The Weekender: December 12 to 15
Go ice-skating in Jamaica Plain, check some holiday shopping off your list, and enjoy the last few days of the semester with friends before winter break begins
Photo via iStock/EyeEm Mobile GmbH
December 12 to 15
Congratulations, Terriers, you’re in the home stretch of finals! The end of each semester always feels a little bittersweet, but luckily, we’ve compiled a solid list of activities to ease exam tension and places you can grab a last-minute secret Santa or white elephant gift, if you need to. We recommend checking out these events and shops to get into the holiday spirit and spend some quality time with friends before heading home!
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Journey back to Victorian England and experience Charles Dickens’ classic story about a miserly man—Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Will Lyman (CFA’71)—who is visited by three ghosts that show him the error of his ways and teach him the true meaning of the holiday season. The production has carols from Dickens’ era. Read the recent BU Today interview with Natalie McKnight, Dickens scholar and dean of BU’s College of General Studies, who served as the production’s dramaturg, or literary editor.
Through Sunday, December 22, Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St., Boston. See dates and times and purchase tickets here.
Holiday Sip and Shop at Trident Booksellers & Cafe
Are you hoping to hit up Newbury Street to get some holiday shopping done? If you’ll be in the area on Thursday night, you can’t miss this Holiday Sip and Shop event hosted by Trident Booksellers & Cafe, across the street from Uniqlo. Gather your friends and stop by to browse their books and enjoy hot chocolate and wine, beer, and cider tasting for those 21-plus. You can even paint a Christmas ornament for your tree or wrap gifts. Additionally, if you’re looking to do something charitable in honor of the holiday season, you can purchase a book from the shop and donate it directly to the store’s children’s book drive.
Thursday, December 12, 5 to 7 pm, Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St., Boston. The event is free, but bring money for drinks, food, and any books you might want to purchase.
Hanukkah Celebration at the Museum of Fine Arts
Although Hanukkah does not start until sundown on December 25 this year, the Museum of Fine Arts is celebrating early. The night will feature DIY collage-making, a photography exhibition of global Jewish communities, a Hanukkah parade, face-painting, self-guided tours, music, and a blessing, among other activities (see the full schedule here).
Thursday, December 12, 5 to 10 pm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. The MFA is free for all BU students; for the general public, there is special pricing for this event: a $5 minimum pay-what-you-wish general admission.
Ice-Skating at the DCR Kelly Outdoor Rink in Jamaica Plain
The temperatures have finally dropped, and that can mean only one thing: it’s ice-skating weather! As long as the forecast permits it, this weekend will be the first that the DCR Kelly outdoor rink is open this winter. They offer $3 skate rentals for patrons of all ages. The rink is accessible to all and can accommodate any level of skating, whether you’re just getting comfortable on the ice or are gearing up to try your hand at a triple axel.
Friday, December 13, noon to 7:30 pm, Saturday, December 14, 1 to 7:30 pm, Sunday, December 15, noon to 7:30 pm, DCR Kelly Outdoor Rink, One Marbury Terrace, Jamaica Plain. Admission is free.
17th Annual North End Holiday Stroll
Looking to plan a farewell dinner with friends before everyone packs up for winter break? The North End is the perfect place for an Italian feast. After you carbo-load, enjoy the neighborhood’s 17th annual holiday stroll. The cobblestone streets will be adorned with lights and holiday decorations, and there will be a handful of pop-up shops, photo ops, and food and drink stands along the way.
Friday, December 13, 5 to 9 pm, corner of Hanover and Cross Streets, North End, Boston. The event is free, but bring money to shop, eat, and drink.
The Fenway Chalet by Cisco
If you’re 21-plus and a fan of the annual Cisco Brewers summer pop-up in Seaport, be sure to check out the winter version in the heart of the Fenway neighborhood, just a quick walk from BU’s campus. Cisco serves beer, wine, and spirits, with proceeds going to Fenway Cares, an initiative made up of six local organizations supporting the Fenway area.
Saturday, December 14, noon to 6 pm, The Station, 1400 Boylston St., Boston. Admission is free, but bring money for drinks and food.
Elf Trivia at Sam Adams Boston Brewery
Buddy the Elf would say “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear”—but we’re pretty sure that attending Elf movie trivia counts, too. Gather your 21-plus friends and head over to the brewery’s Jamaica Plain location to spend your Saturday evening enjoying a drink or two and testing your knowledge at some festive trivia.
Saturday, December 14, 6 to 8 pm, Sam Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St., Jamaica Plain. Admission is free, but bring money for drinks and food.
Holidaze Market
Hosted by the Brighton Bazaar, and just about a mile away from West Campus, the Holidaze Market will feature activities and experiences that everyone can enjoy, such as a wreath-making class, vendors and pop-up shops, a DJ, and holiday card-making.
Saturday, December 14, and Sunday, December 15, 11 am to 6 pm, Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton. The event is free, but bring money to shop, eat, and drink.
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