Nov 29 – Dec 7, 2010: Free Movie Previews, Model Trains, Open Studios, Join-in Caroling, and Tons of Xmas Parades, Fireworks, Light Displays, & Santas
11/29/10 by
Johnny Monsarrat
It’s not all about Christmas this week. Okay, it sort of is. But I list tons of creative and semi-secular activities for the not so religious, and make sure to scroll to the bottom for my big list of Nighttime Holiday Lights Displays.
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-Johnny
| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Tue 11/30 – Wed 12/1Boston MetroFree movie preview tickets: The Fighter, Black Swan |
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| I have free tickets for movie previews! The Fighter (Tue Nov 30, 7pm, Boston) is a boxing flick with Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. Black Swan (Wed Dec 1, 7pm), about ballet rivals with Natalie Portman. Email me at johnny@EVENTSinsider.com. Boston, MA. more |
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| Thu 12/2 – Fri 12/3Boston MetroThe Quest for the Golden Pasties – Free tix |
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| Club Oberon is the new Cambridge performance space that combines sexy with arty, like this burlesque show featuring comic superheros. Mmm, Wonder Woman. I’ve got a pair of tickets to give away for Thursday and one pair for Friday! Email me. Cambridge, MA. more more |
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| Sat 12/4Boston MetroHelp Us Break the Caroling Guinness World Record! |
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| They’re trying to set a world record for Christmas Caroling in Boston! 11:30am – 1:30pm, Prudential Center plaza, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4 – Sun 12/5Metro WestNew England Model Train Expo |
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| Grown adults still need toys! Check out these model trains for perhaps the biggest event of this type of the year. Best Western Hotel, Marlborough, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4Boston MetroBNAN Winter Lights along the Greenway |
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| If you’ve got a regular church, then you’re all set on caroling. But what about the rest of us? I’ve done a ton of research trying to locate some non-church and even mostly secular caroling activities. Here’s the first and see below for more. The East Boston Greenway in Boston will be lit and you can sing along with carolers and get hot chocolate and cookies. Sounds great!! 4-6pm. Please note, this is not the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Intersection of Bremen St & Porter St, Boston MA 02128 Boston, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Metro WestConcord Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting |
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| Last year I listed a lot of markets and this year I am against that. If you want to go to a mall, go to a mall and let’s not call it a creative ‘event’. But hey! There are plenty of genuine Xmas events like this parade where Santa will arrive by fire engine, and they’ll have carolers and hot chocolate. The parade starts at Dunkin Donuts on Sudbury Road and ends at town common. Features Herb the Dragon. “Herb”?? Really? Gee, and I thought “Puff” the dragon was suggestive of drugs. 4:45-6pm. Visitors Center, 58 Main St., Concord, MA.978-369-3120. more |
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| Sat 12/4New HampshirePlymouth Holiday Parade and Fireworks |
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| Even better than a parade — fireworks! They’ll have 36 parade units throwing candy and parading down Green Street, around the rotary, and to South Main Street. Santa will arrive on a fire truck, and afterwards they’ll have soups and Santa events at the Senior Center. Dec 4, parade at 5pm and fireworks, Dec 5, “Skate with Santa”! Plymouth, NH.603-536-2890. more |
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| Sat 12/4 – Sun 12/5Boston MetroHyde Park Open Studios |
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| An open studios is where you walk from place to place, artists’ private homes or work studios, and meet the artists. Of course they hope you’ll buy something! But the walk is nice, gives you a reason to explore the city, and you get to meet real artists, not just merchants. To me that’s a real event! 1476 River Street, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5Boston MetroTree Lightings around Boston |
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| I don’t really get tree lightings. Smeone flicks a switch and a tree lights up. I guess that’s good? The best tree lightings include a visit from Santa, refreshments, singing, and more, but Boston’s tree lightings aren’t very well described. Here’s the complete list and I’ve highlighted several below. Boston, MA. more |
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| Ho Ho Holidays | ||||
| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5Boston MetroHoliday Sing – Handel & Hayden Chorus |
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| Here’s another participatory caroling event, this time at Symphony Hall! Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA.617-266-3605. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sat 12/4Boston MetroHoliday Open House at Old South Meeting House |
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| One of Boston’s tourist destinations is free this weekend, with caroling and other presentations. They just couldn’t resist trying to get you to buy from the museum shop in their writeup. 10-4pm. Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4Boston MetroSwedish Christmas Fair and Holiday Celebration |
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| This is another damn marketplace, too, but they’ll have “Lucia processions” wearing candles on their heads at 10am and 4pm! And you thought the strangest thing about Sweden was the erotica. Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3Boston MetroMacy’s Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings |
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| The mayor, Santa, and “Macy’s Store Characters” will be driving around town in a trolley doing little 30 minute tree lightings & kids stuff, in 15 different Boston areas. Stand outside like you’re waiting for the bus. A bus full of elves that you can’t step onto. Various, Boston, MA. more |
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| Thu 12/2Boston MetroBoston’s Official Tree Lighting |
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| Gee, this tree lighting includes an entire “stage show”. They don’t say whether you can join in. 6pm. Boston, MA. more |
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| Tue 11/30Boston MetroCopley Square Tree Lighting |
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| And this one includes participatory caroling and performers. 5pm. Copley Square, Boston, MA. more |
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| Thu 12/2Boston MetroVilla Victoria Tree Lighting |
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| I don’t understand why whomever writes these descriptions didn’t say more. 5pm. Boston, MA. more |
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| Wed 12/1Boston MetroFriends of the Fort Point Channel Annual Holiday Tree Lighting |
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| Here’s another nondescript tree lighting. Guys! Work with me! I’m trying to hype your events for you. 5:30pm. Boston, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Boston MetroUSS Constitution Tree Decorating & Lighting |
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| The USS Constitution is the oldest active duty ship in the nation, from the 19th century, and they will have a tree lighting ceremony, Santa, and they’ll fire the ship cannons though. 4pm. Bldg 5 Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA. more more |
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| Sat 12/4Boston MetroA Not So Silent Night |
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| This is a holiday party with a casino that benefits an LGBT charity. They’ll have a stand-up comic and dancing, too! Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3Metro WestLexington Holiday Festival Night | ||||
| Basically, this is a merchant event where stores stay open late. But Santa’s coming to Depot Square 6:30 for a tree lighting, and there are “holiday pops” concerts at 4pm and 8pm. 4-9pm. Lexington, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3Metro WestNorumbega Lodge Cultural Meeting: Concert |
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| I’ve never seen a bellringers concert. I really want to go to this!!!! And t’s a sing-a-long. 7pm. Scandinavian Living Center, 206 Waltham Street, West Newton, MA.508-758-7849. more more |
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| Sun 12/5Metro WestGrafton Celebrates the Holidays |
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| 12-4pm. Gingerbread houses, tree lighting, caroling, and a variety of in-store merchant events. But they provide a schedule and map so you can go where you’d like. Grafton, MA.508-839-5335 x156. more |
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| Sun 12/5Metro WestMaynard’s Annual Christmas Parade |
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| Here’s another! I love parades! 2pm, from the Clocktower Place parking lot, down Main St loop through the downtown streets. Maynard, MA.(978) 265-4668. more |
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| Sat 12/4 – Sat 12/11Metro WestGingerbread House Workshops at Verrill Farm |
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| For $35, you can build your own gingerbread house at various workshops, and Santa comes Dec 4 at 3pm. 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA.978-369-4494. more |
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| Thu 12/2 – Sat 12/4North ShoreEssex Holiday Festival |
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| Santa’s coming for breakfast with a “toy land” parade, and they’ll have carolers too! (But is it participatory?). Essex, MA. more |
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| Thu 12/2 – Sun 12/5North ShoreAnnual Marblehead Christmas Walk |
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| Tree lighting, gingerbread house display, Santa arrives by lobster boat, and tour local rich people homes. The packed calendar includes singing sea shanties and lighting the “lobster trap” Christmas tree. Marblehead, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3North ShoreSanta Arrives in Salem |
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| They will have carolers (possibly participatory?) and Santa will descend ‘off’ the Hawthorne Hote. In a reversal of the traditional Santa gift-giving role, then Santa will lead everyone to a place they can spend money. 5:30pm. Salem, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5North ShoreChristmas in Salem House Tour |
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| Declaring that Salem has more than just Halloween, these history buffs will give you tours of local historic homes, all dressed up for the holidays. And inevitably, the tour ends where you can spend money. (Oy.). Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street, Salem, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5North ShoreChristmas by the Sea |
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| Another merchant event with Santa and a tree lighting. Manchester by the Sea, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4North ShoreRockport Santa Arrival & Tree Lighting |
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| Santa arrives by boat. Then a parade on a fire engine, tree lighting, and concert! 3:45pm. Rockport, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4South ShoreXmas parade at East Bridgewater |
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| Here’s another Christmas parade to represent the South Shore. East Bridgewater, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4South ShoreAnnual Holidays on the Green & Caroling at Plymouth |
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| Free. “Reindog Parade”, where dogs are dressed up in costume. Pancakes with Santa, caroling, and petting zoo. The Pinehills, 33 Summerhouse Drive, Plymouth, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5South ShorePembroke Tree Lighting |
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| Here’s a creative one! You can roast marshmallow over an open fire, there will be hay rides, participatory caroling, and Santa comes in on a fire truck for the tree lighting. 2:30-5pm. Pembroke, MA.781.294.4800. more |
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| Thu 12/2Southeast MassMerry TubaChristmas |
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| I wrote about these guys last week, when a hundred tubas gathered to play in Faneuil Hall. You can sing along and the zoo is free. 2pm. There are a bunch of other events with Santa at the zoo, too. Buttonwood Zoo, 425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford, MA.508-991-6178 x 31. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5Southeast MassAnnual Christmas Stroll Weekend, Nantucket |
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| If you happen to be on Nantucket Island, this one’s worth a shot. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to the island via Coast Guard and ride up Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage. Carolers in Victorian costumes, bell ringers and other musicians. Storytellers, birding, stargazing, a whole schedule of events! Nantucket Island.508-228-1700. more |
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| Sat 12/4 – Sun 12/5Southeast MassNew Bedford Downtown Holiday Stroll |
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| Antique fire trucks rides, a candlelight tour, and Santa. Whenever I read “strolling performers”, that means “merchant event”! :). New Bedford, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3Northern MassHaverhill Annual Christmas Stroll |
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| This one’s also a straightforward merchant event, with Santa arriving by horse-drawn sleigh. 5-8pm. Essex, Washington & Wingate Streets, Haverhill, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4Northern MassAmesbury Santa Parade & Tree Lighting |
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| And another parade, which proceeds into downtown Amesbury via Sparhawk and Main streets. 3:30pm. Amesbury, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3WorcesterWorcester Tree Lighting & Caroling |
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| Tree lighting and performance, ho hum. 5pm. Worcester, MA. more more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sat 12/4WorcesterSutton Chain of Lights |
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| Not closest to Boston, but possibly the best, are some big events in small towns. Here they have a parade 12/3 at 6pm, caroling 12/4 at 5:30pm, and tree lighting with Santa, followed by a roast beef dinner! Yum! Sutton, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3Cape CodCandlelight Carol Sing |
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| Join the caroling on Cape Cod. Snow day Dec 5. And you can meet Santa’s sister, Clara (?!?). Town Hall Square, Sandwich, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3Cape CodHoliday Carol Sing, Tree Lighting, Parade at Falmouth |
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| There’s an entire weekend of events including participatory caroling, parade, tree lighting, and Santa arrives by boat. Nobska Lighthouse, Nobska Road, Woods Hole, MA.508-548-8500. more |
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| Mon 11/29SpringfieldWestfield Dickens Days |
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| 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 |
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| Thu 12/2SpringfieldCaroling on the Green at West Springfield |
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| Not only is there a caroling celebration at 5:45pm, there’s also a Channukah celebration. There’s a “Santa’s House” too starting Dec 12. Elm Street Gazebo, West Springfield, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4New HampshireFestival of Trees or Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting |
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| Another parade and tree lighting, starting at 6pm. Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH.603-610-5510. more |
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| Thu 12/2 – Sun 12/5Rhode IslandFestival of Lights in Wickford, RI |
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| Santa arrives by boat escorted by kayaks, and stays around the whole weekend in Wickford, with caroling, hayrides, tree lighting, and they couldn’t resist mentioning that “most shops are open until 9pm”. Wickford, RI. more |
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| Sat 12/4Rhode IslandHoliday Festival returns to Benefit Street |
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| Providence has a historic street with old timey houses owned by rich people. There’s a “self guided tour”, so basically you can stroll and visit. And a parade and tree lighting. 11am-5pm. Providence, RI. more |
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| Sat 12/4Rhode IslandBowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting |
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| Frosty the snowman, participatory caroling, and Mr. & Mrs. Claus arrive for a tree lighting. 4:30-6pm. Newport, RI. more |
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| Sun 12/5 – Sun 12/19Rhode IslandVisits with Santa Claus at the Newport Mansions |
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| Three of the mansions in Newport are open in the winter and Santa will visit different ones, on Dec 5, 12, and 19. Newport, RI. more |
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| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Thu 12/2Boston MetroHarvard Humanist holiday party |
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| Let’s downshift out of Christmas now. There are plenty of creative non-holiday events happening! Let’s start with the atheists, who can party, too. Food, drinks, hmm, I think it needs more! 8-10pm. Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4Boston MetroAstronomy in the City |
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| I’m sure this event is great, with a planetarium and science theatre shows, and it’s free! But aren’t astronomy events generally at night? And outdoors? 2:30-5:30pm. MIT Stata Center, 32 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4Boston MetroAnnual Southern New England Weather Conference |
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| This one looks even better: a lot of lectures, some interactive workshops, and singing, all to honor the weather. And they’ll have kite flying! The Clay Center for Science and Technology, Dexter and Southfield Schools, Brookline, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Rhode IslandNikkomo |
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| Nikkomo is the closest thing in Native American culture to the celebration of Christmas. Come see it for yourself and bring a small gift. They’ll have music, ethnic gifts for sale, and traditional foods. 1-4pm. Tomaquag Museum, 390 Summit Rd, Exeter, RI.401-539-7213. more |
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| Sat 12/4 – Sun 12/5Boston MetroCharlestown Open Studios |
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| And yet another. Please buy from us is their main artistic theme. Charlestown, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4 – Sun 12/5Metro WestGorse Mill Open Studios at Needham |
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| You won’t stroll anywhere in this open studios, which is in one building, but they’ll have glass blowing and pottery demonstrations! Dec 4, 11am-5pm, Dec 5, 12-5pm. Needham, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Boston MetroComicazi Con |
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| THIS EVENT WAS CANCELLED RIGHT AFTER I POSTED ABOUT IT. Dilboy VFW, 371 Summer Street, Somerville, MA. more more |
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| Also Fun | ||||
| Wed 12/1Boston MetroMFA Community Day (December) |
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| The MFA is free again, every Wednesday in December, 4-9:45pm. Thanks! Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5Boston MetroFort Point’s Holiday Sale (Open Studios) |
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| What is possibly Boston’s best artist community has their annual open studios this weekend. Walk around South Boston and meet the actual artists in their private homes and work studios. Boston, MA. more |
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| Wed 12/1 – Sun 12/5Boston MetroBoston Latino International Film Festival |
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| I’m not much on sitting idle in the dark, but this film festival will have at least one panel, possibly more, in addition to just showing movies. It’s unclear from the website. It starts with a free opening reception on Thursday! Various, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Wed 12/1 – Sun 12/5Boston MetroNew England International Auto Show |
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| Most auto events in New England focus on the past, but if you want to see the cars of the future, here’s where to go. Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Boston MetroEveryone Loves Latkes Party |
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| 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 Eastern Europe. Also dancing to klezmer music! 1-3pm. I almost top-listed this, but I figured, if they can’t be bothered to give a specific location, how big an event could it be? Winthrop Park, JFK St & Winthrop St, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Thu 12/2SpringfieldChanukah Celebration in West Springfield |
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| 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. This is one. 4pm. Elm Street Common, West Springfield, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Metro WestCanton Chanukah Wonderland |
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| Now this is the Chanukah event to go to! They’ll have latkes, donuts, a magician and ventriloquist, a moon bounce, menorah lighting, and crafts. Canton High School, 900 Washington St, Canton, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5New HampshireChanukah of the Palace featuring Harmonia and Circurious |
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| I have a soft spot for a capella. And this menorah lighting event adds jugglers and acrobatics. Awesome. 6:30pm. Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St, Manchester, NH.603-668-5588. more |
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| Fri 12/3Rhode IslandOwl Prowl at Fisherville Brook |
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| First, they talk about owls, then they show you live owls. Then a nighttime walk to see some in the wild! Register. 7-9pm. Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Rd, Exeter, RI.(401) 949-5454, ext. 3041. more |
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| Sat 12/4Boston MetroMake a Zine! |
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| They wanted the Web so bad in the 1980s that they used to build websites out of paper! 11am-3pm. Come learn to make a self-published magazine. Pay what you will, all are welcome, includes lunch. Parts and Crafts, 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4Boston MetroUnion Square Winter Craft Market |
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| Taking a chance on the weather, here’s an outdoor market with some singing. 11am-4pm. Union Square, Somerville, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Western MassHot Chocolate Run in Northampton |
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| There are too many charity walks and runs for me to list them all, but this one caught my attention because they’re serving 2,500 cups of hot chocolate. It’s a 2 mile walk and a 5 mile run. Downtown Northampton, 38 Gothic Street, Northampton, MA. more |
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| Thu 12/2North ShoreWenham Museum’s Gingerbread Contest |
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| This is a gingerbread house contest, with all kinds of surprisingly large and intricate displays, including one with model trains. I’ve been to the Wenham Museum and it’s one of these New England-y places in the middle of nowhere with a world class attitude and really worth a visit. 132 Main Street, Wenham, MA. more |
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| Sat 12/4 – Sat 12/18Metro WestJane Austen Holiday Tea & Tours |
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| And here’s a re-enactment of “tea time” from the Victorian era at this old historical home of former Massachusetts Governor Gore. Gore Place, 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.781-894-2798. more |
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| Performance | ||||
| Fri 11/26 – Thu 12/23Boston MetroThe Best Christmas Pageant Ever |
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| Here’s our review of the feel-good show where a small town’s holiday pageant gets taken over by the rowdy kids. Click for our review. Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham, MA. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5Boston MetroPilobolus Dance Troupe |
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| I’ve seen this troupe and it’s truly amazing the dances that they do. A must see! Also Nov 8 in Plymouth, NH. Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 11/26 – Fri 12/3Rhode IslandNewport Nutcracker at Rosecliff |
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| 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 |
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| Fri 12/3 – Fri 12/24Boston MetroThe Slutcracker |
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| And here’s an even more creative re-envisioning of the Nutcracker, as burlesque. Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Lowell AreaLewis Black – In God We Rust |
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| Lewis Black is the edgy comedian you can see on The Daily Show. Lowell Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell, MA. more |
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| Thu 12/2Boston MetroKevin Smith at House of Blues |
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| Filmmaker and podcaster Kevin Smith is as edgy as it gets. He hardly gets a phrase out without talking dirty. But when he talks about balls or whatever, somehow it’s so good natured that it’s harmless. Boston, MA. more |
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| Sun 12/5Boston MetroAn Afternoon with Garrison Keillor |
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| And here’s the opposite comedian, as non-edgy as it gets. Free, but reserve ahead. 2-3pm. JFK Library & Museum, Boston, MA. more |
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| Mon 12/6Boston MetroBoston Typewriter Orchestra performs their comedic satirical repertoire |
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| How crazy is this. These percussionists play typewriters as music. 7:30 pm. Free, followed by a holiday reception. Library, 179 Main Street, Charlestown, MA.617-242-1248. more more |
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| Fri 12/3SpringfieldOne Man “A Christmas Carol |
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| One guy, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens, performs all of A Christmas Carol. 8 pm. Church, 115 Elm Street, Westfield, MA.413-562-2277. more |
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| Thu 12/2 – Sat 12/4Boston MetroHarvard Med School Second Year Show |
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| Every year the second year students at the Harvard Medical School put on a musical comedy show to raise money. I’ve been and it’s fantastic. I called to confirm that it’s open to everyone, not just the students. It’s a fundraiser! Roxbury Community College, Boston, MA. more |
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| Travel | ||||
| Fri 12/3ConnecticutParty on the Mississippi: The 175th Birthday Celebration! |
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| This is a Mardi Gras style party to celebrate Mark Twain’s birthday, complete with the food of the South. 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT.860-247-0998. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5ConnecticutLEGO KidsFest |
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| I don’t have any kids, but I still want to go to this LEGO festival and see all the sculptures. Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT. more |
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| Thu 12/2ConnecticutNew Haven Tree Lighting Celebration |
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| Tree lightings continue out of state…. New Haven, CT. more |
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| Fri 12/3ConnecticutFestival of St. Lucia |
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| And there’s another Swedish Christmas, Santa Lucia, festival, with a pageant with the candles on the hat, singing Swedish holiday songs, and other such foreign craziness. 311 Capital Ave, Hartford, CT. more |
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| Sat 12/4ConnecticutHoliday Carnival |
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| Mystic Village is a living history village, a re-enactment attraction, like Plimoth Plantation. They run a number of holiday events (see below), and they’ll have a one day carnival with street performers, hayrides, and a stilt-walking Santa, and a bunch more! All just a 2 hour drive from Boston. Mystic, CT. more |
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| Sat 12/4ConnecticutIvoryton Christmas Block Party |
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| Carols, clowns, Santa, theater, chili, lighting 70,000 lights, and hot cider. Ivoryton, CT. more |
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| Sat 12/4MaineSantacon (Portland, ME) |
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| There’s a convention for Santas in Boston coming up, but first — here’s one in Maine. Portland, ME. more |
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| Sun 12/5MaineAnnual Christmas by the Sea at Old Orchard Beach | ||||
| And more stuff I can’t be bothered to write up. (Do any of my readers care about Maine and Connecticut?). Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME.207-934-2500. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5MaineChristmas By The Sea | ||||
| I’m in a rush today, so you’ll just have to imagine some insightful or cheeky comment here. Camden, ME. more |
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| Fri 12/3 – Sun 12/5MaineSparkle Weekend | ||||
| Santa, santa, Santa. Freeport, ME. more |
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| Sat 12/4MaineHarbor Lights Festival | ||||
| This sounds nice if I were crazy enough to live in Maine in the winter. Boothbay Harbor, ME. more |
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| Sat 12/4MaineHoliday Light Parade | ||||
| Ditto. Presque Isle, ME. more |
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| Sun 12/5MaineSanta Sunday | ||||
| Of course, people from Florida think I’m crazy to live in Boston in the winter, so I guess it’s all relative. Newry, ME. more |
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| Holiday Lights | grade | Mon 11/29 | Tue 11/30 | Wed 12/1 | Thu 12/2 | Fri 12/3 | Sat 12/4 | Sun 12/5 | Mon 12/6 |
| Metro WestMillis, MAMillis Wonderland | ? | F | S | S | M | ||||
| This is a private home, not a commercial “attraction”, but still good. Slowest nights are Tuesday-Thursday. 60 Causeway Street more |
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| 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 |
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| Metro WestConcord, MAA Visit from St. Nicholas at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House | ? | S | S | ||||||
| This event includes re-enactors portraying historical characters, plus old timey Santa. 399 Lexington Road more |
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| North ShoreStoneham, MAStone Zoo’s Zoolights | B- | M | T | W | 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 |
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| North ShoreStoneham, MAHoliday Landscapes | ? | W | R | F | S | 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 |
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| South ShoreCarver, MAEdaville Railroad’s Christmas Festival of Lights | A+ | M | T | W | R | 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Southern MassSturbridge, MAChristmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| 2010: 4-9pm. Participatory caroling, Father Christmas, sleigh rides. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, 508-347-3362. more |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Cape CodSandwich, MAHeritage Museum Gardens Aglow | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| 1 million lights. Not happening in 2008 & 2009. 67 Grove Street, 508-888-3300. more |
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| New HampshireCandia, NHLighted Winter Wonderland at Charmingfare Farm | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| They have a 30 minute horse drawn night ride. Live reindeer. Petting zoo. Evenings. Route 27, 603-483-5623. more |
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| New HampshireEnfield, NHLa Salette Shrine & Center | B | 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 |
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| New HampshireNorth Conway, NHPolar Express | ? | F | S | 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 |
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| New HampshirePortsmouth, NHCandlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke | A+ | S | S | ||||||
| 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! 2010: Saturdays 5-9pm, Sundays 4-8pm. Marcy Street, 603-422-7514. more |
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| 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 |
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| Rhode IslandPawtucket, RIPawtucket Winter Wonderland | ? | S | S | ||||||
| See 400 decorated Christmas trees, twenty Victorian buildings, and a talking snowman, and enjoy free visits and photos with Santa, train rides, hay rides, carousel rides, food court, and entertainment. Free admission and parking. Slater Park, (401) 728-0500 x251. more |
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| 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 |
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| ConnecticutEast Windsor, CTWinterFest at Connecticut Trolley Museum | ? | R | F | S | S | ||||
| Trolley ride through holiday lights, sing-along carols and meet Santa. 2010: 5-9pm. 58 North Road, 860-627-6540. more |
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| 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 |
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| ConnecticutMystic, CTLantern Light Tours | ? | F | S | ||||||
| This is a walk through a re-enactment museum portraying Christmas eve 1876! Wow!! 2010: 5-8:15pm. more |
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