There’s no American neighborhood that is more reminiscent of Christmas time in Charles Dickens-era London than Boston’s very own Beacon Hill. To celebrate the holiday season, Charles Street’s various independent businesses will open their doors on the evening of December 10^th for the annual Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll. A free event that invites all to come out and revel in the holiday season, the stroll is a neighborhood tradition that serves as a reminder of Boston’s excellent sense of community.

When the kids get home from school, load up the car and head over to Hill House for pictures with Santa. He’ll be parking his sleigh at this Mount Vernon Street community center from 3:30 until 6:45, at which point you can head over to the Christmas tree lighting at the cross of Charles and Mount Vernon Street. From 5 to 9, the diverse businesses of Charles Street welcome shoppers to stroll on by. Many will have special discount offers for the evening, not to mention various holiday-themed beverages for the 21-plus crowd. Victorian carolers and a strolling brass quintet will perform traditional Christmas tunes along the street as horse and buggy rides pick up shoppers for a jaunt down Charles. Best of all, the entire event is free (unless you’re planning to shop), so there’s no chance of using that “Boston is too expensive” excuse to sit at home in front of the television.

The event is sponsored by the Beacon Hill Business Association, a thriving neighborhood organization that seeks to promote and development the neighborhood’s diverse shops, restaurants, and businesses. With chain stores popping up left and right in Boston, Beacon Hill serves as a stronghold for independent businesses and organizations.

For more information, visit www.beaconhillbusinessassociation.org.

A frequent contributor to the Directory of Boston blog, Megan Johnson is originally from Connecticut, but has lived in Boston since age 18. She also writes for Menupages Boston, Reinventing Beauty Magazine, Butterfly Diary, Beautystat, and SweetTalk on the Spot. Follow the link to visit her appropriately-named website, Down and Out in Beacon Hill.