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Boston's Best Non-Shopping Alternatives On Black Friday

Black Friday (November 29) is historically a good time to shop in regard to prices. However, concerning lines and crowds, it is notoriously horrible. These days, shoppers can get most Black Friday deals online and sleep in peacefully the morning after Thanksgiving. Beat the crowds at the shopping malls and indulge in a concert, play or museum exhibition. It costs less and is fun as opposed to a giant headache.
xmas story
(Photo from Citi Performing Arts Center)

"A Christmas Story"
Citi Wang Theatre
270 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 482-9393
www.citicenter.org

The day after the family digs into a roasted turkey, watch as Ralphie Parker's family famously loses its Christmas bird to the dog next door. The family classic "A Christmas Story" is making its way to the Citi Wang Theatre twice on Black Friday. It will be shown at 2 p.m and 7:30 p.m. This hilarious look at one family's attempt to enjoy the holiday, despite accidental swearing, soapy mouths, measly prizes and the leg lamp of the century, beats shopping any day of the year.

House of Blues
The House of Blues on Lansdowne Street. (WBZ-TV)

NOFX
House of Blues
15 Lansdowne St.
Boston, MA 02215
(888) 693-2583
www.houseofblues.com

Not everyone who shops on Black Friday grew up listening to traditional music while planning their holiday savings. Some grew up during the new punk movement and few acts stood out during that time quite as much as NOFX. Instead of standing in line, go see the epic band that sang "Bob" and find out if he ever did "walk the line." Lansdowne Street offers great dining, drink and plenty of garage parking, so leave the stress of the holidays behind and rock out for a few hours with doors opening at 6:25 p.m.

Handel's "Messiah"
Handel and Haydn Society
Boston Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-1492
www.bso.org

Thanksgiving is over by Black Friday. Start the Christmas season with this holiday master, which begins at 7:30 p.m. It is the perfect time of year, given that "Messiah" is a look at Jesus Christ's life as understood by the Christian faith. The music of the piece is accompanied by some of the best choral accompaniment in history. This includes the extremely famous Hallelujah chorus. Instead of listening to dull performances of the songs over the radio while fighting for good deals on material things, enjoy it live while relaxing in a great hall.

Related: Boston's Best Places For Black Friday Shopping Deals

Boston-Bruins
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Boston Bruins vs. The New York Rangers
TD Garden
100 Legends Way
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 624-1050
www.tdgarden.com

The Bruins are playing a home game on Black Friday against the New York Rangers. There are few better reasons for Bostonians to skip Black Friday shopping and don a Bruins jersey. The game starts at 1 p.m., giving fans plenty of time to sleep off the Thanksgiving turkey, get excited and get to the Garden. It is a lot more fun to bring a family to a game than to drag them all to a mall.

parkman_webster1-300x206
(Photo from West End Museum)

The Parkman-Webster Murder Case Exhibition
The West End Museum
150 Staniford St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 723-2125
www.thewestendmuseum.org

History lovers will enjoy the extensive collection of Parkman-Webster-related items on display at The West End Museum. This case, subsequent trial and the execution of the accused more than a century ago was the biggest case of its time. It got the kind of attention that the Whitey Bulger case gets from the media, but with a twist. It is shrouded in mystery and the guilt of the accused is in doubt. See what unfolded after Parkman disappeared between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. at The West End Museum on Black Friday.

Related: 10 Tips To Getting Best Black Friday Deals

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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