Get your Winter Solstice on early before the crowds descend on Dec. 21 to celebrate the rebirth of the world and beginning of what was known in the Bronze Age as “the famine months.” Fortunately, you don’t have to slaughter all your cattle (to keep them from starving in January) and can get fresh meat any old time. Unfortunately, you don’t have a good excuse to drink your stockpile of wine that’s been fermenting since the beginning of the year (though we’re sure you’ll think of one) and unless you’re reading this in Britain, you’ll fail to see the spectacular sunrise over Stonehenge, which is, like, the whole reason it was built. But dry your little pagan eyes, for the Bowers Museum invites you to a day of free arts and crafts that includes gourd instrument and mask making, decorating jewelry boxes, face painting, and live dancing and music. It’s a far cry from a Caligula-inspired Saturnalia, of course, but infinitely nicer for the children.
Sun., Dec. 1, 11 a.m., 2013
