Are the kids in your world a little overwrought this month, thinking too much about that big guy in red? Reserve part of the coming weekend to calm them (and yourself) down with a not-Christmas diversion that is also healthy for their bodies and minds. Here are some excellent ideas, both indoors and outdoors: Mosaic…
The Trustees of Reservations presents a new holiday event — Winter Lights at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, MA, and The Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover, MA. Each weekend brings performances and activities for the whole family. FAQs for Naumkeag. FAQs for Stevens-Coolidge Place. Are you having doubts whether this is worth the trip? Check out these glorious photos…
Find the biggest and best Christmas lights this holiday season in Boston, courtesy of TheBostonCalendar.com. Find them all on this map. Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular (After the initial lighting, Faneuil will conduct nightly lightings as part of the “Blink! Light and Sound Show“) Map Boston Common Tree Lighting Ceremony Map. Copley Square Tree Lighting Map Holiday Trellis Lighting:…
Wassail Weekend and Parade 2018 Village Green, Woodstock, VT Dec. 7-98 Wassail Weekend is a celebration of the sights, sounds, and spirit of Christmas in a beautiful Vermont village at many events, including Christmas story readings and a town bonfire. The parade on Saturday at 2 p.m. is unlike any other parade you’ve…
Many public holiday tree-lighting ceremonies are coming up soon in towns and cities around New England. Usually these early-evening events are accompanied by live music, maybe cocoa and cookies, even a visit from Santa Claus and his missus. In the downtowns, the festivities sometimes come with hospitality and sales by Main Street merchants. They’re easy…
SoWa Winter Festival in Boston, MA, on Nov. 30-Dec. 2; Dec. 7-9 The hipster haven that is the SoWa Art + Design District at 450 Harrison Avenue hosts its Winter Festival among artist studios, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. A Makers Marketplace will serve up food vendors and festive drinks in the SoWa Power Station. Also, you will find…
A wonderful place for gift shopping for adults and kids is the museum stores adjacent to most major museums in New England. At these artful places, you can hone down the theme of your gift-giving to the topics that your friends love most. For example: find lighthouse models and sea charts at Maine Lighthouse Museum…
This coming Christmas and Hannukah, don’t give things as gifts — give joy. That often comes through adventures, trips, vacations, and other once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like a cruise on a Maine windjammer or a luscious weekend at a distinctive New England bed-and-breakfast. On Cyber Monday, find wonderful deals here: Stunning Weekapaug Inn offers stunning 30% off…
Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience Are you weary of all that reading? This show at the Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston through November 25, attempts to condense all the Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) into less than an hour and a half. The hilarious production, lauded by many reviewers, features all…
Adonis Puentes & the Voice of Cuba Orchestra Rockland, Maine It’s getting chilly outdoors, but any season is right for hot! Latin! Jazz! Adonis Puentes’s rich, soulful voice is the perfect front for his all-acoustic orchestra, layering traditional Cuban rhythms with deep bass lines, jazzy horns, and his melodic guitar. This singer and composer…