Get festive! These local happenings are sure to put you in the holiday spirit

Celina Colby

Celina Colby is an arts and travel reporter with a fondness for Russian novels.... VIEW BIO

Celebrate the festive season with holiday concerts, parties and markets throughout Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan and beyond.

Black Nativity

When: 12/1-12/17
Where: Emerson Paramount Center
Info: Inspired by the Langston Hughes show with music, this local production tells the Nativity story with gospel music, African drumming, rhythmic dance and a large cast of community performers. 

Annual Kwanzaa Concert

When: 12/8, 7 p.m.
Where: Roxbury Community College
Info: Students from OrigiNation’s Performing Arts Academy and Professional Dance Division will celebrate the spirit of Kwanzaa by performing various styles of dance and tae kwon do. 

Ugly Sweater Game Night

When: 12/8, 9 p.m.
Where: Montserrat Aspirers
Info: Try your hand at games of spades and dominos, jam out to festive music from the Elite Sounds DJ group, and snack on holiday eats from local vendors at this local game night. Don’t forget to wear your best ugly sweater.

Black Owned Bos. Holiday Market sets up shop at The Underground Café + Lounge in Roxbury. PHOTO: COURTESY OF BLACK OWNED BOS.

Buy Black. Buy Local. Holiday Marketplace

When: Every Saturday until Christmas, 11 a.m.-5.p.m.
Where: The Underground Cafe + Lounge
Info: Support local Black-owned businesses this season by shopping the Black Owned Bos. Holiday Market at The Underground Café + Lounge in Roxbury. In addition to shopping, the pop-up includes activities like ornament-making, cookie-decorating and gift-wrapping.

Holidaypalooza

When: 12/9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: IBEW Local 103 Hall
Info: The Holidaypalooza at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103 Hall has a little something for everybody. Take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Clause, shop gifts from more than 50 local vendors and enjoy food and music.

Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”

When: 12/9-12/24
Where: The Strand Theatre
Info: In this family-friendly production of the classic holiday show “The Nutcracker,” more than 100 children join professional artists on stage for the transportive tale. Choreographed by José Mateo, the ballet explores Clara’s dream world full of holiday cheer.

Boston Harbor Distillery Holiday Sip & Shop

When: 12/10, 2-6 p.m.
Where: Boston Harbor Distillery
Info: Get to work on your holiday shopping by perusing a marketplace of local vendors selling unique and sometimes handmade items. After shopping, sip holiday-themed drinks in the distillery cocktail lounge. 

Children perform in “TAFUTA! A Young Child’s Search for the True Meaning of Kwanzaa.” PHOTO: COURTESY OF ORIGINATION

Tafuta! A Young Child’s Search for the True Meaning of Kwanzaa

When: 12/15, 7 p.m.
Where: Roxbury Community College
Info: Written by Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga and performed by OrigiNation, this heartwarming performance blends music, dance and poetry to explore the meaning of Kwanzaa through a young child’s eyes.

Dewitt Center Holiday Party

When: 12/14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Roxbury
Info: Celebrate the season and the local community at The Dewitt Center Holiday Party. Dance it out to holiday music, enjoy good food and good company and watch partners of the community center receive awards for their support.

Make your own Holiday Gift: Hand-Painted Candles

When: 12/16, 2-3 p.m.
Where: Grove Hall Library Branch
Info: Break out your creative side for this hand-painted candle class. The personalized candles make a wonderful gift or a treat for yourself during the December season. All materials are provided; all you need to bring is your artistic instincts.

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker

When: 12/16-12/23
Where: Shubert Theatre
Info: “The Nutcracker” gets a diverse and uniquely Boston twist in this adaptation by Anthony Williams. Dancers will flit through the streets of Roxbury, twirl by the Citgo sign and make way for ducklings in this charming holiday show.

PHOTO: CORINA RAINER/UNSPLASH

Holiday Movie Marathon

When: 12/22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Mattapan Library Branch
Info: Enjoy an all-day holiday movie marathon at the Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library. The screenings include “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Elf.” The library will provide popcorn and cocoa and a craft table for kids.