SAT 12/15: Somerville Illuminations Tour

4:30pm to 9pm
Annual Illuminations Tour
at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville (Central Hill)
$10 / $5 -- for 12 and under & 60 and over

As of 12/4, all of the tours except 8:45 & 9:15pm are full; advance tix available at:
McIntyre & Moore Booksellers, 255 Elm St, Somerville (Davis Sq).

While one may get cynical about turning religious holidays into a massive, commercial cluster-assault on our senses, sanity, and savings; almost everyone enjoys houses festooned with a rainbow of lights and holiday decorations. Will you see outrageously gaudy displays as if a discount store vomited on someone's lawn? Of course, that's part of the fun.

There are 45-minute trolley tours that can be entertaining / informative / humorous depending on the guide. (I know someone on Going has been a tour guide in the past, there's at least one comedian this year, and Mayor Curatone has led tours as well...) The Somerville Community Chorus will perform throughout the day at City Hall where there will likely be other holiday fun. And you can grab a hot beverage & tasty goodies while you're loitering around.

If you'd like to go at your own pace without the commentary, a tour map is also for sale at McIntyre & Moore for the low, low price of $3 -- as well as Magpie (Davis Sq) & Blue Cloud Gallery (Ball Sq). Sure you don't get the 45-minute spiel from the tour guide -- but on the other hand, you don't get the 45-minute spiel from the tour guide...

A book and cards are also available -- and all the proceeds go to the Somerville Arts Council, which does a lot of cool stuff all year round.

Don't invite Al Gore, and you should have a good time either way.

Trolleys depart at 4:30, 5:00, 5:45, 6:15, 7:00, 7:30, 8:15, 8:45, 9:15.

There is a possibility to get stand-by tix on Saturday at City Hall.

If it's unsafe to drive, the tour will take place during the same time on Sunday. Call 617-625-6600 ext. 2985, if you're wondering.