365 Things to Do in Boston - New Tips Daily

"This is not your average craft fair - it's more like a party where you can buy stuff!

The Harvard Square Holiday Fair, one of the oldest and most popular fairs in Boston, will celebrate its 30th season in 2015. This year the fair moves to two new locations;

+From December 11 - 13, the fair will be at 50 Church St, 4th floor, with some vendors outside in the courtyard on the corner of Church St. & Mass. Ave.
+From December 18 - 23, the entire fair will move to the lower hall of St Paul's Church at 29 Mt Auburn St. (corner of Bow St. & Arrow St.).

The fair is juried and includes a changing mix of New England craftspeople and world travelling importers featuring many wonderful gift items. There is always a great selection of beautiful, original and affordable gifts. Talking to the craftspeople who make what they sell gives shoppers a connection to what they are buying that is just not possible at the mall, through a catalogue or online.

It's a high energy alternative marketplace with a great soundtrack, where people see old friends and make new ones - a taste of the old Harvard Square. Admission is free."

Treat your loved one to a meal with a view at one of these great restaurants around Boston:

1. Top of the Hub: "A window side table at Top of the Hub may guarantee you one of the best seats in Boston. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows all around, and though it’ll cost you (save a trip here for a special occasion), the bird’s-eye, 360-degree view of the Hub can’t be found anywhere else."

2. Bristol Lounge: "Bristol Lounge’s floor-to-ceiling windows give way to a front-row view of the Boston Common. It’s the kind of place you go to for a bougie Sunday brunch, afternoon tea, or the restaurant’s “Burgers and Burgundy” on Wednesdays (choose four variations of the Bristol burger paired with tastings of two Burgundian-style wines)."

3. Legal Harborside: "The third floor of Legal Harborside, the rooftop lounge and bar, offers a killer view of the harbor and the Boston skyline. Cozy up next to the fireplace and order one of 27 wines available while you catch the city’s winter sky."

4. 75: "75 on Liberty Wharf serves up panoramic harbor views. You can enjoy the scene from within the fully enclosed glass walls or take a seat at the outdoor patio surrounded by heating lamps and eat up contemporary dishes such as a tower of crisp fried calamari and roasted garlic bread."

5. Venezia: "Venezia is tucked away in Dorchester. Its location right on the water and away from the hustle and bustle of the city is perfect for taking in the scent of the harbor and the sight of the city skyline."

"Let Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker capture your imagination and transport you to a magical world of brave toy soldiers and dancing candy canes. Follow Clara as she embarks on her journey filled with colorful characters, breathtaking costumes, and majestic scenery. From the captivating dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the iconic snow scene, this enchanting holiday classic - set to the beloved music of Tchaikovsky - continues to enthrall audiences of all ages. Whether you're seeing it for the first time or it's an annual treat, kick off your holiday season in grand style making memories to cherish with the ones you love."

Click here for the full schedule.

"Don we now our worst apparel! The Ugly Sweater Run is rolling through Boston, December 12th 2015! Run, walk or prance your way through a winter wonderland of holiday inflatables, music, hot chocolate and even some nice beverages for those folks over 21. Bring your holiday best in sweater form as Best Ugly Sweater, Best Kids Sweater and Best Pet Sweater are dished out with some great prizes. Sign up now with code "BOSTONCAL" for $10 off registration!"

Register by clicking here. 

"ZooLights promises to dazzle visitors of all ages this holiday season. Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to bald eagles, Canada lynx, reindeer and arctic foxes.

• Meet Stone Zoo’s reindeer up close during nightly photo opportunities.
• Enjoy holiday hot chocolate with the reindeer (see registration and full details below).
• Have your photo taken with Santa (see video below).

• Lights, Camel, Action!
  Known as "ships of the desert," dromedary camels are incredibly adapted to harsh, arid environments. Learn more about these animals and enjoy a camel's-eye view of ZooLights!
  Camel Rides: $10 per person
• Gift Shop Discount on Member Mondays: Members receive an additional 10% discount on all gift shop purchases on Mondays. That's a 20% savings! Learn more about becoming a member."

"Kick-off the holiday shopping season with Chrismukkah @ SoWa, the new 3-day holiday festival opening with a very special SoWa First Friday on December 4th.

In addition to amping up the outdoor decorations, turning on the music, and spreading some holiday cheer, they'll be erecting a 6,500 square foot heated tent in the 450 Harrison Ave lot, set to be packed with 50 incredibly talented local artisans ready to show off their one-of-a-kind, handcrafted goods & treats.

Outside of the "Big Tent", along Thayer Street, they'll of course have their usual assortment of 90 artist studios, 60 boutiques & galleries, and the always amazing SoWa Vintage Market open for business.

For those bringing an appetite, they also have you covered with a few of Boston's most iconic Food Trucks setting up shop outside, as well as Mohr & McPherson Cafe, Cinquecento & Gaslight just next door.

And if that wasn't enough to get you there... parking & admission will be FREE for all patrons!"

Friday, Dec 4: 5-9PM
Saturday, Dec 5: 10AM-5PM
Sunday, Dec 6: 10AM-5PM

Start your weekend off with a bang at the Institute of Contemporary Art. On the first Friday of each month, from 5pm-10pm, the ICA hosts an after hours event, themed around the current gallery exhibitions. First Fridays feature DJs, live performances, gallery talks, specialty cocktails, and more. The Water Cafe at the ICA offers a small bites menu and full bar - this is where you can find the cocktails inspired by the current exhibitions.

This, Friday, December 4th is Wintry Mixer: "It’s holiday party season and no one does it better than the ICA. First Fridays gets festive with spiced hot toddies, holiday song karaoke, art, and revelry. Watch out for the mistletoe."

"The 4th Annual Celebrity Holiday Tree Auction and Toy Drive Kick-off will be held Thursday, December 3rd at the Seaport Hotel. The evening will feature an auction of extraordinary Christmas trees lit and fully decorated by the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins with priceless items from each team attached! This year’s auction will also include the chance to win a dinner with members of the real life ‘Spotlight’ team (who also had roles in the movie!)…and many more exclusive items.

100% of money raised from tickets sold and the auction and raffles will go to Christmas in the City

The Seaport Hotel will be providing tasty nibbles and a cash bar for guests to enjoy during the event; the hotel will again serve as a toy drop-off location for Christmas in the City, beginning Monday, November 30th. You can literally valet your toys, by pulling up to the valet and either handing them off or running them in to the lobby yourself, to make donating quick and easy!

Christmas in the City (http://www.christmasinthecity.org), a 100% volunteer organization, will hold its 27th Annual Holiday Party this year and is expecting to serve thousands more children this year – so they need more support than ever to meet the need. 5,000 children living in shelters, hotels or transitional housing will attend the celebration with their Mom or guardian. The following day, Christmas in the City will give out toys and clothing, serving 13,000 more children whose families have fallen on hard times and otherwise might find nothing under the tree.

Who: Celebrity guests include Santa Claus and Jake & Sparky Kennedy (founders of Christmas in the City) in addition to the many fabulous supporters of Christmas in the City!

Admission price is a donation of $20! Guests are also asked to please bring ONE toy to donate.
Tickets are available at https://citc2015.eventbrite.com

Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center
Situated on the historic waterfront just minutes from the city’s finest shops, museums and attractions, guests will find a fresh approach to hospitality in the AAA Four Diamond, service fee inclusive, Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center. For more information, please visit www.seaportboston.com"

"Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia, will host Boston’s 74th Annual Official Tree Lighting on Boston Common on Thursday, December 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The holiday lights throughout both parks will light up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when Mayor Walsh is joined onstage by Premier McNeil, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Santa Claus. The show will close with a pyrotechnic display by MagicFire, Inc.

WCVB TV’s Anthony Everett and JC Monahan will host Channel 5’s live broadcast of the event beginning at 7 p.m. featuring cast members from Elf: The Musical, The Voice contestant Michelle Brooks Thompson, Nova Scotia’s Dave Gunning, Black Nativity, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, and Berklee College of Music's co-ed contemporary a cappella group Pitch Slapped.

The holiday decorations throughout Boston Common and the Public Garden include the City of Boston’s official Christmas tree, a 49-foot spruce donated by Andrea and William MacEachern of Lorne in Pictou County, Nova Scotia.

The lighting of the trees on the Common is made possible through the generosity of the Egan Family, the

Lynch Family, the Greater Boston Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston Bruins Foundation, Diversified Automotive Inc., John Moriarty & Associates, Thomas

A. Kershaw, Steward Health Care System, and contributions from other individuals and institutions.

The annual holiday display includes the official Christmas tree from Nova Scotia and trees throughout Boston Common. Refreshments and additional support will be provided by promotional sponsors Dunkin’ Donuts, DAVIDsTEA, Polar Beverages, H.P. Hood LLC, Capital One 360, L.L. Bean, XFINITY, and Essential Water.

This is the 44th year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917, explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor. Within 24 hours of the disaster a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel was making its way from Boston to Nova Scotia."

Thanksgiving is over, which means it's officially Christmas season. Kick it off with SantaCon this Saturday!

Last year, over 2,000 Santa's participated so get ready for even bigger numbers this year! Santa's elves have been working diligently to plan so each stop will have multiple bars. This will be updated as the day gets closer!

Get excited!


START: 12 pm - Game ON! and surrounding Fenway Bars like Cask and Flagon, Bleacher Bar, and Who's On

2:30 pm: Boylston Bars - Lir, Whiskey's, Pour House, Dillon's, and McGreevey's

5 pm: Faniuel Hall Bars - Sissy K's, Wild Rover, Warehouse on Broad Street, etc!

Join the event on Facebook here!