Whether you crave chocolate treats with Santa or latkes with a side of klezmer, there's ample opportunity to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season.
Winthrop Park, that traditional Harvard Square hangout along JFK Street, rings in the seasonal festivities on Sunday, December 2nd, with its Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony (5 PM). Celebrate with Rock 'n' Roll Santa and treats from local shops and restaurants like Harvest, OM, Sandrine's and Upstairs on the Square. Then, on Saturday, December 8th, the park will host an Everyone Loves Latkes Party (3–5 PM) with storytelling, dancing, klezmer music and – you guessed it – lots of latkes prepared by local eateries (617-491-3434).
Langham Hotel knows what people want this time of year: chocolate. On Saturdays through December 22nd, the hotel’s Chocolate Bar at Café Fleuri will get festive with Santa, carolers and all those decadent desserts (seatings every half hour from noon–2 PM; $35 per adult; $17.50 per child ages five–12; free for children under four). Santa will also make an appearance at the hotel's Sunday jazz brunch (through December 23; seatings at 11 and 11:30 AM, 1 PM and 1:30 PM; $60 per adult; $30 per child ages five–12; free for children under four), and at a special Christmas Day brunch (seatings at 11 and 11:30 AM, 1, 1:30, 3:30 and 4 PM; $65 per adult; $32.50 per child ages five–12; free for children under four). For reservations, call 617-956-8751.
Finally, a Santa Brunch at West on Centre in West Roxbury on Saturday, December 15th, will feature a morning of crafts and conversation with the man from the North Pole (10 AM; call 617-323-4199 for reservations and price).