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December 22, 2014
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Deals & Promos
Christmas Services
Holiday Shopping Hours
Announcements
BID Ambassador Services & Links
Construction & Utility Work Updates
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This Week's Featured Event
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Comedian D.L. Hughley Performing at Wilbur Theatre on Dec. 26th
Comedian D.L. Hughley is performing at the Wilbur Theatre on Friday, December 26th at 7:30 pm.
Click here to purchase tickets.
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Still Time to See 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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Enjoy Podcasts with Emerson Alum like Norman Lear and Bill Burr
Are you one of the thousands of people who have enjoyed the "Serial" podcast - then check out podcasts featuring Emerson College alums.
 | | Norman Lear |
Click here to hear podcasts including Carrie Kerpan, host of the podcast "All the Social Ladies," comedian Bill Burr's "Monday Morning Podcast," and interviews of Norman Lear on several podcasts. |
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Enjoy the Strolling Holiday Brass Band and Twilight Carolers This Holiday Season in Downtown Boston
Returning this holiday season to Downtown Boston 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 four-piece Downtown Holiday Brass Band will be performing from November 28th through December 23rd from noon to 2 pm.
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.
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'Excerpts from the Photography Atelier 20' featured at Griffin Museum Exhibit in Lafayette City Center Passageway
A 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.  | | "Carvel" by Tricia O'Neill |
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.
Click here to see the photography of present and past Atelier students and teachers. The Lafayette City Center Passageway (2 Ave. de Lafayette), which links the Downtown Boston Macy's with the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 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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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 includes Boston cream pie, hot chocolate, tea, or wine, all served by the Omni Parker House.
The Historic Holiday Stroll is running now through January, Thursdays-Sundays, at 3:30 pm. It 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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Public Skating Info for
Boston Common Frog Pond
The Boston Common Frog Pond is open for public ice skating seven days a week.
The rink is open for skating 10 am - 4 pm on Monday; 10 am - 9 pm, Tuesdays-Thursday; 10 am - 10 pm, Fridays-Saturday; and 10 am - 9 pm on Sunday. Admission price is based on skater's height: 58-inches and over - $5. Under 58-inches - free. Skate rentals for adults are $10, kids $5, and lockers cost $2. Rental skating aids for children learning to skate are $10. You can also bring your own skates. There are also season pass options. There is a food and drink concession stand, too! Click here for more info. |
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Bromfield Jewelers
Offering 40% Off All Jewelry
Bromfield Jewelers (49 Bromfield St.) is offering 40% off every type of jewelry - diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, gold jewelry, pearls, and designed silver jewelry.
The sale excludes Chelsea Clocks and previous markdowns. Click here for Bromfield Jewelers website.
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30% Off Everything at DePrisco Jewelers Through December 24th
DePrisco Jewelers (333 Washington St.) is offering 30% off EVERYTHING until December 24th at 3 pm.
You need to bring a coupon to receive this amazing deal - click here to print out the coupon. |
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Macy's Downtown Boston Holiday Shopping Package
Macy's Downtown Boston Holiday Shopping Package is chock full of Boston-based gifts good to give to anyone.
The $35 package includes: a $25 Macy's gift card, an exclusive Macy's Boston holiday tote bag, 10% Macy's Visitor Savings Pass, Macy's Boston exclusive holiday ornament, a 4-piece Frango mint chocolate sampler, a Boston winter hat from Underground Express, a buy-one-get-one-free ice skating admission at the Boston Common Frog Pond, and bonus offers from additional Boston attractions and tours.
Visit Macy's Downtown Boston Visitor Center on the 1st Floor to purchase the shopping package. |
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$10 Off Certain ArtsEmerson Tix All December and
'Get a Ticket, Give a Ticket'
In celebration of its 5th anniversary season, ArtsEmerson is offering $10 off all tickets and waiving all service fees throughout December. This is only valid for off-peak theatrical performances in sections A, B, and C, and not valid for certain shows, too.
But wait there's more! ArtsEmerson is offering a "Get a ticket, give a ticket" program, wherein for every ticket purchased in December, ArtsEmerson will donate a free ticket back to the community through the Seat Lab/Ticket Access Program, which provides tickets to individuals and organizations throughout the Boston community who could not otherwise afford a ticket. Click here for tickets and more info.
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Christmas Trees & Wreaths for Sale at Corner of Boylston and Washington Streets
Look no farther than than the corner of Boylston and Washington streets to purchase your Christmas tree and wreaths for this year. Home delivery is available.
 | | George Tsakirgis with the Downtown Holiday Brass Band. |
Wreaths cost $15. There are several sizes of trees being sold. Small 2-foot trees are $25, medium-sized 3-to 4-foot trees are $35 with a stand, large-sized 4-to 5-foot trees are $55 with a stand, 6-to-7-foot trees without a stand are $50, and 7-to-8-foot trees are $65. There is a $30 delivery fee to anywhere in Boston. The trees are either Fraser firs or balsam, and were grown in Quebec. The tree and wreath business is open 10 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. |
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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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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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'Night Lights' Holiday Show Shines Bright at Walgreens Plaza through New Year's Day
Enjoy classic holiday favorites and new songs alike while projected snowflakes dance around you in Downtown Boston! Click the video below to watch the show!
Don't miss free nightly performances every half-hour of the BID's "Night Lights" holiday show at Walgreens Plaza from 4:30-8:30 pm through January 1st.  | | Downtown Boston Business Improvement District "Night Lights" Holiday Show |
"Night Lights," a holiday-themed light show of projected images and coordinated music, debuted on Thursday night at the Walgreens plaza, at the corner of School & Washington Streets. The 'Night Lights' show will run daily from 4:30-8:30 pm (alternating sets every half-hour) through New Year's Eve. Free to the public, this new display, developed by Port Lighting Systems, is the final piece to the Downtown Boston BID's holiday illumination program. The BID would like to thank Michael Murphy of the Clarendon Group (property owner of Walgreens building) for his help and support for this project.
In addition to the "Night Lights" show, the BID has lit nearly 100 trees throughout the district, which will stay lit through the end of March --the BID partnered with Boston Properties, CBRE, Equity Office Properties, Friends of Post Office Square, Harwood Properties, and Oxford Properties, to create special illuminated displays to welcome, brighten, and celebrate the holidays. Snowflakes dance, colors swirl, and trees turn a variety of shades at One Boston Place (pictured below), 100 Federal Street, Post Office Square Park & Garage, Pi Alley Garage, 100 Summer Street, and 125 Summer Street.
 | | Blue snowflake and illuminated trees at One Boston Place (photo by Emily Batchelder) |
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AMC Loews Boston Common 19 to Test Monthly Movie Pass in January
The AMC Loews Boston Common 19 has been selected to test a monthly movie pass for moviegoers to see one movie a day. In January, AMC theaters in Boston, working in concert with MoviePass, will offer monthly subscription packages for $45 and $35, according to The Boston Globe. Click here to sign up for the MoviePass.
Looking to compete with against streaming services like NetFlix, Spotify, and others, Boston and Denver will be the first two cities to debut the monthly movie pass. More cities will be added, too.
The monthly movie pass works by paying a monthly fee, which permits the pass-holder to see up to one movie per day for the entire month. In theory one could watch 30 movies a month at the Loews Boston Common for a total of $45. |
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Mayor Walsh and Governor-elect Baker Ring Salvation Army Bell in Downtown Crossing
The Salvation Army kettle outside Macy's on Washington Street had some major politicos ringing its bell this week. On Wednesday, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh rang the bell, with Governor-elect Charlie Baker ringing the bell the following day.
Both seemed to immensely enjoy their time ringing the bell. Many people stopped to take photos with Walsh and Baker - and also donate money to the Salvation Army.
Click here to learn more about the Salvation Army and how you can help. |
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Eight Nights of Hanukkah Celebrated in Downtown Crossing
Mayor Martin Walsh joined Rabbi Rachmiel Liberman of Congregation Lubavitch Synagogue (100 Woodcliff Road, Brookline) on Sunday to light a 15-foot tall menorah outside of Macy's on Summer Street.
 | | Rabbi Liberman lights the menorah with Mayor Walsh looking on. (Photo by Don Harney for City of Boston) |
The last night of Hanukkah is on the evening of Wednesday, December 24th. |
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Still Time for Holiday Shopping at the Downtown Holiday Market at Tello's on Washington Street
There is still time to do your holiday shopping at the popular downtown holiday market that moved from its tent on Summer Street this year. The 7th Annual Downtown Holiday Market is now open at its new pop-up location at 459 Washington St. (the former Tello's location).
This week the market features local artists and craft vendors selling items including Christmas tree ornaments, jewelry, candy caramels, and more.
The following vendors are scheduled to be at the Holiday Market this week: Alex's Ugly Sauce, Recycled Glass Jewelry, Karol Peralta Jewelry, Golden Rule Honey, B&B GlassStudio (top picture), TicoArt, Ella Grace Jewelry Design, McCrea's Candies (above picture), Milly's Organics, NuraBella Jewelry, Epoca Amber Jewelry, and Mao Sim Silk. Vendors are changing weekly so visit often!
Visit and Take a Photo with Santa for FREE
Santa Claus will also be at the market daily 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 this coming weekend 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, such as New England Nut Roasters (at Washington and Winter streets), above, will be selling food, clothing, memorabilia, and more all season long!
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Christmas Celebrations at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, King's Chapel, St. Anthony Shrine, and the Park Street Church
St. Paul's Episcopal Church (138 Tremont St.) Christmas Eve services will feature music for the season beginning at 7 pm, with the Eucharist for Christmas Eve beginning at 7:30 pm. On Christmas Day Eucharist will be offered at 10:30 am with music. Click here for St. Paul's website.
King's Chapel (58 Tremont St.) is hosting a Family Christmas Pageant at 4:30 pm on Christmas Eve. Any child may participate as an angel or shepherd without any rehearsal. At 10:30 pm there will be a traditional service with a full choir and candlelight. At 10 am on Christmas Day there will be will be Holy Communion at Morning Prayer. Click here for King's Chapel's website.
St. Anthony Shrine & Ministry Center (100 Arch St.) is holding Christmas Eve Vigil Masses in the 2nd Floor Church at 4, 5:30 and 10 pm; and in the 1st Floor Church at 4:15 and 5:15 pm. On Christmas Day there will be services in the 2nd Floor Church at 6, 7:30, 9, 10, and 11:15 am, and 12:30 pm. Click here for St. Anthony Shrine's website.
The Park Street Church (One Park Street) is holding three Christmas Eve services at 3, 5, and 7 pm. The 3 pm services is especially intended for families with children. The 5 pm services features carols and electronic candles. The 7 pm service is new and features a formal liturgy and two processional hymns. Click here for Park Street Church's website. |
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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
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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King's Chapel Collecting Items for Homeless Through Christmas Day
In consideration of the recent closing of Boston's Long Island Shelter, which provided housing and services to hundreds of individuals, King's Chapel (58 Tremont St.) is collecting items and backpacks for those in need.
Led by the King's Chapel Church School, under the leadership of Judy Luca, King's Chapel is collecting
items including: backpacks, socks, hats, gloves, scarves
emergency blankets, personal hygiene items (especially toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloths), non-perishable individual food items (e.g. fruit cups, crackers, water, peanut butter), and gift cards for restaurants/grocery stores.
King's Chapel is accepting donations weekdays through December 23rd at the King's Chapel Parish House (64 Beacon St.) from 9 am - 5 pm. The church at 58 Tremont St., is collecting donations during any Christmas Eve service and at its Christmas morning service. |
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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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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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