What to do in Boston this weekend (Dec 5 - 7)

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Michelin-recommended La Padrona is being sued for wage theft. A new lawsuit alleges the Back Bay eatery forced wait staff to share their tips with kitchen staff and managers via a tip pool. This includes shift “captains” who perform managerial duties and “bussers” working primarily in the kitchen. (Axios Boston)

Goodbye, Crudo. The sushi spot first opened its doors at 78 Salem St in 2015, but closed this week. No reason was given, and there is no indication of new plans for the building at this time. (Boston Restaurant Talk)

A White Castle vending machine is coming to Boston Logan. Travelers passing through Boston Logan’s Terminal A will now be able to order what no one else in New England can: a hot White Castle burger. Powered by AI, this burger vending machine will offer a variety of Sliders, including the Original, Cheddar Bacon Cheese, and the Chicken and Cheese Slider. (Boston.com)

What I’m cooking this week:

Orange and Green Line closures are coming.

Prepare to pay if you still don’t have a Real ID. Beginning in February 2026, if you show up to the airport without proper identification — either a Real ID, passport, or other federally accepted forms of ID — you will be fined $45. Plus, you’ll have to go through additional screening to verify your identity. (Afar)

2026 might be a record-breaking year for ballot questions. Lawmakers may ask Bay Staters to weigh in on a long list of issues in the next election, including rent control, recreational cannabis, same-day voter registration, and the state income tax rate. (WBUR)

What I’m listening to this week:

What I’m reading 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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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 have tree delivery.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Boston holiday traditions continue with Handel’s Messiah with Boston Baroque on Friday, December 5, and Sunday, December 7, at NEC’s Jordan Hall (30 Gainsborough St, Boston, MA 02115). Tickets range between $50 and $175.

Visit the Polar Pals Ice Sculpture Display at Danny Lewin Park (130 Broadway, Cambridge, MA) from Friday, December 5, through Sunday, December 7. This is a free event.

Shop everything weird, witchy, and wicked at Krampusfest by The Brighton Bazaar & Notch Brewery on Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, at The Charles River Speedway. Shop from over 60 vendors plus enjoy Krampus carolers, an immersive photo booth, food trucks, and more. Entry is free.

Shop for your Christmas tree on the Common at the Christmas Tree Sale being hosted at Flour Cafe (18 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114) from Thursday, December 4, through Sunday, December 7. You’ll find fresh-cut trees, handmade wreaths, and more. Plus, grab a special edition hot chocolate to keep you warm while you shop.

Help Light up Seaport on Friday, December 5, from 5 to 9 pm at Seaport Common (85 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210). Hang with Betty the Yetti, DJ Brian Halligan, Grace by Nina’s The Gracenotes, Lourde Childs, and more. This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase.

Get in the spirit of the season with the First Fridays: Wintery Mixer at ICA Boston (25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, MA 02210) on Friday, December 5, from 6 to 10 pm. Enjoy live performances by innovative artists part of WBUR’s “The Makers” series, beats by DJ Saucy Lady, activities, and more. This is a free event for ICA members, $35 for nonmembers ($40 at the door).

Start the weekend with a Sound Healing Meditation with Nicole Ward at Down Under School of Yoga - Brookline (1054 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446) from 8 to 9:15 pm. Tickets are $40.

Take your tarot practice to the next level with a Tarot Masterclass at Venus House (16 Cohasset St, Boston, MA 02131) on Saturday, December 6, from 2 to 4 pm. This intermediate-level workshop is intended to explore card symbolism, interpreting cards together, reversals, and different spreads. Participants should have a basic understanding of tarot. Tickets are $40.

Sip through a special range of wines, from bold reds to sparkling whites, at the Winter Wine Preview at Formaggio Kitchen Kandall (94 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139) on Saturday, December 6, from 7:15 to 8:45 pm. Learn which wines to pair with fireside hangs or holiday gatherings. Plus, taste test a variety of small bites from the Formaggio Kitchen cheese counter. Tickets are $50 and include wine and bites. Tickets include a 10% discount on any purchases.

Enjoy a day of celebrating, tasting, and shopping at the Marche de Noel: French Holiday Gift Market on Saturday, December 6, from 10 am to 4 pm at the French Library (53 Marlborough St, Boston, MA 02116). Shop French treats and gifts from a fantastic line-up of vendors, including Black Leaf tea & Culture, Del’s Coffee Roasters, Boutique de Sole, Provence Wine, and more.

Just in time for the gift-giving season, shop the December Book Sale at Boston Public Library Copley Square (700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116) on Saturday, December 6, from 10 am to 4 pm in the Commonwealth Salon. Shop $2 hardcover books and $1 paperbacks, CDs, and DVDs. All proceeds benefit Boston Public Library Programming.

Step on stage and fill your shopping bags at the Boston Women’s Holiday Market at The Huntington Theatre (264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115) on Saturday, December 6, from 11 am to 4 pm. Over 25 women-owned small businesses have a curated collection of thoughtful gifts, including jewelry, accessories, home goods, art, and more.

Get a jump start on your holiday shopping at the Small Mart Holiday Markets on Saturday, December 6, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Crystal Ballroom at the Somerville Theatre (55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02145). Shop over 50 artisans, makers, and vintage vendors with a curated offering of unique, thoughtfully made gifts. Entry is free.

Boston’s professional women’s hockey team, Boston Fleet, takes to the ice in their first home game against league champions Minnesota Frost on Sunday, December 7, at 3 pm at Agganis Arena (925 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215). Tickets range between $37 and $139.

Shop down Newbury Street without dealing with traffic during Open Newbury Holiday Edition on Sunday, December 7, from 10 am to 5 pm between Berkeley and Massachusetts Ave.

Shop, sip, and mingle at The Union Square Jingle on Sunday, December 7, from 1 to 6 pm. Vote in the Storefront Decoration Contest, take selfies with elves on the Festivus Trail, sing along with carolers, and more. This is a free event. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Head Upstairs at Bow (1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA) for a Green & Jolly Holiday Faire hosted by Green Tiger & Co on Sunday, December 7, from 2 to 6 pm. Shop local, eco-friendly makers offering a curated collection of ceramics, jewelry, artwork, and more. Entry is free. BYO tote is encouraged. Please RSVP.

Sam Adams Boston Brewery (30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130) is transforming into a whimsical Winter Market on Sunday, December 7, from 12 to 5 pm. Sip seasonal brews while you shop at local vendors. Entry is free. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

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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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 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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

Ease into the weekend with a Friday Yoga Flow for all levels at Boston Public Library Honan-Allston Branch (300 N Harvard St, Allston, MA 02134) every Friday through September 19 from 3 to 4 pm. This event is free, but registration is required as each class is customized to participants’ preferences. Yoga mats, blocks, and straps will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

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).