Happy Holidays to all our readers. And, a big thank you to everyone who has added elegant, tasteful decoration to our daily walks around the city.
This time of year, we enjoy seeing the bows and garland on wrought iron fences and railings.
Beautiful doorways wearing wreaths as seasonal accessories.
In honor of the firefighters.
Both private homes and public buildings, like the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, celebrate the season with artistic flair. We hope you'll find the time to take a walk in your neighborhood to enjoy the scene while it's fresh and beautiful.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Happy Holidays to all our readers. And, a big thank you to everyone who has added elegant, tasteful decoration to our daily walks around the city.
This time of year, we enjoy seeing the bows and garland on wrought iron fences and railings.
Beautiful doorways wearing wreaths as seasonal accessories.
In honor of the firefighters.
Both private homes and public buildings, like the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, celebrate the season with artistic flair. We hope you'll find the time to take a walk in your neighborhood to enjoy the scene while it's fresh and beautiful.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston on New Year's Day and the MBTA schedules for New Year's Eve December 31, 2015 and New Year's Day, January 1, 2016.
What's closed? Do I have to feed the parking meters? What about street sweeping? Are the liquor stores and packies open? When do I put out my trash? And, what changes are there to the MBTA schedules? We have the answers for you, all organized in one post!
Some businesses close early on New Year's Eve but others, especially those in the hospitality business, stay open. Call before you leave if you plan to visit a business on the 31st.
Here's what we've learned about January 1st, 2016 – New Year's Day
Restaurants, bars: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Convenience stores:Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Supermarkets: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Liquor stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed:This includes Schools, Libraries and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.
More after the ad…
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Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.
Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
Boston Trash Collection:
Boston Trash Collection for Christmas
The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to thecity site and look up your specific addressin order to get information.
MBTA Schedule Changes for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day
The MBTA has full information on their events page. (If you are coming to this post after the holiday, that page will have changed.)
Here are the important points for New Year's Eve, Thursday, December 31, 2015
The Red, Orange, Blue, Green lines and Mattapan Trolley will run on a modified weekday schedule with additional trains operating at rush-hour levels of service throughout the evening from 3 p.m. until approximately 2 a.m.
The Siver Line will run on a weekday schedule.
The Commuter Rail will run on a modified weekday schedule with additional service provided – the last trains out are listed here. Also check that link for restrictions on bicycles on commuter rail on the 31st.
Buses and trackless trolleys will run on a regular weekday schedule.
Boats will operate a regular weekday schedule.
The Ride will operate on a regular weekday schedule with extended hours until 2:30 a.m.
Here are the important points for New Year's Day, Friday, January 1, 2016
The Red, Orange, Blue, Green, and Silver lines, and Mattapan Trolley will run on a Sunday Schedule.
Some Commuter Rail lines will run on a Sunday schedule which means the Needham line will not operate.
Buses will run on a Sunday schedule with a long list of buses not operating. Check those here.
Boats will not operate.
The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.
For more information, call the T’s Customer Information Center at 617-222-3200 (TTY 617-222-5146) or visit the MBTA website."
Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine on New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!
And, since it was popular last year, we're adding a few places we think might be great for starting off 2016 with friends and family around a brunch table.
We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve.
Are you looking for a place to ring in 2015 with a happy crowd?
Will you be out and about dropping in on events or house parties?
Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration?
Is a walk to view skating on the Frog Pond more your style?
We'll leave the New Year's Eve reservation for those of you who like to be part of a bigger celebration, while we spend the evening with some sparkling wine, good food, and great companions. However, we have gathered resources to help you find a place for any kind of New Year's Eve you'd like.
You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.
The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day. We'll update this section as we spot new information from these sources.
We'll add updates with other lists, as they become available, from trusted sources around town. Please remember that when we provide a link to a list, we are just giving you a resource. It doesn't mean we are recommending the restaurants on that list. These summaries often include places we love, but since other publishers have different standards, their list may include restaurants we would never recommend.
We Do Recommend!
There are restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputations on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.
Select Oyster Bar will serve a 7-course tasting menu. There are still a few seats left for a 6pm and 9pm seating.
Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and that kindness puts them high on our list.
Row 34 will serve their regular menu with a special addition: "Caviar and Champagne are the name of the game this New Year's Eve. Ossetra caviar and NV Krug Grand Cuvee are available for enjoying at cost …"
Bistro du Midi is offering two seatings at two prices with two prix fixe menus.
Open Table did not have a New Year's Day Brunch list when we prepared this post. We put a request in for a table at 11:30 AM to come up with our recommendations.
Craigie on Main decided to do away with their regular Sunday brunch, but they will have brunch on a few selected holidays like New Year's Day.
Petit Robert Bistro would be a great place to enjoy the beginning of a new year with a gang.
Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine on New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!
And, since it was popular last year, we're adding a few places we think might be great for starting off 2016 with friends and family around a brunch table.
We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve.
Are you looking for a place to ring in 2015 with a happy crowd?
Will you be out and about dropping in on events or house parties?
Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration?
Is a walk to view skating on the Frog Pond more your style?
We'll leave the New Year's Eve reservation for those of you who like to be part of a bigger celebration, while we spend the evening with some sparkling wine, good food, and great companions. However, we have gathered resources to help you find a place for any kind of New Year's Eve you'd like.
You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.
The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day. We'll update this section as we spot new information from these sources.
We'll add updates with other lists, as they become available, from trusted sources around town. Please remember that when we provide a link to a list, we are just giving you a resource. It doesn't mean we are recommending the restaurants on that list. These summaries often include places we love, but since other publishers have different standards, their list may include restaurants we would never recommend.
We Do Recommend!
There are restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputations on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.
Select Oyster Bar will serve a 7-course tasting menu. There are still a few seats left for a 6pm and 9pm seating.
Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and that kindness puts them high on our list.
Row 34 will serve their regular menu with a special addition: "Caviar and Champagne are the name of the game this New Year's Eve. Ossetra caviar and NV Krug Grand Cuvee are available for enjoying at cost …"
Bistro du Midi is offering two seatings at two prices with two prix fixe menus.
Open Table did not have a New Year's Day Brunch list when we prepared this post. We put a request in for a table at 11:30 AM to come up with our recommendations.
Craigie on Main decided to do away with their regular Sunday brunch, but they will have brunch on a few selected holidays like New Year's Day.
Petit Robert Bistro would be a great place to enjoy the beginning of a new year with a gang.
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston on Christmas, December 25, 2015, plus information on: trash collection, parking, MBTA schedule changes, and whatever else we were able to gather to answer your Chrismas week questions.
Remember, many businesses close early on Christmas Eve. Call before you leave, if you plan to visit a business on the 24th.
Welcome to all of you who have found BostonZest.com while looking for this information. We hope you'll look around at the other resources we provide, subscribe to our RSS feed, follow us on Twitter, and come back often.
City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed:This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service. Only emergency services are available.
Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. When we have official hours for the Tow Lot over the holiday, we'll update this section. Call before going on Christmas eve or Chistmas day.
Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.
Trash Collection & Recycling
Boston Trash Collection for Christmas– The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to thecity site and look up your specific addressin order to get information.
MBTA Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Schedule Changes:
MBTA Christmas Eve Schedule is a regular weekday schedule
Thursday, December 25, 2015– MBTA Christmas Day Schedule (Quick Look)
• Blue, Orange, Green, Red, Silver Lines and Mattapan trolley will operate on a Sunday schedule.
• Buses will run on a Sunday schedule, however some routes will not operate on Christmas day. See those details here.
• Commuter rail trains will operate on a Sunday schedule (which means some lines will not operate).
• Hingham, Hull, and Charlestown boat service will not operate.
• THE RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.
For additional information on MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call MBTA Customer Support at (617) 222-3200 or 1-800-392-6100 (TTY 617-222-5146)," or visit the MBTA website.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston on Christmas, December 25, 2015, plus information on: trash collection, parking, MBTA schedule changes, and whatever else we were able to gather to answer your Chrismas week questions.
Remember, many businesses close early on Christmas Eve. Call before you leave, if you plan to visit a business on the 24th.
Welcome to all of you who have found BostonZest.com while looking for this information. We hope you'll look around at the other resources we provide, subscribe to our RSS feed, follow us on Twitter, and come back often.
City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed:This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service. Only emergency services are available.
Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. When we have official hours for the Tow Lot over the holiday, we'll update this section. Call before going on Christmas eve or Chistmas day.
Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.
Trash Collection & Recycling
Boston Trash Collection for Christmas– The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to thecity site and look up your specific addressin order to get information.
MBTA Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Schedule Changes:
MBTA Christmas Eve Schedule is a regular weekday schedule
Thursday, December 25, 2015– MBTA Christmas Day Schedule (Quick Look)
• Blue, Orange, Green, Red, Silver Lines and Mattapan trolley will operate on a Sunday schedule.
• Buses will run on a Sunday schedule, however some routes will not operate on Christmas day. See those details here.
• Commuter rail trains will operate on a Sunday schedule (which means some lines will not operate).
• Hingham, Hull, and Charlestown boat service will not operate.
• THE RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.
For additional information on MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call MBTA Customer Support at (617) 222-3200 or 1-800-392-6100 (TTY 617-222-5146)," or visit the MBTA website.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Attention Back Bay neighbors! We have a temporary source of shellfish at 142 Newbury Street (map.) Ed's favorite Island Creek Oysters are available to take home or ship to a lucky gift recipient through January 2nd.
Just a few steps East of Dartmouth Street, you'll find this cheerful store front.
Down the stairs is an icy display of fresh shellfish. On my visit, there were razor clams, oysters, and more.
In addition to giving live seafood, you might also find a gift for your oyster lover from their display of shellfish and Island Creek related products.
Here's hoping these good folks have a successful season and pave the way for more food shops in the neighborhood.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
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