New Museum Coming Downtown!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11

Holocaust Museum Proposal Approved

Last week, our Downtown area -- already rich with numerous museums and historic sites -- took one step closer to adding yet another significant visitor destination, as the BPDA approved The Holocaust Legacy Foundation's proposal to redevelop 125 Tremont Street into a 32,700-square-foot museum that will "...preserve and perpetuate the memory and lessons of the Holocaust for future generations."

Renderings of the six-story museum adjacent to the Boston Common (viewable here) reveal a contemporary design, one that provides a thought-provoking contrast with the surrounding architectural context. The museum is currently slated to debut in early 2026 -- stay tuned for future updates as this development continues!

What's On In Downtown . . .

11/24-12/31: The Nutcracker
12/1-12/17: Langston Hughes' Black Nativity
Now through 12/15: BPD Toy Drive
12/15-12/17: Macy's Boston "Give a Little Glam" Gala
12/15 & 12/16: Boston Tea Party Reenactment
12/16: Brunch with Santa at Avenue One
Friday & Saturday through 12/30: Holiday Stroll Tours with the Freedom Trail Foundation
Every Saturday, 3-8 pm: Avery Bar Chocolat offers a table-side hot chocolate service at the Avery Bar
1/16-2/4: Moulin Rouge! The Musical
2/22-3/3: Boston Ballet Winter Experience
Ongoing: High Street Place continues to host a wide variety of fun events.

Follow along on our Downtown Boston events calendar for all the latest happenings in the neighborhood.

Remembering A Trailblazer

Boston, and all of America, mourns the loss of Norman Lear, who passed away last week. Throughout his legendary career, Lear served as a trailblazer, a visionary who brought the sitcom format into the modern era with such landmark productions as All in the Family and The Jeffersons.

Having attended Emerson College (which bestowed him with an honorary degree), Lear will forever be remembered in Downtown Boston. In 2018, the school memorialized his legacy with a statue inside Boylston Place, along with a scholarship named in his honor.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Tour the Decor!

Our neighborhood's towers are rich with history and beauty, and now is your chance to explore them -- with the added delight of taking-in their vibrant holiday decor!

We invite you to our second free Guided Tour of Downtown Boston's Festive Lobbies this Friday, December 15, at 2:30 pm. We also encourage you to visit the lobbies all through this week on self-guided explorations, and vote for your favorite! Entries will have a chance to win a gift card from High Street Place. Visit here for more information.

GO ARMY!

GO NAVY!

Last Friday morning, Downtown had the honor of hosting festivities commemorating the 2023 Army-Navy football game! Before the service academies faced-off on the gridiron, their "Patriot Games" celebration -- highlighted by a calisthenics challenge on Boston Common, followed by a parade to Faneuil Hall -- brought rousing delight to the neighborhood.

The Downtown Boston BID was delighted to welcome some of the pregame ceremonies leading-up to the 124th edition of "America's Game," as the Boston Globe described it. We look forward to seeing the Midshipmen and Cadets return to our district in the future!

Supporting The Downtown Vitality Act

Up on Beacon Hill, the state legislature is currently considering the Downtown Vitality Act (H.228 & S.130), drafted to facilitate the ongoing revitalization of downtowns across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts BID Alliance

(which the Downtown Boston BID belongs to) is advocating for the act's passage, so that our organizations may continue to fund key programming -- and also tackle new initiatives. If you are interested in supporting Downtown Boston and central business districts statewide, please consider endorsing the Downtown Vitality Act.

Email jpiombino@bostonbid.org with your Downtown news or events

Check out the Downtown Boston events calendar

Follow along and share your experiences with #DowntownBoston