Eight Great Things To Do This Weekend – 12/17/20

ONE: Discover the daring designers who changed our world in “Made It: The Women Who Revolutionized Fashion,” now on view at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM). From bold 17th-century women who sought new styles of dress to the enterprising ones who pushed for equality in business, to forward-thinking women have made a lasting impact on the fashion industry. Hemlines have risen and fallen as modern women scrutinize their roles in society and what they demand from their clothing. Tickets may be purchased here.

TWO: Travel back in time as Greater Boston Stage Company (GBSC) presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as a five-part radio drama read by local favorite Christopher Chew. Gather your family around the radio (or laptop or iPad) with a cup of cocoa (or maybe a bowl of wassail) to listen to this heartwarming story of redemption and charity. Every evening beginning Sunday, Dec. 20, at 5:00 p.m., GBSC and Christopher Chew share a new chapter. Previous chapters will remain online and available to hear in case you miss a day. You can hear the story in its entirety on Thursday, Dec. 24, at 5:00 p.m. To listen, visit here.

 

THREE: The Steven’s Estate at Osgood Hill in North Andover is celebrating its 6th Annual Holly Days open house with special, socially distanced events this weekend. Tickets for mansion tours and Santa visits may be sold out, but families can still enjoy a drive-by light show that will feature festive decorations, ice carvings and other fantastic details enjoyable from the comfort of your own car. The light show will be available during all Holly Days open house times, plus two evenings after dark: Friday, Dec. 18, and Saturday, Dec. 19, until 9 p.m. For more information, click here.

FOUR: Looking for unique, handmade gifts for your loved ones this holiday season? Stop at The Brush Studio Artists’ Holiday Marketplace in Lowell this Thursday and Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The marketplace will feature a “Soup & Shop” theme where warm takeout soups will available. Visit the studio’s Facebook page or website for details.

FIVE: Bach fans unite! Join the Lowell Chamber Orchestra virtually this Saturday as they present “Bach’s Secret Operas.” The live performance will feature a rendition of two of Johann Sebastian Bach’s lighter cantatas for a unique kind of holiday cheer. These shows will exhibit the more humorous side of one of the greatest composers. The event will take place via Facebook, live on Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. More details on the event here.

SIX: Who doesn’t love an opportunity to enjoy Christmas lights? Tour Legacy Drive this Friday between 5:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Enjoy the show in Manchester, N.H., with added music, lights and fun displays. Grab your friends, family, a stuffed reindeer or eight, and go for a ride. Keep an eye on the event’s Facebook page for updates.

SEVEN: For 7 years, the SeaFestival of Trees has been a popular holiday tradition with more than 26,000 visitors annually. In 2020, the holiday fundraiser will present a magnificent display of showcase trees with cash and prizes totaling $10,000, as well as creatively themed trees viewable in select local community storefront windows. The goal is to bring holiday joy and spirit to all during a year when it is needed most. As always, each tree will go home with a lucky winner. The show runs through Sunday, Dec. 20.

EIGHT: Although COVID-19 is certainly making everything different this year, the 27th Annual Methuen Festival of Trees will still go on. The drive-through style Festival of Trees at Greycourt State Park lets visitors marvel at the presentation from the safety of their own car. The Festival of Trees at Greycourt State Park is open every evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. now through Dec. 19. If you prefer to enjoy virtually, these beautiful trees are on display here.

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MVM’s Special Christmas Eats

This holiday season, enjoy delicious meals with your family and celebrate the spirit of giving by supporting local restaurants and catering services.

Artisan Chef Catering

Artisan Chef Catering in Lowell will be offering an exclusive holiday menu, available through Jan. 31. Make your holiday special with delicious meals, appetizers and desserts from fig and apple stuffed mushrooms to herb-crusted sirloin to apple crisp. Minimum orders of $50 placed the week of Dec. 27-31 will qualify to receive a free cheese display with your order. For more information, visit here.

Buono Bisto

Buono Bistro in North Andover has crafted a menu that combines classic Italian comfort food with a gourmet twist. Order a complete custom dinner from their regular or catering menu and receive a $25 gift card for every $100 spent. Order your Christmas Eve dinner by Wednesday, Dec. 23, here.

Burtons Grill & Bar

This year, Burtons Grill & Bar is helping you get creative with their cook-at-home holiday dinner packages. With these, you can cook and serve a fantastic meal for 4-12 people in just a few easy steps. You’ll cook your main course, (prime rib or crab-crusted salmon) from scratch using Burton’s provided ingredients. Then, simply heat your chosen sides and dinner is served. To place your holiday dinner order, or find step-by-step cooking instructions, click here.

Capri Seaside Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria

Consider catering from Capri Seaside Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria with trays of authentic Italian cuisine. Choose from a variety of Italian specialties and side dishes, or opt for their famous prime rib. Orders must be placed by Monday, Dec. 21, and picked up between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Check out Capri’s complete holiday menu here.

Grazie Italian Restaurant at Four Oaks Country Club

Enjoy classic Italian cuisine at Grazie Italian restaurant in Dracut. Whether you choose dine-in or takeout, Grazie will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Consider giving the gift of Grazie by purchasing a gift card for a loved one. When you spend $100 on a gift card, you’ll receive a $10 gift card for yourself, or spend $500 and receive a $75 gift card and a set of four unique Grazie wine glasses. For more information and holiday updates, visit Grazie’s website.

Horseshoe Grille

For a hearty ham dinner, look no further than Horseshoe Grille in North Reading. Order your Christmas family feast to go, featuring a Virginia honey ham, garlic mashed potatoes, and cornbread with honey butter. This dinner serves 4-5 individuals and all orders must be placed by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19. To order online, click here.

Purple Carrot Bread Company

Purple Carrot Bread Co. in Lowell is providing customers with fresh, home-cooked food that simply needs heating up so you have time for what’s important to you. Choose between a roasted turkey dinner, braised short rib dinner, or a cider-brined pork loin dinner with side choices including Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, garlicky green beans, roasted broccoli, or buttered carrots. Hurry — all orders must be called in by Dec. 17. More information may be found here.

Seaglass Restaurant & Lounge

Bring a taste of the ocean to your holiday dinner table with Seaglass Restaurant & Lounge. This year, they are offering take-home Christmas dinners, featuring braised short ribs, stuffed pork loin and North Atlantic baked haddock. All orders must be placed by Monday, Dec. 21, and pickups scheduled on Christmas Eve between 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. For a complete menu, click here.

Simply Elegant Catering

Impress your family with a delicious meal from Simply Elegant Catering. Choose an appetizer, salad, three sides, two proteins and two desserts to complete your holiday dinner package. Already prepping that Christmas ham? Simply Elegant Catering is extending their dinner package to New Year’s Eve as well. All Christmas orders must be placed by Dec. 20, and all New Year’s Eve orders by Dec. 28. Check out their menu here.

Stones Hospitality Group 

The restaurants of Stones Hospitality Group — Cobblestones in Lowell, Stones Social in Nashua, and Moonstones in Chelmsford — are ready to safely welcome families this holiday season. Private rooms will be offered for families looking to dine out, while a special holiday takeout menu will be provided for those who wish to enjoy these delicious meals from home. Make sure you follow Cobblestones on Facebook for holiday menus and updates.

Tuscan Kitchen

Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas Eve feast with Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, N.H., who will be hosting the Feast of the 7 Fishes on Christmas Eve. The dishes of the night include baccala soup, tagliatelle, herb-crusted cod and herb panettone. The cost is $65 per guest, or $85 with wine pairings. For the full menu, click here.