Look, I wasn’t planning on talking about the holidays until after Labor Day. Why would I spend Boston's best months stressing about winter travel and forced family fun? Let me enjoy my iced coffee in seasonable temps for a change. 

But I have to make an exception for the reigning queens of Christmas. The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show hits the Wang Theatre on November 28th and we're sending one lucky reader to the holiday hijinks. Enter to win.*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Wednesday is National Hot Dog Day which means you’ll find me at the Sil crushing dollar dogs and cold beer, debating whether free hot dogs for life are worth a Sil tattoo.

• Trade traffic for the trailheads of Frendly Gathering. Head to Vermont for intimate sets, campfire hangs and more from July 17th-19th. Use promo code Do617 for 20% off GA tickets.*

• Your plans for July 22nd? Seeing Trampled By Turtles and scoring a 7” vinyl of their cover of Tom Petty’s Wildflowers, signed by the band. Enter to win it all!*

• Cosplay crews and collectors, this is your Met Gala: Fan Expo Boston is taking over the Convention Center next month with three days of panels, celebs and fandom. Enter to win a pair of weekend passes!*

• Find even more just-announced Boston shows to add to your calendar!

WHAT’S NEW IN BOSTON

How are we already halfway through the year? Time flies when Boston keeps opening great restaurants. Our food scene has been cookin’ and we rounded up the latest openings and biggest moves. Your next favorite table might have just opened.

THIS WEEK

LOCALS ONLY

• With the steamy temps this week, nothing’s better than cooling off at a local pool, beach or splash pad. Here are the perfect spots to beat the heat.

• The World Cup is in its final stretch and every match matters. Keep Boston's best soccer bars handy so you don't miss a minute of the action.

• The picket signs are down at Brigham and Women's, ending the largest nurses’ strike in Massachusetts history.

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