What to do in Boston this weekend (Dec 12 - 14)

If you have an event, a new attraction, a hotel, or a restaurant opening you’d like me to cover, please reach out!

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Boston’s newest cocktail lounge opens. The space under Mariel has been transformed into My Girl, a classy cocktail spot inspired by pre-Castro Cuba. You can thank the COJE Management Group, the masterminds who also brought Boston Yvonne’s, Coquette, and more. (Boston Magazine)

Canadian casual chain Cactus Club Cafe debuts in Boston’s Back Bay. No relation to the old Cactus Club that used to be on Boylston, the menu features New Americana and global dishes such as sushi, wagyu beef carpaccio, Thai red curry, Creole steak and shrimp, and key lime pie. (Boston Restaurant Talk)

Reminder: the Green Line is down through December 22. The entire middle of the Green Line is down from North Station to Kenmore, and there are only shuttle buses between Kenmore Square and Copley. The MBTA urges riders to use the Orange Line between Back Bay and North Station, or the Worcester Commuter line (fare-free) between South Station, Back Bay, and Lansdowne. The reason? Updating 19th 19th-century infrastructure.

Fly to Paris from Boston in luxury. Air France is expanding its La Première first-class cabin service to more U.S. cities beginning in March 2026. In addition to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., travelers will now be able to fly in a La Première cabin to and from Boston, Houston, and Atlanta. (The Points Guy)

National Parks fee-free days now include Trump’s birthday but exclude MLK Day and Juneteenth. Fee-free dates will also include the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service (Aug 25), Constitution Day (Sept 17), and President Teddy Roosevelt’s Birthday (Oct 27). Non-U.S. residents will be charged full price on those days as part of the Trump Administration’s new “America-first pricing” policy. (WBUR)

JetBlue debuts its first-ever lounge at JFK. The 9,000-square-foot space in Terminal 5 will be available to Mint cabin passengers, Mosaic 4 flyers, and JetBlue Premier cardholders and may indicate what the BOS lounge will look like. (Afar)

The FIFA World Cup Schedule is out. Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium will temporarily take the name of Boston Stadium while it hosts seven matches, including Norway v France, Haiti v Scotland, and England v Ghana. Check the FIFA World Cup 2026 website for the full schedule.

Right whale travels from Ireland to Boston. The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life matched markings on a right whale spotted off Boston’s coast to the markings of a whale spotted in Donegal Bay, Ireland, in 2024. This is the first documented case of the critically endangered whale traveling from east to west. (Boston.com)

Mad Men’s messy HBO Max debut. The hit TV show is finally free from AMC+, but after “wrong files” were delivered, the show debuted on HBO with errors reminiscent of Game of Thrones season 8. (NBC News)

What I’m listening to this week:

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A curated rundown of unique events happening this weekend in and around Boston that I’m either attending or wishing I were. If you’re looking for weekly happenings, like wine tastings and yoga classes, scroll to the next section.

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The Frozen Fire Festival makes its debut in Boston from Friday, December 12, through Sunday, December 14, at The Anchor Boston (1 Shipyard Park, Charlestown, MA 02129). The weekend will be filled with live music, fire and ice installations along the harborfront, an S’mores & Hot Chocolate Bar, plus shopping at the artisan holiday market. This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase.

Shop, savor, and wonder at the Canal District Winter Market on Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, in Kendall Square’s South Plaza (Kendall St, Cambridge, MA). Over 30 local artisans will be popping up with curated, gift-ready items, plus there will be free arts and crafts, music, ice sculptures, and more. Don’t miss the Kendall Square Annual Holiday Ice Show, with free admission for skating and professional ice skating performances, happening alongside the Winter Market. These are free events with food and drink available for purchase.

Find holiday cheer after-hours during WNDR Holiday Nights on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Enjoy an intimate wander through the museum thanks to the event’s limited capacity, plus a Make Your Own Holiday Fragrance experience. Tickets are $45.99 and include admission, the Holiday Fragrance experience, a gourmet cinnamon roll, and more festive treats.

Experience Christmas with C.S. Lewis from Tuesday, December 9, through Sunday, December 14, at the Roberts Studio Theatre inside Boston Center For The Arts (527 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116). Sit with C.S. Lewis in his home near Oxford, England, as he talks with Americans Christmassing in England about an unforgettable collection of Yuletide recollections, including how J.R.R. Tolkien changed his Christmas celebration forever. Tickets are $96.

Get in the spirit of the season at A Celtic Christmas with A Taste of Ireland, being performed in Boston for the first time ever, Tuesday, December 9, through Sunday, December 14, at The Calderwood Pavilion (527 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116). Tickets start at $59.

Experience J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio on Saturday, December 13 (7 - 10 pm), and Sunday, December 14 (2 - 5 pm) at Emmanuel Church (25 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116). Considered “Germany’s seasonal equivalent to…Messiah,” the program features six cantatas, promising a timeless holiday experience. Tickets are pay-what-you-can.

Warm up at the Free Hot Cocoa Bar with Curio Spice Co at the Boston Public Market Demo Booth (100 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02108) on Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, from 12 to 2:30 pm.

Shop all things cute and kitsch at The Hall-iday Bazaar with The Brighton Bazaar on Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, inside Quincy Market (S Market St, Boston, MA 02109). There will be over 80 small local businesses selling a variety of handcrafted goods and handpicked vintage items. This event is free to attend.

Sip and shop through one of Boston’s most unique neighborhoods at the North End Holiday Stroll on Friday, December 12, from 5 to 9 pm. Santa and carolers will be roaming Hanover and Cross Streets while the North End boutiques, gift shops, and boutiques will be offering sips, bites, and sweet deals. This is a free event with food, drink, and gifts available for purchase.

Break out your holiday best for the Ugly Sweater Party at Sam Adams Boston Brewery (30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130). Come for the ugly sweater contest, stay for Tyler Casavant and his full band, Sam Adams’ new weizenbock, Moon Slippers, and more. This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase.

Find the perfect bottle for your table at the Holiday Wine Tasting with East West Wines at Petrova Chocolates (61 Salem St, Boston, MA) from 4 - 8 pm. This is a free event with wine and chocolate available for purchase.

If you need another reason to head to Seaport during the holidays, don’t miss the Seaport Holiday Stroll happening Saturday, December 13, from 1 to 4 pm. Your journey begins at the Snowport gondola, where a Seaport Ambassador will hand you a (free) limited-edition Seaport Stroll tote and your list of participating shops, as long as you have the Seaport Insider app downloaded.

Join Boston Flower Co (468 River St, Boston, MA 02126) for an intimate Holiday Market on Saturday, December 13, from 12 - 4 pm. Lumiere Rene, Love Balungi, and Te Spa will be popping up with holiday-ready gifts, plus book a mini photo session with Snapped Boston.

Find new favorite artists and shop for local art at the Somerville Holiday Art Fair on Saturday, December 13, from 12 - 4 pm, Upstairs at Bow (1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA). This is a free event with art + gifts available for purchase.

Fill your freezer and support a good cause at the Meat the Need Holiday Raffle with Savenor’s on Saturday, December 13, from 5 to 7 pm at Aeronaut Brewing Company (14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA 02143). Bid for your chance to win a basket of fine meats (or veggies — there is a vegetarian option) to benefit Elizabeth Peabody House. You’re automatically entered when you attend this free event, and you can receive additional entries by donating unexpired, unopened, non-perishable food items.

Learn the science behind hand-pulled noodles at the Hand-Pulled Noodle Class on Saturday, December 13, from 10 am to 12 pm at PAGU (310 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139). You’ll not only learn how to make hand-pulled noodles in a hands-on workshop, but also methods for vacuum-sealing, and try recipes you can recreate at home. Tickets are $119, including all materials.

Celebrate the spirit of the season at the Sweets & Santa Holiday Fundraiser, a bake & holiday crafts sale, on Sunday, December 14, from 12 - 5 pm, Upstairs at Bow (1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA). Book a time to meet Santa and shop for treats from some of Boston’s best, including maca, Mike & Patty’s, batter + boom, Mickerdoodles, Petrova Chocolate, Eva’s Little Kitchen, and more. All proceeds benefit Tufts Medical Center Oncology/Hematology Research Department.

Cross more off your gift-buying list at the Holiday Sip & Shop on Sunday, December 14, from 12 - 5 pm at Boston Harbor Distillery (12R Ericsson St, Dorchester, MA 02122).

Shop small and vegan at The Vegan Market: Holiday Edition on Sunday, December 14, from 11 am - 4 pm at Arts at the Armory (191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA). Grab some lunch, snacks, and handmade goods from over 35 local vendors.

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As a reminder, the Commuter Rail has $10 weekend passes, which give the ticket holder unlimited travel on Saturday and Sunday. The pass is activated during your first trip on Saturday and remains active until Sunday night.

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Shop the Charles River Farmers’ Market every Friday (12 - 6 pm) and Sunday (10 am - 3 pm) at The Charles Hotel (1 Bennet St, Cambridge, MA, 02138). During the winter, vendors are set up in red sheds and still have fresh bread, pasta, meat, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Jamaica Plain holds its weekly Farmers Market every Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm year-round in the Bank of America parking lot (677 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, 02130).

Shop the legendary Haymarket, America’s oldest open-air market, every Friday and Saturday from 6 am to 7 pm. Vendors offer fresh, affordable produce, dairy products, meat, and seafood. Just steps from Boston Public Market and MBTA’s Haymarket Station.

Every Saturday from November 1, 2025, through April 11, 2026, you can shop for local and healthy foods at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market at Arts at the Armory (191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143). The market is held weekly from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm except for 11/29/25 and 12/27/25.

Shop trees, wreaths, and more at the family-owned Boston Christmas Trees (423 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135) seven days a week from 8 am to 10 pm. After 50 years in Allston, BCT has moved to Brighton, where it can now accommodate free parking for three shoppers. Plus, they deliver.

Whether you’re shopping for a tree or want to soak up seasonal vibes, don’t miss visiting the Christmas Tree Farm at Assembly Row (301 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145) now through Christmas Eve. Shop freshly cut trees, handcrafted wreaths, and more holiday decor to keep the festive vibes flowing all season long.

Shop small this holiday season at the Downtown Boston Holiday Market every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at Summer Street Plaza (10 Summer St, Boston, MA 02110) through December 21 from 11 am to 4 pm. The market features a curated lineup of artisan vendors with a variety of goods perfect for the gift-giving season.

Sip and shop your way through the Holiday Shopping Market at Boston Public Market every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 21. In addition to the vendors at BPM year-round, more will be popping up, including Damask Cakes, Joppapots, Wool & Weft, and more. Entry is free.

Boston’s biggest winter market, Snowport (100 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA), returns for its 7th season beginning Friday, November 7, through December 28. The market will be open seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, with extended hours in December.

The SoWa Winter Festival returns for its 10th year at the SoWa Power Station (550 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118) now through Sunday, December 28. The market is open daily except on Mondays, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Shop over 125 local vendors, including Apritvo, Eataly Boston, Tiny Farmhouse by Amy McCoy, Clover B, Parkside Bookshop, and more. Entry is $10 (children under 12 are free).

Boston’s Winter Fest returns to The Yard at Hood Park (100 Hood Park, Charlestown, MA 02129) from Saturday, December 6, through December 30 (weekends only until Dec 19). Enjoy interactive family activities, rides, seasonal food and beverages, plus unique shops at the winter market. Tickets start at $7.22.

Every Saturday and Sunday from November 29 through Christmas, enjoy Crafts, Cocoa, & Cheer on the lawn at Assembly Row (355 Artisan Way, Somerville, MA 02145). From 1 to 3 pm, enjoy free hot cocoa, live music, holiday treats, and holiday-themed crafts while supplies last.

MASARY has once again transformed Mount Auburn Cemetery (580 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138) into Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light, an immersive outdoor journey. From Friday, December 5, through Sunday, December 21 (except Mondays + Thursdays), take a journey through light and sound as you weave through Mount Auburn’s outdoor and indoor spaces. Tickets range from $5 for youth to $85 for a timed elevated experience.

Step into an immersive winter experience at the Winter Garden in the Prudential Center’s South Garden (800 Boylston St, Boston, MA) from 4 pm to 9 pm beginning Thursday, December 4, through Wednesday, December 17. MASARY has created a “mesmerizing ballet of motion and color, inviting visitors to pause and wonder at the magic of winter nights.” This is a free event.

Need to warm up after a visit to Snowport? Head to Deck 12 (Yotel Boston, 65 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02110) where their winter pop-up, Apres, returns from Friday, November 14, through Tuesday, March 3. Sit fireside and thaw out with a bowl (or flight) of chili or a seasonal cocktail while the Boston skyline glitters around you. Book your reservation now.

Warm up at Avery Bar Chocolat, returning to Avery Bar inside the Ritz-Carlton Boston (10 Avery St, Boston, MA 02111) every Saturday and Sunday through Sunday, December 28. Enjoy hot chocolates or cocoa lattes prepared table-side, with a choice of toppings and sweet treats meant to make your drink “perfectly nice” or “lusciously naughty.” Book your reservation.

The Holly Jolly Bar returns to Harpoon Brewery (306 Northern Ave, Boston, MA) from Thursday, November 13, through Sunday, December 28. The halls are decked from floor to ceiling, and the menus are filled with seasonal sips and bites that will fill you with festive cheer. Tickets are $19.90 and include a 90-minute reservation and one welcome cocktail (non-alcoholic options available).

Warm up with a cup of hot (milk, dark, or white) chocolate from the new L.A. Burdick Chocolates Pop-Up at Four Seasons One Dalton (1 Dalton St, Boston, MA 02115) now open daily from 12 to 8 pm.

Get into the spirit of the season at Miracle at Kimpton Marlow Hotel (25 Edwin H. Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 02141) holiday pop-up bar from Thursday, Nov 20, through Sunday, Dec 28. There’s a whole new lineup of seasonal cocktails, served in a limited-edition Santa’s Head, SanTaRex, or Christmas Unicorn.

Get in the holiday spirit at the top of the Prudential Center (800 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199) at View Boston’s Stratus Winter Oasis. Indulge in a festive cocktail or two while surrounded by festive décor and take in unforgettable city views. Note: A ticket to View Boston does not guarantee immediate entry to Stratus.

Every Friday in December, Short Path Distillery (71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149) will transform its Barrelhouse Bar into a Whiskey Wonderland Cocktail Pop Up. The halls will be decked, and the menu will feature festive bites and cocktails, including curated cocktail flights and dessert or nightcap cocktails. Reservations required.

Step into Victorian England with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, performed by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company at Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre (219 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116) from Saturday, December 6, through Tuesday, December 23. Tickets range from $31.63 to $169.13.

Every Saturday from November 29 through December 20, there will be a Holiday Drone Show on Boston Common (139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111) from 6 to 8 pm.

The Holiday Pops with Boston Pops return to Boston Symphony Hall (301 Mass Ave, Boston, MA 02115) on Thursday, December 4 at 7 pm. Performances recur through Wednesday, December 24, and will feature fan-favorite classics like “The 12 Days of Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Jingle Bells,” and more. Tickets begin at $64.99.

Choreographed by Founder and Artistic Director Jose Mateo, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker returns for its 37th year at the Strand Theatre (543 Columbia Rd, Boston, MA 02125) through Sunday, December 21. This simplified rendition was originally choreographed in 1988 and involves over 100 children ages 6-18. Tickets begin at $78.

Another Boston holiday tradition, The Slutcracker, returns for its 18th season at Somerville Theatre (55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA) on Friday, December 5, at 8 pm. Shows recur every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Sunday, January 4. Tickets start at $49.95.

The Boston Ballet is celebrating the opening weekend of The Nutcracker, performed at Citizens Opera House (539 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111), from Friday, November 28, through Sunday, December 28. Tickets range from $50 to $315.

Boston Common Frog Pond Ice Skating is now open. Admission price is based on height: $12 for 58 inches and over, while anyone 58 inches and under is free. Locker rentals and skate rentals are also available.

You can find a full rundown of recurring walking tours, food tours, bus tours, and trolley tours of Boston in my Beginner’s Guide to Boston.

Start your weekend with a dose of wellness at The Hidden Art Gallery (25 Myrtle Street) in Beacon Hill, which hosts weekly Explore Meditation with Watercolor classes. Held every Friday from 3 pm - 6 pm, learn the basics of meditation while intuitively creating with watercolor. Classes are $55.

Reconnect with your ability to digest and rest during a Sound Bath Meditation with Ramon of Ib and Flow (247 Walnut St, Brookline, 02445). Sessions ($50) are held every Sunday.

Wind down from the weekend and prepare for the week ahead with a Grounding Meditation session every Sunday from 5 - 6 pm at Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio (663 Centre Street, Boston, 02130) in Jamaica Plain. Led by Licensed Mental Health Counselor Brennan Mallonnee, you will be guided through techniques on how to calm stress responses and practice trauma-informed grounding techniques for anxiety. Tickets are $20. Yoga mats, cushions, and blankets are available, but you can bring your own.

If you’re trying to bring balance into your life this year, start your Sunday brunch with a gentle yoga flow with Brewery Yoga at Lamplighter CX. The class is held every Sunday from 12:30 - 1:30 pm at Lamplighter Brewing Co.’s CX location (110 North First Street, Cambridge, 02141) in their upstairs taproom. Tickets are $25 and include a beer token or a complimentary non-alcoholic drink.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to navigate Boston by bicycle but have been too intimidated to start, join a Weekend In-And-Back Guided Ride with A Better City TMA. On Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm this spring and summer, join a free, three-hour bicycle ride from one of the many bike paths outside the city (meeting location disclosed upon sign up) and traverse the Urban Loop through downtown before returning to the start location.

Whether you already love screenprinting or are completely new to this printing method, DARK MODE hosts DIY Screenprinting workshops at their storefront in Bow Market (1 Bow Market Way, #24) in Somerville on Friday (7 pm) and Saturday (6 pm and 7 pm) nights. Tickets are $45, including t-shirts.

DARK MODE also hosts Candle-Making and Intention-Setting Workshops every Thursday at 7 pm in their storefront at Bow Market in Somerville. Tickets are $50.

Spend your Friday learning to make classic Italian cuisine with Self Up Cooking Classes (19 Kingston St) in Downtown Crossing from 6 pm - 9 pm. Every week, they host an Italian Dinner with Tiramisu Finale cooking class and dinner experience, where you can learn how to make a three-course meal, including a luscious tiramisu for dessert. Tickets are $100 and include all ingredients.

Natural wine lovers, don’t miss the free wine tastings at Petrova Chocolates (61 Salem Street, Boston, MA) in the North End every Friday (3 - 7 pm) and Saturday (12 - 3). Each week, they open bottles of natural wines from Eastern Europe, such as Georgia, Bulgaria, and Greece. These tastings are free and require no tickets or reservations.

Love Child hosts free wine tastings every Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm and Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm at their South Boston location (364 West Broadway, Boston, MA). These tastings are free and require no reservations.

Coffee lovers, this one is for you. Every Friday at 10 am, Counter Culture Coffee (374 Somerville Ave) in Somerville opens their Training Center for free coffee tastings. Anyone can learn and connect over perfectly brewed, high-quality, sustainable coffee.

Come to DeLuca’s Market Wine Cellar (11 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114) in Beacon Hill for a free wine tasting every Friday from 4 - 7 pm. Every week, resident wine expert Donovan handpicks a mix of familiar favorites and bottles from up-and-coming vineyards or hard-to-find vintages to share among participants. No ticket is required.

On Saturdays, Boston Harbor Distillery (12R Ericsson St, Boston, 02122) leads VIP tours ($50) and barrel-side tastings of their spirits ($20).