Boston Event Calendar

January 2010

Cold weather means that most of the activities on the Boston Event Calendar for January 2010 move indoors.  If you're visiting Boston this month, you'll find plenty of exciting indoor sports, thrilling theater, rousing concerts, and a ton of laughs at local comedy clubs.

On January 23 and 24, the 19th Annual Boston Wine Expo attracts visitors from all over the U.S. and the world to the country's largest consumer wine event, complete with wine samples and speakers from famous vineyards and wineries.

Ice skating continues at Boston Common and other rinks around the city, bargain hunters experience thrills and savings in local shopping malls, and restaurants serve up their best winter comfort food and seasonal specials.

January may not be the month that most people target for a Boston vacation, but it's actually a great time of the year to be here.  Rates at many Boston hotels are often at their lowest at this time of the year (yes, now's the time to enjoy big hotel discounts!), you'll find lots of entertainment options, and if snow falls while you're here, you can take some wonderful photos. 

Add an event to the Boston Event Calendar for January 2010

See events added by others:

"The Fairy Circus" at the North Shore Musical Children's Theatre

Quick Links:  Boston events calendars:  December   l   February  l  Other Months

NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park

When:  Friday, January 1
Where: Fenway Park
Closest T station: Green Line/Kenmore

Start the New Year off right by cheering your favorite team as the Boston Bruins play the Philadelphia Flyers in the National Hockey League's Winter Classic at Fenway Park, transformed into an ice rink for the event. 

Not a hockey fan but want to ice skate at Fenway?  Check out the free public skating at Fenway Park during the Winter Classic, scheduled for Saturday, January 3 and Saturday, January 10.

And if you want to celebrate the Bruins' victory just a little bit longer, treat yourself to a Boston Bruins Winter Classic shirt or jacket.  Wear the winning colors with pride!

New Year's Brunch

When:  Friday, January 1
Where: Boston Harbor Hotel
Closest T station: Red Line/South Station
Cost:  $45 adults, $22.50 children under 10, free for children under 3
Reservations/more information:  617-439-7000; website

Get the 2010 off to the perfect start by enjoying brunch in the elegant Boston Harbor Hotel's Atlantic Room, over looking Boston Harbor.  Legendary Chef Daniel Bruce's cuisine blends the freshest New England ingredients with expert preparations that show global influences.

L Street Brownies take the plunge

When:  Friday, January 1 at 11am
Where: L Street Bathhouse, Carson Beach, South Boston

Closest T station: Red Line/JFK - UMass Station; Carson beach is less than half a mile away.  If you don't want to walk to the beach, take the T Red Line to the Broadway Station and then take the #9 or #11 City Point bus. 
Note:  The MBTA subway and buses will run on a holiday schedule in New Year's Day, which may mean long wait times.  You may want to rent a Zipcar for a few hours as an alternative (www.zipcars.com)
Parking:  Curbside parking is available along Day Boulevard
Cost:  Free - but you'll have opportunities to donate to this fundraiser for local medical charities

If you're visiting Boston and want to have a true "insider" experience - taste of the real local culture - head to Carson Beach where the L Street Brownies, formed in 1902 and named after the L Street Bathhouse where they swim daily and the tans resulting from those daily swims, will plunge into the icy waters of Dorchester Bay to the cheers on on-lookers.

Although the Brownies have done this on every New Year's Day since 1904 to raise money for charities, many of them also swim on every other day of the year, hot or cold.  Although many of the members of this polar bear swim club appear to be 50-something, a number are in their 80s and 90s and attribute their strong immune systems to the daily exercise and icy water. 

About 500 brave (or crazy) swimmers participate in the New Year event.  There's usually an Irish band playing (until they jump in the water), a large cheering crowd of onlookers, and plenty of jovility as towels, vitamin C, and flasks are passed around.

Celtics at the Garden

When:  Saturday, January 2 at 7:30pm
Where: TD Garden, Boston
Closest T station: Orange and Green Line/North Station
Find Boston Celtics Tickets

The Boston Celtics play the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden in their first game of 2010.   They've been having a terrific winning season so far, and the magic is sure to continue.

Can't make this game?  The Celtics play 6 more home games this month on January 11, 14, 18, 22, 25, and 31.

Free Monday Night Movies

When:  Most Mondays throughout 2010, at 6pm
Where: Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square, Boston
Cost:  Free
Closest T station: Green Line/Copley
More information:  617-536-5400; BPL website

The Boston Public Library launches Made in Massachusetts, a year-long festival of historic and contemporary movies filmed in Boston and other parts of the state.  Each month features a different theme.

Historical films are the theme for January:

January 4 - Little Women, based on the the semi-autobiographical novel by Louisa May Alcott, who resided for awhile in Boston's Beacon Hill.  Set during the Civil War, the movie explores the relationships among four sisters, and was filmed in Deerfield, MA.  (119 minutes, 1994)

January 11 - Glory, the story of two idealistic Bostonians who led the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first African-American regiment, during the Civil War.  Boston scenes were filmed at the African-American National Historic Site at 14 Beacon Street.  If you're in or near Boston Common, you can see the Robert Gould Shaw and Fifty-fourth Regiment Memorial near the corner of Beacon and Park Streets.

January 25 - Amistad, the film account of the courtroom trials of the man who lead a 1839 rebellion on a slave ship headed for America.  Boston scenes were filed in the Massachusetts State House, and at the Beacon Street and Park Street corner of Boston Common.

Passion Pit at House of Blues Boston

When:  Wednesday, January 6 at 7:00pm
Where:  House of Blues, Fenway, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Kenmore
Passion Pit Tickets

Voted "Best New Act" in a 2008 Boston Phoenix's "best music" poll, Cambridge-based electronic band Passion Pit features Michael Angelakos (lead vocals/keyboards).

You'll also hear Ian Hultquist (keyboards/guitar), Ayad Al Adhamy (synthesizer), Jeff Apruzzese (bass), and Nate Donmoyer (drums). 

With 2 albums, Chunk of Change (2007) and Manners (2009) plus a growing fan base, Passion Pit will fill House of Blues with their distinctive indie rock.

Bruins at the Garden

When:  Thursday, January 7 at 7pm
Where: TD Garden, Boston
Closest T station: Orange and Green Line/North Station
Boston Bruins tickets

The Boston Bruins play the Chicago Blackhawks at TD Garden in their first game of 2010.   You'll see plenty of action on the ice as the Garden sizzles with excitement - perfect place to be on a cold January night!

If this date doesn't work for you, the Bruins have 5 more home games this month on January 9, 18, 21, 23, and 30.

Irish Comedy Tour

When:  Thursday, January 7 at 7pm
Where:   Showcase Live, Patriot Place (next to Gillette Stadium), Foxboro
Tickets through Ticketmaster

The trio of U.S.born (including Mike McCarthy from Boston), Irish ancestry comedians that make up the Irish Comedy Tour aims to make you think you're in a Dublin Pub overhearing 3 very funny guys tell the hilarious stories of their lives, poke fun at society's most sensitive topics, and even sing a few riotous songs.  You'll find yourself clapping, having a great time, and dreaming of a trip to the Emerald Isle.

Hockey East Doubleheader at Fenway

When:  Friday, January 8
Where: Fenway Park
Closest T station: Green Line/Kenmore
Tickets

As part of NHL's 2010 Winter Classic extravaganza at Fenway Park, a Hockey East doubleheader is scheduled for January 8.  Women's teams from Northeastern University and University of New Hampshire face off at 4 pm, followed by men's teams from Boston College and Boston University at 7:30pm.

Boston Wine Festival

When:  Friday, January 8 - Opening Celebration - Boston Wine Festival continues through April 2
Where: Meritage, Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston Waterfront
Closest T station: Red Line/South Station
Cost:   Tickets for dinner and wine range from about $145 - $205.  Receptions and brunches start at $75
Reservations/more information:  888-482666-9463; Wine Festival website

Twenty one years ago, Chef Daniel Bruce of the famed Meritage Restaurant in the luxurious Boston Harbor Hotel launched the Boston Wine Festival, now the longest-running and perhaps the most famous food and wine event in the United States.

What is it about?  For 3 months, Chef Bruce pairs some of the world's best wines with his exception cooking, featuring dinners designed to complement the wine. 

Chef Bruce, whose wine knowledge is exceptional even in Boston, brings together some of the world's best boutique wineries for events such as the Battle of the Cabernets, a week-long Italian Wine Fest, and nightly dinners that profile the best of particular wineries or vintages. 

For oenophile/gourmands, this is a must-do event!

Emanuel Ax at Jordan Hall

When:  Friday, January 8, 8pm
Where: Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St, Fenway, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Symphony
Cost:  $45 - $66
Reservations/more information:  617-482-6661; Celebrity Series website

Internationally acclaimed pianist Emanuel Ax, as part of Boston's Celebrity Series, will perform a program of pieces by the great romantic composers Chopin and Schumann to celebrate the bicentennials of their birthdays in 2010.  Enjoy the splendid acoustics of Jordan Hall as you enjoy polonaises and mazurkas by Chopin, and "phantasies" by Schumann.

Cooking class at Radius:  1-pot winter meals!

When:  Saturday, January 9, 11am
Where: Radius, 8 High Street, Downtown Boston
Closest T station: Red Line/South Station
Cost:  $125 per class - or 4 for $400
Reservations/more information:  617-426-1234; Radius website

Join Radius Chef Michael Schlow and Wine Director Daniel Mostinger and learn how to do easy and delicious warm, hearty food “one pot” cooking perfect for Boston's cold winter months. Simplicity and flavor triumph as Chef Schlow takes familiar dishes and makes them into something memorable. You'll leave with some wonderful recipes that you can enjoy making for the rest of the winter.

Be sure to check their website for other classes on other dates . . . they all look delicious.

Johnny Winter at Showcase Live!

When:  Thursday, January 14 at 8pm
Where:   Showcase Live, Patriot Place (next to Gillette Stadium), Foxboro
Tickets through Ticketmaster

This concert is a wonderful opportunity to hear legendary blues singer and guitar virtuoso Johnny Winter.

Almost unknown when he played at Woodstock back in 1969, he immediately gained national attention for his superstar performance. 

He's only gotten better through the years, as well as a lot more famous. 

Although you can hear his music on recordings, such as Winter:The Woodstock Experience Woodstock performance and Johnny Winter, hearing him in person is sure to be an amazing experience.

Sinbad at the Wilbur

When:  Friday, January 15 at 7:30pm
Where:   Wilbur Theatre, Boston's Theatre District
Closest T station: Green Line/Boylston
Tickets through Ticketmaster

Get ready for an evening of good humor and big laughs with Sinbad as he performs his solo stand-up act laced with everyday observations and wit at the Wilbur, one of Boston's premier comedy club venues.  Sometimes compared with Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Crosby, Sinbad's spontaneous interaction with the audience and his unscripted but quick-witted responses are among the best parts of the evening. 

In the Heights at the Opera House

When:  Friday, January 15 at 7:30pm
Where:   Wilbur Theatre, Boston's Theatre District
Closest T station: Green Line/Boylston
In the Heights tickets

Get ready for an upbeat, high-energy evening as you enjoy this new musical filled with soulful songs with a Latin beat.  The elaborate staging is in the best tradition of old-fashioned musical extravaganzas, made all the more magnificent in the drop-dead-gorgeous Opera House, yet the music and and themes are totally modern. 

This uplifting 2008 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, set in New York's Washington Heights, is about a community on the brink of change where hopes, dreams, and traditions collide as the characters struggle to decide where they belong . . . and what that means. 

19th Annual Boston Wine Expo

When:  January 23 - 24
Where:   Seaport World Trade Center, 164 Northern Ave, South Boston Waterfront
Closest T station:  Red Line/South Station; then take free shuttle bus from corner of Summer St/Dorchester Ave to the World Trade Center
Tickets:  $85 - $195 (1-2 day tickets plus other options)
More information:  781-642-1050; Wine Expo website

Visitors from across the U.S. and around the world gather annually for Boston's biggest wine-tasting event - in fact, the largest consumer wine event in the United States.  You can choose samples of over 1,800 wines from 450 wineries from around the world, nibble on complimentary food samples, attend wine making seminars and presentations, and enjoy cooking demonstrations by 15 chefs on 2 different stages. 

Wine experts hosting the seminars represent large and small wineries, reviewers, writers, and oenophile celebrities from around the world. 

Passion in Vienna

When:  January 29 at 8pm and January 31 at 3pm
Where: Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue (intersection of Mass Ave and Huntington Ave), Fenway, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Symphony
Cost:  $18 - $75
Tickets and more information:  website

Embrace the spirit and drama of 18th century Vienna as Harry Christophers conducts the glorious works of renowned composers Mozart (Venite populi, Mass in C Minor), Caldara (Crucifixus 16), and Gluck (excerpts from Orfeo ed Euridice). 

Founded in 1815 by a group of wealthy merchants who wanted to bring culture to Boston, the Handel and Haydn Society performs Baroque and Classical music on period instruments.  It is one of the oldest continuously performing music groups in the U.S.

Quick Links:  Boston events calendars:  December   l   February  l  Other Months

Events added by other visitors

January 17 - "The Fairy Circus" at the North Shore Musical Children's Theatre

Know about a fun Boston event for January?

Tell us all about it!

Let us know where it's being held, dates and times, and who's sponsoring it. Most important, tell us why others will enjoy it!

Where to get more information about it (phone # and web address) also helps.

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...