Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How could an Orange Line extension change your Back Bay commute?
Make time for 19-Pc Compaq Big Band @ 'Boston's Big Band Christmas' w/ Special Guest Vocalist Anaïs Reno - Late on the Back Bay Patch…
Greetings Back Bay! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How could an Orange Line extension change your Back Bay commute?
- What’s really happening to traffic after Boylston Street’s new bike lanes?
Also on today's calendar: 19-Pc Compaq Big Band @ 'Boston's Big Band Christmas' w/ Special Guest Vocalist Anaïs Reno - Late and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Back Bayfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Back Bayfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Sun and areas of high clouds, with a high of 44 and low of 39 degrees.
- Friday: Windy with rain, temps: high: 60, low: 28.
- Saturday: Much colder, with a high of 37 and low of 34 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Orange Line extension to Roslindale attracting attention (wcvb.com) — Back Bay riders are central to a new push to extend the Orange Line south from Forest Hills, with lawmakers ordering a detailed feasibility study funded by state surtax dollars. The study will examine costs, ridership, equity, and potential conversion of the Needham commuter rail corridor to rapid transit, which could eventually reshape access for neighborhoods beyond Jamaica Plain and reduce bus congestion at Forest Hills. 
• Bostonians Wanted More Bike Lanes: Now They Have Them, and Traffic Is Down (goodnewsnetwork.org) — Back Bay’s Boylston Street bike lane is seeing an 83% jump in daily bike trips, while nearby car traffic around Fairfield and Arlington Streets has dipped modestly. City data from the Better Bike Lanes project suggest protected lanes across Boston are encouraging more cycling without worsening congestion, directly affecting how Back Bay residents move through the neighborhood.
📸 Around Back Bay
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Back Bay
★ Featured events ★
- 19-Pc Compaq Big Band @ 'Boston's Big Band Christmas' w/ Special Guest Vocalist Anaïs Reno - Late
City Winery Boston, 80 Beverly St, Boston
7:30 pm - United in Prevention: Human Trafficking Current Trends and Prevention Strategies Conference 2026
Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor, 101 Harborside Dr, Boston
1:00 pm
Sunday December 21
Wednesday April 15
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Comedy At Back Bay
Back Bay Social , 867 Boylston St , Boston
7:00 pm - Boston Baked Books
Fenway Community Center , 1282 Boylston Street , Boston
6:00 pm - Custom Candle Making and Sip Party
CandleLux - Boston Candle-Making Studio & Gift Shop , 176 Newbury St , Boston
7:00 pm - Junk Journaling
Egleston Square Branch Library , 2044 Columbus Avenue , Roxbury
3:00 pm - Knit & Crochet
Fenway Community Center , 1282 Boylston Street , Boston
5:00 pm - CENTER CLOSED for the Holidays
Fenway Community Center , 1282 Boylston Street , Boston - Library Drop-In Hours at Chill on Park
Egleston Square Branch Library , 2044 Columbus Avenue , Roxbury
1:00 pm - CENTER CLOSED for the Holiday
Fenway Community Center , 1282 Boylston Street , Boston - BIG BIG Designer Floor Sample Event!!
Ethan Allen , 840 Willard St , Quincy
9:00 am
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Monday December 29
Wednesday December 31
📣 Back Bay Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Baby Lapsit
Faneuil Branch Library , 419 Faneuil St , Brighton
10:30 am - Puppet Story Time with Nicola McEldowney
Faneuil Branch Library , 419 Faneuil Street , Brighton
10:30 am - Beginner ELL Class @ Central Library
Central Library , 79 Highland Ave , Somerville
10:30 am - Tech Help (By Appointment)
Egleston Square Branch Library , 2044 Columbus Avenue , Roxbury
10:30 am
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Back Bay PatchAM possible:
- Brick Marketing - Digital Agency — (781) 999-1222
Brick Marketing, a Boston digital marketing agency. - Dependable Cleaners — (617) 471-1900
Discover the Dependable Difference! - Dogtopia of Dedham — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🗞 Nearby News
South End
- Uber Drivers Worried about Lack of Safety Protocols (eastietimes.com)
North End
- Full performance schedule released for 50th First Night Boston (nbcboston.com)
- Beacon Hill Democrats bristle at proposed ballot question to lower the income tax (wbur.org)
Boston
Ok Back Bay! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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