By Dan Murphy
One of the neighborhood’s most highly anticipated, seasonal events, the “Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll,” returns on Thursday.
“Charles Street is magical at the holidays, and this is a wonderful time to come out and celebrate with our business community,” said Nina Castellion, president of the Beacon Hill Business Association, which has sponsored the event for more than a decade.
From 6 to 9 p.m., both sides of the five blocks on Charles Street between Cambridge and Beacon streets will be closed to traffic, clearing the way for holiday shoppers to visit neighborhood restaurants, shops and businesses and enjoy free snacks and refreshments.
The evening’s entertainment offerings include appearances by the Back Bay Ringers, the Boston-based handbell ensemble that will perform on the first block of Charles Street nearest Beacon Street from 6 to 7 p.m.; a brass quartet, which begins playing at Mt. Vernon and Charles streets at 6:30 p.m. before visiting shops along the route; as well as the return of the Apollo Club of Boston.
“Obviously, it’s always a fun time to stop and sing on sidewalks and go into businesses,” said John Meurilng, president of the 145-year-old men’s choral group. “Customers and shop owners are always amused to see a group of men come in and sing songs.”