CULTURE
Boston Tea Party Reenactment However you feel about American history, you gotta admit the Boston Tea Party was one of the great frat boy-style pranks, right up there with the Trojan Horse. For this year’s reenactment they’ll actually be throwing in tea from the East India Company. Part one, at the Old South Meeting House, is ticketed ($25), but the rest of the drama is free of charge. ART
Free Thursdays at the ICA One can easily go through life seeing the same boring stuff every day—if it wasn’t cold and dark outside, would you even know what time of year it is? Don’t lie to us: you could use some radical visual stimulus. How about contemporary art? Pro tip: the Institute of Contemporary Art has free admission on Thursday nights. You’re welcome. MOVIES
La Belle et la Bete Napoleon spread French culture through imperial conquest, but the French Cultural Center is a lot more chill, preferring to host events like this screening of the 2014 French version of “Beauty and the Beast.” Much darker in tone than the Disney version, director Christophe Gans’ rendition imagines an entirely original backstory for the Beast. Interested parties should RSVP by phone or online. SHOPPING
Harvard Square Holiday Fair If you’re new in Cambridge, you’ve probably already heard a longtime resident lamenting how “corporate” Harvard Square has gotten. Fair enough, but there’s still a solid amount of bohemia for those who know where to look. The holiday crafts fair, for instance, remains a beloved tradition. This weekend it’s at 50 Church St.; next weekend it moves to St. Paul’s Church. DRINK
Winter Welcome Party Everett-based craft brewery Night Shift rings in the winter months with this three-stop party, featuring live music from Sam Reid and the Riot Act, food from Munch Mobile Kitchen, classic video games at Bit Fest arcade and tours of both Night Shift and the nearby Short Path Distillery, which will be offering some yet-to-be-announced creations. OUTDOORS
Kendall Square Holiday on Ice The Frog Pond may have Boston’s most iconic outdoor rink, but Kendall Square’s holding it down north of the Charles as an alternative option. All day Saturday, admission will be free. You’ll still need to pay if you want to rent skates, though. At 2 p.m. Frozen Frog productions will put on a skating show with professional and international talents. FOOD
Taza Chocolate Holiday Open House If you’re a local chocolate hound, you already know about Taza’s unique stone-ground chocolate. If you want to spread the love to your holiday list, or perhaps you just want a discount on a case for your greedy self, come down Saturday. There will also be free hot chocolate, guided chocolate tastings and a peek at the factory.
Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Old South Meeting House
310 Washington St., Boston
Free, 800-838-3006
gottea2015.bpt.me
Thursday, 5-9 p.m.
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave., Boston
Free, 617-478-3100
icaboston.org
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
French Cultural Center
53 Marlborough St., Boston
Free, 617-912-0400
frenchculturalcenter.org
Friday through December 23
Locations vary
Harvard Square, Cambridge
Free
harvardsquareholidayfair.com
Friday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Night Shift Brewery
87 Santilli Highway, Everett
Free, 617-294-4233
nightshiftbrewing.com
Saturday, 11 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Community Ice Skating @ Kendall
300 Athenaeum St., Cambridge
Free, 617-492-0941
skatekendall.com
Saturday and Sunday
Taza Chocolate
561 Windsor St., Somerville
Free, 617-623-0804
tazachocolate.com
A Boston Tea Party reenactment is happening this weekend
Provided
