what to do in Boston this weekend (dec 6 - 9)

Table of Contents

• travel news

  • around boston

  • air travel

  • abroad

• unique things to do in Boston: dec 6 - 9

  • holiday concerts this weekend

  • happening in Boston all weekend

  • reoccurring winter events

    • things to do

    • holiday markets + festivals

    • holiday bars

P.S. If you have an event, new attraction, new hotel, or restaurant opening you’d like me to cover, don’t hesitate to reach out.

travel news

So much happens every day that keeping up with the news is difficult. Here are the headlines travelers need to be aware of this week.

around boston

If you have school-aged kids in your life, you can now take them to many of the area’s museums for free every first and second Sunday of the month. According to a report by WGBH, the program initially included the Franklin Park Zoo, the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the Boston Children’s Museum. It has expanded to include Isabella Stewart Gardner, the Museum of African American History, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Up to two guests can accompany the student. If the child is not enrolled in a Boston Public School, you can still sign them up for the program later this month.

air travel

Traveling in and out of SeaTac just got a little easier — at least for anyone looking to get to the Eastside. This week, Visit Bellevue announced its partnership with Eagle Shuttle Service, offering travelers a fixed-rate shuttle service ($30) between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and various Bellevue area hotels. Anna Yan of Visit Bellevue tells savor + roam anyone can use these shuttles, not just hotel guests. Meaning, you can park in Bellevue and shuttle to SeaTac instead of trying to park in the airport lot.

If you’re waiting until the last minute to check in for flights, you’re not alone. In fact, according to Conde Nast Traveller, people are purposely playing check-in chicken in hopes of scoring empty rows and extra legroom at no extra cost.

Speaking of tourism boards making great partnerships, Destination Canada and Air Canada have joined forces to help stressed-out Americans get a much-needed break this winter. From now until Dec 20, you can enter to win two round-trip economy tickets to an Air Canada destination of your choice.

abroad

Anyone heading to the UK next year needs to prepare to pay more for entry into the country. Starting Jan 8, travelers from the US, Canada, Australia, and more must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), including anyone with a connecting flight through a UK airport (like Heathrow). Applications take up to 72 hours to process and cost £10. Once granted, ETAs are active for six months and cover short stays, like a layover, and longer stays (up to six months).

Parisians and anyone traveling to Paris can now enjoy walking through Notre-Dame, which re-opens to visitors on Monday, Dec 9, following a short reopening ceremony on Dec 7. Anyone wishing to visit the cathedral in the first weeks must reserve a free ticket (and expect long wait times).

unique things to do in Boston: dec 6 - 9

holiday concerts this weekend

For one weekend only, Cirque Dreams Holidaze returns to the Boch Center’s Schubert Theatre (265 Tremont St) on Friday, Dec 6, at 7:30 pm, Saturday, Dec 7, at 11 am, 3 pm, and 7:30 pm, and on Sunday, Dec 8, at 1 pm and 5 pm. Tickets start at $39.50.

There is still limited availability to see BSO’s Holiday Pops concert this weekend on Friday, Dec 6, at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Dec 7, at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, Dec 8, at 3 pm and 7:30 pm.

Boston Baroque will perform Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, Dec 7, at 7:30 p.m. at GBH Calderwood Studio and Sunday, Dec 8, at 3 p.m. at Jordan Hall.

happening in Boston all weekend

Tea by the Sea (99 Sumner St) in East Boston is hosting a Multicultural Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec 7, from 11 am - 5 pm and Sunday, Dec 8, from 11 am - 3 pm. Enjoy shopping for unique gifts from local artisans, creative holiday workshops, music, and unbeatable views of Boston’s skyline while sipping hot chocolate.

The Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley Tour continues its tree-lighting tradition this weekend, beginning in Hastings Lot in West Roxbury on Saturday, Dec 7, at 11 am and ending Sunday, Dec 8, at 6:15 in East Boston’s Maverick Square. The trolley will stop to light holiday trees in Brighton, South End, Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan Square, Dorchester, South Boston, Chinatown, the North End, and Charlestown.

Guinness is hosting a pop-up on Saturday, Dec 7, and Sunday, Dec 8, from 2 pm - 8 pm, in Quincy Market outside Faneuil Hall. Come grab a pint, a Levain cookie you can’t get in NYC, and do some holiday shopping.

friday, december 6

Learn how to make pottery and enjoy a flight of ice cream on Friday, Dec 6, at Time Out Market Boston (401 Park Dr) near Fenway, from 6 pm - 8 pm. The beginner-friendly class is run by Pottery with Purpose, costs $90, and includes a flight of ice cream from Far Out Ice Cream. $1 from every kit sold supports mental health nonprofits.

Celebrate the holiday season with the Light Up Seaport holiday tree lighting on Dec 6 from 6 - 9 pm at Seaport Common (85 Northern Ave). Hosted by Amina Smith and Ashlee Feldman, enjoy a night of live music with performances by Boston City Singers, Divine Sweater, ToriTori, and The Gracenotes, a featured headlining band at Grace by Nia.

saturday, december 7

The 10th annual Union Square Holiday Stroll will be held in Somerville on Saturday, Dec 7, from 12 pm to 6 pm.

Sip and shop local on Saturday, Dec 7, with Boston Women’s Market’s Sips, Shop, & Sights at ViewBoston. From 12 pm - 5 pm, shop 20 women-founded small businesses from the 52nd floor of the Prudential Center (800 Boylston). Tickets are $20 and include access to all ViewBoston exhibits.

Make your own pour-over coffee set on Sat, Dec 7, with Pottery with Purpose. They are holding a ceramics class at Travelmug Cafe (50 Liberty Dr) next to GrubStreet in Seaport District from 11:30 am - 2 pm. Tickets are $115 and include a seasonal beverage from Travelmug cafe. $1 for every kit sold supports mental health nonprofits.

At Trillium Fort Point, on Saturday, Dec 7, from 12 pm - 2 pm, on the second floor, you can paint your own holiday decor with Pottery with a Purpose. For $45, grab a drink and learn to paint your own ceramic holiday ornaments, light-up Christmas tree, or menorah. $1 for every kit sold supports mental health nonprofits.

sunday, december 8

If you miss Friday’s pottery class at Time Out Market Boston (401 Park Dr), you have another chance to learn how to create + decorate your own ceramic mugs or espresso cups on Sunday, Dec 8, from 12 pm - 2 pm. Pottery with a Purpose is holding a two-hour beginner-friendly pottery workshop for $105, including materials, firing, glazing, and shipment 5 - 6 weeks after the class. $1 from every kit sold supports mental health nonprofits.

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with the 52nd annual North End Christmas Parade on Sunday, Dec 8. Kicking off at 12:30 pm at Columbus Park, there will be appearances by Santa, the Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley tour, marching bands, clowns, and more.

Every Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm, the 80+ artists of SOWA (450 Harrison Ave) open their studio doors for a free open house. Not only can you meet the artists, but you’re also able to purchase art they have for sale.

Spend Sunday, Dec 8, steeped in historic holiday charm with the Beacon Hill Holiday House Tour at Nichols House Museum. Tickets are $125 ($150 at the door) and include a self-guided tour of Nichols House Museum, a tour of the William Hickling Prescott House, and entry to the Holiday House Tour reception being held at King’s Chapel Parish House from 3 pm - 5 pm. Tours begin at noon.

Open Newbury returns just in time for holiday shopping, with pedestrian-only access between Berkeley Street and Massachusetts Ave. The popular stretch of Boston’s shopping district will be car-free on Dec 8 from 10 am until 6 pm. In case of inclement weather, a makeup date will be held on Dec 15.

Enjoy seasonal beer cocktails, live music, crafts, and shop local vendors (including Fresh Vintage Supply and Be Quiet and Thrift) at the Winter Market at Sam Adams Brewery on Sunday, Dec 8, from 12 pm to 5 pm at Sam Adams Boston Brewery (30 Germania St) in Jamaica Plain.

Eat, drink, and shop 30 women-founded small businesses at Speedway Holiday Stroll on Dec 8 from 12 pm to 5 pm at The Speedway (525 Western Ave) in Brighton.

Suffolk Downs is partnering with Christmas Tree For Me to host a Pop-Up Tree Farm on Sunday, Dec 8, from 12 pm - 3 pm at The Yard @ Beachmont Square (10 Suffolk Downs Blvd) in Revere. Stop in to shop trees and enjoy live music by Violin Viiv and Olde Town Carolers, sweet treats from Uncle Joeys Cannoli and The Half Cookie, arts and crafts with ESSEM Art Studio, local food trucks, and more. Already have a tree? The shop will also have a selection of wreaths, tree skirts, tree stands, and lights available for purchase. The Revere Police are also holding their 25th annual toy drive at the pop-up, so please bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate if you can.

reoccurring winter events

As a reminder, the Commuter Rail has $10 weekend passes, which gives the ticketholder unlimited travel on Saturday and Sunday. Pass is activated during your first trip on Saturday and continues to stay active until Sunday night.

things to do

New: Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol returns to Emerson College’s Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre (219 Tremont St) from Dec 8 - 22. Tickets start at $10.

Historic Holiday Strolls, guided tours among the holiday lights and decorated trees on Boston’s Freedom Trail continue on select Fridays and Saturdays until Dec 28. The walks are one hour long and led by guides dressed in 19th-century Dickensian costumes. For tickets and more information, visit the Freedom Trail’s website.

Boston Common’s Frog Pond Skating Rink (38 Beacon St) is open daily from 10 am - 10 pm, with the last entry admitted 30 minutes before closing. Anyone 58 inches or taller must pay $10 to skate. You can also rent skates ($15 for adults, $10 for kids), rent lockers, and get your skates sharpened ($7).

Beacon Hill Books & Cafe is hosting its annual Holiday Tea service from 11 am to 5 pm every Sunday and Monday in December. Reservations are strongly recommended.

holiday markets + festivals

New: Boston’s annual Winter Festival officially kicks off on Friday, Dec 6, at 3 pm in Charlestown’s Hood Park (500 Rutherford) and runs until Jan 25, with limited days and hours beginning at the end of the month. Spread out across two acres, there is an ice skating rink ($20/hr for adults, $15/hr for kids under 10; $10 skate rental), life-size light up castle, artisan marketplace, Veuve Clicquot Après Ski Gondola lounge, and more. Admission is free. Attendees can park in the Hood Park garage (100 Hood Park Dr) for free for up to three hours.

New: The Small Mart Holiday Markets will be held in the Crystal Ballroom (55 Davis Square) in Somerville on Dec 7 and Dec 21 from 11 am to 4 pm. Shop over 40 local artists, artisans, and vintage vendors. Plus, on Dec 19 from 4 pm until 9 pm, shop the Vintage & Vinyl Holiday Art Mart, where there will be local vendors, live DJ sets, and good vibes.

The annual Holiday Market at Snowport (65 Northern Ave) is now open in Boston’s Seaport District. Running seven days a week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), there are over 120 vendors, plus great food options, cocktail bars, live music, activities (like curling), and more. East Boston favorite Petrova Chocolates (creator of those viral Dubai Chocolate Bars) has a booth, so be sure to stop by!

The annual SoWa Winter Festival at SoWa Power Station (550 Harrison Ave) runs through Dec 22 and costs $10 to enter. Children under 12 enter for free.

Farmer’s Market season never ends in Boston; it just moves inside. Visit Somerville’s Winter Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm inside The Center for the Arts at the Armory (191 Highland Ave).

holiday bars

New: Head to the Mandarin Oriental (776 Boylston) in Back Bay for Louis Roederer champagne cocktails, live holiday jazz performed by students from Berklee College of Music, light caviar, and bar bites at the pop-up Holiday Champagne Bar. The bar is open from 5 pm to 8 pm on Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, and 31.

Boston’s only Hanukkah pop-up bar is back again this year. From now until Jan 1, you can visit Macabee Bar inside The Charles Hotel (1 Bennett St) in Harvard Square every Monday - Saturday starting at 4 pm. There are limited reservations available; priority is given to walk-ins.

To get festive from high above Boston, visit ViewBoston’s Stratus Winter Oasis. At the top of Prudential Tower (800 Boylston), Status Bar has been transformed into a winter wonderland where guests can sip festive cocktails while the city glitters around them. Tickets are $38, including admission to ViewBoston exhibits and one beer, wine, or signature cocktail. This also gives you access to The Beacon bistro, View Boston’s restaurant.

To literally warm up after a Snowport visit, book a table at Deck 12’s heated rooftop outdoor bar (65 Seaport Blvd). Like in previous years, there is an Apres theme, complete with heaters, fondues, chair lifts, gondolas, and more. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Or, head down the street to Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall (306 Northern Ave) and get an infusion of festive cheer at the Holly Jolly Holiday Bar. Tickets are $18 and include a 90-minute reservation and one holiday-themed cocktail or mocktail.