From December 5 – 9, the MFA Sparkles With Holiday Festivities

This December, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston presents “MFA for the Holidays” ––a series of festivities with multiple events each day. Family events include Black Nativity (12/6), holiday film shorts (12/8-9), musical performances by KlezMITron (12/9) and Criollo Classico (12/9), as well as costumed Victorian carolers (12/5-9). Additionally, appearances by the Boston Ballet, gallery talks, and other eclectic performances make this a holiday to remember.

For more information and a full list of events, days and times, please continue reading:

“MFA FOR THE HOLIDAYS” SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, December 5
Victorian Carolers
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
Huntington Avenue entrance
Costumed in clothing of the Victorian era, quartets of carolers will greet visitors at the Huntington Avenue entrance and stroll throughout the Museum, bringing festive music to the galleries.

Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
West Wing entrance
The Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble will play holiday and classical music for visitors in the Museum’s West Wing entrance.

December Sale
Noon – 6 p.m. (every day through December 9)

School of the Museum of Fine Arts
The 27th annual December Sale, the largest art sale of its kind in New England, will feature original pieces of art from more than 800 established and emerging artists.

The Smart Set
2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. (also on December 7)
West Wing Entrance
Two piano and vocal duos will celebrate the Great American Songbook.

Gallery Talk: Festive Feasts
6 – 7 p.m. (also on December 6 and 7)
Meet at the Sharf Information Desk
A look at festive feasting across cultures and throughout time will be led by Museum educator Laura Ziman.

Zamir Chorale of Boston 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
European/Old Master Paintings Gallery
America’s foremost Jewish choral ensemble will celebrate the season.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 6th
Victorian Carolers
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
Huntington Avenue entrance
See earlier entry

Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
West Wing entrance
See earlier entry

Gallery Talk: Festive Feasts
11 a.m. – noon (also on December 5 and 7)
Meet at the Sharf Information Desk
See earlier entry

December Sale
Noon – 6 p.m. (every day through December 9)
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
See earlier entry

“Black Nativity”
6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m.
Upper Galleria
Vignettes from this acclaimed production by the National Center of Afro-American Artists will be performed. “Black Nativity” is the joyous account of an historic event that occurred 2,000 years ago, which recounts the original story of the Nativity in scripture, verse, music, and dance. Based on the Gospel of St. Luke, combined with the poetry of Langston Hughes, this song-play touches a special chord in the hearts of all.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 7th
Victorian Carolers
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
Huntington Avenue entrance
See earlier entry

Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
West Wing entrance
See earlier entry

Gallery Talk: Festive Feasts
11 a.m. – noon (also on December 6 and 7)
Meet at the Sharf Information Desk
See earlier entry

December Sale
Noon – 6 p.m. (every day through December 9)
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
See earlier entry

Boston Ballet Nutcracker Dancers
3 – 5 p.m.
Huntington Entrance
Visitors will meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker, and other characters from the beloved holiday classic.

Holiday firstFridays
5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Koch Gallery
Art lovers can mingle at a special holiday edition of the popular MFA firstFridays series, while enjoying music, fine art, a cash bar, and a delicious tapas menu. (For ages 21 and older.)
The Smart Set
6 p.m., and 8 p.m. (also on December 5)
West Wing Entrance
See earlier entry

SATURDAY DECEMBER 8th
Victorian Carolers
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
Huntington Avenue entrance
See earlier entry

Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
West Wing entrance
See earlier entry

Family Art-Making Activities
10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. (also December 9)
Great for families and visitors of all ages.
Various locations
• Message of Peace – Families can visit Eirene, the Roman Goddess of Peace, learn her story, and create artistic messages of peace. Second Floor Roman Gallery.
• Wearable Art – Ancient Near Eastern ceremonial adornments from over 4,000 years ago will provide inspiration for designing wearable art using gold-colored materials. First Floor Near Eastern Gallery.
• Paper Lantern Making – Visitors will create their own festive paper lantern inspired by Asian designs in the gallery. First Floor Japanese Gallery.

Christmas Films for All Ages
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Remis Auditorium
Short films that capture the magic of the Christmas season will be screened, including The Snowy Day, Too Many Tamales, and Once Upon a Christmas Village.

Book Signing
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Museum Bookstore and Shop
Caldecott Honor–winner Ilse Plume and author Jane Langton will sign copies of their new children’s book, Saint Francis and the Wolf. December Sale
Noon – 6 p.m. (every day through December 9)
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
See earlier entry

Project STEP
Noon – 1 p.m.
Koch Gallery
The talented students of Project STEP (String Training and Educational Program for Students of Color) will perform classical and traditional songs.

Halalisa Singers
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Lower Rotunda
The Halalisa Singers are the greater Boston area’s premier world music ensemble. Halalisa is the Zulu word for “celebration,” and in that spirit, the Halalisa will offer a performance that includes Jewish, African, Latin, American spiritual, gospel, folk, and jazz music.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 9th
Victorian Carolers
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
Huntington Avenue entrance
See earlier entry

Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble
10 a.m. – noon (every day through December 9)
West Wing entrance
See earlier entry

Family Art-Making Activities
10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. (also December
Great for families and visitors of all ages.
Various locations
See earlier entry

Hanukkah Films for All Ages
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Remis Auditorium
Three short films that capture the magic of Hanukah will be shown, including In the Month of Kislev and Brave Irene, co-presented by the Boston Jewish Film Festival.

Underground Railway Theater
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Various galleries
Interactive, improvisational theater offerings will explore holiday works in the Museum’s collection.

December Sale
Noon – 6 p.m. (every day through December 9)
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
See earlier entry

Wood and Silver
12:30 – 2 p.m.
Lower Rotunda This duo will perform classical, Brazilian, and folk music on an eclectic mix of instruments.

Grand Tea
2 p.m. and 3 p.m. An elegant tea will be served with sandwiches, sweets, and live music. Advance reservations required; email kcostello@mfa.org. Criollo Clasico Ensemble
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Koch Gallery
Guitarist, composer, and virtuoso cuatro player José González is one of the foremost exponents of Puerto Rican and Caribbean music in the United States today. Acclaimed for his original compositions featuring the cuatro (Puerto Rico’s national instrument), he will perform for MFA visitors.

KlezMITron
2:30 – 4 p.m.
Lower Rotunda
Collegiate klezmer musicians will celebrate the 17th-century tradition of playing at festive occasions.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12th
New England Conservatory Millennium Gospel Choir
7:30 p.m.
Remis Auditorium
Tickets required, $25 general admission; $20 members, students, and seniors.
To order tickets, go to www.mfa.org/tickets or call the Remis Auditorium Box Office at 617.369.3306.
The MFA Concert Program presents the New England Conservatory Millennium Gospel Choir in their third annual holiday concert at the MFA. As gospel music enjoys a renaissance in the new millennium, NEC’s Millennium Gospel Choir lifts its mighty voice. The two hundred multi-racial, -ethnic, and -generational members from more than 36 area churches perform traditional and contemporary gospel and spirituals, including congregational songs to ring in the holiday season.