Through December 28

Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker

The Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston
1-866-523-7469 | www.broadwayacrossamerica.com

Boston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker collected soaring acclaim from the public and the critics alike. The Company triumphantly takes the stagefor the third season in the stunningly refurbished Opera House.

Through December 28

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

Wang Center
270 Tremont Street, Boston
617 482-9393 | www.broadwayacrossamerica.com
Check back for times and prices

Re-discover the magic of Dr. Seuss¹ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Originally conceived by the three time Tony Award winning Director Jack O'Brien, the whimsical world of Whoville is beautifully realized by an A-list creative team in this delightful musical production.

Through December 13 Only!

The Seafarer - - Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company

Calderwood Pavillion at the BCA
527 Tremont Street, Boston
617 933-8600 | Groups: 617 482-3279
Wed & Thurs: 7:30 pm. / Fri: 8 pm  / Sat: 4 & 8 pm / Sun. 3 pm - Also Tues. 11/25 & 12/9: 7:30 pm
$30-$50 | Seniors $5 off | Students $14 one hr prior to show
www.SpeakEasyStage.com | purchase tix here

The stakes get high when a mysterious stranger joins a group of hard-drinking Irish friends for a Christmas Eve poker game in this Tony-nominated play by Conor McPherson, author of "The Weir" and "Shining City."
Click here to view winners.

2008 Year-End Specials

Inroads Ireland Tours
Book a 2009 Tour before December 31 and save $100!

Go North 2009 Tour Dates: May 12-19, July 28-August 4 and September 15-22.
Go South 2009 Tour Dates: May 19-26, June 2-9, June 9-16, July 14-21, July 21-28,
August 25-September 1, September 1-8 and September 22-29
Book a Go North and a Go South tour back to back in May, July or September and save $100!

December 6

Uxbridge First Holiday Night Celebration

Uxbridge Town Common
Common Street, Uxbridge
4:00-8:00 pm | Free | 508 234-9090 | uxbridgeholidaynight.org

Re-discover the magic of Dr. Seuss¹ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Originally conceived by the three time Tony Award winning Director Jack O'Brien, the whimsical world of Whoville is beautifully realized by an A-list creative team in this delightful musical production.

December 7

Holiday Festival - - Christmas Open House

Asa Waters Mansion
123 Elm Street, Millbury
10:00 am-5:00 pm | Free | 508 865-0855 | www.asawaters.org

Enjoy ballet dancers, Christmas carolers, musicians, refreshments and Santa Claus.

Through December 7

Rock 'n' Roll

Huntington Theatre Company - - B.U. Theatre
Huntington Avenue, Boston
Tues-Thurs: 7:30pm | Fr-Sat: 8pm | Sat-Sun: 2pm
$20-$82.50 | 617 266-0800 | www.huntingtontheatre.org

Tom Stoppard’s latest Broadway hit. A sweeping and passionate drama that spans two countries, three generations, and 22 turbulent years of history during which Communism falls, and lovers come together and drift apart, but the rock ‘n’ roll lives on.

December 8

Boston Hometown Authors Event

Hotel Commonwealth
Esplanade Ballroom, 500 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
6:00pm -8:00pm | $30
617-532-5063 | www.hotelcommonwealth.com

Wine and dine with some of Boston's most well known authors. Books by each author will be on sale, giving guests the opportunity to have their copy personally inscribed by the authors present. Spirits and hors d'oeuvres provided with compliments and prepared by Great Bay Restaurant.

December 5-14

Reagle Players Present — It's Christmas Time

Reagle Players Robinson Theatre
617 Lexington Street, Waltham
12:00, 1:00, 4:00, 5:00, and 7:00 pm
$35 - $49 | CH: $25 | Discounts: Senior/Student/Membership
781-891-5600 | Groups: 781-894-2330 | www.reagleplayers.com

The Reagle Players' musical spectacular is an exciting, delightful production - a real Christmas Treat. No matter where you live, come and enjoy two hours of holiday songs, carols, dancing, the Parade of Wooden Soldiers, and a Nativity pageant that is beautiful." - WCRB Editorial Comment

December 7

Comhaltas Monthly Session

Canadian-American Club
202 Arlington Street, Watertown
3:00-7:00 p.m. | 781 899-0911 | www.cceboston.org

Kick off December with a great traditional Irish music and dance session, hosted by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (Irish Musicians Association). There is set, ceili, old-time waltz, and other dancing.
Tea and soda bread served. 

December 9-14

Chicago

Colonial Theatre
106 Boylston Street, Boston
617 931-2787 | www.broadwayacrossamerica.com
Check back for times/prices.

It’s Broadway’s most popular musical and the recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations. Chicago is the sensation that just keeps getting bigger and bigger!

December 11

A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan

The Hanover Theatre
Worcester
7:30 pm | 877-571-7469 | thehanovertheatre.org

Brian O’Donovan’s intimate sharing of Christmas music, dancing, songs and stories is a holiday family tradition. Irish super-group Solas returns, along with rising star Cara Dillon, singer Sean Keane, the spectacular Irish dancing of Kieran Jordan and much more!

December 11-28

Holiday Pops 2008

Symphony Hall, Boston
1-888-266-1200 | www.bso.org | $27-$122

Continuing one of Boston's most beloved holiday traditions, conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops open the 2008 Boston Pops Holiday Series on Thursday, December 11 and continue through Sunday, December 28.  This year's Holiday Series includes 32 pre and post-Christmas concerts. 

December 12

John McDermott in Concert
with a Live Simulcast to Iraq

Seaport World Trade Center
Northern Avenue, Boston
5:00-7:00 pm | 508 683-3123
Details here | Sponsorship here | www.fisherhouseboston.org

Irish Tenor John McDermott is doing a special concert to raise funds for the Fisher House Boston, a 20 bedroom home due to open on Veterans Day 2009, for families supporting a severely injured soldier.

December 12

Genealogy Lecture

Fulton Hall
Boston College, Chestnut Hll
617 552-8000 | http://tiara.ie/meet.php

Dr. Robert O’Neill discusses Irish Archives, Libraries and Genealogy Centres.  Presented by The Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA).

December 12-14 & 19-21

A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan

Cutler Majestic Theatre of Emerson College
219 Tremont Street, Boston
Fridays: 8 pm | Saturdays: 3 pm and 8 pm | Sundays: 3pm
1 800 233-3123 | www.telecharge.com | Details here

Sold-out for the past five years, Brian O’Donovan’s intimate sharing of Christmas music, dancing, songs and stories is a holiday family tradition. Irish super-group Solas returns, along with rising star Cara Dillon, singer Sean Keane, the spectacular Irish dancing of Kieran Jordan and much more!
Click here to view winners!

December 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 & 24

Holiday Pops Special Matinees for Kids

Boston Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston
All show 11:00 a.m. except December 18 (4:00 p.m.)
1-888-266-1200 | www.bso.org

Six special Christmas matinee performances for kids. Family concerts include a children's sing-along, and parents can bring cameras to take photos of their children with Santa.  Table seats will include a kid-friendly menu, along with special holiday treats.

December 16

Asa Waters Mansion - - Holiday Tea

Asa Waters Mansion
123 Elm Street, Millbury
1-3 pm, 6-8 p.m. | $10.00 | 508 865-0855 | www.asawaters.org

Visit this historical estate decorated in splendor for the holidays.
Teas, coffee and pastries presented from silver service.

December 18

A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan

Providence Performing Arts Center
Providence, RI
7:30 pm | (401) 421-2787 or visit ppacri.org

Brian O’Donovan’s intimate sharing of Christmas music, dancing, songs and stories is a holiday family tradition. Irish super-group Solas returns, along with rising star Cara Dillon, singer Sean Keane, the spectacular Irish dancing of Kieran Jordan and much more!

December 26

St. Stephens Day Traditional Music Session

The Burren Pub
247 Elm Street, Davis Square, Somerville
617 776-6896 | 5:00 p.m. - close | www.burren.com

Join Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costelloe, owners of The Burren Pub, as they celebrate the tradition of St. Stephens Day with friends and musicians. Come and enjoy the very best of traditional Irish music.

December 29

National Marionette Theater - - Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Columbia Point, Boston
10:30 a.m. | 1 866 JFK-1960 | www.jfklibrary.org

Travel to ancient Arabia for the captivating story of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." This heartwarming puppet show features handcrafted marionettes, delightful characterization, and original music. The National Marionette Theater has received numerous national and international awards for excellence in the field of puppetry over the last 40 years.

December 31

New Year's Eve at Tamo Bar

Tamo Bar at the Seaport Hotel
One Seaport Lane, Boston
5pm-2am | 617 385-4300 | www.seaportboston.com

RING IN 2009 ON A 2008 BUDGET - - New Year’s Eve at Tamo for $35.
Avoid the crowds with reserved seating at Tamo bar's New Year's Eve celebration. Enjoy the VIP treatment complete with hors d'ouevres, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. All of this and live music from Urban Renewal Band for your enjoyment!
Full details here. See details on overnight package at the Seaport Hotel here.

December 31

Seaport’s New Year’s Eve Spirit of Boston Cruise Package

Seaport's Spirit of Boston Cruise
$399 | 1-877-SEAPORT or 617-385-4514
www.seaportboston.com

Package includes:Deluxe overnight accommodations, New Year’s Eve Spirit of Boston Dinner Cruise for Two, Complimentary use of Wave Health & Fitness. This Package is available for 12/31/08 exclusively.
Full details here.

December 31

Hyatt Harborside's New Year’s Eve Dinner

Hyatt Harborside at Boston Logan International Airpot
101 Harborside Drive, Boston, MA 02128
617 568-6001 | www.harborside.hyatt.com | Full details here

Chef Ary Schalick and his culinary team are preparing an elaborate New Year’s Eve three-course plated dinner to be served in the stylish Harborside Grill. Enjoy the view, dancing, champagne toast, fireworks display and retire to the newly renovated guestrooms, featuring Hyatt’s exclusive Grand Bed.
Full details here

December 31

Burren New Year's Eve Party

The Burren Pub
247 Elm Street, Davis Square, Somerville
617 776-6896 | www.burren.com

Celebrate the New Year at Boston's famous traditional Irish pub. Check back for additional information on tickets, etc. (9:00 pm - 2:00 am)

December 31

Black Rose New Year's Eve Party

160 State Street, Boston
4 to 9 pm | Check back for details
617 742-2286 | www.irishconnection.com

Located in downtown Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace, The Black Rose is the ideal venue for a night of great Irish fun to ring in the New Year!