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Posted by Chad Sirois, guest blogger of ArtsBoston

During the month of December, Boston comes alive with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. From tree lightings to holiday festivals, joy rings out from every neighborhood.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the arts and culture community, where Boston’s stages and performance halls feature brilliant performances of classic holiday traditions and innovative new productions.
MHS16_LandingPage_HeaderThe 13th Annual Mayor’s Holiday Special is designed to ensure everyone can share in holiday joy this season.  This two-month celebration of Greater Boston’s performing arts features thousands of great deals to over 500 holiday performances, as well as more than 30 dining offers and an online calendar of free festivities throughout the city.
Many of us treasure special holiday memories of going to see shows like The Nutcracker or the Boston Pops Holiday Pops with our family and friends. Thanks to the support of the Highland Street Foundation, these special holiday performances have become easily accessible and affordable to everyone.

JoseMateoNutcracker08Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker

In addition to the Boston Pops, the 2016 Mayor’s Holiday Special includes shows such as Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, The Christmas Revels and A Christmas Celtic Sojourn. There is fun for the entire family as Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream and local favorites Shear Madness and Blue Man Group pull out all the stops with added holiday fun.
If you have already had a chance to see Boston Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, why not take in a different version this year?  The Moscow Ballet will bring the Great Russian Nutcracker to the Orpheum Theater this December while Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre will present The Nutcracker at the Cutler Majestic Theatre and the Strand Theatre.  You can also catch Tony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker at the Back Bay Events Center.

BlackNativity_2Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity

The Mayor’s Holiday Special ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy, with shows like Fiddler on the Roof from the New Repertory Theatre, Bedroom Farce from the Huntington Theatre Company, The Tempest presented by Actors’ Shakespeare Project Murder for Two by  the Lyric Stage Company.
It’s not just about the holiday performances though.  More than 30 local restaurants are offering $10 off your meal when you spend $40 or more.  You can download the voucher and find a full list of participating restaurants here.

A-Christmas-Celtic-Sojourn-copyA Christmas Celtic Sojourn

Tickets for all performances are on sale now at www.MayorsHoliday.com. New offers will continue to be added to the Mayor’s Holiday throughout the season so check back on a weekly basis to find out what’s new. You can also find more information by following ArtsBoston on Facebook and Twitter (@artsboston) and by following #MayorsHoliday.
The Mayor’s Holiday Special is produced by ArtsBoston and created in partnership with the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Feature image from Tony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker

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