Boston, MA
Free and nearly free December events in Boston: Tree lightings, book bargains, and more – The Boston Globe
MERRY EXCHANGE If you’ve read Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” too many winters in a row and are looking for a new seasonal read, the Trident Booksellers & Cafe hosts their Holiday Book Swap, a grab-and-go-style exchange for anyone who wants to trade a well-loved book for a new read. The event takes place in the Stacks, Trident’s large event space, and readers are encouraged to stay and mingle over their new library additions. Dec. 4, 7-9 p.m. Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St. tridentbookscafe.com
FOLKLORIC FUN Krampus, the German folkloric character who acts as Santa’s evil counterpart, gets his own celebration from the Brighton Bazaar over the weekend at the Charles River Speedway. On Saturday, Medieval Merriment founder and costume and creature maker Elsa the Fool hosts a medieval costume contest. Then, on Sunday, Salem street performer Goat Girl brings some goat-headed crowd interaction. Throughout the Speedway, vendors will be selling vintage and handmade merchandise befitting a folklore-themed celebration. Dec. 6-7. Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave. instagram.com/thebrightonbazaar
INDIE COMIC CON The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, or MICE, invites over 200 artists and writers for a rodent-themed indie comic convention. The expo’s headlining artists are Boston-born artist Scott McCloud, known for his comic about making comics, “Understanding Comics,” and ND Stevenson, whose graphic novel series “Nimona” was adapted into an animated Netflix film in 2023, though both panels are ticketed with a fee. However, for free, you can peruse the aisles to explore work from over 200 artists and illustrators. Dec. 6-7. RSVP required. Peter Fuller Building, 808 Commonwealth Ave. micexpo.org
STORIES ON SALE If you love reading or scouring through bargain bins, the Somerville Library has just the opportunity for you: The annual Friends of the Somerville Library deal, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, offers a large selection of books for purchase, all priced at $1. The sale raises funds for the library’s programming throughout the year. Dec. 6-7. Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Somerville. somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com
This week, experience some early holiday spirit at one of the tree lighting ceremonies taking place around Boston. Many offer activities, snacks, and refreshments.
Monday
Copley Square, 560 Boylston St. 4-6 p.m. boston.gov
Wednesday
Boston Landing, 92 Guest St. 4-7 p.m. eventbrite.com
Thursday
Boston Common. 6-8 p.m. boston.gov
Commonwealth Avenue Mall, 484 Commonwealth Ave. 8 p.m. boston.gov
Friday
Seaport Common, 85 Northern Ave. 5-8 p.m. bostonseaport.xyz
Check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information.
Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to ryan.yau@globe.com.
Ryan Yau can be reached at ryan.yau@globe.com.
Boston, MA
What a World Cup ‘fan zone’ is and what Boston fans can expect in 2026
FIFA World Cup host cities lay out security plans ahead of matches
Host cities ramp up security and anti-human trafficking efforts ahead of FIFA World Cup matches across the U.S.
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Massachusetts, and when it comes to having a place for people to hang out together, there will be a free fan zone where everyone can celebrate the big event.
Seven World Cup matches will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA this summer, and the first one is right around the corner, to be played on June 13, with Scotland taking on Haiti.
Fan Zones are a public space to watch the game for people who don’t have tickets to the actual game. Held in public places, they broadcast the mach on giant screens to offer an immersive experience to watch the game, according to FIFA>
“At the heart of FIFA Fan Festival Boston, (a) Cultural Showcase will ignite the stage with a vibrant celebration of the spirit, creativity, and cultural heartbeat of Boston and communities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” FIFA said.
Where will the fan zone be located when the World Cup games start in just 11 days?
Where is the World Cup fan zone going to be in Massachusetts?
The official FIFA Fan Festival for the 2026 World Cup in Boston will be located at Boston City Hall Plaza at 1 City Hall Sq. Boston, MA.
“The festival will run daily from June 12 through June 27, offering live match broadcasts, cultural showcases, food vendors, and entertainment,” according to FIFA.
The fan zone will open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will stay open until after dark, between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. according to reports.
Activities at the fan zone
Here are some of the offerings at the fan zone in Boston, according to the FIFA website:
- Live broadcasts: Giant outdoor screens that broadcast tournament matches in high-definition.
- Entertainment & music: Live concerts, DJ sets, and performances celebrating global culture.
- Interactive activations: Skills challenges, mini-pitches, inflatable games, and sponsor booths.
- Food & merch: International food stalls, local beverage offerings, and official tournament merchandise.
How to go to the fan zone
While the game is free, you do need to register in advance.
“You can select which days and matches you plan to attend through the FIFA World Cup Boston 2026 website or the Meet Boston events page. Up to six people can register on a single application,” the World Cup Boston website says.
Boston, MA
Who Will Form the Boston Bruins’ Future Core?
Boston, MA
Updating Red Sox’s Playoff Chances: Numbers Never Lie | NESN
So you’re saying there’s a chance? Despite an abysmal start to the 2026 season, the Boston Red Sox remain in the mix for a playoff spot. At least according to FanGraphs, who gives the club a 27.1% chance of reaching the postseason.
Boston’s likely path to October means winning the wild card. FanGraphs gives the Red Sox a 26.1% chance of winning an American League wild card. The team currently sits threes games back of the third and final wild card, despite a record of 25-33.
Don’t look for a division title this year in Beantown. FanGraphs gives the Red Sox a 1% chance of winning the AL East. Which makes sense, since the team currently sits in last place, 11.5 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
But SI’s Tom Verducci and Will Laws thinks Boston has a much tougher chance of making the playoffs. In their deep dive of the postseason, the pair came up with what they call the “Line of Doom.” According to their research, a team that starts “no better than 23–31 and your season is almost over only one-third of the way through the schedule.” Here’s why.
“In the wild card era (since 1995), only one team made the postseason starting with less than 22 wins in the first 54 games, the 2005 Astros (20–34). Of the 231 teams to start 23–31 or worse, only seven made the playoffs—once every 33 times,” Verducci and Laws note.
“Since the postseason field expanded in 2022, 31 teams began 23–31 or worse. Only one, the 2024 Mets (22–32), made the playoffs. That leaves such slow starters with a 1 in 31 chance—virtually the same as the larger sample size,” the pair add.
“The fact is one-third of the season does a good job separating pretenders from contenders. And as the calendar flips to June, understand that the playoff spots won’t change very much. In the four seasons with 12 playoff spots up for grabs, teams in playoff position when May ended kept a playoff spot 73% of the time—35 of 48 teams,” Verducci and Laws conclude.
So what does this have to do with the Red Sox, you ask? It’s Boston’s record after 54 games: 23-31. The “Line of Doom.”
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