Despite the dropping temperatures, some parts of Boston are keeping busy. You can find hundreds of events on Yelp and the Globe website, but how about I save you some time and tell you about the 3 craft fairs, 2 shows, and 2 other fun events I think are worth it?
Craft Fairs
Harvard Square Holiday Craft Fair – This juried fair (fewer exhibitors, higher quality) has two weekends left in Harvard Square. December 16th-18th and 20th – 24th, check the corner of Church St and Mass Ave for 52 crafts and food vendors from New England and beyond.
Independent Designers Market – This Saturday, December 17th is the last chance to check out this high fashion / indie design market in Harvard Square. They’re open noon to six at 31 Brattle Street, the slightly below street-level space around the corner from Peet’s, across from Bertucci’s, etc.
uForge Arts & Crafts Holiday Fair – For those of you in Green Line territory, Jamaica Plain’s active arts scene has a great event lined up for you. 11 AM – 5 PM on Saturday 12/17 and Sunday 12/18 at Centre Street (uForge Gallery) and Eliot Street (The Footlight Club), they’ve got 35 local artisans displaying their wares, carolers, and refreshments. Checking this out after getting a treat at the must-visit Fiore’s Bakery, then wandering through the shops on Centre Street would be a great way to spend a Sunday.
Music and Shows
Harry and the Potters Yule Ball – Wizard rock band Harry and the Potters headline the lineup at The Middle East December 18th, which also includes the Potter Puppet Pals (funny video below) and the last-ever show of Draco and the Malfoys. $20 for an excellent show, and $5 of each ticket benefits the Harry Potter Alliance (HP fans fighting for social justice). If your brain isn’t boggled by how much awesome this show is, you’ve gotten too used to Cambridge nerdery.
The Slutcracker Burlesque – A racy (think R-rated, not X-rated) parody of The Nutcracker, there are 7 shows left from Thursday night up to a final “XXX-mas eve” performance. Happening at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, it’s a $25 ticket that you should get before they sell out.
Other Awesome Boston Holiday Events
Cookie Swap for a Cause – Bake some cookies and bring ’em to swap, or just pay to fill a bin full of cookies. For each cookie swapped at this event, GLAD’s donating 10 cents to Cookies for Children’s Cancer. Happening Sunday the 18th from 2pm to 5pm. Spread the word; more cookie swappers = more money to fight cancer!
Boston Santacon 2011 – A Christmas-costumed bar crawl is the gift that keeps giving, starting at noon in Porter Square on December 17th. Join hundreds of Santas, elves, reindeer mobsters, and other dressed-up drinkers in spreading Christmas spirit through bars all the way down Mass Avenue.
If I discover other worthy events, I’ll be tweeting about ’em. Follow @JayNBoston for more fun stuff to do around Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.