Nov 22-30, 2010: Balloon Parade, LEGO Fest, Sing-a-long Mary Poppins, Roleplaying Weekend, and tons of Xmas Parades, Fireworks, & Tree Lightings, & Free Theatre Tix
11/21/10 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Don’t be fooled — a lot of holiday “events” are really merchant shopping malls. I try very hard to put the best stuff up top, but there’s so much more: don’t forget to check the MAIN WEBSITE!
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 11/26 – Fri 12/31Boston MetroFree theatre tix: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and movies too |
 |
|||
| The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a touching holiday play about what happens when the rowdiest kids in town take over the Xmas play. I’ve got two pairs of tickets to your choice of show Fri 11/26 at 7pm, Sat 11/27 at 4pm or 7pm, or Sun 11/28 at 2pm. Email me at johnny@eventsinsider.com. Also, so far this week I have movie preview tickets for “Faster”, that action flick with The Rock, Monday Nov 22 in Boston. For more free stuff as it comes out in-between weekly postings, join the Events Insisder Facebook group: just click “subscribe” in the top menu. 395 Main St, Stoneham, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Western MassSpringfield’s Parade of the Big Balloons |
 |
|||
| I would so love to see this! Probably the best event after Thanksgiving is the parade in Springfield. The non-metro towns that try the hardest to lure in tourists are Springfield, Quincy, Salem, and Lowell. You can bet whenever an event happens in any of these places, it’ll be good. 11am. Main Street, Springfield, MA.413-733-3800. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26 – Tue 12/28South ShoreQuincy Christmas Lights Festival & Parade |
 |
|||
| And right on cue, another town that tries hard, Quincy, has a Christmas festival. Unfortunately rather than have a one day blast, they are spacing theirs out, with a kids festival and lighting ceremony Friday Nov 26 at 6:30pm with 10,000 lights, Santa arriving by parachute Saturday Nov 27 at 12:30pm at Pageant Field, and a parade they call “the largest on the East Coast”, Sunday Nov 28 at 12:30pm, from School St & Elm St up Hancock St to North Quincy. It’s more of a draw if you put all this stuff together into one day, in my opinion. Quincy, MA.617-376-1990 Chris Walker. more more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Northern MassLowell City of Lights Parade & Holiday Art Stroll |
 |
|||
| Salem slips behind this week, with just a tree lighting, but Lowell has a parade too! Various merchants and museums will be open — these events are typically driven by the chamber of commerce — and you’ll find trolley rides, a parade, Santa Claus, a scavenger hunt, a hot chocolate competition, street performers, theatre, and more. What, no website photo? 11am-8pm. Merrimack & Central Streets, Lowell, MA.978-674-1481, 978.446.7162. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Metro WestSanta Parade and Fireworks over Choate |
 |
|||
| Right after you think, “Where the hell is Medway”, you think, “Fireworks!!” Parade at 5:30pm Holliston St to Choate Park, with fireworks afterwards over Choate Pond. Choate Park, Medway, MA. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Boston MetroTubaChristmas Concert at Fanueil Hall |
 |
|||
| There are a lot of Boston tree lighting that I list below, but here’s my favorite: a concert with over 200 tubas! There are other TubaChristmas shows listed in the next month on their website, in Ayer, New Bedford, Shelburne Falls, and Worcester. Boston, MA.617-523-1300 x7021. more more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Metro WestLEGO Extravaganza at Acton |
 |
|||
| Can we back up just a second? It’s not ALL about Christmas and as a favor to non-believers, I will separate out the Xmas and non-Xmas events all month. For example, there’s a festival of building giant sculptures in Acton, with LEGOs. Make sure to bring hand sanitizer! They say it’s for all ages even though it’s at a children’s museum. I want to go!! 177 Main St, Acton, MA.978-264-4200. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Boston MetroFriday After Thanksgiving Chain Reaction |
 |
|||
| But what I have my heart set on is this contest to build elaborately complicated machines called Rube Goldberg devices. That’s when the candle heats the air going into the balloon, which bursts, surprising the bird who tips over a bucket, sending water onto a cat, who yowls and pulls a string, releasing a bowling ball to roll… you get the idea. Register to join in, or just show up to watch. 1-4pm. MIT Campus, Rockwell Gymnasium, 120 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA. more |
||||
| Thu 11/25Southeast MassAnnual Cold Turkey Plunge |
 |
|||
| And here’s the worst exercise possible. There’s nothing like exposing your body to extremes to break down your health. Insane people will be dipping into the ocean at Nantucket Island and running right back out! Apparently it benefits charity. Thanksgiving morning at 10am. Nantucket Athenaeum. 508-228-1110 ext 107. Children’s Beach, Harborview Way, Nantucket Island, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26 – Sun 11/28Boston MetroSing-a-Long Mary Poppins |
 |
|||
| I love events that are participatory. Here’s another. Mary Poppins, the classic musical is being shown in Arlington along with printed lyrics so you can sing along. How fun!! Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26 – Sun 11/28WorcesterYe Olde Game Weekend |
 |
|||
| It’s annual game weekend at this retreat for geeks! Dress like Gandalf for live roleplaying, or sit down and play card games, roleplaying games, and more. Ye Olde Commons, Charlton, MA. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27 – Wed 12/1Rhode IslandMurder Mysteries at the Newport Art Museum |
 |
|||
| But if you’re not a gamer, this interactive roleplaying expereince is more accessible – a murder mystery where you can solve clues and question suspects yourself! And it takes place in an art museum — how awesome is that! 5:30pm. It’s coming up December 9 & 30th, too. Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI.401-848-8200. more |
||||
| Thu 11/25Boston MetroThanksgiving Contra Dance |
 |
|||
| Some fun exercise is this folk dance in Watertown. I’ve been to many contra dances, which are line dances meant to facilitate people meeting each other, and they tend to attract intelligent and classy people. It’s easy to pick up and, unlike ballroom dancing, if you do it wrong you just laugh and get back in place and nobody seems to mind. Highly recommended. Church, 80 Mount Auburn St, Watertown, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Boston MetroThe Great Turkey Swingout |
 |
|||
| Or if you prefer ballroom dancing, come take a lesson at 8pm or join the dance 9pm-12am. (And they have regular Friday night dances with beforehand every week.). The Crosby Whistle Stop, 24 Roland Street, Charlestown, MA. more |
||||
| Ho Ho Holidays | ||||
| Mon 11/22Boston MetroBoston’s Holiday Trellis Lighting |
 |
|||
| Because of commerce, there’s no putting off Xmas. However, I promise to only write about REAL EVENTS, not every high school that throws together some craft vendors and calls that culture. In Boston Common they’ll have Santa and “performers”. They flick a switch and a tree lights up… hot chocolate and singing… and shoot off ground fireworks (as depicted?)? Somebody who’s been write and tell me. 5:30pm. Christopher Columbus Park, 105 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Boston MetroMacy’s Boston Tree Lighting |
 |
|||
| Facepainting and lots of people in costumes will be present, including Mayor Menino. Is this a real event? You do know it takes more than flicking a switch to draw people to shop at your store, right? Washington Street, Boston, MA. more more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Boston MetroCharles Hotel Tree Lighting |
 |
|||
| This celebration is going to be so huge that they don’t list it at all on their website. 5pm. Music and free snacks. Cambridge, MA. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Boston MetroDorchester Trolley Tour |
 |
|||
| This is a trolley tour to several tree lighting locations in Boston, with participatory caroling and such. Dorchester, MA. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Boston MetroRoslindale Tree Lighting |
 |
|||
| Tree lighting, caroling, Santa, and a performance of The Urban Nutcracker. I’m mainly listing these because they’re in metro Boston. Believe me, I have excluded dozens of these out in West Nowheresland. 3-5pm. Adams Park, Roslindale Village, Roslindale, MA. more |
||||
| Sun 11/28Boston MetroAnderson Tree Lighting in Logan Square |
 |
|||
| This one has a carousel and horse-drawn sleigh rides. 1-5:30pm. Hyde Park Municipal Building, 1179 River St, Hyde Park, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Boston MetroWinthrop Holiday Lighting Festival |
 |
|||
| Winthrop is hosting some horse-drawn sleigh rides and Santa will arrive on a fire engine. Santa knows how to make an entrance! Plenty of costumed friends will be there, too. Clowns, pony rides, and cute performances like kids doing martial arts. This outdoor event will be cancelled if raining. 3-5pm. French Square, Winthrop, MA. more |
||||
| Tue 11/30Boston MetroCopley Square Tree Lighting |
 |
|||
| This one has music and dance performances in Copley Square. Santa will be there, with free refreshments and participatory caroling. 5-6pm. Copley Square, Boston, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 11/19 – Sat 12/4Metro WestMass Horticultural’s Festival of Trees |
 |
|||
| I don’t really think decorated holiday trees are an event, if it’s indoors, but they’ll have hay rides and a gingerbread house competition — that should be creative! The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA. more |
||||
| Sun 11/28North ShoreGloucester’s Santa Parade & Tree Lighting |
 |
|||
| Santa is a busy elf, also coming to Gloucester. Participatory Christmas carols and parade from State Fish Pier, down Main Street and Western Avenue, to Kent Circle for tree lighting. Rain date 7 days later. Downtown Gloucester, Gloucester, MA.978-281-1227. more |
||||
| Sun 11/28North ShoreNewburyport Santa Parade & Tree Lighting |
 |
|||
| Santa arrives on a US Coast Guard boat! 4pm parade from Boardwalk to Market Square for tree lighting and participatory caroling. Newburyport, MA.978-462-6680. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27North ShoreTree Lighting Festival at Smolak Farms |
 |
|||
| This farm open to the public has a train ride, carolers, the ubiquitous face painting, free hot chocolate, kids crafts, and Santa lights the tree. 11am-5pm. 315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA.978-682-6332. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26North ShoreHoliday Tree Lighting |
 |
|||
| This looks like the lamest one of them all. They’ll have music and a tree — if it’s more than that, they couldn’t be bothered to write it and they moved their Santa Claus arrival to next week. Salem, MA. more |
||||
| Sun 11/28South ShoreFamily Breakfast with Santa! |
 |
|||
| Hmm, I guess Plymouth Plantation isn’t doing their re-enactment of the Thanksgiving dinner this year. Instead, have breakfast with Santa. 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1622. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27South ShoreBrockton Holiday Parade |
 |
|||
| At 1pm, Brockton represents the South Shore better with a parade with floats! Brockton, MA.(508) 587-4322 or (508) 580-7840. more more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Southeast MassNantucket Tree Lighting & Community Caroling |
 |
|||
| More participatory caroling, for those who haven’t figured out that Nantucket is for the summer. Nantucket Island. more |
||||
| Mon 11/29SpringfieldWestfield Dickens Days |
 |
|||
| From Berkshire Bank parking lot. Dress as a Dickens character and parade with Santa to The Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., for a tree lighting. Westfield, MA. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27New HampshireHoliday Parade of Lights in Berlin NH |
 |
|||
| No fireworks this year, but a great parade. This is the one I want to see. 7pm. Berlin, NH.603-752-6246. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27New HampshireSanta Arrives by Dogteam at Waterville Valley |
 |
|||
| It’s not too cold in Boston, but you did know that mountains get colder, right? So skiing season is starting! To celebrate, Santa and his elves ride into Waterville Valley pulled by a team of sled dogs and there will be a tree lighting with fireworks! 3:30-7pm. 6 Village Rd, Waterville Valley, NH.603-236-8175. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27New HampshireChristmas in Wolfeboro Parade | ||||
| I love it when websites don’t describe an event, but just say “see this website”… and it’s the SAME website. So. This is some kind of parade, I guess. Fabulous. 3pm. Wolfeboro, NH.603-569-2200. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Rhode IslandSanta’s Arrival at Roger Williams Park Zoo |
 |
|||
| Get this!! Santa is arriving BY HELICOPTER at this one, and then there’s a parade. It’s clearly the event to see, at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, which I’ve seen and is excellent. Because it’s at a zoo, not a shopping district, it’s bound to be less commercial and just more fun. 9:30am-1pm. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI.401-785-3510. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Rhode IslandSanta Arrives in Westerly | ||||
| Santa arrives by fire truck, which is not as cool as a helicopter but you don’t have to get up early — this one’s at 6pm. Westerly, RI.401-596-7761. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Rhode IslandWinter Carnival at the St. Ann Arts & Cultural Center |
 |
|||
| Upon learning that Rhode Island has the largest collection of fresco paintings in North America, my response was, what is a fresco painting? That’s like, on a wall, right? So… if these paintings are stuck on people’s walls… how do you collect them? Well, not my problem. This looks very much like your same-old same-old crafts marketplace, but they’ll have “food and frinks” and unspecified games and attractions they were too lazy to describe on the website. Hmm… it’s free and in a museum, how bad could it be? Woonsocket, RI. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27VermontManchester Tree Lighting |
 |
|||
| Normally I’d ignore an event so far away, but this time the Santa parade is a tractor parade! 4:30 p.m, from Dorr Farm down Main Street to Center Hill and up Depot Street to the Green at 5:30pm. Carolers and tree lighting at 6pm. Manchester, VT. more |
||||
| Also Fun | ||||
| Wed 11/24Boston MetroMFA Community Day (November) |
 |
|||
| The MFA is free again. Thanks! Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Boston MetroHalf-Price Day at Franklin Park Zoo & Stone Zoo |
 |
|||
| The day after Thanksgiving is half-price at these two zoos. The Franklin Park Zoo especially is nice in the winter, open all year ’round, with both indoor and outdoor locations. 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA & Stoneham, MA.617-541-5466. more |
||||
| Thu 11/25Boston MetroGobble Gobble Gobble Road Race |
 |
|||
| This one’s a 4-mile road race for charity, which begins and ends at The Burren. 9am. If you want to join in, you must sign up in advance. The Burren, 247 Elm St., Somerville, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Metro WestEvening Tour at Gore Place |
 |
|||
| For a small museum, this historic mansion in Waltham has a ton of creative events. This one goes back to 1809 with their feast. Reserve in advance. 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.781-894-2798. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26Western MassAnnual Owl Prowl at Bartholomew’s Cobble |
 |
|||
| Fall is a great time to head West to the Berkshires to go hiking. It’s like hiking in an air conditioned park! While you’re out there, check out this night hike looking for owls!! 7pm. Bartholomew’s Cobble, Sheffield, MA.413.229.8600. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26 – Tue 2/15All OverIce Skating Statewide |
 |
|||
| And this is a reminder that there are tons of ice skating rinks across New England. I will list the metro ones as they open. All Over. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Western MassShaker Supper at Hancock Shaker Village |
 |
|||
| Time travel backwards with a tour by re-enactors, an authentic dinner, and a cappella Shaker music from the 1830s. $65. 34 Lebanon Mountain Rd., Hancock, MA. more |
||||
| Fri 11/26New HampshireStar Trek: A Vision of the Future |
 |
|||
| Time travel forwards with this lecture on Star Trek that I have no idea why I’m listing, but it’s at a science museum, so there’s bound to be plenty to do! McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, 2 Institute Drive, Concord, NH. more |
||||
| Performance | ||||
| Sat 11/27Lowell AreaMiss Massachusetts USA & Teen USA Pageants |
 |
|||
| There’s either something VERY WRONG or something VERY RIGHT about a pageant that’s for teenagers. I’m going with wrong. Thanks for helping simultaneously to objectify women and promote unrealistic beauty standards, ladies. Lowell Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell, MA.978-454-2299. more |
||||
| Sat 11/27Boston MetroThe Capitol Steps |
 |
|||
| I don’t normally list performances, but if you are a news junkie, this is an evening of musical political satire called the Capitol Steps. I’ve seen it and it’s way more cerebral and clever than anything you’ve seen on Saturday Night Live. Definitely check this out! I insist. Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA.617-496-2222. more |
||||
| Thu 11/18 – Sun 12/12Boston MetroVengeance is the Lord’s, and our review |
 |
|||
| Vengeance is the Lord’s is a dark comedy when parents contemplate justice as the murderer of their daughter is about to be released on parole. Our reviewer says “without doubt, one of the best plays I have seen staged in Boston”. Click more for the review. B.U. Theatre, Boston, MA. review more |
||||
| Fri 11/26 – Fri 12/3Rhode IslandNewport Nutcracker at Rosecliff |
 |
|||
| There’s never a bad time to visit the mansions in Newport (although summer when you can hit the beach and the cliffwalk is better). This one includes a performance of the Nutcracker to further entice you! Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, RI. more |
||||
| Holiday Lights | grade | Mon 11/22 | Tue 11/23 | Wed 11/24 | Thu 11/25 | Fri 11/26 | Sat 11/27 | Sun 11/28 | Mon 11/29 |
| Metro WestLexington, MAPetting Zoo in front of Seasons Four Furniture Store | ? | S | S | ||||||
| It’s a merchant event with a petting zoo, Santa, elmo, face painting, singers, balloon animals, etc. 1265 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-861-1200. more |
|||||||||
| North ShoreStoneham, MAStone Zoo’s Zoolights | B- | R | F | S | 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 |
|||||||||
| South ShoreCarver, MAEdaville Railroad’s Christmas Festival of Lights | A+ | F | S | 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 ShoreAvon, MAEnchanted Village at Jordan’s Furniture | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| 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+ | 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 | W | R | F | S | S | |||
| 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 | ? | 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 |
|||||||||
| Cape CodSandwich, MAHeritage Museum Gardens Aglow | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| 1 million lights. Not happening in 2008 & 2009. 67 Grove Street, 508-888-3300. more |
|||||||||
| New HampshireEnfield, NHLa Salette Shrine & Center | B | S | S | ||||||
| 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 |
|||||||||
| New HampshireNorth Conway, NHPolar Express | ? | F | S | ||||||
| This is a train ride. Nice views, I’m sure, but how exactly is this a Xmas event? Oh, they add elves and Santa. They take your $10 and then you enter a lottery where you may not get a ticket? Is that even legal? more |
|||||||||
| Rhode IslandProvidence, RIVisit with Santa | ? | S | S | ||||||
| Photos with Santa and “activities” they couldn’t be bothered to describe. Ho hum. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, 401-785-3510. 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 | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| 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 | ? | 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 | |||||||
| 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!