For the rest of the best entertainment in Boston during the holidays, visit our Winter Arts Guide.
A new generation of holiday traditions
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Your holiday season doesn’t have to be traditional this year. Sure, you may still bust out that wacky holiday sweater, decorate ye ol’ Christmas tree and attend the annual company holiday party. But with the help of a few quirky and unique holiday events, find some exciting new ways to celebrate the season.
Bust Craftacular
Featuring more than 100 craft vendors peddling sassy greeting cards, leather backpacks and other unique gifts, Bust’s annual indie craft fair is the perfect place to find an eclectic, last-minute present for the difficult person on your shopping list. It’s also a fun, off-beat outing in itself, offering free flower crowns, jewelry and map-making workshops, an Ugly Sweater Photo Booth and a Cat Cafe — adoptable cats and kittens included.
Dec. 17 and 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Boston Center for
the Arts Cyclorama
539 Tremont St.
$3, bust.com
“The Slutcracker”
This isn’t your mother’s retelling of “The Nutcracker.” The annual satirical production brings together burlesque performers, ballerinas, hula-hoopers and belly dancers to tell a sexually charged version of the holiday classic. It’s a Christmas story of transformation … and a risque, over-the-top awakening of sorts.
Dec. 2-31
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square
Somerville
$28, theslutcracker.com
“Urban Nutcracker”
Watch a modern multi-cultural adaptation of the 19th century classic featuring ballet, tap, hip-hop and even flamenco dancing. Dancers of all ages tell a unique, Boston-inspired version of the holiday tale. And the musical accompaniment — a mix of Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington’s inspired tunes — brings a breath of city air to the classical score.
Dec. 16-31
Back Bay Events Center
180 Berkeley St.
$25+, urbannutcracker.com
Christmas Revels
See and hear the holiday celebrated from a different perspective this year. This winter, the Revels follow French immigrants who were displaced to the Louisiana bayou from the Canadian border. Expect fiddle tunes, the Cajun two-step as well as familiar holiday folk songs like “Lord of the Dance” and the “Sussex Mummers Carol” at this winter solstice celebration.
Dec. 9-27
Sanders Theatre
45 Quincy St.
Cambridge
SantaCon Boston
Have you ever wanted to barhop with hundreds of merrymakers dressed in Santa costumes? Here’s your chance. Join the raucous, daylong pub crawl that parades through the unsuspecting streets of Boston. Just don’t drink too much — you don’t want to make a fool of yourself while you’re dressed as Santa.
Dec. 10, noon-10 p.m.
Game On! Fenway
82 Lansdowne St.
Free, santacon.info
Daybreaker BOS: The Holiday Get Down
Get into the holiday spirit with this prework dance party. The alcohol-free event begins with yoga at 6 a.m. before launching into a wholesome, exciting morning of music and dancing. Dress in your finest holiday garb and whip out the moves you’ve been practicing all year long.
Dec. 1, 6-9 a.m.
Quincy Market
1 South Market Building
$20-$35, daybreaker.com
Boston Tuba Christmas Concert
Take in the impressive sight of over 100 Boston-area tuba players celebrating the holiday season with a free outdoor concert. Expect to see tuba players of all ages performing booming, feet-tapping renditions of holiday classics new and old.
Nov. 26 at 2 p.m.
Outside of Faneuil Hall
Free, bostontubachristmas.com
“Killer Claus”
Enjoy your holidays with a side of mystery. “Killer Claus” is an interactive comedy and murder mystery with some Christmas flavor. Enjoy a holiday dinner with some unusual company and then try to figure out who killed a member of the Claus family. Let’s just say that Santa’s family isn’t as innocent as you thought.
Saturdays, Nov. 26-Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
The Elephant & Castle Restaurant & Pub
161 Devonshire St.
Rockin’ Holiday Flea Market and Bloody Mary Bash
Put some party in your holiday shopping ritual. Find vintage clothing, rare vinyl, jewelry, artwork, music memorabilia and more at this rock ‘n’ roll-themed holiday market. And you don’t have to do it sober, either: they’ll be serving booze and tunes, too.
Dec. 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
ONCE Somerville
156 Highland Ave. Somerville
Free
