Seven Fun Dining Events to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

The HoliDaisy from the Ho-Ho-Hojoko menu. / Photo courtesy of Hojoko

There are so many ways to celebrate before you skip town for the holidays, from festive, fancy holiday lunches at the likes of No. 9 Park or Orfano, to cheery spirits at holiday pop-up bars like Sippin’ Santa at Shore Leave and Maccabee Bar at Backbar. But if you’re looking for even more holiday cheer ahead of Christmas Eve, check out these pre-holiday events.

Eataly Boston has launched a season-long holiday marketplace inside its Prudential Center store, near the mezzanine-level wine shop. It’s open through January 4 with holiday-ready gift boxes and treats to make your own—including more than 30 different kinds of panettone cakes. It also has a festive wine and cocktail bar so you can sip and shop. (800 Boylston St., Back Bay, eataly.com)

Perfect your latkes ahead of Hanukkah with help from the pros at Mamaleh’s. This Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14, the deli is hosting a latke-making class (and feast) at Time Out Market in the Fenway. A Mamaleh’s team member will demonstrate how to shred potatoes, mix, and fry to perfection, and also make your own apple sauce and other fancy garnishes—then you’ll get to taste it all. Tickets also include a drink and printed recipes. ($60-$72, Friday from 6-8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon, 401 Park Drive, Boston)

This Sunday, Dec. 15, is Ho-Ho-Hojoko, the Fenway izakaya’s annual our annual holiday party with karaoke and festive fare. Channel your inner Mariah while sipping on specials like MaiNog, comprised of Hojoko’s house rum blend, curaçao, almond, egg, and cream; a Kringle Collins; a HoliDaisy, and more. The dress code is ugly sweaters, and the entry fee is a new toy for Hojoko’s holiday gift drive. (9 p.m.-2 a.m., 1271 Boylston St., Boston, 617-670-0507, hojokoboston.com)

Salem destination Ledger is riffing on the Christmas Eve tradition of the Feast of Seven Fishes on Monday, Dec. 16, and chef Daniel Gursha is bringing in a stacked lineup of New England chefs. Ledger’s second-annual Feast is a collaborative, eight-course tasting menu with one course each from Colin Lynch, of Bar Mezzana and several more South End standouts; Brian Rae, the executive chef of Coppa; Andrew Taylor, the James Beard award-winning co-chef of Eventide Oyster Co. and its Portland, Maine, and Boston sister spots; Dante de Magistris, chef and partner of Dante and il Casale; David Bazirgan, the executive chef at Bambara; Daniel Bazzinotti, the executive chef at Terra; and Ledge pastry chef Kate Holowchik, who’s also shared her skills at many restaurants around the region. Expect savory dishes featuring seven different seafoods, family-style desserts to share, and a cocktail hour with live music. Tickets are $185 including wine pairings, and all proceeds from the star- and seafood-studded night will be donated to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger. (5:30-8:30 p.m., 125 Washington St., Salem, tickets)

For a Southeast Asian take on the Italian tradition, head to Tiger Mama on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Chef Tiffani Faison’s team is riffing on the Feast of Seven Fishes with a family-style menu featuring fresh catch that might include Nantucket Bay scallop crudo with green papaya, kumquat, torched avocado, and chili; butter-poached Alaskan king crab with Singapore chili sauce; and more Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian-inspired flavors. Award-winning pastry chef Dee Steffen Chinn is on deck for dessert, and the whole evening will be a festive celebration amidst Tiger Mama’s “tiki Christmas” decor—we see you, orange Christmas trees and pineapple Christmas lights. Call for reservations. (1363 Boylston St., Boston, 617-425-6262, tigermamaboston.com)

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Smoke Shop’s Assembly Row location is hosting a unique, eggnog fueled event: An opportunity to design and blend an original Savage & Cooke whiskey. Along with the welcome ’nog and a family-style barbecue feast, guests will sample various Savage & Cooke whiskeys, including the California company’s special holiday blend. Distiller Dylan Carnie will join the party via Skype, and help guests collaborate to create a proprietary whiskey blend that will later go on the menu at all Smoke Shop locations. ($60, 6-8 p.m., 325 Assembly Row, Somerville, tickets)

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, treat yourself to a burrito made by the one and only Santa Claus. Kris Kringle will be at Anna’s Taqueria in Davis Square for the latest installment of the Charity Roller series. That night, burritos will be a $10 flat rate, and all proceeds will go Boston non-profit Christmas in the City, which works to bring holiday cheer to needy families and children in the area.(6-8 p.m., 236 Elm St, Somerville, Facebook)