THANKSGIVING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Boston Rescue Mission — Day of Thanks
Sunday, November 24, 12:00 PM; 39 Kingston Street, Boston; The annual Day of Thanks serves complete Thanksgiving dinners to hundreds of homeless and hungry community members. Families also receive turkey baskets to take home. One of Boston's longest-running Thanksgiving volunteer events. More info at brm.org.
United Way Thanksgiving Project
Various dates through Thanksgiving week; 90-minute family-friendly packing shifts assembling holiday food bags for families in Attleboro, Chelsea, Dorchester, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Quincy, Roxbury, and Taunton; Contact: mcheek@supportunitedway.org | unitedwaymassbay.org
Boston Cares Volunteer Opportunities
Multiple Thanksgiving-related opportunities available; Website: bostoncares.org/calendar
Community Servings
Monday-Friday volunteer shifts available; Jamaica Plain-based organization preparing nutritious meals for the critically ill; Website: servings.org
HOLIDAY SHOPPING & MARKETS
SoWa Winter Festival — 10th Anniversary Opening Weekend
Opening Day: Friday, November 28, 10:00 AM — 8:00 PM; Saturday, November 29: 10:00 AM — 9:00 PM; Sunday, November 30: 10:00 AM — 7:00 PM
Location: SoWa Power Station, 550 Harrison Avenue; 10th Anniversary celebration featuring 125+ local vendors with handmade art and holiday gifts, specialty foods and cocktails, live music (including Matt Koelsch, Rich Dimare, Maddi Ryan, Better Late Boston, Gabby Patrice), special appearances by Buddy the Elf (Nov. 29), and food trucks.
Admission: $10 (Children 12 and under free) | Parking: $10 cash at multiple South End locations; Website: sowaboston.com; Festival continues Tuesday—Sunday through December 28: Tuesday—Thursday 4:00—8:00 PM, Friday 4:00—9:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM—9:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM—7:00 PM. Closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
SoWa Artists Guild Winter Festival/Holiday Shopping
450 Harrison Avenue; Opening: Black Friday, November 28, 11:00 AM; Small Business Saturday, November 29, 11:00 AM
SoWa Sunday, November 30, 11:00 AM; First Friday Open Studios: December 5, 5:00—9:00 PM; Winter Festival continues Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting at 11:00 AM through December 28.
Tree & Menorah Lightings
Martin's Park Ship Lighting; Saturday, November 29, 5:00—6:00 PM; Location: 64 Sleeper Street, South Boston. Fifth annual lighting of the ship at Martin's Park with the Friends of Martin's Park. Climate-resilient park built in memory of Martin W. Richard features a ship centerpiece that will be illuminated with holiday lights.
Copley Square Tree Lighting
Monday, December 1, 4:00—6:00 PM; Location: 560 Boylston Street, Back Bay. Free annual event featuring Santa Claus and Rudolph, live music, light refreshments, celebrating the reopening of the newly renovated park. First lighting since 2022.
Boston Common Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 4, 6:00—8:00 PM; Location: Boston Common. Boston's official 2025 Christmas tree from Nova Scotia will be lit at approximately 7:55 PM at the close of a two-hour celebration beginning at 6:00 PM, broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5 starting at 7:00 PM. This is the 54th year Nova Scotia has donated a tree, commemorating 108 years of friendship with Boston.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 4, 8:15 PM; Location: Arlington Street and Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay. Immediately following the Boston Common Tree Lighting, the lights on Commonwealth Avenue Mall will be lit from Arlington Street to Charlesgate, courtesy of the Friends of the Public Garden.
Titus Sparrow Park Holiday Gathering
Saturday, December 6, 2:00—3:00 PM; Location: Titus Sparrow Park, South End. Join the Friends of Titus Sparrow Park for hot cocoa, a holiday musical performance, letter writing, and meet Santa Claus!
Mayor's Enchanted Trolley Tour — South End Stop
Saturday, December 6, 5:45 PM; Location: Blackstone Square, South End. Part of the 29th Annual Enchanted Trolley Tour visiting 16 neighborhoods across Boston. Features tree lighting, Santa visits, giveaways, appearances by Mayor Wu and Office of Neighborhood Services staff. Presented by Bank of America and supported by CityView Trolley Tours.
Menorah Lightings in the South End
Throughout Hanukkah (December 14—22, 2025); BCA Plaza, 539 Tremont Street, South End. Free nightly menorah lightings during Hanukkah. Check bostonparksdept on social media or boston.gov/holidaylights for specific times.
SOUTH END LIBRARY AUTHOR SERIES
Pulitzer Prize Winner Ilyon Woo: Wednesday, December 10, 6:30 PM; Location: Union Church Connection Room, 485 Columbus Avenue (entrance from W. Newton Street). Pulitzer Prize winner Ilyon Woo discussing her book Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom. Woo won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Biography for this rich narrative of William and Ellen Craft, an enslaved couple who in 1848 traveled in plain sight from Macon, Georgia, to Philadelphia, with light-skinned Ellen disguised as a disabled white gentleman and William as her manservant. Continuing to Boston, the Crafts were kept safe by the people of Boston and shared their stories of slavery and escape.
For the most up-to-date event information, visit boston.gov/events, sowaboston.com, sebaboston.org, haleyhouse.org, southendhistoricalsociety.org, ellisneighborhood.org, or check individual organization websites and social media pages. Weather may affect outdoor events. Event times and dates subject to change.
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