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The Boston Globe's The Big To-Do Short Cuts

December 3, 2025

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Big To-Do: Short Cuts, our midweek round-up of what’s going on around Boston, as selected by Boston Globe critics and writers.

José Mateo Ballet Theatre presents "The Nutcracker" Dec. 6-21 at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. GARY SLOAN

Thursday

It’s tree lighting season, with holiday festivities set for Boston Common on Thursday and Seaport Common on Friday.
Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson star in the new woman-led western “The Abandons,” premiering on Netflix.

Friday

Boston’s STL GLD celebrate their new album, “Good Music For Bad Kids,” with help from Bad Rabbits at the Sinclair.
Comedian Cristina Mariani brings the laughs to Cambridge’s The Comedy Studio Friday and Saturday.
Jazz legend Ron Carter takes over Regattabar with early and late performances on Friday and Saturday.
“Black Nativity” returns for the holiday season, beginning Friday through Dec. 21 at the Emerson Paramount Center.

Saturday

Hip-hop icons Raekwon and Mobb Deep take the stage at the House of Blues on Saturday.
The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE) brings this year’s rodent-themed indie comic convention to the Peter Fuller Building Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday

“Saturday Night Live” cast member Kam Patterson stops by Laugh Boston for a benefit show in support of people in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Ongoing

Cirque du Soleil’s “’Twas the Night Before...” runs at the Boch Center Wang Theatre through Dec. 14.
“Sweeney Claus: The Demon Father of Sleet Street” continues at South Boston’s Iron Wolf Theatre through Dec. 21.

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Thanks for reading our new Wednesday newsletter. Keep an eye out for Friday's regular Big To-Do email written by Marie Morris. Send comments to arts@globe.com.

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Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Big To-Do: Short Cuts, our midweek round-up of what’s going on around Boston, as selected by Boston Globe critics and writers.

José Mateo Ballet Theatre presents "The Nutcracker" Dec. 6-21 at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. GARY SLOAN

Thursday

It’s tree lighting season, with holiday festivities set for Boston Common on Thursday and Seaport Common on Friday.

Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson star in the new woman-led western “The Abandons,” premiering on Netflix.

Friday

Boston’s STL GLD celebrate their new album, “Good Music For Bad Kids,” with help from Bad Rabbits at the Sinclair.

Comedian Cristina Mariani brings the laughs to Cambridge’s The Comedy Studio Friday and Saturday.

Jazz legend Ron Carter takes over Regattabar with early and late performances on Friday and Saturday.

“Black Nativity” returns for the holiday season, beginning Friday through Dec. 21 at the Emerson Paramount Center.

Saturday

Hip-hop icons Raekwon and Mobb Deep take the stage at the House of Blues on Saturday.

The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE) brings this year’s rodent-themed indie comic convention to the Peter Fuller Building Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday

“Saturday Night Live” cast member Kam Patterson stops by Laugh Boston for a benefit show in support of people in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Ongoing

Cirque du Soleil’s “’Twas the Night Before...” runs at the Boch Center Wang Theatre through Dec. 14.

“Sweeney Claus: The Demon Father of Sleet Street” continues at South Boston’s Iron Wolf Theatre through Dec. 21.

Sign up here to get The Boston Globe’s latest food stories delivered to your inbox once a week.

Thanks for reading our new Wednesday newsletter. Keep an eye out for Friday's regular Big To-Do email written by Marie Morris. Send comments to arts@globe.com.