Boston Winter Events

Boston comes alive in the winter. There are Thanksgiving celebrations, Christmas and holiday celebrations, winter-inspired festivities, and let’s not forget about New Year’s Day.

Ice Skating in Boston

No winter experience is complete without a round of outdoor ice skating. Stop by Boston Common’s Frog Pond and skate to your heart’s content for the holiday season. There’s even an opening ceremony on November 18, when the pond is officially open for skating.

Christmas in Boston

The most eventful time to be in Boston is around Christmas. It’s also a fairly tourist-heavy time of the year, so beware! From ice skating, caroling, to soaking in the old atmosphere and the classic New England ambiance, here are some classic Christmas events you don’t want to miss!

If you happen to be in Boston mid-November, check out the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Faneuil Hall. It’s a classic Christmas tradition not to be missed! Also, try to a ballet production of the Nutcracker at the Opera House by the prestigious Boston Ballet company to get into the holiday spirit.

Naturally, no Christmas is complete without an all out light show! From mid-November to January, visit the Lincoln Park Zoo for a fantastic light show of over two million holiday lights. Walk by ice carving demonstrations, trees lit up in all colors of the rainbow, and of course, have a quick chat with St. Nick too. If you missed the Faneuil Hall tree lighting ceremony in November, this is your second chance to witness a traditional Christmas event at the Boston Common.  Since 1917, the tree used for the ceremony has been donated by Nova Scotia, in thanks for Boston’s quick response to the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917.

New Year’s in Boston

The First Night Festival in Boston celebrating New Year’s Eve started in 1976. Held at the Hynes Convention Center, the event showcases children’s art, floats, and other artistic works. The FedEx Family Festival is a part of this event, with dancing and circus shows, as well as the Metro Boston Grand Procession. Ring in the New Year at the First Night Festival, which ends the evening with a traditional New Year’s countdown and fireworks display.

New Year’s in Boston is more than just fireworks and staying up until midnight to ring in the New Year. For over a century, the L Street Brownies of South Boston have braved the icy winter waters of Dorchester Bay with an annual early morning swim on January 1. The L Street Brownies Swim also known as the “Polar Bear Plunge” dates back to 1904, from the practice of European immigrants who took dips in icy waters all the time, believing that it promoted good health and a strong immune system.

Boston Winter Jubilee

There’s still lots to do in Boston after the holiday festivities have ended.  Every second weekend in January, beer fans flock to the Park Plaza Castle for the Boston Winter Jubilee to sample over 200 beers from New England breweries. Admission fee covers admittance to the event as well as all tastings, seminars and entertainment.

Boston Wine Expo

Since 1991, the Boston Wine Expo at the Grand Cru Wine Lounge in the Seaport World Trade Center has hosted wine connoisseurs every third week in January. The week-long expo features a tasting of about 2,000 wines from 440 wineries worldwide, seminars on wine history, wine making, and wine pairings, a Chef’s Dinner, Nightly Vintner Dinners, and a Gala.

The Beanpot Tournament

In February, the Beanpot Tournament brings together male and female college hockey teams from Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University for a two week competition. The tournament has been an annual tradition since December 1952, hosted first at the Boston Arena, and then moved to the Boston Garden in 1953. It is currently held at the FleetCenter. The winning team receives a trophy and a deserving individual is presented with an MVP award for best overall player while the best goalie is given the Eberly Award.

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