Boston Arts and Entertainment: November to December

One of the greatest things about living in the city is that there is always something going on! The arts scene is very varied and there are so many options that anyone can find something they’re interested in. Although a lot of arts and entertainment events can appear expensive, especially in Boston, there are lots of options to help reduce costs for college students. Museums usually have student tickets, and theatre companies are constantly running deals for their upcoming shows if you buy tickets in advance. The Suffolk Performing Arts Office also often offers discounted tickets to popular shows. Follow @instaramsu to hear all about the PAO’s offers as they happen.
Click on the links provided to learn more about the programs and events. For movie releases, see our “Movies To See” article.
Theater
The Thanksgiving Play
A relevant performance that touches on major topics, especially around the time of Thanksgiving and Columbus Day. Four well-intentioned white high school teachers scramble to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month. What could possibly go wrong? (From Lyric Stage Company’s website)
Dates: October 18th – November 10th
Location: Lyric Stage Company Boston
Cost: $25 – $69
For more information: https://www.lyricstage.com/productions/the-thanksgiving-play/
Quixote Nuevo
Cervantes Don Quixote is brought to life in this hilarious and poetic adaptation of the classic novel. Transported to a border town in Texas, the eccentric, brilliant knight embarks on a cross-desert quest to reunite with a long-lost love. Chased by Death himself – in the form of roving bands of guitar-playing Calacas – Quixote always leads with his heart in a world of people led astray by their brains. (From Huntington Theater’s website)
Dates: November 15 – December 8
Location: Huntington Avenue Theater
Ticket Offers: $20 student tickets
For more information: https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/2019-2020/quixote-nuevo/
The Office! A Musical Parody
Don’t miss the unauthorized musical parody of the hit TV show, “The Office,” now on tour alongside its successful Off-Broadway run in New York City. Mashable calls it “the world’s most elaborate inside joke, created with a whole lot of love, just for fans.” (From Boston Theater Scene’s website)
Dates: November 5 – December 1
Location: Calderwood Pavilion
Ticket Offers: Half price with student ID
For more information: https://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/the-office-a-musical-parody/
The Seven Deadly Sins
See the world premiere of the entire one-act play cycle about the consequences of human frailty. Support your fellow Suffolk students and see a fantastic show! (From SU Theater)
Dates: Nov 21 at 7:30pm // Nov 22 at 8pm // Nov 23 at 3pm & 8pm // Nov 24 at 3pm
Location: Modern Theatre
Ticket Offers: $10 student tickets
Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/SuffolkSins
Museums
Museum of Fine Arts: Ancient Nubia Now
This exhibition of magnificent jewelry, pottery, sculpture, metalwork, and more from the MFA’s collection of ancient Nubian art examines power, representation, and cultural bias—in the ancient world, in the early 20th century, and today. Through a majestic display of art and objects, “Ancient Nubia Now” confronts past misinterpretations and offers new ways of understanding Nubia’s history and contemporary relevance. (From MFA’s website)
Dates: October 13 – January 20
Admission: Free with Suffolk ID
For more information: https://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/nubia
Institute of Contemporary Art: Yayoi Kusama: LOVE IS CALLING
This exhibit, which premiered in Japan in 2013, is the most immersive and kaleidoscopic of the artist’s Infinity Mirror Rooms. Representing the culmination of her artistic achievements, it exemplifies the breadth of her visual vocabulary—from her signature polka dots and soft sculptures to brilliant colors, the spoken word, and most importantly, endless reflections and the illusion of space. Tickets are sold out through November, but December tickets will be available on November 12 or in person. (From ICA website)
Dates: September 24 – February 7
Admission: $10 student tickets; free Thursdays 6-9pm
For more information: https://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/yayoi-kusama-love-calling
Other Events
SoWa Winter Festival
Visit the biggest winter shopping village and holiday festival in Boston. You’ll find the perfect handmade gifts, sip on winter cocktails, and discover the best of the SoWa Art + Design District. Enjoy Boston’s best food trucks, live ice sculpting, holiday workshops, as well as the galleries, artist studios, and shops that call SoWa home year ’round. (From SoWa’s website)
Dates: Dec 6 at 6-10pm // Dec 7 at 10-8pm // Dec 8 at 10-6pm
Location: 460 & 500 Huntington Ave
Ticket Offers: Free
For more information: https://www.sowaboston.com/sowa-winter-festival
Arlington International Film Festival
The Arlington Film Festival offers a unique opportunity for cross-cultural education by promoting understanding of the many cultures represented in our town and beyond. We are registered in Arlington, Massachusetts as an organization dedicated to developing, promoting, and increasing multicultural awareness and understanding in our town. The festival is a means for recognizing that such diversity enriches our community. (From AIFF’s website)
Dates: November 7-10
Location: Capitol Theater at 204 Mass Ave
Ticket Offers: $9 student tickets
For more information: https://aiffest.org/ and buy tickets and view the schedule at http://capitoltheatreusa.com/arlington-international-film-festival/
First Night Boston
Since 1975, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, the wonders of the season and the beginning of a new year. In keeping with this fantastic Boston tradition, the First Night celebration in 2020 will continue to be free and open to all. The People’s Procession will be at 6pm, and at 7pm is the Family Fireworks on Boston Common. The countdown will be on Copley Square. (From First Night Boston’s website)
Date: December 31
Ticket Offers: Free
For more information: https://www.firstnightboston.org/
Tree Lighting Events
Columbus Park Trellis – November 25 at 5pm
Christopher Columbus Park (110 Atlantic Ave)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace – November 26 at 7:30pm
Date subject to change
Light Up Seaport – November 30 at 6-8pm
Seaport Common (85 Northern Ave)
Copley Square – December 2 at 5pm
Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden – December 5 from 6-8pm