Take a moment to exhale this weekend. We’ve curated plans for couples, friends and families so you don’t have to! This is all the information you need in a step-by-step guide to make your planning easier.

It’s a Date!

Friday, December 10

Do This

Get a head start on holiday shopping (and sipping) at the SoWa Winter Festival.
Photo from SoWa Boston Facebook Page

Get a head start on your holiday shopping (and sipping) at the SoWa Winter Festival, an annual event showcasing local vendors and experiences. You’ll enter the SoWa Power Station through a forest of fresh pine trees and find yourself amongst more than 100 local artists and food vendors. If you want to take any of the trees home you can purchase it on the spot! Enjoy winter cocktails in the Artist Loft Lounge and, if you’re feeling yourself that day, book a session with a professional photographer in the Holiday Portrait Studio.

Sowa Boston

2:00pm-9:00pm
Free
540 Harrison Avenue
365 Albany St., parking lot $2.50/hour, Washington St., at E Berkeley St., stop on the SL4 bus

Top off the evening with Gourmet Dumpling House’s specialty.
Photo from WordRidden via Flickr

Then What?

Five minutes down Washington Street you’ll find yourself in Chinatown. Head to Gourmet Dumpling House for a divine dinner in classic Chinatown style. Dumplings come in a slew of traditional flavors, pork, vegetable and beef, and the soup dumplings are some of the neighborhood’s most popular. One of the beauties of Gourmet Dumpling House is that it doesn’t cater to the American palate. Here you can try authentic Chinese dishes like oxe tongue and tripe with chili sauce and skip the crab rangoons.

Gourmet Dumpling House

11:00am-10:00pm Daily
Dumplings $2.95-$7.25, Entrees $8.95-$16.95
52 Beach Street, Boston
365 Albany Street parking lot $2.50 an hour, Chinatown T Stop

Friends Zone

Saturday, December 11

Learn how to make the perfect winter holiday arrangement at Pazza on Porter.
Photo courtesy of Pazza on Porter.

Do This

In the elegant surroundings of the Pazza on Porter restaurant in East Boston, Tina DelRaso, owner of Petal & Ink will teach you and your bestie how to craft the perfect winter floral arrangement. Using fresh blooms and greens and a keen eye for contemporary design trends, you’ll have a centerpiece for the holidays in no time. Tickets come with a complimentary glass of wine to get those creative juices flowing. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your creation!

Pazza on Porter

12:00pm-2:00pm
$65 per person
107 Porter Street, Boston
On-site Parking Lot, Airport T Stop

Satisfy your hunger in one of Boston’s most famous pizza joints.
Photo from Santarpio’s Facebook Page

Then What?

There’s no reward for hard flower arranging work that’s quite as satisfying as a hot slice. Two minutes from Pazza on Porter grab yourself a booth and a pizza at the famous Santarpio’s. The classic, comfortable atmosphere of this local joint makes almost any diner feel at home, and half the fun of the experience is rubbing elbows with old school Bostonians. The best pizza in the spot is hotly debated, but it’s hard to go wrong with their top selling classic pepperoni. If you’re feeling adventurous, and ravenous, try the shrimp scampi pizza.

Santarpio’s

11:30am-10:00pm Sunday-Thursday; 11:30am-11:30pm Friday and Saturdays
$12-$22 CASH only
111 Chelsea Street, Boston
Limited street parking, Airport T stop

Friends Zone

Sunday, December 12

Celebrate the season in the brightest way possible: with a holiday light show.
Photo courtesy of Federal Realty Investment Trust

Do This

The Assembly Row complex in Somerville lights up for the holidays this weekend showcasing beautifully crafted ice sculptures, festive trees and a light show to dazzle the family. The site’s offerings include “Deck The Cause” a tree decorating competition that benefits charity. Local nonprofits decorate the trees and you can vote for your favorites using the QR code by each one. At the end of the month the winners are awarded funds for their key programs. Snap the perfect family photo for your holiday cards in front of any of the nine spectacular ice sculptures!

Assembly Row

Holiday decor on view dawn to dusk
Free
355 Artisan Way, Somerville
Free parking at Assembly Row garage for up to three hours, Assembly Row T Stop

Build the world just the way you want it at Legoland. Photo from Legoland Facebook Page

If you’re going to spend an afternoon immersed in the attractions of the Legoland Discovery Center, now is the time to do it. During the Holiday Bricktacular event you’ll be able to enjoy all the standard fun of Legoland plus festive attractions like a life sized Santa’s sleigh made out of Lego bricks and a scavenger hunt that could result in free Legos! Inside the family can build Lego sets together, play interactive VR games, watch Lego films in the 4-D cinema and meet Lego characters.

10:00am-5:00pm Monday-Sunday
$24.99 per person, Free for children under 3
355 Artisan Way, Somerville
Free parking at Assembly Row garage for up to three hours, Assembly Row T Stop