Downtown Crossing has been transformed into a "Holiday Kingdom", featuring 12 giant nutcrackers, each with the head of an animal.

For today only there's a large cube on City Hall Plaza. People can leave messages about the need to get rid of disability stigma. The cube was placed here by MassAbility, a state agency which has the goal of empowering people with disabilities.

A poem for the new football coach at the University of North Carolina.

Emily Shea heads up Boston's Age Strong Commission, which coordinates the efforts of 50 volunteers, like retired x-ray technician Harry Pierre of Brighton, who take part in the Senior Companion Program, helping other seniors with daily chores.

Why is there a long line outside this fish market in Revere on Christmas Eve? For the Feast of the Seven Fishes! "My mother does most of it and she's almost 90!"

Veronica Koven-Matasy, Reader Services Director for the Boston Public Library, has assembled books which are staff picks. They are part of the library's first Christmas Eve "Book Flood", based on a tradition in Iceland.

Not every business is closed today. This business, in Downtown Crossing, features Christmas every day of the year.

Some people spent part of their Christmas Day opening the presents of Mother Nature at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus.

Today is opening day for the annual Frozen Fire Festival in Salem. City of Salem MA

From Arlington Street to Kenmore Square, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a thing of beauty, with more than 145,000 lights on more than 200 trees, all thanks to the Friends of the Public Garden.

Today is Paul Revere's birthday. As Massachusetts begins a year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Revolution, it's a good time to be reminded of his legacy, as documented in the Concord Museum. (The statue is from the North End.)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today ruled that former MIT biologist David Sabatini can move forward with his defamation suit, not only against the researcher who accused him of sexual harassment, but also the Whitehead Institute and its director.

Today is the kickoff of "Winteractive", a free, walkable, unusual art experience in downtown Boston. It's a reason to get out during these winter months and enjoy shopping or dining or just walking around downtown. winteractive.org Downtown Boston

Today, National Pi Day, might be a good time to visit Pi Alley in Downtown Crossing.

March 31st is Vietnam Veterans Day in the city of Lynn. There was a ceremony this morning at Lynn City Hall honoring those who served in Vietnam.

The Chelsea Police Department partnered with the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce in asking the community for gently used prom attire for Chelsea High students. So far more than 200 dresses and more than $1,000 have been donated.