12.20.2023

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Today’s Forecast

37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.

🐋 Whale, did you see that?

New sculptures coming to Downtown Boston

See the larger-than-life interactive art installation now through 2024. | Photo provided by Downtown Boston BID

You don’t have to speak whale to enjoy a new larger-than-life public art experience at Downtown Crossing. Winteractive is a curated and walkable experience that will transport Bostonians into a Canadian mindset for three months in winter 2024.

As of this week, downtown visitors can see the first of 19 art installations. The massive whale titled “Echoes — A Voice From Uncharted Waters” was completed by Mathias Gmachl. The 52-ft, 11,000-pound whale sculpture is located at the corner of Washington and Franklin streets (1 Franklin St.) and features an interactive sound and light display.

The new whale art installation at night in Downtown Crossing — You won’t miss the public art in day or night.
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Photo provided by Downtown Boston BID

The installation was designed for viewers to consider the impact of our everyday activities on the environment. Marine life is influenced by our actions, and if the viewer gets too close, they will hear the noise pollution and echoes from the industrialized world.

More installations will come in mid-January and the public art walk will be on display through winter 2024. Follow along on Instagram for more updates on the new artwork.

Events

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Black Cat Taco Pop-Up | Wednesday, Dec. 20-Friday, Jan. 19 | 5-9 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Visit the Broadway taproom for top-notch tacos by James Beard nominee and executive chef at Krasi, Valentine Howell.
Boston Music Awards | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. | Big Night Live, 110 Causeway St., Boston | $20 | Hear Boston’s finest musicians perform at this ceremony honoring the city’s sundry arts scene.

Thursday, Dec. 21

Harvard Square Holiday Fair 2023 | Thursday, Dec. 21-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | 1 Brattle Sq., Cambridge | Price of purchase | This high-energy alternative marketplace offers goods from New England craftspeople and world-traveling importers.
Hike Boston: Park Ranger Holiday Program | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 4-4:30 p.m. | Boston Common, 131 Tremont St., Boston | Free | This guided park ranger program titled “A Christmas gift from The City of Trees” will explore the significance of why we receive a tree from Halifax each year.

Friday, Dec. 22

Perfume Making Class | Friday, Dec. 22 | 6 p.m. | House of Art and Craft, 524 Western Ave., Boston | $99 | This interactive class will guide you to create your own scent and includes all materials needed.
Santa in the City | Friday, Dec. 22-Sunday, Dec. 24 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Shops at the Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston | Free | Get your family photo with Kris Kringle for the fridge + holiday cards.

Saturday, Dec. 23

Holiday Pasta Ornament Making for Kids | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston | $10 | Join Seven Hills Pasta for a pasta ornament-making session designed for ages three to 12.
Yoga in the Beer Garden | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 9:30 p.m. | Remnant Brewing Company, 2 Bow Market Way, Somerville | $15 | Bring your own mat for this taproom flow session.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

A new Portuguese dining spot called Baleia is opening soon in the South End thanks to a local restaurant group. The team behind RV Boston, The Salty Pig, and Gufo is bringing a ~90 seat eatery to 264 E. Berkeley St. with Portuguese-inspired dishes + cocktails. (Boston Restaurant Talk)

Number

3. That’s how many players the Red Sox are inducting into their Hall of Fame. The players + World Series champions include Jonathan Papelbon, Trot Nixon, and Dustin Pedroia. The induction ceremony for the 2024 Red Sox Hall of Fame class is scheduled for May 29, 2024. (NBC Sports)

Sports

The Patriots have reportedly signed a new quarterback, adding former Jaguars player Nathan Rourke to the team. The 25-year-old is expected to take the third spot behind Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones on the depth chart. (NESN)

Drink

Sip, sip hooray — Esquire’s list of the 50 best martinis in the US features a local bevi. Visit Cambridge to try the Pisco Martini from La Royal. Created by Darra Goldstein, the signature cocktail is known for the horseradish-macerated pisco and the pickled green tomato garnish.

History

Four hand-carved wooden angels have been reinstalled at Old North Church after months of repairs. These are some of the oldest artifacts at the historic property, dating back to the 1620s. The angels can be seen on the church’s gallery railing in front of the pipe organ. (Boston Globe)

Active

The Parks and Recreation Department has announced the launch of the 2024 Boston Parks Winter Fitness Series. This program will offer free virtual classes lead by certified fitness instructors from Sunday, Jan. 7-Saturday, April 6, including sessions on Afrobeats dance, cardio kickboxing, chair yoga, strength and conditioning, and Zumba.

Feel Good

On the “Saturday Night Live” episode with special musical guest Olivia Rodrigo, viewers watched the singer destroy elaborate cakes baked by a Northeastern grad. The cakes were made by Morgan Knight, who started her business in Boston and is now the owner of New York-based bakery Saint Street Cakes. (Boston Globe)

Culture

Keep ‘em busy while visiting in Boston

How to entertain visitors in Boston

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Explore the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill. | Photo via @england_amber

Do you have some out-of-towners visiting for the holiday? We have you covered with things to do to keep them — and yourself — entertained.

Prepare for the arrival of your guests with a refresh on our airport guide.

Make your brunch reservations at one of these eateries or find lunch for $10 or less.

Explore the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood or the artsy community of the South End filled with galleries, pocket parks, and more.

Bring the whole family, fur babies and all, to these dog-friendly places around the city.

Entertain everyone in the family with a visit to these historic streets, nine local movie locations, or one of these 20+ kid-friendly places.

Pull up a stool at one of the oldest bars in the city and stump every visitor with local knowledge on Dunkin’ or these 15 interesting facts about Boston.

Pro tip: Your library card will provide you discounted or free admission to local museums and attractions.

The Buy

The Buy 12.20.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

An Apple Watch Series 9 — because the smartwatch is about to get much harder to find. Starting tomorrow, Apple will pull this smartwatch version from its website due to a patent dispute, with in-store purchases ending Sunday, Dec. 24. Other retailers may continue to sell the model until a final decision is made on an import ban. (Forbes)

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The Wrap

Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica

From the editor

Talk about a detour — travelers on this cruise were planning for a tropical vacation in the Bahamas and ended up visiting Boston, Portland, and Canada. I can relate to the destination disappointment when my own cruise in August was detoured from Mexico to the Bahamas as we were boarding.

Boston is a lot of great things, but our city is not nearly as warm as the Bahamas in December.

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