Skip to Main Content
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Visitors watching skaters at the Frog Pond in the Boston Commons on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

Boston Common Frog Pond ice rink welcomes skaters for the season

By Madalyn Jimiera, Beacon Correspondent / December 11, 2024

The Boston Common Frog Pond ice rink opened its gates for the winter on Nov. 30, inviting locals and tourists alike to take to the ice and unite under...

Courtesy of Rae Diep

Romantasy revealed with Sabaa Tahir hosted by upcoming bookstore Lovestruck

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / December 11, 2024

Complete with pink tablecloths, red bookmarks with the words “Sucker for a Slowburn,” and cursive lettering reading “Lovestruck,” the Kennedy...

Courtesy of Joan Marcus

‘SIX,’ the electrifying Renaissance romp, comes to Boston

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / December 11, 2024

“And tonight, Boston, we are … live!” The six cast members flooded the stage and got the audience members to jam along with the opening beats...

Beverly School Committee President Rachael Abell outside Beverly High School following the re-opening of district schools (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

A historic teacher strike upended a North Shore town. The Beverly School Committee president says ‘it wasn’t about the kids.’

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / December 9, 2024

The Beverly School Committee President said the 12-day teacher strike was a “planned, coordinated, strategic attack” as high school students streamed...

Boston City Hall on Monday, October 28, 2024. (Nick Peace/ For the Beacon, File)

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson arrested on federal charges, colleagues call for her resignation

By DJ Mara / December 8, 2024

District 7 Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested Friday morning on federal public corruption charges relating to an alleged 2023...

The Snowport holiday market in December, 2023. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Seaport’s Holiday Market at Snowport opens its gates

By Leonidas Margil, Beacon Correspondent / December 6, 2024

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include the correct opening date. Snowport opened on Nov. 8, not Nov. 29. Over 120 vendors opened...

A 45-foot-tall white spruce in Boston Common is lit up with a fireworks display at the culmination of the annual Holiday Lights display on Dec. 5, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Boston, music stars, and Santa celebrate holiday tree lighting

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / December 6, 2024

Hundreds of people bundled up in thick scarves and fuzzy hats traversed bitter winds and near-freezing temperatures to gather around the 45-foot-tall...

A family poses with The Grinch during the tree lighting event in the Boston Common on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: 83rd annual Tree Lighting ceremony brings holiday lights back to the Boston Common

By Arthur Mansavage, Nick Peace and Bryan Hecht / December 6, 2024
Hundreds gathered in the Boston Common for the annual tree lighting event Thursday evening. See photos captured by...
Drake Maye: A start in the making amid the Patriots’ growing pains

Drake Maye: A start in the making amid the Patriots’ growing pains

By Hongyi Ji / December 4, 2024

In a one-point loss against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 1, Drake Maye had another terrific performance that boosted the confidence of Patriots fans. Upsides He...

Is the Bruins' resurgence under Sacco about coaching or luck?

Is the Bruins’ resurgence under Sacco about coaching or luck?

By Anna Knepley, Sports Editor / December 4, 2024

After firing Head Coach Jim Montgomery on Nov. 19, the Bruins front office selected Associate Coach Joe Sacco as interim head coach, and the team is...

People pose for a group photo with the tree in the Boston Commons on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Nick Peace/ Beacon Staff)

The arrival of Boston Common’s Christmas tree kicks off Boston’s holiday season

By Hannah Woods, Staff Writer / December 4, 2024

With umbrellas up and spirits high, attendees braved the pouring rain last Wednesday in anticipation of the arrival of a Christmas tree from Nova Scotia.  The...

(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

The Christmas season begins with annual trellis lighting

By Rina Laby, Beacon Correspondent / December 4, 2024

Boston’s annual trellis lighting means Christmas time is here. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park...

A MBTA worker inspects a redline subway car in the Park Street Station on March 21, 2023. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Red Line riders left frustrated and lost after final shutdowns to improve tracks

By Madalyn Jimiera, Beacon Correspondent / December 4, 2024

The MBTA’s Red Line is now free of slow zones for the first time in at least 20 years after the final shutdown of areas from Nov. 17 through Nov. 23,...

Tycho performing at The Royale on Nov 11.

Your version of music is outdated—try all new “Tycho at the Royale.”

By Sam Shipman, Assistant News Editor / December 3, 2024

Scott Hanson, known as Tycho, is nothing short of an experimental genius pushing the boundaries of ambient and electronic music through hypnotic screen...

The new Museum of Illusions on the second floor of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. (Madison Lucchesi/ Beacon Staff)

‘Immersive’ and ‘photo worthy’: Museum of Illusions opened on Saturday

By Madison Lucchesi, Beacon Staff / November 26, 2024

Nestled in Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a brand new perception-altering experience. From the hypnotic lights to slanted floors, the Museum of Illusions,...

Contest organizer Dilce Elisa (left) stands with the two finalist Nick Anderson (center), and Michael Carroll (right) during the final round of voting. Anderson took home first and won $50 and a bag of British candy. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Tom Holland Lookalike Contest Draws Fans to Boston Common

By Arthur Mansavage, Photography Editor / November 25, 2024

Hundreds of fans gathered around the Parkman Bandstand in the Boston Common Sunday afternoon for a Tom Holland lookalike contest.  Around 10 Tom...

Boston Bruins fire head coach after rocky start to season

Boston Bruins fire head coach after rocky start to season

By Rylie Burns, Layout Editor, Newsletter Editor, Assistant Sports Editor, Assistant Social Media Manager / November 21, 2024

The Boston Bruins fired Head Coach Jim Montgomery on Tuesday. He will be replaced with Bruins Associate Coach Joe Sacco as interim head coach. Montgomery...

Hundreds of teacher’s union members from Marblehead, Gloucester, and Beverly rallied outside the Massachusetts Statehouse in a continued strike for compensation and benefits on November 19, 2024 (Nick Peace / Beacon Staff).

From the school lawn to the Statehouse: North Shore teachers continue to rally

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / November 20, 2024

Hundreds of teachers union members from Marblehead (MEA), Gloucester, and Beverly (BTA) gathered outside the Massachusetts Statehouse Tuesday afternoon...

People sitting at tables and chair outside of the Boston Common Concession Stand on November 11, 2022. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Boston seeks new tenant for Common Concession Pavilion

By Piper Greene, Beacon Correspondent / November 20, 2024

After closing in late September, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a vendor to re-open the concession pavilion in the Boston Common.  The...

Members of Sweet93 performing at The Sinclair on Oct 15. (Nick Peace / Beacon Staff)

From a shoegazey haze, Sweet93 emerges

By Sam Shipman, Assistant News Editor / November 19, 2024

The five members of Sweet93 quietly set up their instruments in a relaxed room of 20 or so people. A few songs in and the gathering was fixated on the...