Brighton Main Streets

Rep Michael Moran's Annual Brighton/Allston Toy Drive
2025-12-14 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Corrib Pub & Restaurant, 396 Market Street, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States
Please join us Sunday, December 14th from 12pm-4pm at the Corrib Pub & Restaurant for the Annual Allston Brighton Toy Drive!!

Porter Belly’s Live Entertainment
2025-12-13 21:30, 2025-12-06 21:30 | Porter Belly’s Pub, 338 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135
🔥December Live Music Line-up🔥
We’ve live music every weekend this December,
Porter Belly’s is officially your go-to pub for live music this Holiday season🎄 – see you there🫡

Jingle & Mingle Pub Crawl
2025-12-13 14:00 - 18:45 | Brighton Center and Oak Square Shopping Districts
Happy Holidays everyone!!!
If you’re looking to spread holiday cheer, while support local businesses look no further!!!
Brighton Main Streets is hosting their first annual Brighton Main Streets Jingle Mingle Pub Crawl! Tickets can be purchased through [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jingle-mingle-pub-crawl-tickets-1976246559659?aff=oddtdtcreator]
They are $50 and include one drink at each location, plus appetizers, a santa hat and an exclusive souvenir cup!
DM me with any questions
Hope to see you there!!

The Hall-iday Bazaar
2025-12-13 11:00 - 2025-12-14 18:00 | Faneuil Hall-Quincy Market Building, S. Market Street, Boston, MA, 02109
Please swing by next weekend Dec. 13 & 14 to check out 80 amazing vendors and their unique mix of beautifully crafted goods which would make even Santa blush! 😍
🗓️ Date(s): Dec. 13/14 2025
⏰ Time: 11am-6pm
📍Address: S Market St. Boston MA 02109
🗺️ Location: Quincy Market Building – Enter 1st floor through the glass atrium off the cobblestones, or 2nd floor (where I will be!) from the central food court seating area, upstairs under the dome.
☔ Weather: inside, rain or shine
*** Getting There ***
🚇 T: walking distance from Green, Orange, Blue, & Red Lines
🚌 Bus: 93, SL4, 92, 504
🅿️ Parking: ~10 parking garages in walking distance!
♿️ Wheelchair Accessible

2026 Historical Calendar Sale
2025-12-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Brighton Post Office, 424 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135
📅 Brighton Allston Historical Society 2026 Calendars
Here’s some information for you regarding/ the sales of the Brighton Allston Historical Society Calendar —2026 edition.
This is our 22nd year publishing this Historical Calendar, our only fundraiser.
Where to buy? At $10.00 per copy. The calendar is sold at:
Daniels Bakery, 395 Washington St, Brighton
“Dream Convenience” store, 108 Franklin St, Allston
Brighton Allston Heritage Museum at 20 Chestnut Hill Ave open on Thursdays and Fridays 11:00AM to 3:00 PM.
St. Col’s Rectory ( see Tricia McShane)
And also we sell the calendars on 5 Saturday mornings in front of the Brighton Post Office from 11AM until noon on November 29, December 6, 13, 20, and 27. These are sold by loyal members of the BAHS. We welcome anyone who wants to join these sellers for one of hour. Remember to wear hat and gloves!
If you or anyone you know wants to buy ten or more, then the calendar costs $7.00 each.
Email Contact: Nancy O’Hara (nohara3@verizon.net)

Applications open for Small Business
2025-12-13, 2025-12-06, 2025-11-29 | MA
PROGRAM OVERVIEW

To help small businesses grow, innovate, and support their local communities, American Express is teaming up with Main Street America this Small Business Saturday® to launch the Amex Shop Small Grants Program. The Program will provide an initial $5 million to fund 250 grants of $20,000 each to eligible small business owners across the U.S. Plus, every time an American Express Card Member shops with their eligible Card at a qualifying U.S. small business on November 29, 2025, American Express will donate an additional $1 to fund additional grants.1
The Amex Shop Small Grants Program reflects the shared commitment of American Express and Main Street America to champion small businesses that strengthen communities and help local economies thrive.
Applications will be open from Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025, to Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:59 CT.

Entrepreneur Power Fair and Christmas Bazaar
2025-12-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Peka Restaurant, 304 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135
INVITATION TO THE ENTREPRENEURS FAIR & CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AT PEKA RESTAURANT

Dear residents of Allston and Brighton,

The Christmas season is here, and at PEKA Restaurant, we want to celebrate it with you.

We are pleased to invite you to our 2025 Entrepreneurs Fair & Christmas Bazaar, a joyful event filled with music, holiday flavors, and the incredible talent of our local small businesses.

Thursday, December 11
Starting at 6:00 p.m.
PEKA Restaurant – 304 Washington Street, Brighton, MA

Admission is completely free.

During the fair, you will be able to explore a wide variety of local vendors offering unique holiday gifts: handmade crafts, accessories, clothing, gourmet products, home décor, Christmas sweets, and much more.

This event is the perfect opportunity to support local entrepreneurs and enjoy the true spirit of the season in a warm, family-friendly environment.
When we support local talent, we strengthen our entire community.

Later that evening at 8:00 p.m., we invite you to stay for the Mega Gaitazo “Salsa y Gaitas,” a vibrant celebration filled with music, flavor, and Venezuelan holiday tradition.
If you wish to attend, tickets can be purchased at the restaurant or through Eventbrite.

Be part of this celebration and enjoy a magical night where community, entrepreneurship, and Christmas come together in one place, PEKA Restaurant!

With appreciation,
Katiuska Valiente
PEKA Restaurant
304 Washington Street, Brighton, MA
(617) 953-4036
KValiente@pekarestaurant.com

Holiday Celebration
2025-12-11 17:00 - 20:00 | AC Hotel, 395 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton, MA, 02135
Holiday Party with ABCOC, AVMS, BMS at AC Hotel
Thursday, December 11, ·2:00 – 5:00 PM

Celebrate the Holidays with the ABCOC, Allston Village Main Streets and Brighton Main Streets at the AC Hotel in Cleveland Circle across from the Reservoir T station.

Free onsite parking is available for the first 20 cars and there is additional parking nearby.

Please bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the toy drive.

RSVP Holiday Party

Holy Gucamole
2025-12-10 16:30 - 17:30 | Brighton Branch Library, 40 Academy Hill Road, Brighton, MA, 02135
Be sure to register for our Holy Guacamole! program with Spanish Fun Program happening next Wednesday afternoon! Esther will teach participants Spanish vocabulary related to shopping for and purchasing the ingredients need and then we’ll all make guacamole together!

Call 617-782-6032 or stop by the front desk to sign up!

Registration closes Monday, December 8 so we can purchase ingredients.

Trivia Night Holiday* Round(er)
2025-12-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Cafenation, 380 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135
Trivia night is back! Holiday(ish) Round(er) edition!🎄
Grab some friends (or come as a solo agent to be matched up) and share your trivia knowledge at Cafénation, while munching on a Rounder sandwich.
✨ Tuesday, December 9
✨ 6:30 to 8:30 PM| Trivia starts promptly at 7:00 PM
✨Cafénation – 380 Washington St., Brighton
Entry fee of $15/person, which includes a rounder sandwich with your choice of bacon, sausage, or avocado. (It’s almost like it’s free avocado Friday.)
Pre-pay via Venmo to reserve your spot or come night of and will let friends in until capacity. 40 spots are available.
Tag your trivia Bestie below and will see you at 6:30 PM Tuesday night!🤩

Sweet Stuff: New England’s Confectionary History
2025-12-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Faneuil Branch Library, 419 Faneuil Street, Brighton, MA, 02135
Faneuil Branch of the Boston Public Library
A chocolate mill opened along the Neponset River in the late 1700s, setting the stage for New England’s love affair with sweets.
Over the centuries, the region has become home to an extraordinary variety of baked, fried, dipped, sugared, and frozen confections.
Local Brighton author Susan Mara Bregman will share stories from her latest nonfiction book, New England Sweets: Doughnuts, Bonbons, and Whoopie Pies, about this sugary legacy – from Necco Wafers to whoopie pies.
Appropriate refreshments will be available to sample!
This event is sponsored by the Brighton-Allston Historical Society.

Holiday Glow Event
2025-12-09 18:00 - 21:00 | Cleo Salon, 1 Henshaw Street, Boston, MA, 02135
✨ You’re officially invited! ✨
Join us for the ultimate glow event of the holiday season at Demma Med Spa and @cleosalonboston. From glowing skin to holiday-ready confidence, this is the event you don’t want to miss.
Grab your BFF, tag them below, and RSVP today! 🎄✨

Open Mic Night
2025-12-08 20:00 - 22:00, 2025-12-01 20:00 - 22:00 | Porter Belly’s Pub, 338 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135

Oak Square Tree Lighting
2025-12-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Square in Brighton, 430 Faneuil St, Boston, MA 02135, Boston, MA, 02135, United States
The Oak Square Tree lighting in Brighton is part of Boston’s Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley Tour, now in its 29th year, and it’s designed to spread holiday cheer across neighborhoods.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what to expect:

Hot cocoa and cookies at 6:00pm: Sponsored by Brighton Main Streets, a cozy way to kick off the evening.
Santa visit: A chance for kids (and adults!) to share their holiday wishes.
Tree lighting ceremony: The highlight moment when Oak Square shines bright.
Mayor Wu and the Trolley at 6:45pm: The Enchanted Trolley rolls in, continuing the tradition of bringing holiday spirit across Boston.
Community sponsorship: Bank of America supports the event, helping keep the tradition alive.

It’s the kind of gathering where neighbors come together, kids get excited, and the whole square feels transformed into a holiday wonderland.

Jackson Mann Tree Lighting
2025-12-05 17:30 - 18:30 | Jackson Mann Community Center, 40 Armington Street, Allston, MA, 02134

Mayor's Cup Ice Hockey
2025-12-05 09:00 - 21:00 | MA
Cheer on the Allston Brighton teams who are participating.

Game Schedule: https://docs.google.com/…/17jMnAWxpt52GNFfPpfLx…/edit…

Healthy Eating on a Budget
2025-12-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Brighton Branch Library, 40 Academy Hill Road, Brighton, MA, 02135
THIS THURSDAY!

Registered dietician Sofia Allison (MS, RD, LDN) will discuss cooking, shopping, and planning for nutrition on a budget. How can we make grocery trips easier? What kind of ingredients give us flexible meal choices? Where can we find budget-focused food advice online?

This presentation will give you tools to help make decisions about your grocery list, but is not medical advice.

Walk-ins are welcome, no RSVP required.

#libraries #budgeting #groceriesonabudget

Unreal Reads
2025-12-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Brighton Branch Library, 40 Academy Hill Road, Brighton, MA, 02135
Brighton Branch of the Boston Public Library

Join us Thursday, December 4 at 6:30 PM to discuss the sci-fi novella A Psalm for the Wild-built by Becky Chambers. Print copies available at the Brighton Branch front desk while supplies last.

*

From the book description:

Centuries before, robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, wandered, en masse into the wilderness, never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend.

Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in.

The robot cannot go back until the question of “what do people need?” is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They will need to ask it a lot. Chambers’ series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

*

The Unreal Reads book club reads fiction of all kinds. We typically meet on the first Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm at the Brighton Branch, barring holidays or special events. No registration required, you’re welcome to drop in. We also welcome readers who decided not to or weren’t able to finish the book — as long as you’re okay with spoilers.

#libraries #bookclubs #boston

Free Soccer Clinics
2025-12-04 16:30 - 17:45 | Jackson Mann Community Center, 40 Armington Street, Allston, MA, 02134

Boston Landing Tree Lighting
2025-12-03 16:00 - 19:00 | Athletics PanK & Boston Landing, 92-96 Guest Street, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States
Bright Beats & Festive Cheer: The Boston Landing Holiday Tree Lighting is finally here!
Date: Wednesday, December 3
Event Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tree Lighting: 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Location: Athletes Park & Participating Boston Landing Restaurants, Guest Street, Boston, MA
From 4:00 -7:00 pm Check in at Mistletoe Lounge (Athletes Park) to enjoy:

Live DJ
Free* Professional Holiday Mini Photo Sessions *first come first served
Free* Secret Stocking Surprise for Allston Brighton community members, *first come first served, while supplies last, additional details below
Boston Landing Toy Drive benefiting West End House
Holiday Carolers & Mr. & Mrs. Clause traveling throughout Guest Street!

Don’t Miss:

4:00 – 4:30 pm, Story Time with Mr. & Mrs. Claus at Tradesman
4:00 -6:00 pm, Letters to Santa at Broken Records
4:30 – 6:00 pm, Snowman Crafts at Tradesman
5:00 – 6:00 pm, DIY Cookie Kits at Kohi Coffee, free while supplies last (This is a take-home activity & packaged up for easy transporting!)
6:00 pm, Tree Lighting with Holiday Carolers & Mr. & Mrs. Clause at Athletes Park
and more to be announced, stay tuned!

Holiday-themed Food & Drink Specials at the following participating locations:

Broken Records
Rail Stop
Kohi Coffee
The Pearl
American Flatbread
The Bagel Table
and more!

Additional Features:

Guest check-in at Athletes Park (located outside in front of Rail Stop & Kohi Coffee)
Toy Drive collection to benefit the West End House

Stocking Surprise: A festive giveaway to spread holiday cheer throughout Boston Landing and the entire Allston / Brighton community. Each stocking includes a mystery gift—a gift card or coupon of varying value to one of the neighborhood’s restaurants or retailers. Guests receive one upon check in, must be 18+ to receive, while supplies last.

One per family or couple
Available while supplies last
No exchanges or trades

Event website:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1925164692419?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tea Blend Workshop
2025-12-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Faneuil Branch Library, 419 Faneuil Street, Brighton, MA, 02135
Faneuil Branch of the Boston Public Library
Join us this Tuesday, December 2nd at 6:00 for a tea blending workshop! Herbalist Mo Katz-Christy will discuss common herbs for tea: their uses, flavors, and energies. Learn how flavors blend and complement each other. Part science and part sensory exploration, this class will be as playful as it is educational!

Brighton Center Tree Lighting
2025-12-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Brighton Center, 435 Market St, Brighton, MA 02135, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States
The Brighton Center Tree Lighting will take place on Monday December 1st!
5pm Head to the Brighton Elks at 326
Washington Street for some fun activities and a visit will Santa! Parking is available in the Elks lot pit back, accessible from Winship Street.
6pm Stroll to Brighton Center
615 Tree lighting ceremony
630prompt Tree Lighting

Hope to see you there!

Brighton High School Winter Coat Drive
2025-12-01 10:00 - 2025-12-15 10:00 | Brighton HS, 7878 Brighton Road, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States
Brighton High School

Brighton High School Winter Coat Drive
Dec 1 at 10AM – Dec 15 at 10 AM

Brighton High School Wishlist 2025-26

In years past, Brighton High School has had a Teenage Gift Drive to support our students experiencing homelessness and welcome our newly arrived immigrants to the US. The generosity of the Allston-Brighton community and beyond has been remarkable and we are so fortunate to have had amazing support for our students!

This year with the high increase in basic needs all across our community, we are focusing our efforts on collecting new winter clothing and gift cards for grocery stores.

If you would like to donate a gift card to a grocery store:
Our greatest need this year are gift cards to Stop&Shop, Star Market or Target as these are easily accessible in the Boston area. We are hoping to collect cards of $25 or $50. Please email Carline at ckelly3@bostonpublicschools.org to coordinate collection.

If you would like to donate coats, hats or gloves:
We have a wishlist at Target and Amazon. Purchased items will come directly to the school and will be immediately gifted to a student in need. Please email Karen at kcoyle@bostonpublicschools.org with any questions.
Target: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/bhswinterwishlist
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1W08XAAE6E8VU..

Blood Drive
2025-11-29 09:00 - 15:00 | Brighton Elk’s Lodge, 326 Washington St, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States
The Brighton Elks is hosting a blood drive on Saturday November 29th in support of @bostonchildrens hospital. Sign up info is on the flyer!
