10 things to do in Boston this weekend
BosTen is your weekly guide to not-lame events in the city.
BosTen is your weekly guide to events and cool happenings in and around Boston. Skip Netflix this weekend—here are 10 ways to get out of your home and not be bored in the city. If you’d like BosTen delivered to your inbox every Thursday, click here. Want more things to do? Check out our events calendar at boston.com/events.
243rd Boston Tea Party Reenactment
As is tradition, a dedicated group organized by the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum and Old South Meeting House will celebrate the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party by faithfully recreating the night when the Sons of Liberty snuck aboard three British ships and dumped 342 crates of tea from the East India Tea Company into the Boston Harbor. Revolutionaries will first gather at the Old South Meeting House to air grievances before parading to the Waterfront for the big event. (Friday, December 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Old South Meeting House; $30; all ages)
Union Square Holiday Market
One of Somerville’s trendiest neighborhoods is hosting some of the city’s trendiest local artists and small business owners for a weekend-long holiday market. With vendors selling everything from art and clothing to dog treats and handmade ceramics, you should be able to find something for everyone on your list. (Saturday, December 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, December 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Warehouse XI; free; all ages)
Cat Cafe at the BUST Holiday Craftacular
Now in its 11th season, the BUST Craftacular is returning at Cyclorama with a wide selection of handmade gifts from indie artists and small businesses and craft workshops so you can learn to make your own. However, the big draw for many will be the Craftacular’s cat cafe, which in the past has drawn huge feline-friendly crowds who desire nothing more than to sip a hot beverage and pet several adoptable cats provided by Broken Tail Rescue. (Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; The Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts; $3; all ages)
7th Annual Ugly Sweater Crawl
Just in case you need an excuse to wear ugly sweaters and drink this holiday season, the seventh annual Ugly Sweater Crawl in Somerville will be held this Saturday. While the roving party is free, organizers have asked crawlers to donate either a non-perishable food item or a new, non-ugly sweater (or other piece of clothing) to the Somerville Homeless Coalition. (Saturday, December 17 starting at 3 p.m.; PJ Ryan’s; free; 21+)
Salem Holiday Market
If you missed last weekend’s SoWa Holiday Market, the Salem Holiday Market will give you another chance to shop for handmade indie crafts and gifts. Run by New England Open Markets, the outfit behind SoWa, Salem Open Market will have more than 90 local regional designers and artists selling their wares. (Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18 from noon to 6 p.m.; Old Town Hall, Salem; free; all ages)
Bill Rodgers’ Jingle Ball 5K Run
The streets of Somerville will jingle on Sunday as hundreds of runners dash through the city as part of the annual Jingle Ball Run. That’s because runners will be given a pair of bells with their race bibs, which should make for a joyful, musical run. Runners will also have access to a post-race party of free beer provided by 18 different bars across Somerville. (Sunday, December 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Corner of Day and Herbert Streets, Somerville; $37; all ages)
Frozen Chanukah
If you missed all the ice skating goodness in Kendall Square last weekend, know that the Cambridge Jewish Center of the Arts is hosting a Hanukkah celebration on ice this coming one. Featuring an appearance by Olaf the Snowman from Frozen, Hanukkah treats, and holiday-themed crafts, the event is perfect for anyone looking for an active afternoon outside. (Sunday, December 18 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Community Ice Skating at Kendall Square; $10; all ages)
Back Bay Chorale’s Boston Christmas
The Back Bay Chorale always draws a big crowd for their annual Christmas performance at the Old South Church, and this year promises to be no different. The chorus will perform songs and arrangements that span five centuries, all of which should bring holiday joy to the audience. (Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m.; Old South Church; $23-69; all ages)
Harry and the Potters’ 12th Annual Yule Ball
The Weird Sisters won’t be at the 12th annual Yule Ball Sunday at the Middle East, but plenty of nonfictional bands celebrating the Harry Potter universe will be. Hosted by Harry and the Potters, a Potter-themed rock group formed by Massachusetts natives Joe and Paul DeGeorge, the ball will also feature the Potter Puppet Pals (a viral hit from the early days of YouTube created by Somerville resident Neil Cicierega), Draco and the Malfoys, The Whomping Willows, and more magical musical acts. (Sunday, December 18 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; The Middle East; $20; all ages)
A Drag Queen Christmas
Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race on Logo TV will want to check out this unconventional holiday show at the House of Blues on Sunday. With performances by former Drag Race contestants Thorgy Thor, Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls, and more, the weekend forecast looks fierce. (Sunday, December 18 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $20-155; all ages)
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