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Events

Sparklefest:

Your Guide to Holiday Arts in Harvard Square

November 30th - December 31st

Harvard Square Shopover Weekend

December 13th - 15th

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and there is no better place to spend it than historic Harvard Square. With so much to see and do, come for the weekend!

Hotels! Shopping! Dining! Ticketed Events! Outdoor family-friendly free events! Come Friday and stay for the weekend. Shop until you drop! Dine on the run or sit down for a luxurious dinner. When you’ve shopped and eaten your way through the Square, take some time to enjoy a show, concert, movie or a play. For a complete listing of festive events in the square, please click here.

Regattabar

December 13th

Holiday Evening with Penni Layne

Enjoy a magical Holiday Evening with Penni Layne on December 13th! Experience Penni's soulful mix of jazz and classic holiday tunes, alongside Boston’s top musicians. Don’t miss this cozy, heartwarming night to get into the spirit of the season.

Sustainable Business Network

December 13th - 15th

Revels

December 13th - 28th

Join Revels for our 54th annual production of Midwinter Revels, running for 15 performances, December 13-28 in Harvard University's historic Sanders Theatre! 

Midwinter Revels: The Selkie Girl and the Seal Woman - A Celtic and Cabo Verdean Celebration of the Solstice is a family-friendly, sing-along theatrical production that vividly blends Celtic and Cabo Verdean music and solstice traditions. In a small fishing village off the shores of Galway Bay, a community gathers in the local pub to celebrate the season. A child enters looking for a package that may have been delivered for his mother, who comes from another coastal town - in Cabo Verde. Songs and dances are shared, and the pub dissolves into a portal for fantasy with a transformative retelling of the Selkie story, a Celtic myth about living between two worlds. New community is catalyzed, and with it hopes for a new year!

Tickets are available for all performances, with discounts available for youth patrons and EBT/WIC cardholders.

Charles Hotel

December 14th 12pm - 5pm

Charles Square Outdoor Winter Holiday Market

Lower Courtyard, The Charles Hotel

Get into the holiday spirit at our Winter Holiday Market! Shop local vendors offering unique gifts in The Charles Hotel’s outdoor courtyard. Join us on Saturday, December 14th for a festive afternoon of shopping, plus seasonal drinks at One Reason Garden Bar. Don’t miss out on this seasonal event in the heart of Cambridge! 

Harvest

December 14th 3:30pm - 5:30pm

Cookies & Cocktails

Join our pastry team for a fun-filled afternoon of cookie decorating and festive cocktails!

$45 per person

Buy Tickets Here!

Harvard Art Museums

December 14th & January 25th

December 14, 11am - 12pm

Exhibition Tour: Made in Germany? Art and Identity in a Global Nation

Join the Harvard Art Museums for an in-depth, hour-long tour of this special exhibition, on view through January 5, 2025.

Opens January 25, 2025

Joana Choumali: Languages of West African Marketplaces

Explore the complex and multinational economy of secondhand T-shirts through the vibrant mixed-media photographs of award-winning Ivorian artist Joana Choumali.

Nubar

December 15th

Brunch with Santa - December 15th, 11am - 2pm. This will be a our brunch buffet. The price is $45/adults; $20 for kids 12 and under; and free for kids 5 and under. The brunch price includes coffee, juice, or soft drinks.

Christmas Eve - we are serving our full menu. The last seating is 8pm, the kitchen will close at 9pm. Last call at the bar will be 9:45pm, and Nubar will close at 10pm.

Christmas Holiday Buffet - seating from 11:30am - 4:30pm. The price is $65/adults, $30/kids 12 and under, and free for kids 5 and under. The price includes coffee, juice, or soft drinks. We will not be serving any a la carte on this day. Last call at the bar will be 6:45pm, and Nubar will close at 7pm.

New Year’s Eve - we are serving our full menu, plus a menu of specials. We will operate on regular Tuesday hours.

New Year’s Day - breakfast and dinner service only, with regular Wednesday evening hours.

Book tours, activities and amenities - Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points - Book Today

The hotel is undergoing a huge renovation project. As a result, after lunch on December 24th, we will be suspending lunch service until early March. Nubar will be closed between breakfast and dinner each day until that point.

St. Paul's Choir School

December 15th

Christmas in Harvard Square

The Boys and Schola of St. Paul’s Choir will perform a concert of seasonal Christmas music on December 15 at 3:00pm in St. Paul’s Parish. With a choir of over fifty singers composed of boys from St. Paul’s Choir School and professional singers from the greater Boston area, the audience will be treated to an unforgettable experience in one of Boston’s finest acoustic settings. 

Tickets can be purchased here.

Cambridge Forum

December 19th, 5pm

FEEDING THE MACHINE: the high human price of low-cost labor

Cambridge Forum continues its investigation into the impact of AI: Servant or Master? with FEEDING THE MACHINE on Thursday, December 19. The proliferation of A.I. offers seemingly limitless implications for the future, however what is less known about is the hidden human cost of the labor that feeds this machine - and it is horrific.  

Register here.

Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church

December 19th

Third Thursdays with Dave Bryant and Friends 

Third Thursdays monthly jazz series host Dave Bryant (keyboardist) has announced that trumpeter Russ Johnson (Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Bill Frisell) and alto saxophonist Eric Person (Ronald Shannon Jackson, Dave Holland, McCoy Tyner), along with Hill Greene (bass) and James Kamal Jones (drums) will join him for an evening of new pieces created for an upcoming recording by the quintet. This will be the debut performance together of these remarkable and accomplished musicians.

DX Arcade

December 20th

7pm - Midnight-ish

Harvard Square, it’s time to vibe out! 

DX Arcade / Hello! Open Market presents Night Games, an R&B Edition

What to Expect: Live R&B sounds curated by: 

Tre the DJ 

Mez Wav 

DJ King Collins

Local Vendors & Thrift Finds You’ll Love, Arcade Games, Good Vibes, and Great Community Energy.

FREE entry - Just bring your friends & good energy!

Harvard Square has never felt so smooth. Don’t miss out on a night of music, shopping, and pure good vibes. See you there!

Blue Heron

December 20th and 21st

Christmas in 15th Century France & Burgundy

Friday, December 20, 8:00pm

Saturday, December 21, 3:00pm (filling up fast!)

Saturday, December 21, 8:00pm (best availability)

First Church in Cambridge, Congregational

One of Blue Heron’s most beloved programs presented for the first time since 2018. Music for Christmas and New Year’s by Guillaume Du Fay, Nicolas Grenon, Johannes Ciconia, Johannes Regis, Jacob Obrecht, Antoine Brumel, Josquin Desprez, Adrian Willaert, and others. Featuring a chancel lit by candles, according to Blue Heron tradition. Buy Your Tickets Today

First Parish Cambridge

December 22nd and 24th

Bar Enza

December 31st

Ring in the New Year with a Special Prix Fixe Dinner by Chef Tony Susi at Bar Enza! Enjoy exquisite dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and elevate your celebration to a new level of culinary excellence. Join us for a memorable evening of fine dining and festivities to welcome 2025!

Regattabar

December 31st

NYE at Regattabar: Saying Goodbye to 2024 with Dwight and Nicole

Looking for the perfect way to ring in the New Year? Join us at Regattabar as we bid farewell to 2024 with the phenomenal Dwight & Nicole! This award-winning duo fuses blues, R&B, and Americana for a truly genre-defying experience. Known for their soulful sound, they'll take the stage to perform hits from their acclaimed album, The Jaguar, The Raven, and The Snake.

As a valued ticket holder, you’re also eligible for an exclusive room rate at The Charles Hotel! Enjoy the convenience of staying just steps away from the venue and make your night even more special - “Take the Elevator” home!

Come experience an unforgettable night filled with powerful music and uplifting vibes as we celebrate the arrival of the new year. Don’t miss out on this chance to enjoy soul-stirring melodies and captivating harmonies. Secure your tickets now for an evening you won't forget!

Noir

December 31st & January 12th

NEW YEAR'S EVE: NOIR BAR X MACCABEE BAR

Ring in the New Year at Noir Bar's Maccabee Pop-Up where the drinks are as smooth as the vibes, and every moment feels like a celebration. Join us for a night of food, music, and unforgettable memories. Let’s toast to new beginnings!

1st Seating: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Kick off your evening with a delicious dinner at Noir Bar. For just $40 per person, enjoy any two courses from our menu, paired with a welcome Maccabee cocktail. Full Noir Bar + Maccabee menu available, excluding desserts.

2nd Seating: New Year’s Eve Celebration: 9:30 PM - 1:00 AM Celebrate in style with our special New Year’s Eve package for $100 per person. Your ticket includes:

- A welcome Maccabee cocktail

- A toast of champagne at midnight (non-alcoholic options available)

TRIVIA AT NOIR BAR: BEGINNING JANUARY 12TH

Noir will be open on Sundays starting January 12th and will be hosting Trivia at 7:30PM with Phrenology! Free to play and will be sending more information soon. Stay tuned!

Passim

January 16th - 19th

Club Passim Announces Lineup For 22nd Annual Boston Celtic Music Festival Set to Take Place January 16-19, 2025

Passim will hold its 22nd annual Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest) from January 16-19, 2025. The four-day festival will showcase Greater Boston’s deep music, song, and dance traditions from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois, and other Celtic communities. BCMFest features traditional and more contemporary touring acts, and local session musicians. Full lineup and tickets are on sale now at passim.org/bcmfest.

Garden Nursery School

January 25th

Capuchin Mobile Ministries

February 9th

Please join us at this year's Winter Walk. This is the first year that Capuchin Mobile Ministries is a chosen partner which means every dollar that is raised for CMM comes directly to us! Our goal is $10,000 and the support will be used to keep our ministry going! We hope you will join us and don't forget to bring a friend! Register here.

Click here for full calendar of events

DEALS

Charles Hotel

Limited-Time Special Offer

Celebrate the season with a festive getaway at The Charles Hotel. Enjoy rates starting at $259 per night (taxes excluded) when you stay with us through January 2, 2025. Book by December 31, 2024, to take advantage of this exclusive offer and experience holiday cheer in comfort.

Don't miss out—reserve your room and Maccabee Bar experience today!

Flour

What better way to spread peace, love and flour this holiday season than with a flour gift card!? To sweeten the deal, we'll send you a bonus digital gift card with 10% of all gift card purchases of $100 or more made through 12/24.

Harvest

Harvest Holiday Happenings

We’ve got plenty of holiday cheer in store this season—from thoughtful gifting ideas to indulgent New Year’s Eve menus and more. Visit our Happenings page for details!

Shop Gift Cards

Treat friends, family, and colleagues to a meal to remember with a Himmel Hospitality Group Gift Card! Gift cards are redeemable at all Himmel Hospitality Group restaurants.

ENJOY A $15 BONUS FOR EVERY $100 SPENT ON DIGITAL GIFT CARDS!

Bonus gift cards are redeemable January 1st - February 28th, 2025. This promotion cannot be applied to physical gift cards.

Cookie Tins

Pre-orders cookie tins by 12/18 for pick up on 12.19 - 12.20. Each tin includes a dozen festive cookies from Executive Pastry Chef Tab Volpe.

Pre-order here!

Le Macaron

Macarons: The Perfect Hostess Gift

This holiday season, impress your host or hostess with the timeless elegance of macarons from Le Macaron French Pastries Cambridge. These delicate, flavorful treats are the ultimate gesture of gratitude, adding a sophisticated touch to any Christmas party or festive gathering. Skip the ordinary and choose a hostess gift that stands out. Visit us today or place your order in advance to ensure your macarons are ready for your next celebration. Receive 10% off a gift box of 12 Macarons when you mention this add.

Off the Beaten Path

Food Tours

Fridays, Saturdays and private tours are available.

Calling all chocoholics! Join us for a delectable adventure through historic Harvard Square. You'll hear interesting stories about the Square, learn fun facts about chocolate and sample the best and most interesting chocolaty treats around. Harvard Square has a flourishing food scene with some of the best and most unique food in the city. Each tour is a fun 90 minutes and includes 4 stops with plenty of treats and less than a mile of walking. We can't wait to take you on a unique, chocolate adventure!

This tour is suitable for all ages. $40/pp. Guests must purchase tickets in advance. Use code HARVARDSQUARE and enjoy 10% off!

Harvard Square Food Tour

Haven't been to Harvard Square lately? Do you know we have a tiki bar?

Revisit Harvard Square on our new FOOD TOUR!

Booking Saturdays at 11:30am, this memorable experience is offered weekly. You'll eat a satisfying array of yummy eats, from Greek to Latin to the best pizza in the world. Tour also includes a Mai Tai or yummy mocktail.

Harvard Square Donut Tour Sunday's from 11am-12:30pm. This tour delves into the history of donuts, and it's fun for locals and visitors.

Tasty Burger

Free Milkshakes on Christmas Eve

Get a free small milkshake on 12/24 from 11am to 6pm (our holiday hours)

In person only

Limit one per customer

Flavors include: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, green monster, neapolitan, black & white, mocha

Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve - open 11am to 6pm

Christmas Day - closed

New Year's Eve - open 11am to 12am

New Year's Day - open 11am to 12am

News

Give the Gift of Harvard Square

Harvard Square Community E-Gift Cards are available. Gift your special someone with shopping, dining and entertainment options. The Harvard Square E-Gift Card can be used at a variety of establishments: see the list here. Happy Holidays!

Bon Me

Sip the Season: Cranberry Spice Bubble Tea Warm up your winter with our Cranberry Spice bubble tea—our seasonal special bursting with festive flavor! But hurry, it’s only available until the end of January!

Cambridge Artists' Cooperative

Happy Holidays from The Cambridge Artists' Coop!

Come visit us & shop all the new work coming in for the Holiday Season. We carry a huge array of jewelry, glass, wood, pottery and don't forget to check out our Holiday Ornament display! Something special for everyone on your list. All hand-made & created in the USA.

Capuchin Mobile Ministry

A Ministry of Presence

Harvard Magazine, article by Lydialyle Gibson

Capuchin friars bring food and supplies to Harvard Square’s homeless.

On Thursday afternoon at exactly 3 o’clock, a small white van emerged from the swirl of traffic in Harvard Square and pulled over next to the Cambridge kiosk. Five people climbed out—three wearing winter coats over their long brown robes—and began setting up a temporary coffee and hot-chocolate stand at the back of the vehicle, with sweeteners, stirrers, and napkins neatly laid out next to tall containers of cream. On a small blackboard behind them, the day’s menu of sandwiches was printed: ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, baloney and cheese, peanut butter and jelly. The Capuchin Mobile Ministries had arrived. Read more here.

City of Cambridge

Now in it's 18th year, The Cambridge Police Department, in collaboration with community donors, will be assembling small gift bags for the “Secret Santa for Seniors" program. These seniors are selected with the assistance of the Cambridge Senior Centers and caseworkers that have the knowledge to identify seniors that do not have any immediate family members either alive or who reside in the area.

The Cambridge Police Department relies solely on the generous donations from Cambridge businesses, community members and Police Officers to assist us in providing this service. It is our hope to brighten the day of otherwise lonely seniors on Christmas Eve with a small gift that symbolizes that they are not forgotten.

Distressed Children & Infants International

Take Action & Change a Life

Please Join Us to Stop Child Labor, Child Marriage and Blindness Prevention

During this holiday season -Please join us in helping underprivileged children and their families in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Nicaragua. Your contributions to DCI are fully tax-deductible. 

Please open your heart and donate now.

Take Action & Change a Life

- Sponsor a Child ( $15/month or $180/year).

- Provide support to the Orphans Support Program

- Give an Eye Surgery ($100) to a visually-impaired child/person.

- Make a general contribution of Any Amount

Choose from the many other gifts available here.

You may also donate directly to the DCI bank via ZELLE #203-376-6351

Flour Bakery

Holiday menu for pick-up or local delivery on December 23rd and 24th.

We've got everything you need for the most delicious holiday season from sweet gifts + bountiful gift boxes to everything you'll need for your holiday feast! Please note that gifts shipping nationwide must be checked out separately from the holiday menu for pick-up.

Harvard Federal Credit Union

Boost your business’s savings with special rates from Harvard FCU, including 4.55% APY* on an 11-month CD and 4.25% APY* on our Business Money Market. With flexible savings accounts, you can secure growth and keep your business moving forward. Learn more at harvardfcu.org/business-banking.

*Annual Percentage Yield. Rates on the above accounts may change after an account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings. Rates accurate as of 12/1/24. Insured by NCUA. Early withdrawal penalties will be imposed for CD products, which will reduce earnings. The APY assumes principal and interest remain on deposit until maturity.

Industrious

Your dream office in Harvard Square is waiting.

Thoroughly professional and thoughtfully designed, Industrious’ flexible workspaces support companies of all sizes and stages. We believe that the right workplace can move your business forward by giving your team members spaces to focus and collaborate in — spaces that make them proud to come to work.

Click here for a tour or more information.

We are excited to share that we've simplified the way you book meeting spaces. No need to go through third party websites - book your meeting right on our website! Start booking your meeting today.

J.P. Licks

Special menu available to order online

- Santa’s Candy Cane Sundae

- Grinch’s Candy Cane Sundae

- Candy Cane Pies

Moleskine

The perfect creative gift for anyone passionate about the festive season. This notebook is just the thing for people who love the holidays, with ruled pages to record memories and to plan all the moments that fill this special time each year. The paperband is made for gifting with space to write both your name and theirs.

To create a truly unique gift for someone special, use our personalization service to add words or initials to the cover and check out notebook charms for an extra layer of personalized sparkle. Add your own handwritten dedication inside to inspire them to put pen to paper.

Noir

Maccabee Bar is back at Noir Bar!

Celebrate Hanukkah in style at the return of Maccabee Bar, the festive, Hanukkah-themed pop-up at Noir Bar! Enjoy seasonal bites like crispy latkes and house-made sufganiyot, paired with holiday-inspired cocktails in a welcoming, cheerful atmosphere. Open daily during regular Noir hours through January 1st. Walk-ins welcome, reservations encouraged. 

Tasty Burger

New Menu Items available through 12/31/24

Chicken & Waffle Sandwich: Crispy fried chicken sandwich topped with a waffle, pork sausage gravy, pickles, scallions & hot sauce; served with real maple syrup on the side. $9.75

Malted Maple Milkshake: Hand-spun malted maple milkshake topped with crushed maple malt balls. $6.50

Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve - open 11am to 6pm

Christmas Day - closed

New Year's Eve - open 11am to 12am

New Year's Day - open 11am to 12am

Tutoring Plus

Did you know that by 6th grade, economically disadvantaged students have 6,000 fewer hours of out-of-school enrichment than their wealthier peers, and the gap widens in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)? In Cambridge, 83% of students at Tutoring Plus come from disadvantaged backgrounds, but with your support, we’re changing that by offering Math Plus and 3D coding education to students this year. Learn more about how you can contribute to expanding STEAM programs and aid in closing the opportunity gap for students in our community.

HSBA Member Spotlight

Garden Nursery School

Founded in 1959, Garden Nursery School is a EEC state-licensed, part-time parent/teacher cooperative preschool for children ages 2.9 - 5 years located in the heart of Harvard Square. 

Social and emotional development is the core of our teaching and practice. Through an emergent curriculum that emphasizes learning through play, our students begin to understand more about themselves and how to work with others in a group setting. The important skills of playing, interacting, problem solving, and empathy provide them with a strong foundation for their next steps into school.