Boston Events for January 2026

Top Boston Events for January 2025 include New Year's Day festivities, and lots more fun things to do all month in the city - indoors and outside.  Kick off the New Year by watching Boston's famous L Street Brownies make their annual Polar Plunge.

Treat yourself to a New Year's Day brunch cruise on the Harbor and then work off those extra holiday pounds later at the Frog Pond Ice Rink on Boston Common.

The huge New England Boat Show, normally held in February, has been moved up to January this year, so don't miss this chance to come and dream about having a new boat this spring.

Join commemorations of renowned civil rights leader (and former Boston University student) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., savor wine and food pairings at the renowned Boston Wine Festival, head to the Garden to cheer the Celtics and Bruins, and don't miss the fantastic lineup of shows in Boston's Theatre District.

The Chinese New Year begins at the end of the month, although the big CNY Parade and other New Year's events in Chinatown take place in early February this year.

Many Boston hotels give you their cheapest discount rates of the year during January.  With so much going on in the city, January is the perfect time to enjoy world-class music, museums, sports, restaurants, and more.

January weather can feel cold - in fact, it's our coldest month of the year - but you'll find plenty of indoor warmth in our welcoming Irish pubs, historic taverns, and superb restaurants, you'll find a city filled with excitement, fun, good food, and cheer.

January 2025 official holidays in Boston: 

• New Year Day - January 1
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 19

More things to do and see in Boston in January

Top photo:  Crossing the bridge over the lagoon in Boston's Public Garden on a snowy January day, (c) Boston Discovery Guide

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L Street Brownies Take Their Annual Plunge

Are they crazy . . . or just incredibly fit and brave? 

Ever since 1904, the L Street Brownies celebrate the New Year by plunging into the icy waters of Dorchester Bay and raising money for local charities - although winter swimming activities in Boston began back in 1865.

If you're visiting Boston and want to have a true "insider" experience of our real culture - head to Carson Beach/L Street Beach for this famous Boston event on January 1.

Up to about 500 swimmers and around 2,000 spectators typically participate in the New Year event.  Irish bagpipers usually play until they also jump in the water.  A large crowd of friends and onlookers cheer the swimmers on while passing around towels, vitamin C, and flasks.

Many of the L Street Brownies, a polar bear swim club formed in 1902 and named after the L Street Bathhouse in South Boston, swim here daily throughout the year. 

As with many things in Boston, this is the oldest Polar Bear club in the nation.  Although most members appear to be 50-something or younger, a number are in their 80s and 90s and attribute their robust health and strong immune systems to the daily exercise and icy water.  Each year, the plunge is dedicated to the memory of past and recently departed Brownies.

Do the Brownies ever cancel their plunge due to cold weather?  They didn't in 1918, when the record low was 3 degrees below zero (not counting wind chill). 

When:  Saturday, January 1 at 9am.  Registration for those making the plunge starts at 8:15am, and doors close at 9:30am.  (to be confirmed - times often vary due to the tide) No need to register in advance - you'll fill out a short form once you get there.  In case you're wondering, the plunge begins at a slightly different time each year, because it's determined by the tide, which varies from year to year.
Where: L Street Bathhouse at Curley Community Center (617-635-5104), 1663 Columbia Road, Carson Beach, South Boston

Closest T station: Red Line/JFK-UMass Station; walk half a mile to the Curley Community Center.  Alternately, take the T Red Line to Broadway Station and transfer to the #9 or #11 City Point bus.  The locker and shower rooms won't be available at all this year, so if you're swimming, come dressed for the swim and bring some dry (and warm) clothing.  In case you're not familiar with this beach, you should know that it features lots of rocks and shells, so swim shoes are a good idea.

More to know:   You must be 16+ to participate. Lifeguards will be on duty.  No pets or alcohol allowed.  Creative costumes are encouraged. 
Strong recommendation:  Leave kids under 12 at home, as no inside areas are available where they can keep warm during the swim. 

Note:  MBTA subway and buses run on a holiday schedule on New Year's Day; expect more of a wait than usual
Parking:  Available along Day Blvd
Cost:  Free

More about Carson Beach and L Street Beach

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Marx Brothers Marathon on New Year's Day 2026

Want to spend New Year's Day binge-watching something other than Netflix?  Head over to the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge for their January 1st New Year's Day Marx Brothers Marathon!   (to be confirmed, but this is an annual event)

Laugh your way through the day with Groucho, Chico, and Harpo at A Night at the Opera, Animal Crackers, Horse Feathers, and Duck Soup.  Check their website for times and tickets.

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Boston Wine & Food Festival

Boston Harbor Hotel's epic Boston Wine Festival kicks off on Friday, January 12 with a special opening night event featuring wines from around the globe paired with fantastic food prepared by the hotel's celebrated chefs and live musicin the hotel's renowned Wharf Room. 

This year's 12-week program features exceptional wines and sensational food experiences. 

Begun 30+ years ago, the event attracts wine and enthusiasts from all over the world and in addition to dinners includes luncheons, tastings, seminars, and visiting chefs. 

Attendees have the opportunity to take advantage of a special room rate including complimentary self-parking, based upon availability.  Tickets and more information are available on the Festival website.

The Boston Wine Festival continues through March, and is the country's longest-running wine and food pairing festival.

Check reviews and rates for the Boston Harbor Hotel

Love wine?  Visit Boston's best wine bars

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Featured New Hotel for January:  Revolution Hotel in Boston's South End

40 Berkeley Street, Boston's South End

A trendy vibe, "micro" guest rooms, and - dare we say it, cheap rates position the new Revolution Hotel as one of Boston's most attractive affordable hotels, especially considering its close distance (5-10 minute walk, depending on where you're going) to Downtown Boston. 

Free high-speed wifi is a nice bonus.

• Find & book lowest rates
• See more of Boston's newest hotels

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MFA:  Free Open House 

When:  Sunday, January 20 - Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day (to be confirmed)

Where:  Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Fenway, Boston; www.mfa.org

MFA will celebrate Dr King's legacy with special exhibitions, performances, and free admission on Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day.  

Look for family-friendly activities and special exhibits throughout the museum celebrating Dr King, who lived in Boston while studying at Harvard and BU.

Can't come on MLK Day?  You can still get free admission if you have a GoBoston Card.

MFA Boston - Current & Future Shows

• Tha Sun Will Set: Contemporary Abstraction and the Body - Nine works by three generations of female artists from the Americas - Through April 6, 2025
• Masterpieces of Egyptian Sculpture from the Pyramid Age - Ongoing
• Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits - March 30 - Sept 7, 2025

Museum of Fine Arts Boston admission: $27; some special exhibits require a timed-entry reservation and/or additional fee; free entrance with a GoBoston Discount card or Boston CityPASS).  Free admission to U.S. military and veterans, Boston Public Schools students and up to 3 family members on certain days, and Massachusetts residents on several national holidays.  Open every day except for Tuesday.  More about MFA

Museum of African American History - Current Show

• The Emancipation Proclamation: A Pragmatic Compromise - A close look at this important American document that changed the course of the Civil War, freed enslaved people in the Confederacy, and allowed men of African descent to join the fight for freedom

Admission: $15 adults.  More about Museum of African American History

Harvard Art Museum - Current & Future Shows

• Joana Choumali: Languages of West African Marketplaces - Explore the multinational economy of second-hand t-shirts through the artist's mixed media photographs - Through May 11, 2025

Admission: Free to all visitors on all open days.  Closed on Mondays and major holidays.  Open 10am - 5pm.  More about Harvard Art Museums

Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston - Current & Future Shows

• Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon - Retrospective featuring Whitney's small paintings and other works - Through Sept 1, 2025
• Charles Atlas - An immersive multimedia exhibit - Through March 16, 2025

Admission: $20 adults, 18 and under free; free entrance with a GoBoston Discount card and Boston CityPASS, and on Thursday evenings (tickets available at 10am on the day of your visit).  Closed on Mondays.  Free admission on several national holidays, and Thursdays from 5-9pm.  More about ICA Boston

Find more Boston museums focused on art, sports, history, science, & more

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Boston Celtic Music Festival

Boston's Celtic Music Festival on January 15-18 (to be confirmed) takes place at Club Passim in Cambridge and The Burren, Somerville Theatre, Crystal Ballroom, and The Rockwell in Somerville, with a mix of local session musicians as well as professional touring acts.

Concerts spotlight the greater Boston's deep tradition of music from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebeçois, and other Celtic communities in traditional music as well as contemporary sounds.  Also, don't miss the participatory dances in the Crystal Ballroom, which a professional caller will teach and lead, or the Sunday brunch.

Sponsors this year include Bellhaven Brewery, West Cork Whiskey, and Mangers Cider. 

The program varies by night - so check the event's website to see what's on offer and get tickets and festival passes.  The festival concludes with a special tribute to the late Brian O'Donovan, who was such a central part of this festival until his passing last year.

Finally, if you're looking for something to do on our chilly (ok, frigid) January nights, check out events during the rest of the month at the participating venues:  Club Passim, The Burren, Somerville Theatre, Crystal Ballroom, and The Rockwell.

Closest T station: Red Line/Harvard Square
More information: Club Passim

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2 Easy Ways to Save BIG in Boston on Tours, Cruises, Admissions

Best way to save in Boston.  Save up to 50% when you take a Boston Harbor cruise or Duck Boat tour, visit Plimouth Plantation, the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park Tour, and more.   Compare to find out which one is best for you.

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What to See in Boston's Museums & Aquarium - January 2026

Museum of Science Exhibits

Special Exhibits

• All Aboard!  Trains at Science Park - This seasonal exhibit for all ages returns, expanded and enhanced, ready to immerse you in a winter wonderland
• Sustainable Farm - See a first-of-its-kind hydroponic indoor farm
• Arctic Adventure: Exploring with Technology- Fly a virtual drone and become an Arctic explorer
• Exploring AI Making the Invisible Visible: Discover how AI is already part of your life, and examine your choices about how and when you use it

With fascinating permanent exhibits for all ages, there's always something to see, do, and learn.  Here are just a few of the most popular: Engineering Design Workshop, Colossal Fossil - Triceratops Cliff, The Light House, Dinosaurs, Hall of Human Life, Animal Sculptures, Live Animal Care Center, a Rock Garden, Mathematica, New England Habitats, Garden Walk & Insect Zoo, Electricity.

Where:   Boston's Museum of Science
When:   Daily, 9am-5pm; open until 9pm on Fridays
Admission:  $31 general museum admission ($26 for kids; children under 3 free; seniors 60+ $27).  Reserve your tickets, or get free museum admission when you have a GoBoston Discount card or CityPASS card. 

New England Aquarium

Harbor seals and seal lions, a giant 4-story ocean tank with hundreds of Caribbean reef animals, an Amazon rain forest, sharks, Myrtle the green sea turtle, and frisky penguins are just a few of the thousands of aquatic animals you'll experience here. 

Get your tickets in advance, or find out more about the Aquarium.  Admission also available through the Go Boston Pass, Explorer Pass, and Boston CityPASS discount cards.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Watch the famous tea party event come alive with live actors, immersive exhibits, and a visit to the full-scale replica 18th century sailing ships at this unique living history museum.  Get advance tickets.

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Not Sure about Boston Neighborhood Locations?

This neighborhood map should help you get oriented. You can find a list of top attractions in each neighborhood here.

Need a more details?  Here are our favorite free and low-cost Boston maps.

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New England Boat Show

When:  January 7 - 11 (to be confirmed)
Where:  Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, South Boston Waterfront
Closest T station: Silver Line from Red Line/South Station
Stay: South Boston Waterfront Hotels
Tickets & more information: Boat Show website

New England's biggest boating event has something for everyone, and is bigger than ever this year. 

Check out the informative exhibits, attend free casting demos, try stand-up paddle boarding, test your docking, turning, and stopping skills with a hands-on simulator, and find out everything you need to know about owning and enjoying a boat. 

Perhaps best of all:  You can buy a boat!

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College Nights at Frog Pond 

Head over to Frog Pond every Tuesday Night (except for major holidays, and school breaks / vacations) from 6pm - 9pm for College Nights.  (to be confirmed) Show your current college ID and get half-price admission (does not apply to skate rentals or other services). 

On certain Tuesdays, students at featured colleges get free admission (check the schedule).  Bring your own skates or rent them for $15 at the rink.  And don't forget to check out the hot chocolate, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, and waffles at the onsite Cafe.  It's the best Cheap Date in Boston!  

When:  Through early March, depending on the weather
Where: Frog Pond,
Closest T station: Red & Green Line/Park St

Find 18 more ice skating rinks in Boston

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More Things to Do in Boston in January

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Looking Ahead to Future Events in Boston

• February Events - Happening soon!
• Winter Break in Boston
• Where to celebrate Super Bowl in Boston
• Valentine's Day in Boston

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Check Out More Top Boston Events Each Month

January   |   February   |     March   |  April   |    May    |    June   |   July   |    August   |    September  |  October   |    November   |    December  |  Year at a Glance 

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