what to do in Boston (nov 29 - dec 2)

Happy Friday!

The winter holiday season is officially upon us. In case you missed it, I sent out a lengthy list of travel-related Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals Bostonians (and travelers coming to Boston) can take advantage of. Plus, I added a bunch of new shots to my Society 6 shop, where prints, mugs, and more are available.

The best way you can support creatives this time of year is to share their work. Feel free to forward this letter to a friend who might need something to do in Boston this weekend.

Have a great weekend.

Table of Contents

• travel news

• where to shop on Small Business Saturday

• unique things to do in Boston this weekend

  • reoccurring events

  • tree and holiday lighting ceremonies

  • holiday markets this weekend only

  • saturday (nov 30)

  • sunday (dec 1)

travel news

If you plan to travel to the U.K. next year, be prepared to shell out more money. They now require citizens of select countries, including the United States, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, to apply and pay for an electronic travel authorization (ETA), regardless of age.

Traveling to this Arctic Island just got easier, thanks to a new airport in Greenland.

where to shop on Small Business Saturday

Here’s a mix of some of my favorite small businesses to shop in the Boston + North Shore areas, whether online or in person. If you have a small business you love not listed here, shout them out in the comments.

unique things to do in Boston this weekend

There’s never not something to do in Boston. Here, I’ve gathered a handful of off-the-beaten paths and hidden gem events.

reoccurring events

Dust off your ice skates and head to Boston Common because the Frog Pond Skating Rink opens Saturday, Nov 30, at 10 am. 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). The rink is open daily from 10 am - 10 pm, with the last entry admitted 30 minutes before closing.

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).

The annual SoWa Winter Festival at SoWa Power Station (550 Harrison Ave) opens on Friday, Nov 29, to kick off the holiday shopping season. The festival runs through Dec 22 and costs $10 to enter. Children under 12 enter for free.

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.

Head to Seaport to wander through their annual Holiday Market at Snowport. Open seven days a week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), the market features over 120 vendors, 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.

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.

Starting Sunday, Dec 2, Beacon Hill Books & Cafe will host its annual Holiday Tea service from 11 am to 5 pm every Sunday and Monday in December. Reservations are strongly recommended.

tree and holiday lighting ceremonies

By the time this letter hits your inbox, a few major holiday displays have celebrated their annual inaugural lighting, including the North End Waterfront Trellis at Columbus Park and the tree at Quincy Market. Here’s where you’ll be able to see (and celebrate) more trees and light displays in Boston this weekend.

Martin’s Park in Seaport will host its annual Ship Lighting from 4 - 6 pm. Enjoy seasonal beverages, fun photo ops, and a visit with Betty the Pink Yeti, The Grinch, and Santa.

Roslindale is hosting its annual Tree Lighting in Adams Park this Saturday, November 30, from 3-5 pm. Special visitors include Santa and Mayor Michelle Wu, performances from local music and dance groups, like Urban Nutcracker, ornament decorating, holiday treats, and the "Reindog" costume contest! Note: contest participants should meet behind the stage at the Tree Lighting by 2:45 pm to check-in.

Charles Hotel (1 Bennett St) in Cambridge, MA, is hosting an afternoon of drinks, food, and entertainment to celebrate their annual tree lighting celebration on Saturday, Nov 30, from 4 pm - 7 pm. Countdown to the tree lighting (promptly at 5:30 pm) and enjoy exclusive excerpts from The Nutcracker by José Mateo Ballet Theatre. Cambridge Fire Department will be on hand to collect new, unwrapped toys for their annual Toys for Tots drive.

And, while this technically might fall into next week’s news, on Thursday, December 5, the Boston Common Holiday Tree (6 pm), the Beacon Hill Tree (7 pm), and the Comm Ave Mall Holiday Lights (8 pm) will all be illuminated. If you make it to the Comm Ave lighting, The Newbury will be handing out free hot chocolate and cookies to enjoy as you stroll among the twinkling lights.

holiday markets this weekend only

Unlike the other holiday markets in this letter, these are for one day or one weekend only.

On Friday, Nov 29, and Saturday, Nov 30, shop 10 women-owned small businesses at the Holiday Market at High Street Place. The market will be open from 11 am - 5 pm, featuring the Food Hall’s 20 vendors, festive photo ops, and live music.

On Saturday, Nov 30, Bow Market is holding its Annual Maker Market pop-up with locations in Union Tavern, Remnant Brewing, Upstairs at Bow, and the Bow Market Courtyard (weather permitting). You can also shop at your favorite Bow Market shops, but check individual shop hours to plan your day.

Spend Sunday afternoon from 11 am - 4 pm at the Hood Park Winter Village (100 Rutherford Avenue). You and your furry friend can stroll through local artisan markets and enjoy delicious seasonal drinks, food, crafts, curling, and more. Plus, Santa will be making a special appearance. Note: There is free, three-hour parking (with charging stations) at Hood Park Parking Garage.

saturday (nov 30)

Papercuts Bookshop (60 South St) in Jamaica Plain is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Saturday with homemade baked goods, local author appearances, and more.

Trident Booksellers & Cafe (338 Newbury Street) is kicking off its annual holiday movie series with Home Alone. Upstairs in the cafe, seating begins at 6:30 pm (the movie starts at 9 pm). The event is free (please RSVP), while food and seasonal drinks will be available for purchase.

Western Avenue (122 + 160 Western Ave) in Lowell, MA, is hosting its monthly Open Studios on Small Business Saturday from 12 pm to 5 pm. Free parking is available in our lots and in the shuttle-served lot at Stoklosa Middle School. After Open Studios, Taffeta Music Hall holds live music concerts.

Kick off the winter holiday season with the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s The Snow Queen. The company will be at Emerson Colonial Theatre (106 Boylston) for one night only on Saturday, Nov 30, at 7 pm.

sunday (dec 1)

Open Newbury returns just in time for holiday shopping, with pedestrian-only access between Berkeley Street and Massachusetts Avenue. The popular stretch of Boston’s shopping district will be car-free from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on December 1 and December 8. In case of inclement weather, a makeup date will be held on December 15.

The 14th Annual Boston Japan Film Festival will be held Sunday, December 1, from 1 pm to 5 pm at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA. Admission is free.