4:30pm to 9pm
Annual Illuminations Tour
at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
Tickets: $10 / $5 -- for 12 and under & 60 and over
Some people may say this is a waste of energy, but I think it's okay to conserve throughout the year to splurge on old-timey, kitcshy holiday fun.
Of course, there will be a complete lack of good taste. That's part of the charm! You're taking a 45-minute trolley tour to the city's gaudiest displays of retina-burning rainbows of lights, abnormally large devotional pieces, and a variety of other cheesy decorations.
Tour guides will offer a mix of information and entertainment -- at the discretion of the volunteer who is leading your trip. You'll have a deeper knowledge/appreciation of Somerville after you step off the trolley.
Obviously this won't appeal to everyone, but we're lucky to have various happenings that allow us to have a little fun around the holidays.
It may not be as constructive as volunteering, but it's another hour of good cheer away from the consumerist cluster-f*ck that attempts to obscure the deeper meanings of the season. (Pick your own deep meanings, but it doesn't have to include purchasing various electronics, etc.)
Tickets are being sold at Blue Cloud Gallery (713 Broadway, Ball Sq), and some tour times were still available when I last walked by. I've crossed out what I remember to be sold out:
Bus/trolleys depart at --While you're loitering around City Hall, you can grab a hot beverage & tasty goodies amid caroling and who knows what else.4:30pm, 5pm,5:45pm, 6:15pm, 7pm, 7:30pm,8:15pm, 8:45pm, 9:15pm
Unsold/standby tix might be available 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.
It's almost the darkest night of the year. Why not get lit...?
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The related "Somerville: City of Lights" book (photos, essays, etc) is available for $5, as well as "Illuminations cards", at a handful of Somerville and Cambridge locations.
If you don't go on Saturday and feel like checking it out at your own pace, a tour map will be sold for $3 at Blue Cloud and Magpie (Davis Sq) starting on MON 12/21. (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...)
All the proceeds go to the Somerville Arts Council, which does a lot of cool stuff all year round like ArtBeat and wacky summer activities in Union Square.
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