November 29
6,000
That’s how many lights will adorn the 45-foot-tall white spruce from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Boston Common for the holidays. On Thursday, after a 5 p.m. skating show at the Frog Pond, followed by music and dance performances and a visit from the Grinch, the tree will be lighted at 7:55 amid a pyrotechnic display. 617-635-4505; cityofboston.gov/parks
November 30-December 2
ISLAND HOLIDAY
The annual Nantucket Noel/Christmas Stroll includes caroling, craft shows, and a house tour. Can you identify some of the island’s holiday traditions?nantucketchamber.org
1. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by
A Coast Guard boat
B Steamship
C Seaplane
D Back of a whale
2. Which dignitary rings in the Christmas Stroll?
A Ship’s captain
B Lighthouse keeper
C Town crier
D Limerick writer
3. How many fir trees does the town’s chamber put up?
A One
B Seven — one for the town and each village
C 12 — one for each day of Christmas
D 157
December 1
SWEEP RELIEF
The street-sweeping policy in Boston these days has more clauses than a celebrity prenup, but in most neighborhoods (except the South End and North End), daytime sweeping parking restrictions cease as of Saturday (until April 1). If in doubt about a rule, call the mayor’s 24-hour hot line, 617-635-4500, or register for e-mail alerts at cityofboston.gov/sweeping.
COOKING VEGGIES LIKE A PRO
Iron Chef alum Amanda Cohen, owner of the vegetarian restaurant Dirt Candy in Manhattan, will offer tips on preparing stellar veggie dishes and sign copies of her graphic novel cookbook, named for the restaurant, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Tufts’s Sophia Gordon Hall in Medford. medfordlibrary.org
December 1-2
BARGAIN BOOKS
Harvard Book Store, which is celebrating its 80th birthday this year, throws open the doors of its Somerville warehouse on Park Street Saturday and Sunday to offer used, bargain, and collectors’ books at low, low prices. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. 617-661-1515; harvard.com
ANSWERS: 1. A 2. C (his name is Eric Goddard) 3. D
SHARE YOUR EVENT NEWS. Send information on Boston-area happenings at least two weeks in advance to week@globe.com.