A Ship Lighting, An Amphitheater, Paperclips, A Yeti, A Trolley & More Are Coming Your Way

updated 12/9/24 with 244-284 A Street (Channelside) Public Parks Workshop #2 recording and presentation. 

What do a ship lighting, an amphitheater, paperclips, a yeti and a trolley have in common? They are all happening in, around and about our neighborhood. 

This Saturday (11/30) is the 4th annual Lighting of the Ship at Martin’s Park from 4pm to 6pm. Don't miss Santa's arrival by boat from the Fort Point Channel with the help of the Boston  Harbor Police Unit.

  

December 2: 244-284 A Street (Channelside) Public Parks Workshop #2 at 6pm featuring the amphitheater at the waterfront Fort Point Park. Hosted by Related Beal, Boston Parks Dept., and the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture.  View presentation and meeting recording by scrolling down to the bottom of Fort Point Related Beal.

December 5: South Boston Christmas Stroll, Shop, Dine & Splurge, starting at 4pm.The Stroll will feature Santa Claus riding on an antique fire truck followed by an up-and-coming MusicBall singer. 

December 5: The 249 A Street Artists Cooperative cordially invites you to the opening of PAPERCLIPS, a Holiday Exhibit of (mostly) Works on Paper, from 6pm to 8pm at the Gallery at 249 A. Discover unique gifts of original artwork under $200 plus ornaments and stocking stuffers at $25 or less. Paperclips is open by appointment by contacting fortpointstudio@gmail.com through January 4, 2025. 

December 6: Light Up Seaport celebrates the season with holiday tunes, a celeb appearance by Betty the Yeti, and more from 6pm to 9pm at 85 Northern Ave.

December 7 & 8: 2nd Annual Christmas & Holiday Market at The LOT from 12-8pm and 12-6pm.

December 8: Mayor Wu's Enchanted Trolley Tour will be bringing holiday spirit to kids big and small at Medal of Honor Park at 2pm. Don't miss the lighting of tree, Mayor Wu, and Santa too. Starting at 1:30pm, enjoy hot chocolate, holiday crafts and music, and gingerbread decorating. 

originally published 11.26.24

About The Neighborhood Happenings & Festivities

updated 11/28/23 with 11/30 Public Meeting regarding a new zoning code amendment to waive Article 80 review of affordable housing projects. Details below. 

Upcoming Happenings

November 25: 3rd Annual Martin's Park Ship Lighting from 4pm to 6pm. Keep an eye on the Channel for the arrival of Santa by boat. If you would like to volunteer this November including the Ship Lighting, please complete this form. Check out all the Boston Park's holiday lighting celebrations.

November 28: West Broadway Tree Lighting with surprises at 5pm at the W. Broadway parking lot across from Capo. 

November 28: 244-284 A Street (Channelside) Open Space Workshop at 6pm. The Boston Parks Department and Related Beal are hosting a community workshop to review and gather input on design updates for key areas/program elements within the two primary parks at the 244-284 A Street (Channelside) development project. Register.

November 30: Deadline to complete the BPDA Article 80 Development Review Modernization Survey. The primary goal of this project is to create a predictable and transparent development review process that builds trust with all those who participate in the process. Here is one opportunity to engage and we encourage you to complete the survey. Read more about Article 80 Modernization: Community Engagement and Development Review Operations Improvement. 

November 30: Public Meeting on Zoning Code Amendment to Waive Article 80 Large Project Review to preserve or create Affordable Housing at 6pm.  If the Authority has determined that such waiver will increase the availability or quality of Affordable Housing in the City and that such Proposed Project will not generate significant adverse impacts outside the Lot. 

November 30: South Boston Christmas Stroll. Shop, Dine & Splurge from 4pm to 6pm starting with the arrival of Santa on a fire truck. The Original Dickens Carolers will be strolling along East Broadway (4-6 p.m.) and West Broadway (5-7 p.m.). And free Pedicab rides will be available from 5:30-7:30pm to whisk customers to their favorite establishments.

November 30: 84th annual Boston Common lighting celebration starts at 6pm with skating at the Frog Pond at 5pm. This year’s tree from Nova Scotia is a 45’ white spruce. Chronicle will be broadcasting at 7pm. 

December 1: Light Up Seaport from 5pm to 9pm at Seaport Common.

December 3: Mayor Wu's Enchanted Trolley Tour at 2pm at M Street Park.

December 6: Gillette Community Meeting at 6pm. This special meeting hosted by Gillette will help shape the 31 acre site and will be followed by a robust public planning process.

Chapter 91 Comment Deadlines
November 22: 310 Northern

November 27: 24-26 Drydock Ave

November 29: 22 Drydock

originally published 11.16.23

Holiday Events With A Mix of Life Sciences, Seaport Square Expansion, Climate Resilience & Cycling

updated 12/1 with Mayor Wu's Sunday, December 4 Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lighting and new 7 Channel Center Public meeting date.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and inviting you all to enjoy holiday events and a couple developments going on in the neighborhood. 

November 29: FPNA Fort Point Seaport Holiday Social at The Holiday Market at Snowport from 6pm-8pm. R.S.V.P. required.

November 30: Boston Harbor Now’s Harbor Use Forum on CFROD (Climate Resilient Flood Overlay District) at 8:30am. Find out how designs are evolving, and what designers, developers, and advocates should know about CFROD.

November 30: 17 Farnsworth St Impact Advisory Group Public Meeting at 6pm. Replace existing, 361-vehicle parking garage built in 1986 with four-story life science building. In addition, per CFROD, dry flood-proof at least two feet above Sea Level Rise Base Flood Elevation (19.5 ft. BCB).

December 1: South Boston Christmas Stroll, Shop, Dine, Splurge, starts at 4pm. View the details and where Santa is visiting at 2022 Christmas Stroll Schedule - South Boston Chamber of Commerce

December 1: Winter Cycling Clinic with Seaport TMA & MassBike from 5pm to 6:30pm. Curious about biking into work in the winter, but hesitant about how to get going? Learn best practices about cycling in the window. Meet up at The Benjamin, 25 Northern Ave.

December 2: LightUp Seaport from 5pm - 9pm with holiday tunes, a celeb appearance by Betty the Yeti, and annual tree lighting on Seaport Common. Enjoy special offers and sparkling surprises at neighborhood businesses as you stroll.

December 4: 26th Annual Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lighting with Mayor Wu and Santa at Medal of Honor Park (E. Broadway & M Streets). Festivities start at 2pm. 

December 5: Seaport Square Public Meeting at 6pm to discuss Notice of Project Change and amendments to the Planned Development Area including project impacts and mitigation.

December 7: 7 Channel Center Public/IAG Meeting at 6pm The proposed project is to redevelop an existing historic 4 story building into a 9 story office/labs Life Sciences building. This project requires a Notice of Project Change and an amended Planned Development Area.

ongoing through December 31st, the Holiday Market at Snowport welcomes over 120 small businesses to fill your gift list. 

originally published 11.23.22

It's Time To Put On Your Holiday Walking Shoes

Start by walking over to the South Boston Christmas Stroll Thursday, November 30, 2017. Festivities start at 4 pm at the South Boston Library and carolers will be strolling around East & West Broadway entertaining all in anticipation of Santa's arrival at 5 pm. Bringing Up Baby is hosting puppet shows beginning at 5:30 pm. Don't forget to check out the Shop, Sip and Dine deals. In addition, the South Boston Arts Association gallery, Arts Around the Corner, will be open from 4 pm  - 7 pm at 317 E Street. 


Friday, December 1st marks the second annual tree lighting at Seaport Common (85 Northern Ave). Join your neighbors from 6 pm - 8 pm for holiday tunes by Rich Dimare, sips and treats from Seaport restaurants and giveaways. Light Up Seaport benefits Massachusetts Fallen Heroes and The Galvin Foundation. Register for this free event. 

Mayor Walsh invites you to the annual South Boston Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 3rd at Medal of Honor (M) Park. There will be ponies (yes, ponies), ballon animals, music, refreshments and more. The free event starts at noon and is part of the 22nd Enchanted Trolley Tour bringing holiday spirit to children across Boston.

Shop Local: Unique Handmade Gifts by Local Artisans
Holiday Pop Ups kick off this weekend and run through December 17th. These special gift buying events are hosted by the Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC) at the fpac space at the Envoy on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm - 6 pm, and by Row 34 at their restaurant on Sundays from 4 pm -  6 pm. 

fpac space Holiday Pop Ups: Dec 2 - 3, Dec 8-10 and Dec. 16 - 17 from 12 pm - 6 pm with the exception of Friday, December 8th special  hours 4 pm - 8 pm in conjunction with the Fort Point Holiday Stroll
. 

Row 34 Sunday Holiday Pop Ups: December 3, 10, and 17 from 4 pm - 6 pm. 

The Artist Cooperative at 249 A Street is hosting a Holiday Studio Sale: Friday, December 8th from 4 pm - 8 pm in conjunction with the Fort Point Holiday Stroll and on Saturday, December 9 from noon to 5 pm.

Don't take off those walking shoes yet, you will want to stroll through historic Fort Point sampling treats, shopping and being entertained by live music during the Fort Point Holiday Stroll hosted by the Friends of Fort Point Channel Friday, December 8th from 4 pm - 7 pm. Click here for more information and to register, and watch the Fort Point Boston Blog for your guide to holiday strolling Fort Point style. 

Get In The Holiday Spirit

Medicine Wheel Vigil – Day With(Out) Art -World AIDS Day

Join over 250 visual artists and 100 performing artists who will mark the Day Without Art/World AIDS Day and the 25th Incarnation of the Medicine Wheel Vigil. The event starts the evening of Wednesday, November 30 through Thursday December 1, 2016 with a 24-hour vigil for the full 24 hours of Thursday, December 1, 2016.  This year Medicine Wheel will begin at City Hall Plaza at 10:45 pm on November 30, 2016 and process to the BCA Cyclorama. View participating visual artists and schedule of performers.

Julie's Family Learning Program Annual Event

Julie's Annual Event will be held on December 1, 2016 at Venezia Restaurant from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  This year's guest of honor is State Representative Nick Collins, a long time champion and advocate of Julie's, who will receive this year's Angel Award. Purchase tickets for this festive evening complete with a buffet dinner, silent auction and plenty of raffle baskets.

South Boston Christmas Stroll

On Thursday evening, December 1, 2016 Sip, Shop and Dine your way from East to West Broadway discovering special offers from local retailers, restaurants, and pop-ups. The East Broadway tree lighting is at 4 pm and Santa arrives around 5 pm. 

Light Up Seaport

Celebrate the most magical season of the year at the Seaport's first annual tree (and surrounding tree garden) lighting event on December 2nd from 6 pm to 8 pm. Enjoy live music from Andrew Smith, holiday treats, and giveaways! Light Up Seaport will take place on Seaport Common (85 Northern Avenue).

Mayor's Tree Lighting 
Mayor Walsh's annual tree lighting is Sunday, December 4th at the municipal lot located at 450 West Broadway. The fun starts at noon with ponies, balloon animals, Simon Says, refreshments, music, and more! 

26th Annual Christmas House Tour

Need holiday decorating tips? Look no further than the 26th annual Laboure Center Christmas House Tours on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, 2016.  Five homes are selected and decorated by a team of Boston professional design firms, and opened to the public by generous homeowners to raise money for the social services provided by Catholic Charities Labouré Center. 

Fort Point Year End Gathering

The Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) invites neighbors to join them in celebration of Fort Point and in membership on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 from 6 pm - 8 pm in the Sky Lounge atop 315 on A. R.S.V.P. (required).  

T'is the Season for Sipping, Strolling & Shopping

In Fort Point and throughout South Boston, little elves are hard at work to bring you some fabulous holiday events. 


Starting Thursday. December 4th, Santa arrives at the South Boston Library at 4pm followed by the East Broadway Christmas Tree Lighting and the South Boston Arts Association's Gingerbread House contest. These events plus special discounts at South Boston shops and restaurants are all part of the South Boston Christmas Stroll. 


The Fort Point Holiday Stroll presented by the Friends of Fort Point Channel takes place on Friday, December 5th from 4-8pm. It is a free annual celebration of the Fort Point area and its many businesses offering unique stores and boutiques, and a wide array of restaurants and bars.Take part in many special discounts and free beverages and treats. Browse the complete listing of Fort Point Holiday Stroll participants and events. 

In conjunction with the Fort Point Holiday Stroll, the Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC) will be holding their sixteenth annual Holiday Sale in the lobby of 315 on A. FPAC will be hosting drop-in holiday art and craft activities on site throughout the weekend and offering complimentary refreshments. Get creative with your sweet tooth: decorate a holiday cookie that can be nibbled or cherished with artist and chef Elissa Dunlap.

Don't forget to get that special something for someone special on your list. There will be plenty of handcrafted gifts and works of arts for purchase from the artists themselves. The Made in Fort Point store is also hosting Small Works Show Opening Friday night.  The holiday sale continues Saturday and Sunday from 11am -4pm. 

originally posted 12.2.14