29 things to do in Boston for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving 2024
When:
Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 10:00a -
Sunday, Dec 01, 2024 10:00p
Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 10:00a -
Sunday, Dec 01, 2024 10:00p
Where:
Boston
Surrounding areas
Boston, MA
Admission:
$Varies
Categories:
Art, Drinks, Food, Meetup, Seasonal
Thanksgiving may be only one day, but Boston is filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of the season during the month of November. To prepare for Turkey Day, take a wine pairing course, brush up on your Thanksgiving history, give back to the community, and more.
by Celina Colby
Events are listed chronologically.
1) Chestnut Hill Square Hosts Food + Toiletries Drive for the Newton Food Pantry
When: Now through Friday 11/22
Where: Chestnut Hill
Cost: Whatever’s contributed
Info: Bring donations of food and personal care items to Chestnut Hill Square to benefit the Newton Food Pantry.
2) Beer Tasting + Pottery Making Class
When: Wednesday 11/13
Where: South Boston
Cost: $85-115
Info: You don’t need to have any pottery experience to enjoy this beginner class at Castle Island Brewing Co (although an interest in beer helps). While enjoying a brew you’ll learn how to make a pinch pot perfect for holiday decor.
3) A History of Thanksgiving Dinner
When: Thursday 11/14
Where: Roxbury
Cost: Free
Info: Learn more about the history of Thanksgiving Dinner and why we still gather around the table today during this fascinating free talk at the Parker Hill Branch of the Boston Public Library.
4) Sam Adams Maple & Malts Weekend
When: Friday 11/14-Sunday 11/17
Where: Downtown
Cost: Free
Info: During Maple and Malts Weekend at the Sam Adams downtown taproom, you can sample two of their new releases, a maple doppelbock and a maple porter, each with a seasonal maple sugar rim.
5) A Holly Jolly Good Time Holiday Market
When: Saturday 11/16
Where: Fenway
Cost: Free
Info: Get a kick start on your seasonal shopping at this holiday market at Time Out featuring handmade and unique items from LGBTQ+ artists and business owners. While you’re shopping, enjoy live music, festive cocktails, and seasonal snacks.
6) Pumpkin Pots and other Planters Pottery Class
When: Saturday 11/16
Where: Seaport
Cost: $75
Info: Learn how to make a pumpkin-shaped vase at this beginner-friendly pottery class hosted at Harpoon Brewery. Sip a local brew and craft your new favorite piece of fall decor.
7) Friendsgiving at The Fed at The Langham, Boston
When: Saturday 11/16-Saturday 11/30
Where: Downtown
Cost: $60
Info: Gather your besties for an upscale Friendsgiving-themed dining experienced at The Fed. The prix-fixe menu is served family-style and features squash soup, brussels sprouts, turkey tots, and pumpkin pie.
8) Horizon Ensemble: Shades of Autumn
When: Saturday 11/16
Where: Back Bay
Cost: Free
Info: Join The Horizon Ensemble for a free chamber music concert of seasonal tunes featuring Three Moods in New England by Hayley Qin, Jennifer Higdon’s Autumn Music, and Joachim Raff's Symphony No. 10, “To Autumntime", among others.
9) Thanksgiving Accompaniments: Classic and Contemporary
When: Saturday 11/16
Where: Harvard Square
Info: When it comes to Thanksgiving, the side dishes can really make the meal. Learn how to hone your cooking skills by making cranberry chutney, sautéed green beans with sage and orange essence, and other delicious dishes.
10) Turkey Time! at the Boston Nature Center
When: Sunday 11/17
Where: Mattapan
Cost: $13
Info: Did you know turkeys can fly and they often sleep perched in trees above us at night? Learn all kinds of fun facts about the Thanksgiving bird at this Boston Nature Center lecture and walk.
11) Thanksgiving Non-Alcoholic Cocktail-Making Class at Dray
When: Sunday 11/17
Where: South End
Cost: Free
Info: Prepare for Thanksgiving at this non-alcoholic cocktail making class at Boston’s first non-alcoholic bottle shop. You’ll learn how to mix seasonal flavors into delicious holiday beverages.
12) Sip & Tell: Bougie Beaujolais - Wine Class
When: Tuesday 11/19
Where: South End
Info: Beaujolais is a dry and fruity wine that pairs perfectly with the Thanksgiving meal. Learn the ins and outs of this wine during a tasting class at BRIX Wine Shop.
13) ArtsThursdays: Celebrating Native American Craft Brewers
When: Thursday 11/21
Where: Harvard Square
Cost: Free
Info: Listen to founders of Indigenous craft brewing companies talk about the trade, purchase and sample the brews, and participate in beer-themed activities at this celebration of all things hoppy.
14) Moonbox Productions Presents The Thanksgiving Play
When: Thursday 11/21-Sunday 12/15
Where: Harvard Square
Cost: $45
Info: In this hilarious romp, four politically correct performers get together to create a Thanksgiving play and grapple with how to do so in a fair and equitable manner.
15) Monthly Potluck Mixer: Friendsgiving
When: Friday 11/22
Where: Somerville
Cost: Free
Info: The Boston Figurative Center is hosting a Thanksgiving party to welcome creative folks into the Somerville neighborhood. Make crafts, play board games, get wild on karaoke, and make some new friends.
16) Dickens Festival Holiday Craft Fair
When: Saturday 11/23
Where: Braintree
Cost: Free
Info: For the last 30 years the Dickens Festival Holiday Craft Fair has been hosted the weekend before Thanksgiving, bringing a sprinkling of holiday cheer to the week. Enjoy live entertainment, a marketplace of handmade goods, and much more.
17) Allston Brighton Food Pantry Thanksgiving Food Distribution Volunteer Event
When: Saturday 11/23
Where: Brighton
Cost: Free
Info: Volunteer to help the Allston Brighton Food Pantry distribute Thanksgiving turkeys and food items to families in need. Volunteers will greet guests, pack food baskets, distribute to consumers, and assist in the on-site thrift shop.
18) Thanksgiving Wine & Cheese Class at Commonwealth Wine School
When: Saturday 11/23
Where: Harvard Square
Cost: $100
Info: Set the mood straight out the gate during your Thanksgiving meal with an impeccable wine and cheese pairing. At this class, you’ll learn the perfect seasonal combinations to serve.
19) Thankful Centerpiece Class
When: Sunday 11/24
Where: Watertown
Cost: $95
Info: Using the seasonal flowers of autumn, you’ll learn to create a beautiful and unique centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. Plus, you can use those floral design skills for many occasions to come.
20) Friendsgiving on the Harbor
When: Sunday 11/24
Where: Downtown
Cost: $75
Info: Gather your friends for this posh Friendsgiving celebration that starts with a cocktail hour and proceeds to a three-course meal. There’s also a live DJ and a charity raffle. Best of all, no one gets stuck with the dishes.
21) Annual Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park
When: Monday 11/25
Where: North End
Cost: Free
Info: Watch the beautiful trellis at Christopher Columbus Park light up with thousands of beautiful, blue winter lights during this annual lighting ceremony. For the rest of the season it makes the perfect photo opp.
22) Newton Thanksgiving Market
When: Tuesday 11/26
Where: Newton
Cost: FREE
Info: Get ready for Thanksgiving with a special farmers' market at the Allen Center in West Newton. Browse offerings from 14 local businesses, including fresh produce, seafood, side dishes, pies, charcuterie boards, flowers, coffee, and more. Don’t miss the mobile knife sharpener—perfect for last-minute feast prep.
23) Faneuil Hall Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting
When: Tuesday 11/26
Where: Downtown
Cost: Free
Info: Get festive at the annual Faneuil Hall Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. In addition to seeing the beautiful lights turn on, enjoy live entertainment, hot cocoa, and generally merriment.
24) Friendsgiving Get-Together
When: Wednesday 11/27
Where: Back Bay
Cost: Free
Info: If you’re solo in town for the holiday, head to Trident Booksellers & Cafe for a Friendsgiving party complete with festive foods and a screening of the ‘Friends’ Thanksgiving episode.
25) Thanksgiving at a Restaurant
When: Thursday 11/28
Where: Around Boston
Info: If you want to gather with friends and family but don’t want the stress of cooking a meal in a studio apartment, consider dining out for the holiday. City Tap House, Bambara Kitchen & Bar, The Berkeley, and Artisan Bistro are all offering gourmet Thanksgiving dinners.
26) 2024 Franklin Park Turkey Trot
When: Thursday 11/28
Where: Roxbury
Cost: $30
Info: Work up an appetite for the Thanksgiving meal by running (or walking) this scenic 5K through Franklin Park. Afterwards, awards will be distributed for fastest runners and best costumes.
27) Celebrate Small Business Saturday
When: Saturday 11/30
Where: Around Boston
Cost: Free
Info: Forget Black Friday, support local businesses during Small Business Saturday. At marketplaces at High Street Place, Bow Market, the SoWa Artists Guild, and the Seaport Common, you can check out goods by many local businesses and makers at once.
28) 10 Weekly Football Watch Parties in Boston
When: Weekly
Where: Around Boston
Cost: Free
Info: The football game is a big part of Thanksgiving day for many families, but you can also enjoy games on a weekly basis at these football watch parties around Boston.
29) Visit a Holiday Pop-Up Bar
When: Daily
Where: Around Boston
Cost: Varies
Info: Get into the holiday spirit post-Thanksgiving but visiting one of more than 10 festive pop-up bars featuring seasonal cocktails, lavish decor, and catchy music. Cheers!
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Photo by @derrickphotos_
