10 Things to Do in Boston in December

December is the beginning of winter in Massachusetts, so ice skating and attending the magical lighting of the Christmas trees are a sure bet. However, in this city, tradition, modernity and cultural plurality combine perfectly and it has many other plans to offer.

Don't miss an up-tempo version of The Nutcracker, a Celtics game or a cruise tour of this charming city. Read on to discover all the must-do activities on your Boston itinerary for the last month of the year.

If basketball is your thing, December will be the perfect time to catch a game this season. The Boston Celtics take on the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and more. There are games on a regular basis, so be sure to check the fixture lists and buy your Boston Celtics ticket to catch a game at TD Gardens.

Also, the Celtics' home court is surrounded by some of Boston's best museums, so you can take the opportunity before or after the game to visit the Otis House Museum of History, the Museum of African History (MAAH) or the Boston Museum of Science.

Throughout the year you can book your Boston cruise. Why do I recommend a cold weather cruise? The recommended ships are air-conditioned and the shows are adapted. Among them are:

• Cocoa and Carols cruise or Cocoa and Carols cruise: They usually take place on weekends in December. A jazz band entertains the audience with carols. After a nice cup of hot chocolate and some of the culinary specialties, you can escape to the deck bar.
• Northern Lights Cruise: Aboard this luxury yacht, the crew offers top-notch service to welcome the New Year in an intimate and cozy atmosphere that will spread the joy of the season. Try the wagyu beef appetizers and lobster crostini. The only thing left to do is to order the bottles of champagne to toast with your travel companions.
• Holiday Brunch: In case you prefer a day tour, this is your option. You can enjoy a delicious three-course gourmet brunch and leave the evening free to stroll along the promenade after disembarking.

With the low temperatures, what better plan than to book a gastronomic tour of Boston, recommended to warm up your body while enjoying the local cuisine. To do so, you can start the tour guided by the smoky aroma of traditional Boston pizza among the pizzerias in the North End of Little Italy.

You can also opt to visit a maple sugar factory, such as Back Ridge Sugar House in order to taste pancakes with real maple syrup. Another seasonal option is the classic chocolate tour or how about hiring a vegan chocolate tour?

And to top it all off, don't leave Boston without trying blueberry jelly, a bowl of the famous clam chowder, a slice of Boston cream pie, a glass of wine or locally brewed beer. The city offers you a wide variety of alternatives to choose from among the best food tours in Boston. Check the tour calendar and start your culinary journey.

December shopping is one of the fixed seasonal activities, and if I tell you that you'll be free from lines and you'll be able to buy that sweater you ordered or that perfect ornament for the living room at great prices, doesn't that sound appealing? That's what happens when you visit one of Boston's best Christmas markets.

I recommend you book a guided tour of Boston and catch up on what's on offer, but I'll give you a heads up. Here are my two favorites:

• Quincy Market: Located in Faneuil Marketplace, a must if you're looking for Christmas goods and last minute gifts. It has a great collection of stores, stores and restaurants. It is also home to the largest food hall in New England, Colonnade, one of the fixed stops among the best food tours, with a huge selection of international and local foods. It opened its doors in 1825. Address: 206 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109.

• SoWa Winter Festival & Holiday Market: An art gallery, artisan market and a fabulous vintage market converge in the South End district, but in December the winter festival takes place. Find unique gifts and be part of the magic. Local artists present jewelry, scarves, candles, ornaments and personal signature clothing. Order your hot chocolate and stop to admire the ice sculptures. Address: SoWa Boston, 530 Harrison Ave Boston, MA 02118

It seems a cliché this recommendation in December, but considering that the average temperature in Boston during this season is 0°... this plan cannot be missing in the list of activities. In fact, it will be easy to find a skating rink in Boston, but there are three that traditionally capture the attention of locals and tourists:

Skate @ Canal District Kendall

This great rink is located in Cambridge, near the MIT International Study Center. It is flanked by the trendy Canal District.

• Where to find this rink: 300 Athenaeum Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142.
• Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 12 noon to 5 pm; Wednesday and Thursday, 12 noon to 8 pm; Friday, noon to 9 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm; and Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm.
• Price. from 6 €.

Boston Common Frog Pond

At this rink you will have the chance to take to the ice in one of the most enchanting public parks in the country. The laughter of couples, families and children fills the air along with the aroma of hot chocolate. Take your pictures with the snow-covered trees and red brick buildings of Beacon Street in the background of your postcard.

• Where to find this rink: 38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108.
• Hours: Mondays, 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Price: from 6 €. In this track they take very seriously the phrase age is just a number. Anyone taller than 1.47 cm must buy a ticket, regardless of age.

The Rink at 401 Park

The Rink at 401 Park is located between the Time Out Market and the Trillium Brewing Company, where you can grab a chocolate, enjoy a beer or dine at one of the market's 15 restaurants. In addition, this rink offers special events and Frozen on ice style shows. So, you have to include it in your list of things to see and do in Boston with kids.

• Where to find this rink: 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215.
• Hours: Monday to Friday, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m..
• Price: from 10 €.

Important: Consider that these skating rinks are open between December and March. Include this activity among your things to see and do in Boston in winter.

Enjoy this free event. The lighting ceremony takes place around the first Thursday in December. Watching the tree lighting is one of the things to see and do in Boston at night when traveling in December. The Christmas event concentrates the largest number of people at three points in the city, where the most popular trees are located. Book the tourist streetcar through Boston's Old Town and get up close to visit:

• Boston Common Christmas Tree: It's an unforgettable event. A splendorous tree shipped from Nova Scotia is the centerpiece of the event. There are ice skating shows, music and other artistic performances. It is the most famous spot. Be sure to arrive early to find space. Address: Easy to locate, it's near the Visitor Information Center by 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111.
• Copley Square Christmas Tree: Join St. Nicholas, the Snowman and, of course, Rudolph and the other reindeer around beautiful Copley Square. From a large fountain overlooking Trinity Church, you can witness the ceremony amid Christmas lights and gifts. Address: 560 Boylston St., Boston.
• The Christmas Tree in the North End: This spot in the city has the particularity of being charitable. In addition to watching the North End Christmas tree lighting, enjoying hot chocolate and caroling, local students organize a small bazaar where they sell cakes and treats to benefit their school. Address: corner of Hanover and North Streets.
• Another classic American tree is the one at Macy's department store.

Be sure to join this ceremony, especially if you are traveling with your family, as it is a sure bet among the things to see and do in Boston with children.

On December 16, 1773, American colonists angry with Britain staged a political protest at Griffin's Wharf in Boston. What was this protest like? It was a celebration of tea, one of the main goods imported by the British East India Company. The dynamic changed the course of history and there is a museum that recreates the moment: the Tea Party Museum.

This iconic floating venue offers visitors an impressive way to step back in time. Actors tour the tea ships playing the colonists to help educate and entertain visitors, who will have the opportunity to throw "tea" over board just as it happened in the 18th century. See the Tea Party Museum and relive the historical moment. This 60-minute tour is one of December's must-do's in Boston.

Practical Information

• Address: 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Price: from 30 €.

The Nutcracker is presented in Boston in December, as in almost every city where art is appreciated. However, they add their own personal touch so you can choose the version you like or attend both performances. You will see that they are shows with a wide difference despite their common reference.

• Boston Ballet Nutcracker: Attend the Citizens Bank Opera and witness the traditional presentation of The Nutcracker. This theater created in 1928 gathers on stage the best dancers in the region and annually ensures that the Christmas Spirit is felt among the attendees with the sugar queen, toy soldiers and company.
• The Nutcracker: with a much more provocative title, this is a burlesque show that is as cheeky as it is suggestive. The play is a parody that premiered in Somerville in 2008. From the first year it gained recognition and after more than a decade it is emerging as one of **Boston'**s new classics. It features ballet, pole dance and belly dancers, along with actors and other performers who put a fresh and irreverent spin on Tchaikovsky's classic.

When you visit the Boston Museum of Science you can witness live performances, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, the Butterfly Garden and the Mugar Omni Theater, New England's only domed IMAX screen. But in December another show is going to steal your attention. When you hear the sleigh bells of St. Nicholas' sleigh, that will be your call to experience the little boy who met Santa Claus by accident when he rode on The Polar Express.

This ride is inspired by **Chris Van Allsburg'**s beloved Caldecott Medal-winning children's book. Presented in digital 3-D and with 4-D multi-sensory effects, it is an immersive experience to be enjoyed by the whole family.

You can also take advantage of a visit to the museum and participate in the Arctic adventure, discover ancient caves thanks to IMAX technology or travel to Mars among the planetarium activities. Visit the MOS, you won't regret it.

In addition to the lighting of the Christmas trees, the BLINK lights is a must see and do in Boston in December**. **** Since 1743 a fun and free light and sound show takes place in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace when both are accompanied in unison.

The display of ice sculptures on New Year's Eve, flea markets featuring local brands, curios and souvenirs, clothing stores and some 30 food outlets, mostly specializing in seafood -I recommend for the main course Lobster Tail Seafoods text or a snack at Boston Chowda Co, justify a visit to the place-. In short, the Faneuil Hall Marketplace becomes one of the best Christmas markets in Boston.