Flyby Explores: What to Do in Boston/Cambridge This Winter?

You did it, Joe! You somehow engineered your finals schedule so that you’re done by Dec. 11. Or you’re getting completely bodied by back-to-back finals (sorry, pre-meds). Either way, finals season coincides with Boston’s most festive time of the year, with events to boot. If you’re looking for ways to infuse yourself with some holiday cheer (read: stop being an academic zombie) or to procrastinate on studying Chem 17, Flyby’s got your back.

ON YOUR DOORSTEP

If you’re at Jefe’s at 2 a.m. after River East formal, you have no excuse for not trying at least one of these.

L.A. Burdick (Harvard Square)

Well, duh. Bring your newly cuffed SO (or your mom… or your single self) to this cute spot for the creamiest hot chocolate! No further explanation needed.

Harvard Square Holiday Fairs (One Brattle Square)

If you’re one of the unlucky souls stuck with a final on the 20th (the literal last day of finals because the Registrar’s Office hates you), the stars are finally aligning for you: While everyone else hops on early flights (or drives) back home, you’ll get a perfect dose of holiday charm by attending the Harvard Square Holiday Fair (12/15 to 12/17 and 12/21 to 12/23) instead of studying. Housed in One Brattle Square (the building across from Felipe’s), Harvard Square Holiday Fairs brings together local vendors and craftspeople just in time for the holidays!

Bow Market (Somerville)

Though open all year, Bow Market comes to life in the holiday season with festive events and picturesque lights. Besides, we know that you haven’t left your favorite Cabot study carrel long enough to visit the Market this semester anyway, so you might as well visit it now. It’s just a short 25-minute walk from the Yard, and you can pair it with a delicious bite afterward in Somerville’s Union Square!

Real Women Have Curves (Loeb Drama Center)

Do you miss having pubs for student musical productions in your inbox? If so, the American Repertory Theater is more than happy to help you scratch that itch with the Dec. 14 premiere of “Real Women Have Curves,” based on the play by Josefina López that inspired HBO’s film of the same name. Maybe say it’s based on a movie to cover our bases?

BURST THE BUBBLE

The T or Uber ride separating you from these attractions might seem like a sign to actually study, but a break (from your books, and from everything Harvard) will probably make you more productive. Peer pressure a friend or two to ditch their study plans for something much more enjoyable outside the Harvard bubble!

Holiday Bar at Loco Taqueria (Fenway)

Forget your problems and get yo drink on at Loco Taqueria in Fenway, which turns into a holiday-themed bar fit for any hard-working elf and/or student.

The Nutcracker (Downtown Crossing)

To be honest, I’ve only ever seen the Barbie adaptation, but it’s never too late to see the real deal. The quality of HUDS fare might make it difficult to fathom a Kingdom of Sweets, but the performance should be surprisingly relatable as its heroine, Clara, faces off against an army of mice only twice as terrifying as the one invading your dorm room. (Too bad Clara has a Nutcracker Prince to defend her against the mice and you don’t, but at least you’re equally delulu because she literally falls in love with a boy toy.)

SoWa Winter Festival (South End)

Running Thursday through Sunday until Dec. 17, the SoWa Winter Festival is the perfect opportunity to make some decisions you might regret as you spend your time and money exploring booths featuring some of the area’s finest small businesses. Aesthetic Insta photos (to make everyone on your spam question how much time you’ve spent studying) are guaranteed. It costs $10 to get in, but if you love cute stuffed ornaments, it’s worth it!

Snowport Holiday Market (Seaport)

That $12 hot chocolate hits different when you’re amidst the cheery decor of Snowport. Yeah, you might be spending $15 on a candle. No, you don’t really need a Christmas sweater that has BOTH the Celtics AND the Bruins on it. But hey, what’s the point of holiday procrastination if you don’t make one slightly questionable purchase along the way?

Whether your reading period schedule is so barren it’s attracting tumbleweeds or crammed with formals to the exclusion of study time, we hope these happenings in your backyard (and a wee bit beyond it) help you find a balance between hitting the books and hitting the streets.