Holiday Overload!

I feel like I'm experiencing it a bit already. Especially given that I got all my Christmas presents on Thanksgiving and am spending the next month in Belgium, which basically just exists in a perpetual Christmas state in December. Are you not filled up yet? Take advantage of these upcoming events to put you in the spirit.

Downtown Crossing Holiday Market Everyday 11-7

My favorite place to nip out of work and get a fresh-baked pretzel or coffee. Also a great place to get last minute shopping done from local artisans. Usually there's music too, and sometimes even Santa.

Christmas Tree Lightings Thursday 6PM

So in this weird tradition, the Mayor rides around on a trolley with a bunch of Christmas characters and basically tries to light every single neighborhood's tree. It usually is less than flawless, given Boston traffic. It all starts TONIGHT on the Common with music, lots of tv stations, performance by an Olympic skater and pyrotechnics. See the website for other lightings.

JP Holiday Events Thursday 6-8 and Saturday 11-5

Tonight, Jamaica Plain's First Thursday events continue with a holiday theme. Music and free food at stores all along Centre and South. Best place to score freebies and hear a tune is certainly City Feed - featuring Peak Organic Beer tasting and a band with a fiddle. On Saturday it's a

doubly merry day with the Loring Greenough Open House from 12-4 and the Holiday Fair at First Church across the street. Loring Greenough house is pretty cool and last year's free cookies and refreshments were awesome. Reportedly there will be the Boston City Singers and a joyful caroling mob at the First Church.

All that should get your holiday spirits up, but check out the calendar at the bottom of beantownonthecheap for a full listing of events.