
It looks like this will be outdoors and they’ll serve hot cider. Yum!! And the caroling is participatory. 4-5pm. Warren Avenue at West Canton St, Boston, MA.
Messiah Sing with Pilgrim Festival Chorus
Sun 12/18
Plimoth Plantation is one of New England’s five historical re-enactment museums with live actors playing characters from history. It’s fun to v… 8 Town Square, Plymouth, MA.
Breakfast with Santa at Battleship Cove & Carousel
Sat 12/17
This one seems to be oriented towards kids, but Battleship Cove features a real WWII battleship turned into a mus… 508-678-1100.Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA.
Polar Express at Wachusett Mountain
Sat 12/17
Santa arrives in a way that they say is a secret, except for the helicopter photograph, at this popular skiing site, not the biggest but probab… Wachusett Mountain, Princeton, MA.
Gingerbread Castle Competition
Sat 12/17
A guitarist and caroling form the background for this display of gingerbread houses that you can vote on. Fine, but can we EAT ’em? … 508-853-6015.Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester, MA.
A Very Special Christmas WaterFire
Fri 12/16
Waterfire is a recurring event where metal baskets poke up on poles from the Providence River. Fill with wood and light on fire at night! 5-8:30pm. Free cookies, S… Providence, RI.
Visits with Santa Claus at the Newport Mansions
Sun 12/11 – Sun 12/18
Three of the mansions in Newport are open in the winter and Santa will visit on December 18. The mansions are a great place to go, and even i… Newport, RI.
Hearthside Dinner “Eat, Drink & Be Merry”
Sat 12/17
Hey! Let’s cook 19th century style, led by costumed re-enactors. Reserve in advance. 603-323-7591.58 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth, NH.
Messiah Sing at Portsmouth, NH
Tue 12/20
Portsmouth is in Souther New Hampshire and easy to get to from Boston. I’ve been to an event like this elsewhere. Join a community and … The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St, Portsmouth, NH.
Community Carol Sing at Mystic Seaport
Sun 12/18
Similarly, Mystic, Connecticut is on the Eastern side and also not that far from Boston. It’s an old-timey re-enactment museum with staff in period costume. 10am-4… Mystic, CT.
Holiday Sing-Along in Norwich, CT
Fri 12/16
I’ve searched far afield for Christmas Caroling you can join in on, and this is probably the furthest, but if you’re in the area, hey — free refreshments! 11-11:45am…. Norwich, CT.
Also Fun
Science on Screen: 12 Monkeys
Mon 12/12
The Coolidge Corner theatre is one of 3 great art house movie theatres near Boston, and they’re bringing in a famous science journalist to lecture abou… Coolidge Theatre, Brookline, MA.
GeekFaire at Pandemonium
Sat 12/17
Hmm. I was expecting a bit more from a “Geek Faire” than vendors selling fan materials. After all, Pandemonium sells stuff year-round, but I guess these ve… Pandemonium Books, Cambridge, MA.
Truth, Lies and Politics
Thu 12/15
Barney Frank is the Massachusetts congressman and liberal icon who was the first openly gay man in congress. He’s retiring — go to this l… Leventhal-Sidman JCC, 333 Nahanton St, Newton, MA.
Jane Austen Holiday Tea & Tours
Sat 12/10 – Sat 12/17
And here’s a re-enactment of “tea time” from the Victorian era at this old historical home of former Massachuset… 781-894-2798.Gore Place, 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.
Cookie Swap for a Cause
Sun 12/18
Bring cookies, eat cookies, it’s all for charity. Cookie monster says: ME WANT COOKIES!. 2-5pm. 281 Summer St, Boston, MA.
Everyone Loves Latkes Party
Sat 12/17
We’re about to get bowled over by Xmas, but let’s acknowledge this free latkes event in Harvard Square. A latke is a potato pancake, from Jewish… Crema Cafe, 27 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA.
Grand Menorah Lighting on Boston Common
Tue 12/20
This menorah lighting on Boston Common goes completely undescribed. Last year they had some kind of music. 3pm. Boston Common near Park St. Subway, Boston, MA.
Chanukah Celebration in West Springfield
Tue 12/20
I’ve looked and looked for Chanukah events that don’t take place in a synagogue, but there are damn few of them that I could find. T… Elm Street Common, West Springfield, MA.
Kwanzaa Concert
Fri 12/16 – Sat 12/17
This one’s not participatory, which is a shame, because it’s the only Kwanzaa event I’ve heard of. I don’t… Roxbury Community College, Media Arts Center, 1234 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA.
Mark Twain Museum – my review
Tue 12/13
I went to the steampunk party last Saturday and got a tour of Mark Twain’s boyhood home. Click for my review! Mark Twain House, Hartford, CT.
A Conversation with Jim Lehrer
Tue 1/25
Trust me, you don’t want to wait for this. The JFK Library and Museum brings in some of the best speakers — including newsman Jim Lehrer — and they’re usually… JFK Museum, Boston, MA.
Performance
New England Ringers Handbell Concert
Sat 12/17
I really want to see this! I’ve never been to a bell ringing concert although I’ve seen “change ringing”, otherwise known as the most boring thing you can do with… Worcester, MA.
Dickens Dinner and A Christmas Carol
Fri 12/16
If you had to go see a Christmas Carol yet again, what better way to spice it up than with a real victorian dinner served while you watch. 6:30 pm. Westfield, MA.
Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge
Thu 12/15 – Fri 12/23
Ha! This looks like a really creative parody / alternative telling of A Christmas Carol. The Towers, 35 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, RI.
Travel
Journey to the Future in Antarctica’ at Mystic Seaport
Thu 12/15
Did you know that there are no ants in Antarctica? I just learned this! Learn youse somethin’ at this book talk at 1:30pm,… Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT.
Winterfest with Fireworks
Fri 12/16 – Sun 12/18
Night skiing, Santa, and a Bon Jovi Tribute Band adorn this celebration! Newry, ME.
| Holiday Lights & Santa Events | grade | Mon 12/12 | Tue 12/13 | Wed 12/14 | Thu 12/15 | Fri 12/16 | Sat 12/17 | Sun 12/18 | Mon 12/19 |
| Stone Zoo’s ZoolightsStoneham, MA | B- | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Holiday LandscapesStoneham, MA 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 | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Petting Zoo in front of Seasons Four Furniture StoreLexington, MA This is a merchant event with a petting zoo, Santa, elmo, face painting, singers, balloon animals, etc. I called and they couldn’t be bothered to give me the dates, so this is my best guess. 1265 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-861-1200. facebook | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| A “Little Women” Christmas at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard HouseConcord, MA | ? | S | S | ||||||
| Millis WonderlandMillis, MA This is a private home, not a commercial “attraction”, but good. Slowest nights are Tuesday-Thursday. 2011: 6-10pm. 60 Causeway Street | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Edaville Railroad’s Christmas Festival of LightsCarver, MA The biggest and best “holiday lights” display in New England is 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, with 7 million lights. Tons of fun even for adults! 2011: Mon-Fri 4-9pm, Sat-Sun 2-9pm. | A+ | W | R | F | S | S | M | ||
| Bridgewater Festival Of LightsBridgewater, MA Free. 200,000 lights with a walk-through village. Santa, with free coffee and hot chocolate by an outdoor fireplace. 2010: Mon-Fri 5-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 5-9:30pm. 55 Alexander Drive, 508-279-2894. facebook | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| Enchanted Village at Jordan’s FurnitureAvon, MA | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| La Salette Shrine Festival of LightsAttleboro, MA 2011: 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. | B+ | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Visit with Santa at Smolak FarmsNorth Andover, MA | S | S | |||||||
| Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge VillageSturbridge, MA 2011: 4-9pm. Participatory caroling, Father Christmas, sleigh rides, magic shows, and more at my favorite re-enactment museum — an entire village of old-timey actors and buildings! 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, 508-347-3362. facebook | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| A Christmas Journey at the Worcester EcotariumWorcester, MA 2011: Trips at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30pm. Elves help you board the The Polar Express train ride, and afterwards there’s Santa and cookies. 222 Harrington Way, 508-929-2700. facebook | ? | S | |||||||
| Springfield’s Bright Night at Forest ParkSpringfield, MA 2011: Sun-Thu, 5-9pm, Fri-Sun, 5-11pm. 550,000 lights. Great! 2nd best to Edaville. Check out the Springfield Museums or zoo (open during school holidays in Dec) while you’re there. Rt 83, 413-733-3800. facebook | A | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Santa’s HouseWest Springfield, MA 2011: Mon-Fri 5:30-7:30pm. Sat & Sun 2:30-4pm, 5:30-7:30pm. Mittineague Park | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Look Park’s Winter WonderlandFlorence, MA Hayrides, night lights, zoo. 39,000 bulbs. 2011: 4-9pm. Breakfast with Santa 12/3. 300 North Main Street, 413.584.5457. facebook | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Heritage Museum Gardens AglowSandwich, MA 1 million lights. Toast marshmallows. Carousel. Santa in a Model T Ford. Music. 2011: 5-9pm. 67 Grove Street, 508-888-3300. facebook | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| Lighted Winter Wonderland & Santas Big Party at Charmingfare FarmCandia, NH | ? | R | F | S | S | ||||
| Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayLoudon, NH | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| La Salette Shrine & CenterEnfield, NH 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”! 2011: 5-9pm except opening celebration 11/26. , 603-632-7087. | B | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Santa’s Village Christmas MagicJefferson, NH Lights display, Santa, reindeer, rides. Days & Eves. Special New Years event 12/31. , 603-586-4445. | ? | S | S | ||||||
| Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery BankePortsmouth, NH Strawbery Banke is a re-enactment museum where you’ll meet actors dress as people from history. This event features the 18th century and has live music, a bonfire, participatory caroling, demonstrations on ancient musical instruments and the Masons, hundreds of candles, a gingerbread house contest, and more. Sounds really great! 2011: Saturdays 5-9pm, Sundays 4-8pm. Marcy Street, 603-422-7514. facebook | A+ | S | S | ||||||
| Holiday Light FantasiaHartford, CT You drive through this one. 2011: Sun-Thu 6-9pm, Fri-Sat 6-10pm. 1130 Maple Ave, 860-742-2267. | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Fantasy of LightsNew Haven, CT 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. | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| WinterFest at Connecticut Trolley MuseumEast Windsor, CT Trolley ride through holiday lights, sing-along carols and meet Santa. 2011: 5-9pm. 58 North Road, 860-627-6540. | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard ParkMeriden, CT Dawn to dusk. No admission, just you drive through this decorated park anytime. Hubbard Park, 203-630-4259. | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| Christmas by the SeaMystic, CT | ? | R | F | S | S | ||||
| Lantern Light ToursMystic, CT | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| Lights On LovleyPlantsville, CT Drive up and tune your radio to 96.1FM. 2011: Daily 5-11pm. 14 Lovley Dr facebook | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
