Events

10 things to do in Boston this weekend

BosTen is your weekly guide to the best events and coolest happenings in and around Boston.

Urban Nutcracker. Petr Netlicka

5 minutes to read

With more and more Massachusetts businesses and cultural institutions reinstating COVID-19 restrictions in the face of a resurgent coronavirus pandemic, residents may be torn on whether to venture out of their homes this weekend. With that in mind, this week’s BosTen offers a mix of in-person and virtual things to do in Boston this weekend. Have an idea about what we should cover? Leave us a comment on this article or in the BosTen Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Make a triumphant return to the Cantab Lounge

When the Cantab Lounge went up for sale in July 2020, many of its regular patrons feared the worst: that the Cambridge stalwart would close its doors, never to reopen. Well, those fears can be put to bed. The bar and music venue has reopened, and will host a grand opening celebration on Thursday featuring longtime residents The Chicken Slacks. Admission is free, the beer is cold, and all you have to do is find a free seat and settle in for a night of great music.

Sip holiday drinks with the Boston.com Cocktail Club

The rapid ascendance of the omicron variant has thrown some holiday parties into flux this year. If you’re still planning to host, however, why not mix up a signature cocktail for your shindig? This Thursday at 7 p.m., Boston.com’s virtual cocktail club is ringing in the holiday season as host Jackson Cannon (The Hawthorne, Eastern Standard) and guest bartender Doug Capozzoli (Brasserie) mix up a pair of drinks perfect for holiday parties. The duo will start with a Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail and finish with a New Orleans Milk Punch, both of which can be easily scaled up to serve large groups. Attending the Zoom is free, and you can find a full list of necessary ingredients here.

Treat yourself to a holiday lunch at Grill 23 & Bar

The year is almost over, our brains are likely mush, and we need a little extra something to break up the work week. If ever there was a time to treat yourself to a long, mid-day lunch, this is it. Grill 23 is bringing back its traditional holiday lunch on Thursday and Friday, featuring limited-time entrées and à la carte classics like steak frites, a New England lobster roll, and pan-roasted sea scallops. After your meal, take a moment to appreciate the holiday decorations that adorn every inch of the decked-out Back Bay restaurant.

Settle in for some warm jazz guitar from John Pizzarelli

World-renowned guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli will be in town this weekend, playing a pair of shows with his trio at Scullers Jazz Club on Friday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Pizzarelli is known for mixing up his styles, so expect a blend of acoustic and electric, jazz and pop, instrumental and vocals, and some solo pieces in order to give upright bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah Thompson a breather.

Sing along with the Cambridge Christmas Revels

A time-honored holiday tradition returns to Cambridge starting this Friday as the Cambridge Revels gather at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre for their annual Christmas show, a musical journey through holiday celebrations of the past from around the world. This year, the show is set in a traditional 17th century English pub named George and Dragon famed for its Christmas sing-alongs. As modern-day locals fret about COVID upending their annual caroling celebration, they are visited by travelers from the past who bring 17th-century hymns and tunes to save the day. For those who prefer to enjoy the holiday merriment from home, an enhanced, live video recording of the show, which will be performed from December 17-29, will be available online from December 30 through January 9.

Clap your hands to the rhythms of “A Celtic Christmas Sojourn”

Tickets for “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn” are already limited, and for good reason: For nearly two decades, Brian O’Donovan’s live stage spin-off of his weekend WGBH radio show has entertained audiences and informed them about the musical and historical Celtic, pagan, and Christian traditions associated with Christmas. There’s plenty to learn, but arguably the best parts are the great fiddle tunes and traditional Celtic dancing. The show runs at the Cutler Majestic Theater from Friday through Sunday, and will also be streaming online from December 18-26.

Do some last minute shopping at Night Shift Brewing’s Winter Market

Consider this your chance to scoop up those last few presents, eat some great food, and relax with a beer. Night Shift’s Everett taproom will host a winter market on Saturday, featuring local vendors like All She Wrote Books, Barry’s Hot Sauce, Coffee Bean Knitting, J.G Clay, and more. Stay caffeinated with some coffee from the Night Shift coffee cart from noon to 5 p.m. (there’s hot cocoa, too, for those trying to avoid caffeine), then head to the Night Shift Eats truck for some food. DJ Panda will be spinning beats from noon to 4 p.m., keeping you hyped up as you check off everything on your wishlist.

Feel the movement of “Urban Nutcracker”

More than 150 dancers will take the stage starting this Saturday to present Anthony Williams’ holiday show, which is set in Boston and is celebrating its 20th season. Featuring an array of dance styles and jumping between Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker compositions and the rhythms of artists like Duke Ellington, the show offers a fresh take on a time-honored tale.

Get a glimpse into Senses, a new Cambridge restaurant

Senses originally opened with takeout only in 2020, but is dipping its toes into the dine-in experience with pop-ups and private dining from December to February. On Saturday, the Kendall Square restaurant will launch its first pop-up dinner with two seatings starting at 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The four-course, prix-fixe dinner ($80 per person, $120 with wine pairings) will highlight Senses’ New England-focused cuisine, with a night filled with food, drinks, and live music. To reserve a spot, send an e-mail to [email protected].

Build a gingerbread house (and drink some beer) at Aeronaut Brewing

Enjoy sweet treats and suds this Sunday at Aeronaut Brewery’s gingerbread house workshop. Sign up for one of three hourlong sessions via Eventbrite, and you’ll be given supplies to make your very own gingerbread construction. Live music is on the menu at the Somerville hotspot as well, so feel free to stick around even when your three-story icing-covered edifice is complete.

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