For those already in the holiday spirit, Faneuil Hall celebrates the lighting of its 50-foot Christmas tree this Saturday, to be displayed through December. But this week, there’s plenty of ways to have fun, free of charge: between concerts celebrating the 90th birthday of an iconic German composer, an MIT jazz performance, and a 19th-century comic opera, here are six fun, no-cost events and activities across Greater Boston, Nov. 17-23.
TEST YOUR STREET SMARTS The Somerville Bicycle Committee has been hosting its regular Streetwise speaker series at Aeronaut Brewing, to talk bike safety over brews and pedestrian rights over pilsners. Wednesday’s event is more hands-on: Groups of up to four can play transit trivia — with Q&As ranging from bikes to the MBTA to general pedestrian knowledge for the Boston metro region. Nov. 19, 6-7:30 p.m. Aeronaut Brewing Company, 14 Tyler St., Somerville. instagram.com/gwsomerville
NOISY NONAGENARIAN The Goethe-Institut Boston presents a series celebrating the 90th birthday of famed composer Helmut Lachenmann, known for his style of mimicking electronic sounds with acoustic instruments. The program includes three concerts with local pianists, cellists, and flautists playing work by and inspired by Lachenmann: one on Wednesday at 8 p.m., and two on Friday at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Each performance is followed by a reception with complimentary wine and snacks. Nov. 19 and Nov. 21. Goethe-Institut Boston, 170 Beacon St. goethe.de
FUN WITH FABRICS Join in on a free fabric collage workshop with Hipstitch, a sewing workshop with three locations around Massachusetts, at its Brookline storefront. Fabric scraps will be provided, and you can snip and stitch with scissors, glue, and sewing machines to create unique fabric collages. The workshop takes walk-ins, and instructors will be around to provide guidance. Nov. 20, 5:30-8 p.m. Hipstitch, 194 Washington St., Brookline. hipstitchers.com
HISTORICAL HA-HAS Have some Victorian era laughs with “Trial by Jury,” a 19th-century comic opera by theatrical super-duo W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. The one-act play is fully sung-through, and is set during a court trial between a woman and a man who was supposed to be her husband but married another woman. The performance will be followed by a reception, with complimentary tea cakes, tarts, and other English snacks on offer. Free parking is available behind the church. Nov. 21, 7-8:30 p.m. St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish at Boston College, 28 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill. stignatiuschestnuthill.org
DECK THE (FANEUIL) HALLS This year, Faneuil Hall’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place Saturday outside Quincy Market, with six performing groups hitting the stage between 2:15 and 5:45 p.m. Performances will include the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, who present two scenes from their upcoming production of “A Christmas Carol,” and the City Ballet of Boston, previewing excerpts from “Urban Nutcracker.” Hot chocolate and baked goods will be available for purchase, and of course, at 6 p.m. sharp, the lighting of the 50-foot tree commences. Nov. 22, 2-7 p.m. Between Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. faneuilhallmarketplace.com
MIT MELODIES The MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble, made up of 16 students from undergrads to PhDs, performs their semesterly concert on Sunday. The varied program includes full-choir pieces and solos, with jazz standards from the likes of Nina Simone, Chet Baker, and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as newer tunes from Samara Joy to jazz arrangements of Lizzy McAlpine. Nov. 23, 7 p.m. Thomas Tull Concert Hall, 201 Amherst St., Cambridge. mitjazz.org
Check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information.
Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to ryan.yau@globe.com.
Ryan Yau can be reached at ryan.yau@globe.com.
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