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December 1, 2014
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Deals & Promos
Holiday Shopping Hours
Announcements
BID Ambassador Services & Links
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This Week's Featured Event
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Get Your Tickets Now for the The Boston Ballet's 'Nutcracker'
The Boston Ballet's "Nutcracker" is a holiday tradition for the entire family. This critically-acclaimed production debuted in 2012 with new sets and costumes, and drew rave reviews from critics. This year's production opened on November 28th and runs through December 31st.
Get swept away by the music of Tchaikovsky, with choreography by Mikko Nissinen. Please click here for tickets and showtimes. |
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Boston's Official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 4th
The City of Boston's annual Christmas tree was delivered to the Boston Common on November 21st. The tree is near the Boston Visitors Center at 139 Tremont St.
The official tree lighting ceremony will take place from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, December 4th, with the tree being lit at approximately 7:55 pm.
This year marks the 43rd anniversary of Boston's Christmas tree being an annual gift from the people of Nova Scotia. This is a way for the people of Halifax to thank Boston for providing emergency assistance when Nova Scotia's capital was devastated by a wartime explosion in 1917.
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Learn About 'That Pesky Tax on Tea' at Old South Meeting House
There are three opportunities at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) this week to learn about the Boston Tea Party.
The OSMH is hosting a "Holiday Open House - A Tea Party Celebration" on Friday, December 5th and Saturday, December 6th from 10 am to 4 pm. The OSMH is where more than 5,000 colonists gathered in 1773 to protest the tax on tea - and started a revolution with the Boston Tea Party. Meet colonial characters, enjoy a cup of tea, and discover if you would have been a Patriot or Loyalist in 1773. Click here for daily schedule. This is free and open to the public.
On Friday, December 5th, the OSMH and The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum are co-presenting "That Pesky Tax on Tea!" at 12:15 pm. Listen to an exchange between a Son of Liberty and a Tory as they spar on matters of tea and taxes, law and liberty in 1770s Boston. Then join the conversation. Presented by actors from the museum. This program takes places during the Holiday Open House and is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required by clicking here. |
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Enjoy the Strolling Holiday Brass Band and Twilight Carolers This Holiday Season in Downtown Boston
Returning this season are two very popular entertainment groups - the Downtown Holiday Brass Band, and Twilight Carolers! Both groups will be strolling throughout the Downtown Boston streets performing holiday classics for everyone to enjoy.
The Twilight Carolers are comprised of four Berklee College of Music students and will perform December 1st through December 23rd from noon to 2 pm.
 The four-piece Downtown Holiday Brass Band will be performing from November 28th through December 23rd from noon to 2 pm. |
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Free Dry Styling and Manicures at Girls Night Out at GEM on December 3rd
GEM Italian Kitchen Nightclub and Lounge (42 Province St.) is hosting a Girls Night Out Holiday Soiree Edition on Wednesday, December 3rd.
Enjoy bubbles and bites with complimentary dry styling, manicures, and more while perusing clothing and jewelry selections. The first 50 to arrive will receive gift bags. There will be music by Malyna. This event is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Come by after the event for $1 oysters, $5 lobster rolls, and $6 sangria. RSVP to [email protected] by Dec. 1.
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Macy's Visitor Center Distributing Savings Passes, Candy Canes, and a Visit from Kilroy of Boston Duck Tours
On Monday, December 8th from 12 pm to 3 pm, Macy's Visitor Center (1st Floor) will spread holiday cheer and distribute savings passes and candy canes to all store guests. Kilory, the Boston Duck Tours' mascot, will make a guest appearance and the Downtown Boston Holiday Brass Band will play holiday music.
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Historic Holiday Stroll on the Freedom Trail with Holiday Cheer at the Omni Parker House
Enjoy the Historic Holiday Stroll this holiday season by walking the Freedom Trail and discover how Boston's holiday traditions evolved. Led by 19th century costumed guides, this tour is complete with Boston cream pie, hot chocolate, tea, or wine at the Omni Parker House.
The Historic Holiday Stroll is running now through January, Thursday to Sunday, 3:30 pm, and is a 90-minute tour. The tour departs from the ArtsBoston BosTix Booth at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Tickets are $32 for adults, $22 for children. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. For reservations and questions please click here or call 617-357-8300. |
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DePrisco Jewelers Offering 30% Off Stackable Bangles This Week
DePrisco Jewelers (333 Washington St.) is offering 30% off all stackable bangles through December 7th. A printed coupon is required. Click here for a coupon.
This offer pertains to all stackable bangles in all styles, sterling silver, semi precious stones, designers Charles Garnier, Thistle & Bee, and more! |
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DeScenza Diamonds Celebrating 100th Anniversary with Open House
DeScenza Diamonds (387 Washington St. 6th Floor) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with an open house on Thursday, December 4th from 5 to 8 pm at all four of its locations.
Come for a night of champagne, hors d'oeuvres, door prizes and gift bags for all. |
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Special Holiday Rates for Pi Alley Garage for Online Purchases
The Pi Alley Garage (275 Washington St.) is offering Special Holiday Rates only for online purchases.
On weekdays Monday through Friday 5 am to 4 pm you will pay $20 (up to 3 hours)and on nights and weekends Monday through Friday 4 pm to 5 am and Saturday/Sunday 5 pm to 5 am you will pay $8 up to 8 hours. Click here to take advantage of these discounted rates.
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Mayorsholiday.com Saves You $$, Provides Info on Free Events, Dining Deals, and More
Now through New Year's Day Mayorsholiday.com is a great way to learn about thousands of 1/2 price tickets to more than 100 theater, music and dance performances throughout the Greater Boston region. The website also provides info on free festivities, dining deals, gift ideas, and more. Mayor's Holiday is produced by ArtsBoston, and created in partnership with the City of Boston, Mayor Martin Walsh, and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Click here for the website. |
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Macy's Friends and Family Sale Ongoing Through December 8th
Macy's Friends and Family Sale is back for your holiday shopping season.
Find a gift for everyone on your list, and take an extra 25% off most purchases, including designers such as: Northface, Levi's, Helly Hansen, Polo, Hotel Collection and more. Cosmetics and fragrances are excluded. Also, take an extra 10% off electrics, electronics, furniture, rugs/floor coverings, and mattresses. The sale begins December 3rd. No time to shop? Call Macy's By Appointment line and let them do the shopping for you at 617-357-3491/3485. |
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Construction & Utility Work Updates
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Floor by Floor, Millennium Tower Going Up and More
Downtown Boston is continually transforming, with new buildings rising, as well as transportation projects taking place underground and at street level. Looking for the latest updates on developments, construction, sidewalk closings, and more? Click here. |
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BID Internships Available
The Downtown Boston BID is seeking qualified, enthusiastic interns to assist with the following projects: - Office administration and customer service
- Policy research and analysis
- Data collection, input and management
Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. |
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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
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Now Open! The Downtown Holiday Market Moved to Tello's on Washington St.
The 7th annual Downtown Holiday Market is now open with several exciting new changes in its new pop-up location at 459 Washington St. (former Tello's location).
This year the BID received designing assistance from students in the Fashion Design and Merchandising program of Bay State College. The BID reached out to the college for the students to decorate the market and store windows.
 | | Left to right: Kayla Turke, Rachael Rockwell, and Yanai Dandridge work together to wrap a present for a display in the Downtown Holiday Market. |
"This is what we train the students to do - visual merchandising," said Donna-Marie Cecere, Chair of the Fashion Design and Merchandising program at Bay State College. "So this is a perfect opportunity to practice what they've been learning." "With a lot of schools they don't let you into the field. Being in fashion we're learning how to work together and be visually creative together," said Yanai Dandridge.
Hot Sauce, Jewelry, Honey, and Silk Scarves!
This week the market features local artists and craft vendors selling items including jewelry, hot sauces, honey, and silk scarves.
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Alex Bourgeois of Alex's Ugly Sauce offers small-batch hot sauce at the Downtown Holiday Market.
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Take a Picture with Santa for FREE
Santa Claus will also be at the market everyday from noon to 2 pm through December 23rd. It is FREE to take a picture with Santa - just bring your own camera.
Santa Claus will be at the market on weekends for an extra hour from 3 to 4 pm.
The Downtown Holiday Market is open 7 days a week from 11 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday, and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday. The market's last day is January 10th, 2015.
Also, please remember that Downtown Boston's street vendors will be selling food, clothing, memorabilia, and more all season long! |
Milk Street Cafe Celebrates 33rd Birthday
with New Menu Items and
Newly-Renovated Space
"Thirty-three years we've been here. After 33 years it's time to do a renovation to the original cafe," said Marc Epstein, owner of the Milk Street Cafe. Along with a new chic renovation that was completed in the last month, the cafe also added many new menu items to its cafe that were successful on its catering menu.
"We have lots of different choices. You can get sushi. She can get a salad. And I can get a corned beef sandwich," said Epstein about the business that is an original tenant at 50 Milk St.
"Our motto is - dining together, eat what you love," said Beth Epstein, director of marketing, and Marc's wife. Beth said the cafe started as a vegetarian cafe and that 90% of its current business derives from catering. So it made sense to add catering items like sushi, espresso, meat sandwiches, vegetarian and meat soups, hot entrees, and daily specials (that can be found on the Milk Street Cafe website here).
The Epsteins have also always enjoyed being a part of giving back to the community, and with that in mind they donate leftovers four days a week to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, and one day a week to Gittel's Kitchen in Brighton.
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'Excerpts from the Photography Atelier 20' Featured at New Griffin Museum Exhibit in Lafayette City Center Passageway
A new Griffin Museum of Photography exhibit, "Excerpts from the Photography Atelier 20," featuring the works of 13 photographers, is now on display in the Lafayette City Center Passageway.  | | "St. Anthony's Feast" by Cindy Weisbart |
Photography Atelier, now in its 21st year, is a unique portfolio-making course for emerging to advanced photographers offered at the Griffin Museum in Winchester. In addition to guidance and support in the creation of a body of work, the class prepares artists to market, exhibit and present their work to industry professionals.  | | "ABC Vacuum" by Tricia O'Neill |
Click here to see the photography of present and past Atelier students and teachers. The Lafayette City Center Passageway links Macy's with the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 2 Avenue De Lafayette and is open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm. The exhibit will run from November 19th to February 6th, 2015.
This is the third exhibit curated by the Griffin Museum at the Passageway.
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Macy's Perfect Christmas Tree Shines Bright in Downtown Crossing
On Friday night, Santa Claus, Mayor Martin Walsh and Boston Celtic Brandon Bass flipped the switch to light up Macy's 2014 Christmas tree, bringing holiday cheer to Downtown Crossing. The crowd was treated to performances by Macy's iHeart Radio contest winners Before You Exit, "America's Got Talent" Season 9 finalists and Boston University alums Sons of Serendip, and country singer and songwriter Jessie James Decker.  | | Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and Santa Claus at the 2014 Macy's Christmas tree festivities. (Photo by Stuart Cahill for the Boston Herald) |
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Holiday Shopping Hours & More
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Major Retailers Store Hours During the Holiday Season
The BID has compiled a list of holiday season store hours for major retailers in the district. Click here to see when stores are open. Don't see your business listed? Please email [email protected] with your holiday hours.
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Write a Letter to Santa and Macy's Will Donate $$ to Make-A-Wish
Macy's 7th Annual Believe Campaign began on November 7th and continues through December 24th. Based on the New York Sun's "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" editorial, Macy's "Believe" campaign invites believers of all ages to drop off letters to Santa at any Macy's store. Letters should be deposited in special, designated Santa Mail letterboxes. For each letter received in-store or online, Macy's will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million, to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. |
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Learn About Being a Beautician:
Empire Beauty School Career Workshop on December 3rd
The Empire Beauty School (30 West St.) is hosting free Career Workshops on Wednesday, December 3rd from 2:30 to 4 pm and 6 to 7:30 pm.
Career planning specialists and educators will be available to speak with you about a career change, how your skills can transfer to a new industry, re-entering a new work force, and the pathway to fulfill your dream of becoming a stylist. Click here for Empire's Facebook invite for the workshop and to RSVP. |
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Open House for Torit Language Center Montessori Elementary School
The Torit Language Center Montessori (45 Province St.) is hosting an open house for its elementary school (early education and infancy through third grade). The curriculum differentiates for each child, including language and culture study offered in Mandarin, Arabic and Spanish.
The open house is being held on Tuesday, Dec. 9th from 11 am to noon. The school accepts enrollment contracts beginning February 1, 2015 on a first-come, first-enrolled basis for all families who have visited prior to February 1. To schedule a visit, please register by clicking here on Torit's website and choose an available date that fits your schedule. |
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BID Ambassador Services & Links
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BID Ambassadors Provide Walking Escorts 24 Hours a Day in Downtown
The Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors provide hospitality services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day, creating a welcoming environment for everyone. BID Ambassadors provide walking escorts all day or night - they'll even tote an umbrella if it's raining! Please call 617-261-0066 to arrange an escort or for other BID Ambassador services. Please call 20 to 30 minutes prior to desired escort. You can also email [email protected], which is encouraged. |
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Additional BID Ambassador Services
- Landscaping, watering flowers, making sure handicapped ramps are not obstructed and storm drain openings are not clogged.
- Cleaning and powerwashing in Downtown Boston during warm weather.
- Remove litter and graffiti
- Friendly, welcoming downtown presence: helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incidents, etc.
- Contact [email protected] for more.
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