Updated in 2020!

Thanks to a family connection, we spend many summer weekends on Cape Cod enjoying its beautiful beaches.  In the fall (with all the kids’ activities), we don’t get to visit as often, but we look forward to getting off the beach chairs to follow our favorite biking path to the National Seashore and to engage in our other Cape Cod favorite fall activities.

For our readers outside of Massachusetts, Cape Cod – locally known as “The Cape” – is a geographical cape extending into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of southeastern Massachusetts.  We have spent most part of summer 2020 here and created our Best Cape Cod Beaches Guide and YouTube Video report.

Here are some of our FALL WEEKEND FAVORITES ON CAPE COD:

EXPLORING THE BEACHES

You are never too far from a beautiful beach on the Cape!  In the summer, we prefer the warm water beaches of Nantucket Sound in Hyannis (or Falmouth), but in the fall we go further to the outer Cape to admire the dunes and waves of the National Seashore Beaches.

See our Guide to Cape Cod beaches.(or watch our popular youtube video)

There are no life guards on the beaches after Labor Day but parking lots stay open all year (parking fees are not collected after Labor Day).

Our newly discovered favorites are Cape Cod Bay beaches in Dennis.  Mayflower Beach in particular is known for its gorgeous sunsets.

BIKING TRAILS

There are a total of 120 miles of biking paths on the Cape – along the ocean vistas, meadows and lakes.  Our new (easy) favorite is Shining Sea Biking Path in Falmouth.  We park in Falmouth and ride for about 5 miles to Woods Hole along the gorgeous stretch of beach.

Our old favorite (which is getting to be a bit much for my knees) is the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT), which follows a former railroad way for 27 miles from the town of Yarmouth in the south through the towns of Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet.  The surface is paved and the hills are few (maybe not) – what’s not to like for a family of casual bikers?

There are several rental shops along the Trail, the biggest being Barb’s at the southern end of the Trail in Dennis.  There is access to National Seashore (Marconi Beach) in Wellfleet, not far from the trail head near PB’s boulangerie.

DAY TRIPPING TO THE ISLANDS OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET

We recently added a trip to Nantucket to our weekend list, but Martha’s Vineyard (seven miles off the southern coast of Cape Cod) remains our favorite island to day trip to.  In fact, we are planning yet another trip there later this fall (This post has a lot of practical information for day-tripping Families including how to get to and around the island).

CAMPING 

There are numerous campgrounds on the Cape and September-October is typically mild enough to enjoy a family camping weekend, and even go for a swim.  One of our favorite campgrounds on Cape Cod is the North of Highland Camping area in Truro.  This campground in the pine tree forrest is situated directly on the preserved National Seashore and provides access to Head of the Meadow Beach.

Our other favorite is  Nickerson State Park in Brewster.  Now, I have a disclaimer to make. Over this past summer and in the beginning of fall, we have been spending time there without actually putting up a tent, all due to our hospitable friends who were staying there.  If you don’t have such friends, you can still enjoy the park and its lakes for a small day fee (see note on watersports below).

WATERSPORTS

We have discovered Cape Cod kayaking only recently and were already tested in kayaking under small rain (we passed!).  So we are now fully confident in recommending the kayaking as fall activity on Cape Cod. For newbie kayakers like ourselves we recommend a quiet (motor-boat free) Swan River. You can kayak from Cape Cod Waterways Rental in Yarmouth, for example, to unique Ocean Beach where the river flows right into the ocean (you should be able to get off your kayak before this happens; about 30-40 mins each way).

Another new family sport this year is paddle boarding (equipment purchase included).  While some members of the family already practiced it this September, I am afraid we won’t be able to do it in October when the water temperature gets colder (maybe with a wet suit?).

We love the Cliff Pond at Nickerson State Park (you can rent both kayaks and paddle boards there); camp site reservation is not required for a day use of the public beach (small fee collected at the entrance).

VISITING ECO PARKS

There are nature trails on all parts of Cape Cod and we still have lots to explore.  At  Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in Chatham you can hike, watch the shorebirds and take a boat ride to a wilderness island (typically in May-October, but boats are not offered in 2020).  You can also view the seals on the sand bar along the harbor inlets or at the Chatham Fish Pier (5 Barcliff Ave).

Sandy Neck Beach Park  “living museum” in Barnstable has literally taken thousands of years to develop into 4,700 acres of dunes, maritime forests, and marshes.

WALKING THE MAIN STREETS

Without the summer traffic and crowds, fall weekends might be the best time to visit Cape Cod’s cute Main Streets.  While in the past years we have enjoyed our fall visits to the colorful Provincetown at the very tip of the Cape (and here is our YouTube report to prove it), this year our favorite Main Street is the one in Chatham.

We might still book a  Provincetown walking tour to learn about the town’s rich literary heritage or let a van tour take us to the the dunes (I heard Art’s Dune Tours are great).

VISITING A MUSEUM

Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich, which houses American cultural artifacts in its three galleries and features the largest garden in all of Southern New England is open through October 18, 2020.  There are numerous nature trails and hidden treasures (and a nature playground for the kids) to spend a full day exploring the indoor and outdoor collections themed around history, technology, art and society (many exhibits change yearly)

Chatham (twin) Light House is an active aid to ocean navigation and is not open to the public, but the original lens and lantern are on display at the Old Atwood House and Museum of the Chatham Historical Society.

ENJOYING A FESTIVAL

Provincetown annual September Tennessee Williams Theater Festival is happening this year on September 24-27 with live performances.

Wellfleet’s 20th Annual Oyster Festival will be virtual his year… Book your calendars for 21st Festival scheduled for October 16 and 17, 2021 (and stay tuned for our video on Wellfleet beaches).

DATE NIGHT

The nights are getting chillier but early fall is still a wonderful time to enjoy a waterfront drink on Cape Cod.  I felt pretty toasty next to a heating lamp at the waterfront deck of Wequassett Inn in Harwich and have added it to our list of Cape Cod fall activities!  We welcome your own suggestions for “heated” outdoor waterfront terraces to take the outdoor dates well into the Cape Cod fall! (I have very recently discovered beach-front dining deck at the Popponesset Inn in Mashpee/New Seabury but not sure if they provide the “heating”).

VISITING WATER PARK ( not in the fall of 2020)

Update: Day passes are not offered in 2020. Inquire about water park availability to the hotel quests.

We have visited the indoor/outdoor water park at Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis on some rainy days before, but the “lazy river”. felt especially right after some 15-mile bike rides along Cape Cod Rail Trail.

After a major recent renovation, the park now has four slides, a lazy river, little kids splash area, 10,000 sf wave pool, as well as hot tub and sauna for parents.  In the summer, they open the retractable roof to let the sun in. Call ahead for day passes or check their website here.

Here are more places to explore on Cape Cod during fall season:

Woods Hole Science Aquarium is small public aquarium with 140 species of marine animals from Northeast and Middle Atlantic waters.  Entrance is free (donations welcome).

Truro Vineyards offers daily wine tastings from April to December, and the tours from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

And when the Covid pandemic is under control, fall will be a great time to check out Cape Cod’s theater events: at the thought provoking WHAT (Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater) or at more  family-oriented Cape Cod Theatre Company (home of Harwich Junior Theater) and The Cape Playhouse (Dennis).

Have you visited the Cape in the fall? What are some of your favorite things to do?

The post Fall Weekends on the Cape appeared first on Celebrate the Weekend.

In the Northeast, we spend October weekends chasing foliage locations that afford open vistas yet are not too far from home.  (In the summer, I am all for WEEKEND trips, but come early fall and a return of school and extracurriculars – we often favor day (and half day) destinations from our suburbia home base South of Boston).  I came up with these three half day fall trips themed around “Little Women” filming locations northwest of Boston.  These short excursions would suit any number of tastes, but we experienced them as mom-daughter trips.

Did you know? The 2019 “Little Women” film was filmed in 11 Massachusetts towns so if you want to continue with the theme, there are a lot more places to explore.

Gibbet Hill and Bancroft Castle in Groton, MA

For our mid-October half day trip to Groton we started with a tour of Gibbet Hill Farm followed by a picnic take out from nearby Gibbet Hill Grill eaten on the fields with a view over Black Angus pastures.

We then went for a short walk (about a mile or so but UP) past the ruins of the mysterious Bancroft Castle and all the way to Gibbet Hill.

The walk was more crowded than I would have liked, but the view from the top onto Nashoba Valley decorated in fall colors was rewarding nevertheless.

Since we decided to continue with our exploration on the way home (south) we stopped in Concord, which could be a half day destination of its own.

Concord, MA

It does not get more “Little Women”y than in Concord.  During our visit last fall, we were able to take photos only of the garden and of the outside of the house, but Louisa May Alcott’s House (Museum) has recently reopened (with timed admission).

After the visit, enjoy the walk on Main street or turn it into a longer trip by visiting nearby Minute Main National Park.

Harvard, MA

Several years ago (thanks to my friend Robin) we discovered the apple orchards in the town of Harvard.  Since then, we have not looked back at the other, more well-known (and crowded) orchards. Our favorite is Westward Orchards.

We typically bring a picnic and spread it out on a blanket between the apple trees.  Apple cider donuts with coffee is also a tradition we do not skip!

This year we added a trip to Harvard’s Main Street centered around the General Store.  It also serves as the town’s coffee bar (worth a stop!) and flower shop and restaurant with outside patio.

We were a little disappointed to realize that the row of period houses in the movie were actually a set built on the town’s Commons- situated between the Store and the Church.  That disappointment led us to explore further afield to the Fruitland Museum (five minutes up the street) which has a collection of period objects and arts as well as stunning views and walking trails. By then it was too late for the Museum itself, but still some time remained to look around and purchase wild blueberry jam from the gift shop.  Next year we need to come back a little closer to peak of the foliage season to appreciate the Fruitland Vista point right above the museum.

Bonus Ideas: If you feel like crossing state lines but still would like to make it home for dinner, visit Blithewold, late 19^th century Country Place Era historic estate with gorgeous gardens and views over Narraganset Bay in Rhode Island.

For a full day adventure, visit Mytoi Japanese Gardens on Martha’s Vineyard.

PIN for later:

The post Chasing Fall Foliage (and Little Women Filming Locations) in Massachusetts appeared first on Celebrate the Weekend.

My family and I enjoyed our share of “below freezing” outings last year (including a Chanukah celebration on our porch!) but this December 2021 we are happy to add indoor celebrations to our list of holiday events in and around Boston.

The Nutcracker is still standing

(Try Cyber Monday link here for discounted tickets)

We are starting the holiday month with the Nutcracker Ballet by Boston Ballet which marks the return of live Boston Ballet performances (and continuation of a long standing tradition in our family).   It is a perfect holiday outing- with gorgeously decorated Boston’s grand historic Opera House and a family friendly staging of the E.T.A. Hoffman’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouth King set to the timeless score by Tchaikovsky (orchestra director Mischa Santora).  Viv, 12, noted how she enjoyed the dancing: our cast included Principal Lasha Khozashvilli as Nutcracker Prince and Chyrstyn Mariah Fentroy as Sugar Plum Fairy- we could not turn our eyes from their Pas de Deux scene!  We also spotted Principal Lia Cirio (Arabian Dancer) and Russian dancers were as always huge crowd pleasers!

Boston Ballet’s 2012 version of the beloved classic is staged by Boston Ballet’s Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen with original set and costume designs by Robert Perdziola.  (November 26- December 26 at the Opera House).

It is a full Company production, but students younger than 12 are not taking part this year (which unfortunately means that there is no Mother Ginger and “the children she keeps under her big skirt” scene).  Be sure to check all health and safety protocols before you plan your ballet outing this year.

Holidays with the Pops

Another prominent local venue – Boston Symphony Hall – is lavishly decorated for the holidays to celebrate the season with live Boston Pops Holiday performances.   These concert shows (a local tradition since 1973) filled with holiday music favorites and Pops sing-along will be on stage December 3-24; with shorter family version Holiday Pops Kids’ Matinees taking place during December weekends.  Here is our report from the family program we attended several years ago.

The Trees and Lights

Update: Skating Spectacular on December 2 at Frog Pond has been cancelled

I love going on holiday walks around Boston looking for decorated Holiday Trees.  Last year there were 14 trees lit up around Boston (we spotted 5).  On Thursday, December 2nd Boston’s number 1 Tree at Boston Common (traditionally delivered from Nova Scotia) will be lit up in a ceremony featuring the the stage show at (6-8 pm) at the Boston Common with new Mayor Michele Wu in attendance (as well as Rudolph and Frosty).  The festivities will culminate in pyrotechnic display (it may get crowded, but Channel 5 will be broadcasting starting at 7pm).

The Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting will immediately follow the Boston Common Tree Lighting at 8 p.m.

Lights and Music

Lights, music and theatrical displays could create a special “ethereal” magic together – especially when inspired by unique architecture and history.  Nightwood Lights and Sound Experience at the Mount (Edith Wharton) estate in Lenox will entice you through December 31 this year.

Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations will host Winterlights festivals at Bradley’s Estate in Canton,  Naumkeag Estate in Lenox and Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens.  Check their website for hours and pricing.

Sparkling Skates

The Frog Pond’s public skating is opening on December 6th (on a temporary pop up rink): check this website link to for the details.

The Grand Opening Celebration of The Skating Club of Boston new state of the art Norwood facility scheduled for December 4 is still ON -featuring former World, Olympic and US medalists as well as current up and coming Club’s stars (a benefit for the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation).

Here is my story on the recent figure skating competition I attended in the Skating Club of Boston’s new home in Norwood.

Holiday Markets

Last winter we enjoyed the breaks from social distancing by taking festive walks in Boston’s prettiest decorated neighborhoods.   Seaport area was one of our favorites, and this year it is hosting a bigger and better Winter Holiday Market at Snowport (November 19 – January 2) with shopping, food and fun activities.

SoWa’s Winter Festival along Thayer Street (December 3-12) is expected to be the biggest Holiday Market in Boston –with 100 local artisans displaying their work in artist studios, showrooms, galleries, and boutiques; there will also be an outdoor winter wonderland with a Trail of Lights, food trucks and a fire pit. Check the  SoWa website for hours and other details.

Here is a link to complete list of Boston’s Holiday Markets 2021.

Holiday Walks

Boston offers quite a few beautiful holiday strolls.  Bring your family and see how many decorated Trees you can spot.  Take the Harbor Walk to Christopher Columbus Park, from there, cross the Greenway (another refreshing stroll adorned with illuminated fountains) to historic Faneuil Hall. Although they are not hosting Blink lights and music tree illuminations this year, Faneuil Hall is always bustling with holiday activities including the daily line up of scheduled and pop up entertainers.

Another beautifully illuminated walk is a mile long tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue (designed in French boulevard style by Arthur Gilman in 1856) stretching from Boston Public Garden to Fenway.  You can admire the statutes to prominent Bostonians along the way.

Boston Harbor Now nonprofit is putting together waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll on New Year’s eve.  Follow the ice-sculpture route for free waterfront excursion (from 1:00pm – dusk on December 31, 2021).

NEW YEAR’S EVE

First Night Boston is back to ring 2022 with celebrations from noon to midnight that include ice sculptures, concerts, parades and fireworks over Boston Common.  Check out complete schedule here.

Rhode Island Mansions

Another festive holiday experience not far from Boston awaits at the Newport Mansions and Blithewold Estate in Bristol, Rhode Island.

For many other musical and theatrical holiday experiences, check out the calendar listing with discounted tickets from bostix.

What are your favorite Boston holiday experiences?

The post Holidays 2021 in and around Boston appeared first on Celebrate the Weekend.

Just like that, another year of covid has gone by, and as I am writing this post in the first weekend of 2022, despite all the challenges and travel restrictions, we look forward to a new year of making family travel memories.  Whether it is going to be on a road trip in New England or on a journey across the ocean – is still to be seen, but hopefully, there will be plenty of both!

2021 started joyfully for us as travel restrictions were being slowly lifted and our vaccine cards getting filled.  We enjoyed several family vacations (including a trip abroad) and many fun weekend celebrations- before the virus did catch up with us – and our December holiday plans.

So let’s recap our 2021 travel triumphs and challenges.

In January we went to North Conway, New Hampshire on our first pandemic ski trip.  Here was one place where wearing face masks felt normal!

In February, we continued our Florida winter road trip tradition.  This time we discovered a West Coast gem of Marco Island on Florida’s Paradise Coast South of Naples.  We also took advantage of on line working and schooling and spent a week being digital nomads in St. Augustine, Florida.  We plan to be back in this charming historical city -and promise to write about it-, but we did report from our 6-hour stop-over in Savannah, Georgia on that trip.

We liked the white thick sand of Florida’s Gulf shore (and the freedom of road tripping) so much, that in April we went back for more, this time as a couple, to Miramar Beach on the Emerald Coast.

We took advantage of the adults-only trip and stopped in New Orleans for our weekend of food and music.  The blog story from this colorful city, full of old-world charm is coming up soon.

In May we spent a family (rainy) weekend in New York City.  That did not stop us from walking all over the city and eating outdoors as this city has more adaptable dining options than most in the US. (We went  back for Thanksgiving Weekend and were able to catch a glimpse of two seasons at once!)

During summer and fall weekends– we went back to our local New England favorites- Cape Cod, the island of Martha’s Vineyard and the Berkshires.  Tanglewood summer was back and we enjoyed several picnics with Boston Symphony.  We also were thrilled to return to LIVE theater- with an outdoor production at Shakespeare & Co in Lenox.  We stayed in the Seven Hills (a cozy motel with Gilded Age main building).

In Lenox we also discovered day passes to Spa Miraval – and can’t wait to return during warmer months to fully enjoy their beautiful outdoor space.

On Cape Cod we started what would hopefully become a new tradition- an extended family biking in Falmouth (complete with two grandmas!) celebrating my sister-in-law birthday.

Martha’s Vineyard in November to celebrate a friend’s birthday made a return.

Another happy return was a couple’s weekend in coastal Maine (we updated the post with our “discovery” of Cabbage Island clambake).

Finally, with all our domestic travel experience we were ready for our first pandemics trip abroad (also our first pandemics air travel) for my big birthday in September.  We decided to go to Iceland which being a short plane ride from Boston offered something for everyone in our multi-age, multi-interest family travel group.  I am finalizing my trip reports from our self-drive around Iceland in 7 days (complete with a spa visit for every day of the trip).

Now, travelling in this era of “new normal” is challenging and… far from normal.  Researching ever changing travel restrictions, scheduling pre-departure covid test for the family of 5, dealing with delays caused by provider’s computer system crash, taking the video-monitored covid tests in an Icelandic hotel room in the middle of nowhere, while trying to catch the Northern Lights – was difficult.   And as we feared- there were indeed the circumstances that interfered with our travel plans, like finding our that one of us was “positive” on a routine “pcr” test for our Canadian trip planned for last weekend.  But as we are currently home-bound, nursing our viruses during this first weekend of 2021, we have NOT stopped hoping and planning our next travel adventure.  I admit, planning a foreign trip for extended family group is next to impossible at this time, but we are hoping for ski trips with family and friends, and a multi-age extended family birthday roadtrip to Maine , and- just maybe if we are lucky- a return to Europe.

So here are a couple of tips (and lessons) on planning a family getaway at the time of covid:

• For an extended family group, stick to domestic destinations, preferably within a driving distance; Roadtrips offer the biggest flexibility.  It took me a long time to get mentally ready for a foreign trip and I did say “never in the time of covid” several times as I was waiting for delayed test results during the night before our trip.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to “wait” for pandemic to end before going on a foreign trip and plenty of local destinations to be enjoyed.  There is a lot of uncertainty in planning a foreign trip right now and I still do not have a good answer to “what if one of us tests positive while abroad” issue.  Do share if you have your tips on this!
• If you do brave a foreign trip, research official travel restrictions (usually on the government websites) and be sure to check them often (e.g. Iceland changed theirs 3 times in the last 2 months before our trip).  Be ready to go fast if travel terms seem “favorable” or you just recovered from covid and could take advantage of testing “amnesty” for a couple of months.
• If covid tests are required, pay attention to the type of tests and timing requirements and book yours well in advance. We booked our pcr tests on cvs site (for free) 10 days in advance.   If rapid tests are allowed, choose this option so you don’t need to depend on often unpredictable wait time.  Order plenty of home self tests  and test before your “official” test to possibly avoid surprises.   For a return test back to the U.S. we used an abbot test purchased on emed -with video component.   It worked for us in the middle of nowhere in Iceland, but you should also research rapid test options at a local pharmacy should your internet connection fail you. *Omicron update: there is currently a severe shortage of testing spots/locations.
• If you strongly prefer outdoor dining you may need to choose “warm weather” destinations or do a lot of advanced research on the subject (in some cities, like New York, an outdoor dining is a thing even during cold or rainy months, but you still need to research the places).  During 2021, we spent a rainy weekend outdoor dining in New York City, a summer weekend picnicking through concerts in the Berkshires and a week bargaining with wait staff in Iceland persuading them to serve us outdoors in September.
• An unexpected benefit of overcoming family covid- is a test-free trip planning- for 3-6 months depending on a destination.  Let’s see if we manage to take advantage of it!

The post 2021 in Family Travel Weekends. appeared first on Celebrate the Weekend.

With everything that is going on in the world right now, I did not think I was in the mood for a ballet.  But in the press release for new contemporary program, DREAMstate, Boston Ballet’s Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen promised the “feast for eyes, ears and soul”.  So taking my husband with me I decided to escape the reality for the night.

DREAMstate is an evening of three innovative ballets – of its time (George Balanchine’s Chaconne was first performed in 1976, Jiří Kylián’s Bella Figura– in 1995 and Stephen Galloway’s DEVIL’S/eye is first premiering on March 17, 2022 when we attended).

Boston Ballet is well recognized among the ballet companies for its work with the most forward contemporary choreographers as it continues to also stage classical ballets.  “I can’t think of another company I would trust to come along on this journey with me” said Stephen Galloway, who created the centerpiece ballet of the evening – DEVIL’S/eye set to the music of Rolling Stones -especially for Boston Ballet. Aside from his work as a choreographer, Galloway is a well-known “fashion forward” brand consultant who designed the costumes for the piece. Long time artistic collaborator of William Forsythe at Ballet Frankfurt, Galloway has been embracing careers in both the dancing and the fashion world.  He also worked with Rolling Stones for many years (as movement director for Mick Jagger).

As he was setting a celebration of Rolling Stones’ songs on a classical ballet stage for the first time, Galloway said that he intended to make a ballet “that’s both fun to dance and fun to look at”.   He called it a “rhythmical reaction” to the Rolling Stones songs (according to the “Boston Globe”).  His costumes are fittingly “sparkly, bright and purple”.  While the Boston audience was not quite dancing in the aisles as the choreographer probably envisioned, they were quite vocal in their response to this exuberantly joyful celebration of the Stones’ music and gave it a standing ovation.   A rock and roll party is what I can come up with to describe what was happening on stage, but I urge you to come and experience this ballet for yourself (I also hope it will become a part of the repertoire and we will see it again and again).

Out of the three performances this evening, my husband loved this ballet the best. He especially appreciated that the music was from Stones’ concert recordings and that the movements were staged to showcase both the lyrics and those longer interlude parts of the songs.

The evening started with Balanchine’s abstract ballet Chaconne set to the music of Gluck from the opera Orfeo ed Euridice.  The opera is based on Greek mythology and expresses the ancient Greeks’ version of “paradise” – a melancholy; peaceful but also sad. It is mostly an ensemble piece (27 dancers) of contemporary choreography for its time (1976), and is the most “classical” one of the program, pure ballet.  It is also a perfect set off for the louder emotions of the other two programs. While we connected with two other works of the evening more closely, we did greatly enjoy the pas de deux of Ji Young Chae and Paulo Arrais. (You can find the full casting information here.)

The final ballet was Jiří Kylián’s Bella Figura created in 1995.  Boston Ballet was the first American Company to present this 9-dancer creation by the world renown choreographer in 2011 (we first saw it in 2014).  Set to a selection of Baroque music (Lucas Foss, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Vivaldi) it celebrates the expressions of the human body- through the “poetry of movement”, regardless of gender.  Possibly to support this idea- the dancers- both female and male – are dressed in identical red skirts and are nude from waist up.

Bella Figura Ballet was the part of the program that I connected with the most: there was a particular moment during Vivaldi’s Andante (from Concerto for 2 Mandolins) where I found myself completely lost in the moment, almost in tears.  My husband enjoyed the geometrical interplays between the dancers but did not care for the larger group (of 9) movements.

DREAMstate runs approximately two hours and 20 minutes, including two intermissions.

For covid policy details, please visit bostonballet.org.

DREAMstate takes place at the Citizens Bank Opera House (539 Washington Street in Boston).

Here are the remaining performances:

Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 pm
Friday, March 25 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 26 at 1:30 pm
Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 27 at 1:30 pm

Tickets start at $39. For more information, visit bostonballet.org/DREAMstate or call 617.695.6955.

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Mother’s Day is a good time to restore and renew our energies- with yoga, art and by just being outside with your loved ones and observing the nature rebirth.

Here are some of my Mother’s Day ideas in Boston- for any day in May.

WELLNESS DAY

Last weekend I went away to the Berkshires with my girlfriends for a day of yoga and meditation at Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA.  We opted for a day pass which gave us access to healthy meals and onsite classes and spent the night at a nearby Yankee Inn motel (taking advantage of great pricing in May).  We also took advantage of the Berkshires inspiring surroundings and took a walk around the Mount Estate (For other Berkshires itineraries, check out my post).

(if you have never been to Kripalu, read this post about my day at Kripalu from a couple of years ago).

For a more luxurious retreat in Lenox – again, made more affordable with a Day Pass– you could visit Miraval Spa.  It costs roughly two times more than a day at Kripalu but includes a massage and use of swimming pools (in addition to a selection of varied wellness classes).

If you could spend a couple of days away and driving a bit further north does not scare you – water spas in Magog and Montreal in Canada offer a great relaxation (add site seeing if you so choose).  Note that covid testing is no longer required for vaccinated travelers when entering Canada (be sure to check all the entry requirements, including ArriveCan forms on this site).

BALLET FOR MOM

Celebrate Mom by sending her to one (or more) of the three Boston Ballet’s performances in May. Use code MOTHERSDAY by May 9 for $20 discount. There is Next Generation one night showcase of young Boston Ballet artists on May 11; MINDScape on May 5-15 (featuring the world premieres by two of the most significant living choreographers: William Forsythe’s Blake Works III and Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo’s Ruth’s Dance, plus the return of Forsythe’s Blake Works I) and traditional Swan Lake on May 26-June 5.

I plan to attend Next Generation showcasing not just the up and coming dancers (of Boston Ballet II and Boston Ballet School Post Graduate program in collaboration with New England Conservatory Preparatory School) but new choreographers.  I especially look forward to seeing Boston Ballet principal dancer’s Lia Cirio’s Lenore pas de deux set to Dvorak’s score.

GARDEN DATE

 One of my favorite local gardens is at the Bristol (RI) turn of the century Blithewold Estate with views over Narragansett Bay. They are hosting Tea and Scones on the Porch May 19-October 16 which includes estate and garden admission.

Lilac Sunday is traditionally celebrated on Mother’s Day at Boston’s Arboretum  but gorgeous lilacs are in bloom there for a couple of more weeks in May.

Other pretty Boston’s blooms could be found on the Greenway, in Boston Public Garden (swan boats are in season!) and on Beacon Hill neighborhood.

TAKE HER TO MUSEUM

Visiting an art museum could be both therapeutic and connecting experience- both are perfect for this Mother’s day agenda.  Boston’s MFA offers free Admission for Mother’s Day while at Harvard Art Museums– there is always free admission on Sundays!

TOURING AROUND

One of my favorite pastime is planning trips and touring.  Even if you can’t go on a trip this May, there are plenty of local tour companies in Boston to take you on a journey. One of my favorites is Free Tours by Foot Boston (with Brian). Be sure to check and out their May Calendar and get transported without leaving town.

Newport, RI is also a perfect day trip destination in May and we have spent several Mother’s Days there with family, touring one of the mansions, walking the Cliff walk and enjoying water views from the boat tours (or waterfront restaurants).    Note that several mansions in the care of Newport Preservation Society are closed until May 27 (rumor has it, for filming of the second season of Gilded Age series) but the Breakers and Chepstow are open. We plan to visit Rough Point Mansion soon.

GIFT IDEA FOR MOM

If Mom in your family is a figure skating fan, treat her to tickets for Skate America, to be hosted at the Skating Club of Boston‘s new Norwood facility in October. Here is the link to the tickets.

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SUMMER  2022 update: check out the list of summer 2022 PERFORMANCES), family and children’s programming is back!

I used to think of a Tanglewood concert (in Massachusetts Berkshires) as a romantic date night idea. Over the last couple of summers however, attending a Tanglewood concert has become our family’s tradition (it is still part of our Berkshires couple’s getaways).

I have put together this list of things you may want to know about experiencing Tanglewood with family – so you could start your own Tanglewood summer family tradition!

(You can also follow our YouTube VLOG from our trip in July of 2019)

1. DIVERSE MUSICAL PROGRAMMING (and seating options)

Tanglewood, (in its 85^th season in the summer of 2022), is of course the summer home of Boston Symphony Orchestra but also a center for advanced musical studies which welcomes nation’s leading young artists every summer to train and perform.

Official 2022 BOSTON SYMPHONY SUMMER season starts on Friday July 8th, (with Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2, Age of Anxiety, and Igor Stravinsky’s revolutionary he Rite of Spring) but Tanglewood programs open for the concert-goers earlier in the season (on June 17 this summer).  See full list of performances HERE.  Every Tanglewood summer traditional grand classical pieces (by the Boston Symphony) of are complimented by the beloved Boston POPS and other popular artists’ performances in a variety of musical styles.

A couple of summers ago, we got to experience Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue inside the Koussevitzky Music Shed.

As much as we enjoyed this magical experience, for families with young children, LAWN seating is the best (and most affordable) choice .  There are programs during almost every day of the season (through September 5 this year), with Sunday afternoon concerts (2:30pm) offering the most pre-concert programming to entertain and educate the entire family.  (Saturday morning rehearsals or any programs with lawn seating will work too!)

And, children’s (under 18) tickets are always FREE for the lawn. (Note that children 5 and under are not permitted inside the Koussevitzky Music Shed Seiji Ozawa Hall during performances; there is NO age restriction for the lawn).

2. KIDS PROGRAMMING 

To help families make musical connections,  Tanglewood’s family programming includes an annual Family Concert (on July 23 in the summer of 2022) (Thomas Wilkins conducts  Boston Symphony Orchestra) with pre and post-concert family activities and Instrument Playground. T he 2022 season also kicks off weekly scavenger hunts where families can learn and explore the Tanglewood grounds.

I am hoping family pre-concert “Watch and Play” sessions will be back next summer.  We made sure to include these fun and educational programs part of our  Tanglewood visits every time we visited with kids.  They typically had one or two members of the Boston Symphony (performing that night) engage the kids (ages 3-10, but all welcome!) with questions (“How does this music makes you feel?”), rhyming exercises, and virtuoso musical jokes (“Have you tried playing one violin with 2 bows?).

3. CONCERT TIME: KIDS CAN STILL PLAY!

During the concert time on Sunday afternoons, our kids would dance when younger, but now are mostly quietly reading or drawing (no, we are not the “no electronics” family by no means, but we can still enforce the temporary “no gadget” rule with the elementary school kids in our group).

It is perfectly acceptable for the concert-going families on the lawn to get up and leave at times, or eat and drink, as long as you do not excessively bother other patrons. (I can tell you that the girls’ dancing during performances did not seem to bother anyone).  Choose your lawn place “strategically” depending on your family’s needs. We had our blanket close to Shed, under a tree (for best shade). If it rains, you can quickly find refuge in the rear of the Shed; but some families prefer to position themselves further back in the rear of lawn, closer to play area (and the bathrooms).

If your kids need even more freedom to play than the Lawn area near the actual Concert Shed can offer (say, they would rather play ball) you can take them to the grassy area in the rear of the lawn, near the Visitors Center and in the Apple Tree lot of Ozawa Hall.

4. PARENTS CAN ENJOY SOME WINE WITH THEIR PICNIC

I love putting time and effort into preparing my special “Tanglewood” picnic basket worthy of the occasion (and it seems that a number of other people do so).  But- you can just bring a bag of chips and still fit in. It is a wonderfully accepting place.

5. EXPANSIVE GROUNDS

The quality of Tanglewood musical performances is superb, but beautiful grounds are an essential part of the atmosphere.

You can see the Berkshire Mountains and the nearby Stockbridge bowl from some areas on the Lawn.  The Visitor’s Center (rear of the lawn) offers Exhibits and information on Tanglewood history and walking tours of the grounds (call 413-637-5393  for more information) .  There are also several casual dining options, and ice-cream concession stands.  “Glass house” gift shop offers musical souvenirs and Tanglewood merchandise.

6. IT’S AFFORDABLE!

Tanglewood offers FREE lawn tickets for children and youth age 17 and younger (up to four free children’s tickets are available per adult; this offer does not extend to the “Popular Artist” series) at the Tanglewood Box Office on the day of the concert. You need to get your free tickets at the Box offices located at the entrance gates on the day of the concert.  Adult lawn tickets range between $10-$26 depending on the day and time of performance, and students’ 18 and older tickets are 50% off.

We usually come 2.5 hours prior to performance to set up and enjoy the grounds and the pre-concert programming; they do not seem to run out of lawn tickets even if you come closer to performance time (with the exception of the 4^th of July when all tickets were sold out in advance). For advance ticket purchases, call 617-266-1200 or purchase on line HERE.

7. YOU CAN MAKE IT A DAY TRIP

From our suburb South of Boston, we have done both day trips and overnight visits to Tanglewood; it’s just over 2 hours one way for us (more in traffic, of course, but if you leave early, you should be fine).

Check out SUMMER SUNDAYS bus tours from Boston. I have not tried them but they are officially partnered with Tanglewood and offer both transportation and tickets – see more information here.

8. NEW PLANS/ADDED SUNDAY PROGRAMMING 

Stay tuned for additional weekend programming (think yoga on the lawn, walking tours and learning programs) to make its return to post-Covid Tanglewood.  

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter as I will be reporting from Tanglewood in July and August!

MORE TIPS FOR YOUR TANGLEWOOD VISIT:

1. It is always better to purchase your tickets (even lawn ones) in advance, but in summer of 2022 you should not have a problem walking in (do come early).

2. For Covid protocols check this link (masks, tests, vaccination cards are currently NOT required)

2. Plan to come early for best lawn seating options and to enjoy pre-concert programming. Grounds Open at 5:30pm for the evening concerts; and on 9am for morning Rehearsals; On Sundays: at Noon for 2:30pm concert (check the timing for special events).

3. Cooking and open flames are prohibited.

4. In the event of severe weather, patrons will be directed to shelters (no refunds offered).

5. Umbrellas are now permitted (and small open-sided canopies) to shade from the sun (no stakes over 6″ in length, or canopies of more than 6′ square or umbrellas exceeding 4′ in diameter. )

6. No pets (except for service animals) are allowed on Tanglewood property.

For more things to do in the beautiful Berkshires with kids, check out this Post.

PIN FOR LATER

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Skate America-2022 concluded at the Skating Club of Boston’s new rink in Norwood, MA this past weekend.  It was the first of the 6-event ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series – which will culminate  in the Grand Prix Final on December 8-11 in Torino, Italy.

I was not a part of the official media pool this time and got to take in the atmosphere from a spectator perspective (a local spectator I should add, as I happen to live within a 15-min drive from the arena).  As spectacular as 2,500-seat Norwood arena is- it is considered on a smaller side for this type of international events.  Those of us who were fortunate to secure our all-event tickets back in spring though – enjoyed an almost intimate community-like celebration of the sport of figure skating. If you stayed in the central area  (by the souvenir kiosk) long enough between the events – you had a chance to mingle with many figure skating stars of past, future and present!

Here is my report from Skate America- in 14 pictures!

“QuadgOd” Delivered!

If you ask any of the attendees to describe the event in two words- I am pretty sure it would be “Quad Axel”.  17-year old (youngest ever) men’s event winner Ilia Malinin of the US has successfully landed the jump in his free program, followed by 4 more quadruple jumps (one under-rotated). Malinin is the first skater to ever land this jump in competition. (it first happened earlier in the fall at the US Classic in Lake Placid).  Ilia kept the audience in suspense until the day of men’s free skate event when we saw the coveted jump declared in the program content sheet.  It felt amazing to be witnessing a figure skating history right in front of me!  That axel was the first jump of the program and the buzz never really stopped until the very end.

From a scoring point of view, the quad axel (which has a half of a revolution more than other quad jumps) is worth only one point more (12.5 vs 11.5) than quad lutz jump.  Considering that Malinin’s overall technical score for the free program was 112 vs. (second place) Miura’s  94 – it is possibly not enough of risk reward in it of itself to be including it in the program.  But Ilia’s perfect execution ( he got 4.1 out of 5 grade of execution bonus added) and general “wow” factor may just keep him going for it- to the delight of his fans.

Women’s Power

There was a plethora of incredible female athletes at the event. Take Deanna Stellato-Dudek who at 39 won silver for Canada in the pairs event with partner Maxime Deschamps.  Deanna had retired from the sport as a single skater at 17 to come back 16 years later as a pairs skater at the age of 32!  Stellato-Deschamps finished only 3 points behind another pair with the strong female lead on the podium – US’s Alexa Knierim /Brandon Frazier, (who were coming off their world championships win earlier in the year).

Alexa Knierim, 31, has previously partnered with husband Chris Knierim but went on to find a new partner after Chris decided to retire from the competitive skating in 2020 (Knierim and Frazier finished 6th at the 2022 Olympics in their second season competing together).

In Ladies’ event I was most looking forward to seeing US’s Gracie Gold, Isabeau Levito and Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto perform- for different reasons.  Sakamoto is a reigning world champion and 2022-Olympics bronze medal winner who takes over the rink with her powerful uninhibited style. At 15, Levito is US’s bronze medal winner from earlier this year.  It is this skater’s effervescent flowing presence on ice I adore the most – her free skate performance set to the music of Eugene Doga’s famous waltz gave me goose bumps (despite Levito’s issues with the jumps).

At 27 Gracie Gold is probably the oldest  ladies’ skater currently competing  internationally (and the oldest one to perform a triple lutz-triple toeloop combination).  I saw Gracie’s win at 2014 US Championships in Boston! Gracie came back to the competition a couple of years ago after dealing with mental illness but has been gaining competitive strength every year.  She finished 6^th in the field of 11 here at Skate America but I believe in her ability to improve as the season progresses. She has already won the hearts of the figure skating fans with her determination and perseverance.

Passions of the Dance

Out of the four disciplines, ice dance is the most subjectively judged. There is rarely an upset by a lower ranked couple, yet it almost happened here.  US’s Madison Chock-Evan Bates (the most experienced currently competing ice dance pair) have barely edged their teammates (and Montreal training mates) Kaitlin Hawayek-Jean-Luc Baker (Hawayek-Baker actually won the free skate).

Chock-Bates’ programs this year are meditations on love. It is still early in the season and (newly engaged) Chock-Bates, who have their eyes set on the top of the World’s podium, will surely enhance their performance with real life passions -as well as technical finesse- as the season develops.  (Bates at 33 became the oldest Skate America ice dance winner ever; the skater has 4 Olympics behind him, two of them paired with Chock).

The crowd absolutely loved the silver medal winners Hawayek and Baker’s free program (which earned the best scores of the day in the two-program competition).  The couple used the music from Norwegian musician Askjell in their etherial program that looked incredibly well trained.

Stars of the Future

Post Olympic year always brings career pauses and retirements and a chance for new generation (and those who stick around) – to shine.  Brother-sister pair of Maria Mokhova (16)/Ivan Mokhov (23) (USA) were added to the list of pairs event participants  just 3 days prior to the event but took 4^th place and delighted the audience with their classic lines (I also give them the award of having the sweetest off-ice personalities of the entire event!).

Viv and I were happy to mingle with another young US’s pair-  ice dancers Lorraine McNamara/Anton Spiridonov (7^th place in respectable dance field here) who also have all the potential to grow in the ranks.

Fan Fest

Saturday was a pleasantly sunny day in Boston last weekend and fans enjoyed some more “official” mingling activities organized by the US Figure Skating, including autograph signing session with Ashley Wagner (Sunday sessions were moved indoors due to rain).  These sessions are as much about a couple of seconds spent connecting with a favorite skater as about bringing home a signed program.   As a local of the area, Ashley is a frequent guest star at Boston’s skating events ( I look forward to running into her in local coffee shops as well).

Sport’s Greatest

I believe Aljona Savchenko (who was born in Ukraine but later represented Germany) is not only the best pairs figure stater but one of the greatest athletes of all times.  Not only did she go to five Olympics, she kept getting better, took on a new partner after her fourth Olympics in 2014 (where she earned bronze), got him to her level, and finally earned gold medal in her fifth Olympics at the age of 34 (in 2018 in Pyeongchang).  I don’t know if there is anyone who could match that success- do you?

Now a coach, Aljona brought two young pairs to the event (Greta Crafoord/John Crafoord of Sweden and Germany’s Letizia Roscher/Luis Schuster).  I can only hope seeing Deanna successfully compete at 39 might have given Aljona some ideas…

Flags of Allegiance

As much as I want figure skating to be the place to escape from the “real” world, it is just not realistic.  Ukrainian dance pair of Maria Holubtsova and Kyryl Bielobrov placed last of the 10 competitors here but were received with heartwarming support from the crowd waving the  Ukrainian flags.

Here is their gofundme campaign to support the pair’s training away from their war-torn home.

*Russian skaters are indefinitely banned from competition due to their country’s invasion of Ukraine.

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It is the opening night of As Anticipated at Boston’s Opera House and we are part of the eclectic audience eagerly anticipating Boston Ballet’s new program.  The (3-works) William Forsythe’ evening features Boston Ballet guest choreographer’s Approximate Sonata (1996) and Artifact Suite (2004) -with a world premiere of its newly added “prequel” – Défilé. 

Black curtain slowly goes up and down… several times.  We are intrigued: is it a technical glitch or part of the performance?   As the evening begins, the “slow” (20 second) “journey” of the curtain (up to the ceiling or down to the stage) signifies  the end of each musical scene in the first piece of the evening – Approximate Sonata. “I want to keep people curious..”, – Forsythe  said (in the interview to Boston’s WBUR), so they “stay focused until we make transitions”.  (Later in the program, in the Artifact Suite, the curtain crushes to the floor in less than a second).

With 58 years in dance world, first as a dancer and then as a choreographer and artistic director of several international companies, Forsythe is one of the most influential choreographers working today.  His work is experimental yet deeply rooted in classical traditions.

“This highly anticipated program encapsulates the cutting-edge artistry that Boston audiences have experienced with William Forsythe ballets, and introduces new audiences to his revelatory style… said Boston Ballet’s Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen.

My 23-year old son Dennis who has seen quite a few Boston Ballet’s story ballets with me over the years is such new audience.  “Being able to focus on artistry and performance skill, being able to interpret freely without the constrains of a story or expected plot allows for deeper connection with the movement on stage” he wrote to me (in a text message). “The abstraction is definitely not for everyone, but it allows the potential to experience something truly transcendental”.

Forsythe’s work does have a trance like effect on the audience.  In the second and third Act of the evening, during the Artifact Suit -my companion Sveta and I found ourselves hypnotized in a “combined” response to the grounded pushing-and-pulling movements, minimalistic music, costumes and stage design.

The central part of the evening- (world premiere) Défilé is designed as a “prequel” to existing parts of the Artifact Suite (which in turn is based on Forsythe’s full length ballet Artifact from 1984).  The piece is inspired by Paris Opera tradition of defile du ballet – “a spectacle that showcases the artists of the entire company in a stately, processional manner”.  Forsythe explained in his interview to Boston’s WGBH that everything here is based on the ground, there are almost no jumps… Ballet’s roots are all about “stylish walking”.

The “courtly” mood of the Défilé is accentuated by minimalistic musical score based on Bach’s Variations (produced by Forsythe in collaboration with Boston Ballet music director Mischa Santora).  Part II of the Artifact Suite- “Chaconne” is set to Bach; and Part III – to Eva Hecht’s Bach adaptation.  The Défilé audience is encouraged to make connecting references to the original “Artifact Suit” and I want to re-watch the program now to better appreciate all the references. What is seen to the naked eye is Forsythe’s both “honoring” and reinventing balletic traditions.  And I agree with Mikko Nissinen that As Anticipated is  “A world premiere from him is an international event you won’t want to miss.”

While I admired the interesting construction of large ensemble numbers, it is the pas de deux that has the most impact on me.  In Chaconne I was completely taken by principal Chyrstyn Fentroy  (partnering with principal Lasha Khozashvili).  In general I found the choreography of  Artifact Suite more agreeable than the more rigid (“shocking”, as my companion put it) movements in the pas de deux of Approximate Sonata.  In Défilé I could not turn my eyes off of principal Lia Cirio, and soloist Maria Alvarez  (See full casting information here).

It is obvious that Boston Ballet dancers are very comfortable with Forsythe’s choreography- (they have been working with him here since 2016 and some even longer- during earlier careers with European companies) and we look forward to more Forsythe during years to come.

“As Anticipated” runs on November 3-13 and is second program of Boston Ballet’s 59^th season (which opened with “My Obsession” 4-works program in October).

For tickets go to Boston Ballet’s website. Use code BBFRIENDS to get a $40 ticket for all performances of As Anticipated and Our Journey. Valid on select dates of Don Quixote  (March 16-26) and The Sleeping Beauty (May 25-June 4).

All performances of As Anticipated will take place at the Citizens Bank Opera House
(539 Washington St, Boston)

Remaining performances of As Anticipated:
Sunday, Nov 6 at 1:30 pm
Thursday, Nov 10 at 7:30 pm
Friday, Nov 11 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, Nov 12 at 1:30
Saturday, Nov 12 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, Nov 13 at 1:30 pm

Program Details:

Approximate Sonata
Choreography: William Forsythe
Music: Thom Willems
Scenic Design: William Forsythe
Costume Design: Stephen Galloway
Lighting Design: William Forsythe

Défilé (World Premiere)
Choreography: William Forsythe
Music: Mischa Santora, after J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations, Variation 15

Artifact Suite
Choreography: William Forsythe
Music: J.S. Bach (Chaconne in D Minor), Eva Crossman-Hecht
Costume Design: William Forsythe
Lighting Design: William Forsythe

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This past weekend our family embraced winter holidays-22 with Mom-daughter visit to the Nutcracker at Boston Ballet (now-December 31, Boston Opera House).  Boston Ballet’s 2012 version of the beloved classic is staged by its Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen with original set and costume designs by award-winning Robert Perdziola.

Attending the Nutcracker together is our long-standing (and very cherished) holiday tradition which marks beginning of the holiday season for us- the one I look forward to every year (despite my general dislike of winter).

The Nutcracker is a perfect family holiday outing- starting with beautifully decorated Boston’s grand historic Opera House and staging (based on Hoffman’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouth King – see full synopses here.)- that is family friendly yet appealing to all audiences.  I found myself tearing up in several places- touched by Tchaikovsky’s timeless music (Boston Ballet’s orchestra is masterfully led by Mischa Santora) accompanying refined and inspired dancing.  During our Saturday matinee performance last weekend we enjoyed delightful Clara (Rimi Nakano) dancing with John Lam (in the role of Drosselmeier) and the pas de deux of Ji Young Chae (Sugar Plum Fairy) performing with Jeffrey Cirio (as Nutcracker Prince), and Lasha Khozashvili with Viktorina Kapitonova (as Snow King and Queen).  We were also quite taken by mysterious magic of Arabian Coffee dance performed by Addie Tapp and Daniel Rubin (You may find full Casting information here.)

Of course we welcomed the post-pandemics return of Mother Ginger and her 8 children and all Boston Ballet school students that have been missing from Boston Ballet stage for a couple of years.

“The Nutcracker is 128 years old and yet remains a staple of classical ballet for companies around the world and an enduring, timeless holiday tradition that brings friends and families together….” said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. “This year, we are thrilled to welcome back beloved characters, from the littlest lamb to the largest Mother Ginger.”

Check out our post-Nutcracker utube Backstage tour video from a ouple of years ago.

Do you know that the Nutcracker is one of the largest builds the Company has ever done, engaging craftspeople from across the United States to build larger-than-life  production sets?

The Nutcracker performance length is approximately 2 hours including one intermission.

Here are more ways to celebrate the Holidays around Boston-22:

Holiday Pops at Boston Symphony (December 1-24)

Ice skating at Boston Common Frog Pond.

The Nightwood immersive lights and sounds show at the Edith Wharton Mount estate in Lenox, MA (through January 1).

Blue Man Group Bostonholiday themed performances (December 15^th -December 31).

Seaport Winter Market (now through December 31; closed December 25-26; Menorah Lighting at One Seaport on Thursday, December 22 at 6:00pm) Hanukkah at the MFA December 15, 5-10pm.

SoWa Winter Festival through December 11.

Boston Holiday lights Walks: Boston Common, Commonwealth Ave, waterfront Columbus Park, Faneuil Hall, Seaport.

NEW YEAR’S EVE: First Night Boston will ring 2023 with celebrations from noon to midnight on December 31 that include ice sculptures, ice shows, concerts, parades and fireworks over Boston Common.  Check out complete schedule here.

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