What are your favorite holiday activities in or near Boston?

[porterhouse]

Originally Posted by lrfox

If anyone has a chance, I'd take a long weekend and drive to Quebec City. I'm still floored at how many people haven't discovered this place yet. It's 6 or so hours of easy (all highway through the mountains so zero traffic) driving from Boston and it's cheap and absolutely gorgeous.

I agree, Quebec city is fantastic, and affordable. I wish there was a nonstop flight from BOS. The drive is doable, but a 1 hour flight would be even better!

[MMS02760]

If you have young children that like the Polar Express Christmas book, there is a Polar Express train ride that departs Woonsocket, RI most weekends during the holiday season. It travels along the Blackstone River/Valley in south central MA. It is a 90-minute excursion on a real-life train with storytelling, sing-a-longs, games, delicious cookies, hot chocolate served in a collectable souvenir mug, and a special visit from Santa where he personally delivers the first gift of Christmas to every child (a bell). Many of the parents and children passengers dress in pajamas as per the story.

Link:
THE POLAR EXPRESS<SUP>TM</SUP> Train Ride - Rhode Island Blackstone Valley New England Christmas Tour

[KJMoves]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

I still think Blink is a good take, as it's great for the modern attention span nowadays: only ten minutes. It's a computerized tree, with nearby tall trees also blinking to recorded holiday music of the Boston

I should have been more clear, you should avoid the "opening night" for Blink, especially with a toddler--when we tried to attend, it was out of control crowded, and you couldn't get near the place. Faneuil Hall is fun on a normal night at Chrstmas time!

[495neighbor]

Ice skating at the Frog Pond, First Night activities are my favorites.

[Cloudship]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

I still think Blink is a good take, as it's great for the modern attention span nowadays: only ten minutes. It's a computerized tree, with nearby tall trees also blinking to recorded holiday music of the Boston Pops.

Then stroll to Ghirardelli chocolate store for hot chocolate next to Quincy Market and/or Chipyard cookies, fresh baked on premisis, in Quincy Market.

Yes, walk the Commonwealth Avenue Mall... past some statues,..the white lights in the trees are wonderful... especially if snowing or freshly fallen snow.

There's also "Urban Nutcracker" and the Boston Children's Choir may have a holiday show. Isn't Elf on stage here this year? H&H Messiah plays a show at Symphony annually. I always hear commercials for "Christmas Revels" at Sanders Theater in Cambridge.

Yes, the City Hall skating and food chalets was nice last year, their first. Haven't heard any mention this year. I thought it was a five-year contract?

There's often carrolers in front of Faneuil Hall... check their website.

Personally I would give Blink! a pass. It is not even well done. I think the tree itself looks better when they don't have the light show. Yes the market is back at City Hall Plaza. That is worth a visit. And stop in Faneuil Hall proper (not Quincy Market) - I think those chops are more in keeping with the spirit. Go walk around the North End, too, and it is right there. One of the bakeries is always a treat, but the lines are sometimes far too long.

Not so impressed with Downtown Crossing or the Common any more. Macy's still has some window displays, but the tree no longer blinks. The new LED lights on the trees on the common are just kind of thrown up there now. Back when they had the draping big lights it was always magical strolling down the main walkway.

'course the real tradition is the Holiday Pops. You owe it to yourself to see it at least once.

[lrfox]

Charles Street is always worth walking in the holidays. Beacon Hill is arguably Boston's most beautiful neighborhood and it's worth a visit. The Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll was earlier this month, but it's worth adding to your calendar for next year.

[bostonguy1960]

The Seaport, believe it or not, nowadays has three fairly large lighted trees scattered about...from the beginning of the Moakley bridge near the lobster shop, the small "common" on Seaport Boulevard across from Ben & Jerry"s as well as a smaller tree across from Legal Test Kitchen. And the area of the new Icon movie theatre near the new upscale chain boutiques has a cluster of small trees lighted for their first holiday there.

100 Northern Ave, a new office building near the former Anthony's Pier 4, as well as small lighted sidewalk trees near Committee and Empire restaurants now make that area more inviting during the holidays. Not worth a detour, but brightens up parts of the area for those already walking around.

And the Top of the Pru has been lighted in a different color(s) for each December night for the past few years. It's part of the 31 Nights of Light, each night recognizing a local charity or non-profit during the holiday season (charities listed each night on their website); on January 1, the Pru's iconic white light bulbs surrounding the top are then regularly displayed at night save for certain colors for special events or tributes during the year. Boring?..well, I doubt many even know about the 31 Nights of Light while driving by regularly.

[Frihed89]

This may be very dated. But my mother and I used to go up to Louisburg Square on Beacon Hill on Christmas Eve and listen to Christmas carolers in the late 40s and early 50s. A check on the www shows this tradition is being maintained.

[dazzleman]

One of my favorite holiday events in Boston was a reading of "A Christmas Carol" at the Omni Parker House. It was a really nice event, with warm cider and ginger bread cookies served.