Tips for spending the holiday in Boston if you’re steering clear of the dinner table

Shit-faced Shakespeare

WHAT: Not everyone finds Shakespeare entertaining, but adding loads of booze to the mix may change their minds. Shit-faced Shakespeare features a professional cast of actors who, obviously, get shit-faced on stage while performing classic plays. A production of Romeo and Juliet will be performed over Thanksgiving weekend.

WHERE: The Rockwell, Somerville

WHEN: Nov 23 at 7pm and Nov 24 at 10pm

Downtown Boston Holiday Market

WHAT: Holiday markets will spring up all over the city as December approaches, but Downtown Crossing isn’t waiting that long. You can pick up some jewelry, art, clothes, food, and more at this pop-up market. It will be set up on Washington Street beginning the day after Thanksgiving.

WHERE: Downtown Crossing, Boston

WHEN: Nov 23-Jan 6

Friday After Thanksgiving (F.A.T.) Chain Reaction

WHAT: Sure, a lot of people celebrate the day after Thanksgiving by shopping, but how about a day of… science? MIT is hosting an engineering event where spectators can watch teams build their own crazy gadgets, similar to a contraption Rube Goldberg would have designed back in the day.

WHERE: MIT’s Rockwell Cage Gymnasium, Cambridge

WHEN: Nov 23, 1-4pm

Run in a race to burn off those calories

WHAT: It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for many people to start the day with a brisk run. There are a lot of races happening that morning, including Gobble Gobble Gobble in Somerville, Stow Gobbler 5k in Somerville, and the Boston Volvo Thanksgiving Day 5K in Brighton.

WHERE: Various places in Boston and Massachusetts

WHEN: Nov 22

Christmas Tree Lightings

WHAT: If you think that Thanksgiving is overrated, perhaps you agree that it’s time to gear up for… wait for it… Christmas!?! There are various tree-lighting ceremonies in Boston over Thanksgiving weekend for those looking to get in the holly jolly mood.

WHERE: Downtown Crossing, Roslindale Village, Copley Square

WHEN: Nov 23-26

Catch the last of fall foliage

WHAT: Thanksgiving marks the end of autumn, and the leaves change color one more time this season. There are some cool spots all around the region—but especially the Harvard Arboretum, Mount Auburn Cemetery, the Esplanade, and the Boston Common—where you’ll want to admire the trees before we’re hit with heaping mounts of New England snow. Hurry up!

WHERE: Boston and Cambridge

WHEN: Now

The movies are always an option

WHAT: When all else fails, a trip to the movie theater never disappoints. Movies being released Thanksgiving weekend include Robin Hood, Ralph Breaks the Internet, The Front Runner, and The Favourite.

WHERE: Various Boston Movie Theaters

WHEN: Nov 21-23

One word: Chinatown

WHAT: Sick of turkey and stuffing? Head on over to Chinatown to skip the traditional Thanksgiving grub. You won’t find any other neighborhood with more restaurants that are open Thanksgiving day.

WHERE: Chinatown, Boston

WHEN: Thanksgiving weekend

Small Business Saturday

WHAT: Before you spend all your money on Black Friday, don’t forget that Small Business Saturday is the day after. Check out nearby stores, support local businesses, you know the drill.

WHERE: Everywhere throughout the city

WHEN: Nov 24