10 Things to Do in Boston in December

December is the start of winter in Massachusetts, so ice skating and watching the magical lighting of the Christmas trees are a sure bet. However, in this city, tradition, modernity and cultural plurality blend seamlessly and there are plenty of other things to do.

Don't miss a racy version of The Nutcracker, a Celtics game or a cruise around this enchanting city. Read on to discover all the must-do activities on your Boston itinerary for the last month of the year.

If basketball is your thing, December will be the perfect time to catch a game of the season. The Boston Celtics take on the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and more. There are games on a regular basis, so be sure to check the fixture lists and buy your Boston Celtics ticket to catch a game at TD Gardens.

Also, the Celtics' home court is surrounded by some of Boston's best museums, so you can take the opportunity before or after to visit the Otis House Museum of History, the Museum of African History (MAAH) or the Boston Museum of Science.

Throughout the year you can book your Boston cruise. Why do I recommend a cruise in cold weather? The recommended ships are air-conditioned and the shows are adapted. Among them are:

• Cocoa and Carols cruise: These usually take place on weekends in December. A jazz band entertains the audience with carols. After a nice cup of hot chocolate and some of the culinary specialities, you can escape to the bar on the deck.
• Northern Lights Cruise: Aboard this luxury yacht, the crew offers top-notch service to welcome the New Year in an intimate and cosy atmosphere that will spread the joy of the season. Try the wagyu beef appetizers and lobster crostini. All that's left to do is order the bottles of champagne to toast with your fellow travellers.
• Holiday Brunch: In case you prefer a day tour, this is the option for you. You can enjoy a delicious three-course gourmet brunch and leave the evening free to stroll along the promenade after disembarking.

With the temperatures dropping, what better plan than booking a food tour of Boston to warm you up while you enjoy the local cuisine. To do so, you can start your tour guided by the smoky aroma of traditional Boston pizza among the pizzerias of Little Italy's North End.

You can also opt to visit a maple sugar factory, such as the Back Ridge Sugar House, to sample pancakes made with real maple syrup. Another seasonal option is the classic chocolate tour or how about a vegan chocolate tour?

And to top it all off, don't leave Boston without trying blueberry jelly, a bowl of the famous clam chowder, a slice of Boston cream pie, a glass of wine or locally brewed beer. The city offers you a wide variety of choices for the best food tours in Boston. Check out the tour calendar and start your culinary journey.

December shopping is a seasonal fixture, and if I tell you that you'll be free from the lines and can buy that jumper you ordered or that perfect living room ornament at great prices, doesn't that sound appealing? That's what happens when you visit one of Boston's best Christmas markets.

I recommend you book a guided tour of Boston and catch up on what's on offer, but here's a sneak preview. Here are my two favourites:

• Quincy Market: Located in Faneuil Marketplace, a must if you're looking for last minute Christmas goods and gifts. It has a great collection of shops, stores and restaurants. It is also home to **New England'**s largest food hall, Colonnade, a regular stop on the best food tours, with a huge selection of international and local foods. Opened in 1825. Address: 206 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109.

• SoWa Winter Festival & Holiday Market: An art gallery, artisan market and a fabulous vintage market converge in the South End district, but in December there's a winter festival. Find unique gifts and be part of the magic. Local artists present jewellery, scarves, candles, ornaments and personal signature clothing. Order your hot chocolate and stop to admire the ice sculptures. Address: SoWa Boston, 530 Harrison Ave Boston, MA 02118

It seems like a cliché to recommend this in December, but considering that the average temperature in Boston during this season is 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit)... this is a must on your list of activities. In fact, it's easy to find a skating rink in Boston, but there are three that traditionally capture the attention of locals and tourists alike:

Skate @ Canal District Kendall

This grandiose rink is located in Cambridge, near the MIT International Study Center. It is flanked by the modern Canal District.

• Where to find this rink: 300 Athenaeum Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142.
• Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 12 noon to 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price. from 6 €.

Boston Common Frog Pond

At this rink you'll have the chance to take to the ice in one of the most charming public parks in the country. The laughter of couples, families and children fills the air along with the aroma of hot chocolate. Take your pictures with the snow-covered trees and red brick buildings of Beacon Street in the background of your postcard.

• Where to find this rink: 38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108.
• Hours: Monday, 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Price: from 6 €. At this rink they take the phrase "age is just a number" very seriously. Anyone taller than 1.47 cm must buy a ticket, regardless of their age.

The Rink at 401 Park

The Rink at 401 Park is located between the Time Out Market and the Trillium Brewing Company, where you can grab a chocolate, enjoy a beer or dine at one of the market's 15 restaurants. In addition, this rink offers special events and Frozen on ice-style shows. So, you have to include it in your list of things to see and do in Boston with kids.

• Where to find this rink: 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215.
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 3pm to 9pm; Saturday, 11am to 10pm; Sunday, 11am to 8pm.
• Price: from 10 €.

Important: Please note that these ice rinks are open between December and March. Include this activity among your things to see and do in Boston in winter.

Enjoy this free event. The lighting ceremony takes place around the first Thursday in December. Watching the tree lighting is one of the things to see and do in Boston at night when travelling in December. The Christmas event concentrates the largest number of people at three points in the city, where the most popular trees are located. Book the sightseeing trolley through Boston's Old Town and get up close to visit:

• Boston Common Christmas Tree: It's an unforgettable event. A splendid tree shipped all the way from Nova Scotia is the centrepiece of the event. There are ice skating shows, music and other artistic performances. It's the most famous spot. Be sure to arrive early to find space. Address: It's easy to locate, near the Visitor Information Center at 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111.
• Copley Square Christmas Tree: Join St. Nicholas, the Snowman and, of course, Rudolph and the other reindeer around beautiful Copley Square. From a large fountain overlooking Trinity Church, you can watch the ceremony amidst Christmas lights and gifts. Address: 560 Boylston St., Boston.
• Christmas Tree in the North End: This spot in the city has the distinction of being charitable. In addition to viewing the North End Christmas tree lighting, enjoying hot chocolate and caroling, local students host a small bazaar where they sell cakes and treats to benefit their school. Address: corner of Hanover and North Streets.
• Another classic American tree is the one at Macy's department store.

Be sure to join this ceremony, especially if you're travelling with your family, as it's a sure bet for things to see and do in Boston with kids.

On 16 December 1773, American colonists angry with Britain staged a political protest at Griffin's Wharf in Boston. What was this protest like? It was a celebration of tea, one of the main goods imported by the British East India Company. The dynamic changed the course of history and there is a museum that recreates the moment: the Tea Party Museum.

This iconic floating venue offers visitors an impressive way to step back in time. Actors walk around the tea ships playing the colonists to help educate and entertain visitors, who will have the opportunity to throw "tea" over board just as it happened in the 18th century. See the Tea Party Museum and relive the historic moment. This 60-minute tour is one of December's must-do's in Boston.

Practical information

• Address: 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Price: from 30 €.

The Nutcracker is performed in Boston in December, as in almost every city where art is appreciated. However, they add their own personal touch so you can choose the version you like or attend both performances. You will see that these are shows with a wide difference despite their common reference point.

• Boston Ballet's Nutcracker: Attend the Citizens Bank Opera and witness the traditional presentation of The Nutcracker. This theatre created in 1928 brings together the best dancers in the region and annually ensures that the Spirit of Christmas is felt among the audience with the sugar queen, toy soldiers and company.
• The Nutcracker: with a much more provocative title, this is a burlesque show that is as cheeky as it is suggestive. The play is a parody that premiered in Somerville in 2008. From the first year it gained recognition and after more than a decade it is emerging as one of **Boston'**s new classics. It features ballet, pole and belly dancers, along with actors and other performers who put a fresh and irreverent spin on Tchaikovsky's classic.

A visit to the Boston Museum of Science will see live performances, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, the Butterfly Garden and the Mugar Omni Theatre, New England's only domed IMAX screen. But in December another show will steal your attention. When you hear the sleigh bells of St. Nicholas' sleigh, that's your call to experience the little boy who met Father Christmas by accident when he rode on The Polar Express.

This ride is inspired by **Chris Van Allsburg'**s beloved Caldecott Medal-winning children's book. Presented in digital 3-D and with 4-D multi-sensory effects, it is an immersive experience to be enjoyed by the whole family.

You can also make the most of your visit to the museum and take part in an Arctic adventure, discover ancient caves thanks to IMAX technology or travel to Mars among the planetarium activities. Visit the MOS, you won't regret it.

In addition to the Christmas tree lighting, the BLINK lights is a must see and do in Boston in December**. **** Since 1743 a fun and free sound and light show has been taking place at Faneuil Hall Marketplace when the two are accompanied in unison.

The New Year's Eve display of ice sculptures, flea markets featuring local brands, curios and souvenirs, clothing shops and some 30 eateries, mostly specialising in seafood - I recommend Lobster Tail Seafoods text for the main course or a sandwich at Boston Chowda Co, justify a visit to the place. All in all, Faneuil Hall Marketplace is one of the best Christmas markets in Boston.