31 Days of Holiday Treats

There is no shortage of ways to welcome the winter holidays in Boston; the city is a glorious place to celebrate all that is great about the season! So our editors have put their heads together and listed their 31 holiday favorites for the 31 days of December -- it's our special holiday gift to you:

December 1st
Join Boston residents and visitors, and take a spin on the ice at the Frog Pond Skating Rink at Boston Common. The rink is now open from November to mid-March and promises at least 100 days of seasonal skating.

December 2nd
Celebrate Boston's Irish heritage by decorating your home with holly, which grows wild in the south of Ireland. Why not learn more about this and other Irish holiday traditions and make them part of your family's seasonal celebration?

December 3rd
Looking for a great source of model train supplies for the special child or hobbyist on your holiday gift list? Look no further! Charles Ro, America's largest train store, has everything the model train enthusiast could ever want.

December 4th
Don't miss today's lighting of Boston's Official Tree at Boston Common. Note that the City of Boston likes to refer to the tree as its "official non-denominational holiday shrub." Note also, that the tree is part of an annual December display which includes over 80 trees throughout Boston Common.

December 5th
Each year, the Concord Museum presents a holiday festival, adorning the museum's rooms with period-style decorations and settings, and featuring special events. This year, from December 5 to January 4, the Museum will be filled with trees of all shapes and sizes, whimsically and wonderfully decorated with original ornaments inspired by cherished children’s storybooks, contemporary picture book favorites, and beloved holiday tales. Visit the museum's web site or call 978-369-9609 for additional information.

December 6th
Throughout the afternoon, Mayor Tom Menino and Santa Claus will once again hit the road to bring some Christmas cheer to 15 Boston neighborhoods with the Macy's Enchanted Trolley Tour and Tree Lightings.

December 7th
Today and through the 14th, the Riverside Theatre Works presents a heart-warming performance of "Miracle on 34th Street" -- don't miss this Christmas classic!

December 8th
We adore the Boston Ballet's presentation of The Nutcracker. But sometimes it's fun to see a twist on a much-loved classic. In that case, check out Anthony Williams' Urban Nutcracker, which sets the fairytale in contemporary Boston and fuses the ballet with a modern sensibility.

December 9th
Donate a brand-new toy to a needy child via Toys for Tots and feel good knowing that you've helped make the world a cheerier place.

December 10th
Plan to attend Beacon Hill's 11th Annual Holiday Stroll tomorrow night. Take the kids to Hill House (firehouse) on Mt. Vernon from 3:00 to 6:45PM for free pictures with Santa. Gather round & join the Victorian Carolers as Santa lights the tree at the corner of Charles & Mt. Vernon at 7PM. Stop in the festive shops & businesses along Charles Street for refreshments & holiday well wishes. Take a buggy ride down Charles Street & enjoy the beauty of 65 gaslights topped with holiday greens & bows.

December 11th
Starting tonight and running through December 28th, the Boston Pops offers a program of holiday music. Treat yourself and your loved ones to one of Boston's most treasured Christmas traditions. You'll be transformed by the elegance of historic Symphony Hall, enchanted by the sound of the beloved Boston Pops, and moved by the good-will and cheer felt by all.

December 12th
Be especially good to your friends and family and give them a bit of Boston for the holidays (or for any special occasion). We've gathered together a few ideas to get you started.

December 13th
The 5th annual SoWa Holiday Market (so named because it is located in Boston's trendy Sowa Arts and Media District), which is open today and tomorrow, features 80 artisans from around New England who have crafted jewelry, pottery, paintings, soaps, ornaments and much more -- making it a great place to find an original gift for everyone on your list.

December 14th
This afternoon and three times next weekend, the 150 voices of the Boston Gay Men's Chorus will join in harmony for Stars: A Holiday Celebration, a heartwarming and entertaining tour of holiday music and traditions.

December 15th
Boston's Official Tree on the Boston Common isn't the only one in town: check out others at Copley Square and at Old Ironsides.

December 16th
Don't miss the ZooLights at the Stoneham Zoo! This annual winter wonderland attracts thousands of visitors who get into the holiday spirit by strolling along tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights.

December 17th
Take a break from your holiday shopping and visit the Holiday Village at Downtown Crossing where you can enjoy live musical performances, visits from Santa, live animal education, a kiddie carousel, carolers, and much more each day.

December 18th
As the Winter Solstice approaches, check out the night sky at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics' monthly Observatory Night. This event is open to both young and old no reservation necessary. Space is limited so first come first served. Doors open at 7pm however the program does not begin until 7:30pm.

December 19th
Celebrate the seaon by attending a performance of the 38th annual production of The Christmas Revels, which evokes the joys of the holidays with a riot of carols, anthems, rounds, and old favorites.

December 20th
See Santa today! The Shops at Prudential Center are proud to partner with Globe Santa this holiday season to bring Santa Claus to the Center for pictures. Santa will be on site the first three Saturdays and Sundays in December (December 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21).

December 21st
It's time for A Bach Christmas! Ring in the holidays with a joyous program of Bach’s timeless Christmas music performed by the Handel & Haydn Society.

December 22nd
Hanukkah starts today! From 2:30pm-7:00pm, you can enjoy the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah at the Brewer Fountain at Boston Common (the fountain is half a block down from Park Street Station). This event runs through Sunday, December 29.

December 23rd
We've found a list of Santa sightings in the Boston area (just in case you haven't had time to get the classic photo op yet).

December 24th
Christmas Eve is, for many of us, a time to celebrate with sacred music and services; here's a list of Boston churches to help you find the time and place that suits you best.

December 25th
Ok, you've opened the stockings and all the presents, now what? Many Boston establishments are closed in honor of the Christmas holiday, but we've got a list of what to do on Christmas Day.

December 26th
Kwanzaa begins today. Celebrate this seven-day festival by learning about the Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles of Kwanzaa).

December 27th
We love walking around Beacon Hill in the early evening, as it begins to get dark and the gas lamps illuminate the stately brick town houses. Chestnut and Mt. Vernon are particularly lovely streets. While we stroll along, we check out everyone's holiday decorations.

December 28th
Enjoy a walking tour of Boston's best Jewish cuisine which features tastings of Gefilte Fish, Matzo Ball Soup, Latkes, Falafel, Kosher wine, and much more from the best of Brookline’s purveyors. Best of all, in this cold weather, all the stops and tastings are indoors!

December 29th
Feel the need to get outside for some exercise after all that holiday feasting? Take the ski train from Boston's North Station to Fitchburg, and then grab the free shuttle to the slopes (about 20 minutes from train station). Wachusett Mountain (“Wachusett” is the Algonquin Indian word for “The Great Hill”) offers skiing and snowboarding on 100 acres of terrain. And on clear days, look for views of the city from the mountaintop.

December 30th
The shopping is done, the gifts have been distributed, you've celebrated with family and friends. So now it's time to enjoy a relaxing evening at one of The Boston Insider's favorite restaurants.

December 31st
Boston originated the First Night concept -- an alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration for the entire family -- which has since become popular in many other cities. Boston's city-wide New Year's Eve party typically includes both indoor and outdoor locations and hundreds of musical, dance, theater and other artistic performers. Visit the First Night web site to learn more about what you can do with a First Night button.

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