Compiled by Rebecca Sirull, News Staff
Entry of the Week: Thursday, Dec. 5
With temperatures dropping, it’s time to pick up your coziest (and ugliest) sweater and head over to the Radio 92.9 Ugly Sweater Party. Get in the holiday spirit and get ready to rock out with DJ Petro as he plays some of the greatest rock and alternative hits. There will also be festive games and contests throughout the night. Winners will receive prizes like ski trips, concert tickets and Johnny Cupcakes merchandise. Grab an ugly sweater, or buy one from Goodwill, and check out this night of festivities and holiday cheer. 21+; 150 Northern Ave.; 6 – 9 p.m.; $9.29; myradio929.com.
Friday, Dec. 6
Three of Boston’s social and entrepreneurial communities come together to present Free Boston II, a night of free things and socializing. Organized by the Startup Institute, The Boston Calendar and the non-profit organization Sharitive, this event provides an opportunity to meet interesting people and learn more about local communities doing social good. The night will include live music, a silent art auction, BBQ from the Bellinger Bros. and seasonal cocktails. There will also be an optional gift swap, where participants are encouraged to bring a small gift under $10 that represents what Boston means to them. Email Sean at thebostoncalendar.com to get the Eventbrite link and password. 6:30 – 10 p.m.; 44 Prospect St., Cambridge; free; freeboston2.eventbright.com.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Still looking for that perfect holiday gift? Check out the annual MassArt Made Holiday Sale. The sale is held by the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, a Boston school that specializes in various forms of art and the first independent public art college in the country. The artwork on display includes ceramics, hand-blown glass, oil paintings and jewelry, among many others. Not only is the sale a great way to find unexpected pieces, but it is also a way to support local student artists. Whether you’re looking for a gift or looking to treat yourself, the art sale has hundreds of options to choose from. This is the final day of the weeklong event so don’t miss out on your last chance to browse around. 621 Huntington Ave.; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; free; inside.massart.edu.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Nothing says holiday spirit quite like caroling. Add in some family, friends and brunch foods and you’ve got a jolly good time. Come out to the Holiday Caroling Brunch at the Lansdowne Pub to celebrate this festive season. The brunch features a cappella groups The Harvard Lowkeys and Three Queens with Keri Boisclair, as well as the Kassandra Melo & Outside City Limits band, which will perform their holiday set. In addition to the regular brunch menu, the restaurant will also offer a “make your own Bloody Mary” bar. 9 Lansdowne St.; 12:30 – 3 p.m.; free, plus the cost of food; landsdownepubboston.com.
Monday, Dec. 9
Spread some holiday cheer and holiday beer at the fourth annual Craft Beer Social Holiday Beer Swap. Meet up with other beer-lovers to enjoy a meal at the Five Horses Tavern followed by a craft beer exchange. Bring a wrapped 22 oz bottle of your favorite brew and prepare to expand your palate with some new flavors. The night also includes delicious door prizes of, you guessed it, more beer. Tickets go fast so don’t wait any lager. 400 Highland Ave., Somerville; 6 – 7:30 p.m.; $5; craftbeersocial.com.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
The Coolidge Corner Theatre presents a night with Noam Chomsky, famed linguist, philosopher and activist. Now working as a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chomsky is known as the “father of modern linguistics” and often speaks about US foreign policy, expressing his controversial views. The Theatre will screen “Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?” an animated documentary about Chomsky’s life before holding a Q&A with Chomsky himself. Michel Gondry, known for his work on “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “The Science of Sleep,” directs the innovative film. 290 Harvard St., Brookline; 7 p.m.; $10.25; Coolidge.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
The Boston Common is one of the most beautiful places in the city, especially during the holiday season. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and partake in a classic winter activity by ice skating on Frog Pond. The rink is available to the public all day and welcomes all skill levels. Skate and locker rentals are also available, as well as skate sharpening services. Finish up your skating session with a steaming mug of hot cocoa at the concession stand. Say goodbye to Boston before heading off for break with a trip to the rink and a stroll through the Common. Boston Common; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; $5; bostonfrogpond.com.
