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Top Boston Events for November 2012 include the Boston Comedy Festival, the opening of Ice Skating in Boston Common's Frog Pond, and an exciting new production of The Nutcracker ballet. The Boston Celtics and New England Patriots give sports fans plenty to cheer about.
If you're visiting Boston at the end of the month, be sure to make restaurant reservations now for a special Boston Thanksgiving dinner. And if you're interested in the special Nutcracker performances beginning on the Friday after Thanksgiving, get your tickets as soon as possible because the best seats go fast.
And be sure to check out the huge Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth, just south of Boston as well as other Thanksgiving Weekend events.
Add your Boston Events for November 2012
Quick Links: Boston events calendars: October l December l Other Months
When: Sunday, November 11, 2012
Two rival Veterans Day Parades marching through downtown Boston, even larger Veterans Day sales, a military history cruise to Fort Warren, and special restaurant deals for veterans are just a few of the special events happening in Boston on Veterans Day.
Find more Veterans Day activities
Half-price Boston shows, cruises, and events in November
Half price tickets for some of the biggest holiday season show, including Chicago! are just beginning to be available. If you see something you want, grab it, because tickets to these hot shows go fast!
- Chicago - Starring Christie Brinkley & John O'Hurley - Wang Theatre
- Fall Wine Fest 2012 - Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts
- The Chosen - Lyric Stage Company of Boston
- Anne of Green Gables: The Musical - Wheelock Family Theatre
- Boston Duck Tours
- John Coltrane Memorail Concert - Blackman Theatre at Northeastern University
- Harold Pinter's Betrayal - Boston University Theatre
- Lunch, Brunch, and Dinner Cruises on The Odyssey in Boston Harbor
- ImprovAsylum's Main Stage Show - Live Improv and Sketch Comedy
- Blue Man Group, Charles Playhouse
- Nick's Comedy Stop presents top stand-up comics
Half-price tickets to top Boston concerts, shows, tours, games, and other events become available about 2 months before their scheduled date - why pay more?
Find even more half-price shows, cruises, and events!
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Thanksgiving is celebrated on November 22, 2012
Enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving by making reservations . . . let someone else do the cooking!
Some of Boston's top restaurants serve special once-a-year Thanksgiving dinners where you can enjoy a memorable meal, ranging from formal traditional dinners to more casual buffets.
To be sure of getting a table, you must make reservations.
Find out more about Boston restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner
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A very special Christmas tree arrives on Boston Common on November 16, 2012 - by tradition, the first official tree to be set up each year in the city. Look for it near the Visitors Information Center on Tremont Street. It's always the star of the Boston Common Holiday Lighting Ceremony.
Although Boston fills up with displays of beautiful Christmas trees throughout November and December, the most special tree of all is this Christmas tree proudly displayed on Boston Common. Citizens of Nova Scotia send a huge, beautiful tree to the people of Boston every year in remembrance of Boston's help after a horrific explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor on December 6, 1917 killed almost 2,000 people and injured another 9,000. Within 24 hours of the disaster, a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel from Boston arrived in Nova Scotia - the first outside help to reach the disaster scene, and the last to leave.
Half-price tickets to some wonderful Christmas and holiday events become available in November, about 2 months ahead of time. Needless to say, grab these tickets fast when you see them because they won't last.
Here's a list from last year to give you a flavor of what to look for in 2012:
- A Christmas Carol on stage
- Family Holiday Pops - Boston Civic Orchestra
-
Vienna Boys Choir
- A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan
- The Nutcracker
- Handel's Messiah - Boston Baroque at Jordan Hall; Handel and Haydn Society at Symphony Hall
Get Half-Price Tickets to Boston Christmas and Holiday Events
When: Friday, November 23 - as early as 1am in some places
In preparation: Take a nap right after Thanksgiving dinner, pack a turkey sandwich, start early, and keep your sense of humor!
If you're visiting Boston during the Thanksgiving holidays, indulge in "Black Friday" bargain-hunting - if you dare! The mad scramble to scoop up huge bargains is not for the faint of heart.
Where should you go? Try these Black Friday suggestions:
- Newbury Street boutiques and Boylston Street "big box" stores and discounters
- Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall Marketplace - big chain stores and unique Boston shops
- Cambridgeside Galleria (huge Best Buy, big Macys)
- Prudential Center - Middle of Boston's Back Bay neighborhood - Saks, Lord & Taylor
- Wrentham Premium Outlets (Get there super early - sure to be mobbed)
- Natick Mall - Biggest shopping mall in Boston
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Check out these attractive November specials at top Boston hotels:
30th Anniversary Celebration Package at the Millennium Bostonian - Bottle of champagne when you arrive, $50 breakfast credit at North 26, attractive room rate. Check rates
Frosty Fridays at the Colonnade - Reserve the 2-night Frosty Fridays weekend package, pay only the outside temperature for Friday night plus $309 for Saturday night, plus your choice of 2 trolley tour tickets or admission and skate rentals at Frog Pond Skating Rink and hot chocolate for 2 at Brasserie Jo - Good through March 30, 2013 - Reserve now
Fall Festival of Savings Special at Boston Harbor Hotel - Book 2 nights in Deluxe or Suite accommodations, and get a $125 credit toward goods and services. Call 617-439-7000 to book; check regular rates
When: November 23 - December 30, matinees and evening performances almost daily
Where: Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Theatre District/Downtown Crossing (Downtown Boston)
Closest T station: Green Line/Boylston
Featuring gorgeous music by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky, choreography by Mikko Nissinen, all new sets and costumes, and a soaring performance by the Boston Ballet, The Nutcracker is an annual holiday tradition - and the Boston Opera House is the perfect setting.
The adventures of Clara, the Mouse King, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Russian Dancers, and The Prince as they dance around a magical winter landscape will enchant you.
Tickets for the most popular dates such as weekends can be hard to get, and they're expensive. Try these strategies:
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Faneuil Hall Marketplace, America's first open air market, blazes with 350,000 earth-friendly LED lights as the 1st Annual Blink! streaks across Boston's night sky in a spectacular display of holiday light and recorded Holiday Pops music by Keith Lockhard and the Boston Pops.
The show runs 12 times each night through New Year's Eve, starting at 4:30pm and ending at 10pm.
On November 24th at 4:15 pm, Keith Lockhart and the 300-member Tanglewood Festival Chorus will perform the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah right before the Blink! show begins.
When: November 17 - January 1, 2013
Where: Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Closest T station: Orange Line/Haymarket
More than 150 tuba players delight the crowd at Faneuil Hall Marketplace when they perform their annual free holiday concert of Christmas classics on Saturday, November 24 2012 at 2pm.
More November 24 events at Faneuil Marketplace:
- Keith Lockhart and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus
- Story Time with the Grinch! - An Interactive Reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas in the Upper Rotunda, 10am
Closest T station: Orange Line/Haymarket
Parking: Boston garages near Government Center
The 35th Annual John Coltrane Memorial Concert featuring Grammy Award-willing master drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and master saxophonist Andy McGhee takes place at 7:30 on Saturday, November 3 at Northeastern University's Blackman Theatre.
This year's John Coltrane Memorial Ensemble will perform favorites such as "Central Park West," "After the Rain," "Moment's Notice," and the traditional closing, "Peace on Earth."
Tickets: $30-$40 - call 617-373-4700; also check Goldstar for half-price tickets
Take a free tour of the USS Constitution, located on the Freedom Trail in Charlestown and then walk across the plaza to the Museum where you can learn more about the Constitution's history, explore the interactive exhibits, and find out what the life of a sailor was like during the War of 1812.
Throughout Veteran's Day weekend (Nov 10-12, 2012, 10am-5pm), kids can make a paper officer's hat to take home, write letters to our troops for the holiday, and learn more about the War of 1812.
On November 11, sihouette artist Carol Lebeaux will make portrait silhouettes like those the sailors may have had to remember their loved ones while at sea. Sittings last less than 5 minutes. Call 617-426-1812 for appointment; cost per silhouette is $33, with duplicates only $12 - perfect for holiday gifts!
Location: Charlestown Navy Yard
Admission: Suggested donation of $5 adults, $3 seniors, $2 children
Find more Veterans Day activities
When:
November 15-18, 2012
Where: The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts (539 Tremont Street) in Boston's South End
Tickets: $15 Friday - Sunday (under 12 free), $100- $250 for the Opening Night Gala Benefit - plus whatever you can't resist spending on art
Closest T station: Orange Line/Back Bay
More information: Fine Arts Boston website; 617-363-0405
Love this painting? Two Sisters, by Marguerite Zorach - look for it at the Tom Veilleux Gallery exhibit
40 top galleries from Boston, the rest of the United States, and Europe exhibit outstanding works at this premier show and sale of traditional and contemporary fine art. Paintings, sculpture, prints, photography, and mixed media are all represented.
A Gala Preview on Thursday, November 15 features delicious food and wine, good music, and of course, the wonderful art - a perfect holiday gift.
Want to see more art in Boston? Check out:
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Festive holiday events take place throughout the last 3 weeks of November as dazzling holiday decorations get put into place, such as these giant golden balls, part of an expansive display in Prudential's South Garden.
In addition to Prudential Center, other good places in Boston to see Christmas decorations go up - or see the festive effects once they're in place include:
-
Faneuil Hall Marketplace (be sure to check out the spectacular holiday tree and Blink!)
- Boston Common when the special Christmas tree arrives from Nova Scotia
- Macy's Holiday Tree Lighting in Downtown Crossing - Friday, November 13, 2012
- Charles Street in Beacon Hill
- Copley Square in Back Bay
- Boston Common, after the Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Just in time for Thanksgiving, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Cambridge is hosting demonstrations by their master chef instructors of how to turn an ordinary turkey dinner into a scrumptuous holiday feast.
Added bonus: You get to tour their commercial kitchens.
When: 10:30am, November 17, 2012
Where: Le Cordon Bleu, 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free - but must sign up in advance due to limited seating - call 888-394-6222
One of the top Boston events in November is Thanksgiving, and to get a full flavor, head south of the city to Plymouth to join this huge 3-day Thanksgiving Celebration along the harbor and waterfront.
The centerpiece is the Thanksgiving Day Parade, kicking off at 10:30am on Saturday, November 17, 2012, considered the best Thanksgiving parade in the country, after the Macy's Day Parade in NY.
The parade kicks off at the historic waterfront. Costumed reenactors playing the roles of Pilgrims bring this period in our history to life during a food festival, music festival, and entertainment.
What makes this parade special are the historically accurate chronological floats, drum and bugle corps, and reenactments from all periods of American history, beginning with the Pilgrim era in the 17th century and continuing through the 21st.
When: November 18 - 20, 2011
Where: Waterfront, Plymouth, MA
Where to stay: Best Plymouth Hotels
More Parade and Festival information: Website
Photo courtesy of USA Thanksgiving, the event planner
When: Home games on November 11 and November 18
Where: Gillette Stadium
Tickets: Check for best prices, seats, discounts
Getting there: How to get to Gillette Stadium from Boston
Stay: Hotels near Gillette Stadium
Week 10 - Sunday, November 11, 1pm vs Buffalo Bills
Week 11 - Sunday, November 18, 1pm vs Indianapolis Colts
Week 12 - Thursday, November 22, 8:20pm at New York Jets
Find Discount Tickets, Half-Price Tickets, Luxury Seating and Box Seats Tickets:
Get the complete New England Patriots Schedule
Where: TD Garden
Stay: Hotels near TD Garden
Park: Garages near TD Garden
Celebrate: Nightlife near Celtics Games
The Boston Celtics, led by legendary Coach Doc Rivers, plays its first full month in the regular season, with 9 home games at TD Garden. Get ready for some green and white action!
Friday, November 2 vs Milwaukee Bucks - 7:30pm
Wednesday, November 7 vs Washington Wizards - 7:30pm
Friday, November 9 vs Philadelphia 76ers - 7:30pm
Wednesday, November 14 vs Utah Jazz - 7:30pm
Saturday, November 17 vs Toronto Raptors - 12:30pm
Wednesday, November 21 vs San Antonio Spurs - 7:30pm
Friday, November 23 vs Oklahoma City Thunder - 7:30pm
Wednesday, November 28 vs Brooklyn Nets - 7:30pm
Friday, November 30 vs Portland Trail Blazers - 7:30pm
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| TD Garden Parking | Hotels near TD Garden | TD Garden | Celtics Sports Bars |
Get the complete Boston Celtics Schedule
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When: November 7-19, 2012
Where: Museum of Fine Arts in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, with additional screenings throughout the Greater Boston metro area
Tickets: Most films are $12; a festival pass for $225 lets you watch (in premium seating) all films
More information: Website
Thirteen days of the best new international and American independent films exploring the Jewish experience and presenting films with themes about Jewish culture, heritage, and history. Traditional, experimental, documentaries, and animated formats.
Find more Boston film festivals
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Boston Lyric Opera is New England's largest opera company, and their exciting 2012 - 2013 season offers plenty of excitement:
Puccini's Madama Butterfly - November 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 (including some matinees) at the Shubert Theatre Theatre of the Citi Performing Arts Center
Clemency - February 6 - 10, 2013 - A BLO Opera Annex Production at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter
Mozart - Cosi Fan Tutte - March 15-24, 2013 at the Shubert Theatre
Wagner - The Flying Dutchman -
April 26 - May 5, 2013 at the Shubert Theatre
Main BLO venue: Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont Street, Theatre District, Downtown Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Boylston
For more information and ticket information: 866-348-9738
Also, check GoldStar events for half-price tickets for adults
Get half-price tickets for students with a student subscription - call 617-542-6772 for details
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Nov 2 - Bob Marley @ Wilbur Theatre
Nov 4 - Lyle Lovett @ Wilbur Theatre
Nov 5 - Aerosmith - Free street concert (more)
Nov 10 - Justin Bieber @ TD Garden
Nov 10 - Australian Pink Floyd Show @ Wang Theatre
Nov 15-17 - Amanda Palmer @ Paradise Rock Club
Nov 16 - The Who @ TD Garden
Nov 18 - Bob Dylan @ TD Garden
Nov 24 - Pete Holmes @ Paradise Rock Club
Nov 26 - Neil Young & Crazy Horse & Patti Smith @ TD Garden
Wang Theatre | TD Garden
| Bank of America Pavilion | Gillette Stadium
Boston Symphony Hall | House of Blues
| Paradise Rock Club
Orpheum | Wilbur Theatre
| Colonial Theatre
|
Royale
Boston Opera House | Comcast Center | Agganis Arena
TicketLiquidator Discount $20 off orders over $200 | Use code = mayday13
Ace Tickets - 5% reward toward next purchase; free pick-up next to venues; low fees
TicketNetwork - $10 off orders over $350 | Use code = AFF$10
About 4,000 art fans, collectors, and shoppers attend the School of the Museum of Fine Arts' annual sale each year to snap up the fabulous creations by faculty, students, and alums. Thousands of paintings, photographs, prints, sculpture, new media, and more! Sales benefit student scholarships at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.
When: November 29 - December 1, 10am-8pm; December 2-10am-5pm
Where: School of the Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue
Closest T station: Green Line E/Museum
For more information: 617-369-3204; website; or e-mail insideout@smfa.edu.
Admission: Free
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Fans of the hit TV show Seinfeld will want to catch the hottest comedy show of the fall - Jerry Seinfeld at the Wang Theatre in Boston's Theatre District on Saturday, November 17, 7pm. Get your tickets now
More Boston Comedy Shows:
- Shaquille O'Neal All Star Comedy Jam - Wilbur Theatre, Friday, Nov 16, 9:45pm - Tickets
Even though mid-November may seem a little early for Christmas trees, Faneuil Hall Marketplace puts up its tree and turns on the lights on Saturday, November 17, 2012 - and it's a beauty! Best of all, the brilliant LED lights used this year require 30% less electricity than those on last year's tree.
Join the festivities and other entertainment at 5pm - and get a head start on your holiday shopping! And don't miss Blink!, Boston's newest holiday tradition.
More about Boston holiday tree lighting ceremonies in December
Holiday Market brings local crafts, original art and jewelry, and artisinal foods to Downtown Crossing. Look for appearances from Santa, singers and other entertainment, plus an excellent supply of Christmas trees and holiday decorations.
This free event takes place in Downtown Crossing across from Macy's (Summer Street, off Washington) from November 24 - December 29, 11am-7pm Monday through Friday and 11am-5pm on Sundays. More
When: November 16-18, 2012
Where: Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston, Back Bay, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line / Hynes
For more information: 617-369-3204; website; or e-mail insideout@smfa.edu.
Entrance fee: $15 for Friday night preview plus Saturday and Sunday, $8 Saturday, $8 Sunday
Whether you're a serious collector of old books, want to shop for a few holiday gifts, or just like to read, the huge Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair is a must-visit. With over 120 dealers from the U.S. and Europe, the fair attracts visitors from around the world. In addition to the rare, collectible, and antiquarian books on exhibit and for sale, you'll also find manuscripts, autographs, maps, atlases, modern first editions, and fine and decorative prints.
If you're coming from out of town, nearby hotels close to the Hynes include the Back Bay Hilton, the Mandarin Oriental Boston, the Colonnade, the Charlesmark, the Sheraton Boston, and the Lenox.
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Home game location: TD Garden
Nearest T stop: North Station
Parking: Boston garages near North Station / TD Garden
Stay: Hotels near TD Garden
Celebrate: Best Boston bars near TD Garden
Show you care: Dress like a Bruin
Find awesome tickets to see the Bruins play
Here's the schedule . . . but with the lockout still underway, none of these games are likely to be played. Very depressing!
Buy yourself a Bruins blanket.
| Day | Date | Time | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11/6 | 7:00 pm | Minnesota Wild |
| Thursday | 11/15 | 7:00 pm | Avalanche |
| Saturday | 11/17 | 7:00 pm | Jets |
| Friday | 11/23 | 1:00 pm | Rangers |
| Saturday | 11/24 | 7:00 pm | Penguins |
| Tuesday | 11/27 | 7:00 pm | Devils |
| Thursday | 11/29 | 1:00 pm | Hurricanes |
Get the complete Boston Bruins Schedule
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When: November 13-18, 2012
Where: David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University in Cambridge (1730 Cambridge Street), and other screening venues
Tickets: Available through festival website
More information: Website
Look for 4 exciting days of films, receptions, and special events at the 10th Annual Boston Latino International Film Festival. This very special 11th year celebration of BLIFF features 60 movies from 17 countries along with the participation of 15 well-known local, national, and international directors.
Find more Boston film festivals
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Opening ceremony and free public skating: A special opening night celebration and entertainment takes place on Friday, November 16, 2012, 6pm, with skating following the show
Where: Frog Pond in Boston Common
Closest T station: Green and Red Line/Park
Park: Boston Common Garage
More information: Ice skating in Boston
Take a spin on the ice as ice skating season begins at Frog Pond, right in the middle of Boston Common. The opening ceremony features performances by local skating stars followed by public skating.
With picturesque Beacon Hill in the background, skating on Frog Pond is one of the things that makes so Boston terrific in the winter. Bring your own skates, or rent them at the rink for a reasonable fee. Be sure to stop by the Lily Pad Cafe snack bar, overseen by the talented chefs from 75 Chestnut and Hampshire House, where you'll enjoy some of the best hot chocolate, Belgium waffles, and cookies in the city.
Check out other fun kids activities in Boston (vouched for by my daughters!)
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Where: Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Fenway, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line E/Museum
Admission: $25; free entrance (and go to front of the line) when you have a Boston Discount Card
The 10 vibrant Korean Buddhist paintings in MFA's new "Divine Depictions" exhibit almost leap out at you thanks to the artists' use of mineral colors like malachite, cinnabar, and azurite. These rare glazed works, created in primarily Confucian Korea during the Joseon Dynasty (1892-1910) are joined by the one above, Happy Buddha by Korean American artist Kang Ik-Joong and provide one more good reason to visit MFA. The exhibit opens on November 16 and runs through June 23, 2013.
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Use these Boston discount passes for Museum of Fine Arts, plus admission to lots of other attractions, museums, tours, and cruises
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Get ready for the biggest street concert of the year when famed rockers Aerosmith, our "Bad Boys of Boston," perform a free "Rock the Vote" pre-election show in front of their old home at 1325 Commonwealth Ave in Allston on Monday, November 5 at noon.
Expect huge crowds at this more or less impromptu concert.
Comm Ave will be closed between Harvard Ave and Allston streets, and trolley service on the Green Line's B Line will stop at about 10:30am - so take the T as far as you can and walk the rest of the way.
Photo courtesy of Aerosmith.com
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November 2012 Boston Events Although these events happened in the past, they'll give you an idea about what to expect this year on the Boston Events Calendar for November...
Boston Discovery Guide > Boston Events > November Events
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Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving Events
Veterans Day Events
Concerts
Fall Foliage Tours
The Nutcracker
November Weather
Ice Skating Begins!
Skiing Near Boston
Boston Fall Foliage
More November
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Best Financial District Hotels
Boston Marathon Memorials
Best Free Boston Maps
Sightseeing Tours
Historic Downtown Boston
Theatre District
South Boston Waterfront
South End
North End
Fenway
Bay Village

Cheap Flights
Cheap Eats
Things to Do for Free
Half-Price Tickets
Discount Hotels
Sightseeing Passes
Boston Coupons
Valentine's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Boston Marathon
Patriots' Day Reenactments
Duckling Day Parade
Memorial Day Events
July 4th Fireworks & Pops Concert
Columbus Day Parade
Halloween in Boston
Thanksgiving Day Events
Christmas in Boston
New Year's Eve