The calendar
Boston events
Free and cheap things happening around the city. Pick a date, a price, a category or a neighborhood.
Events
Fall Foliage Walk: Olmsted Park
Wed Nov 4 · 11 AM–12 PM
A Boston Park Ranger walks you through Olmsted Park and explains why the leaves turn. Meet at Daisy Field on the Jamaicaway.
View detailsNEC Philharmonia: Agócs, Smetana & Bartók
Wed Nov 4 · 7:30 PM
A full conservatory orchestra in Jordan Hall playing Smetana's Má Vlast excerpts and Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra. Free, but you need to grab a ticket online first.
View detailsFleurs de Villes WONDER at the Pru
Wed Nov 4 – Sun Nov 8
Local florists dress mannequins head to toe in fresh flowers along the Prudential Center's retail level. This year's theme is the natural wonders of the world, and it's free to walk through.
View detailsPumpkin Smash
Sat Nov 7 · 11 AM–2 PM
Bring your leftover jack-o'-lanterns to the English High lot and smash them so they get composted instead of trashed. Pull off any paint, wax or candles first.
View detailsBotanical Ink Printing at the Arboretum
Sat Nov 7 · 12–2 PM
A drop-in art session on the Hunnewell Lawn at the Arnold Arboretum. No registration, just show up and make prints from plants.
View detailsBoston Veterans Parade
Sat Nov 7 · 12–3 PM
The city's Veterans Day parade steps off at the Boston Public Library on Boylston, heads past Park and Tremont, and finishes at City Hall Plaza.
View detailsHarboring Creativity at the ICA Watershed
Sat Nov 7 – Sun Nov 8 · 11 AM–4 PM
The East Boston Artists Group takes over the ICA Watershed with a free exhibition, and a lot of the work is for sale.
View detailsNOW OR NEVER: POWERHOUSE
Sat Nov 7 · 8 PM–midnight
City Hall Plaza turns into a hip hop night with DJs, live music and live visual art. The city covered the tickets, so it's free with an RSVP.
View detailsBoston Conservatory Wind Ensemble: America at 250
Sun Nov 8 · 3 PM
An outdoor wind ensemble concert in Samuel Adams Park by Faneuil Hall, with American pieces and a world premiere to close.
View detailsSnowport Holiday Market
Nov 6 – Dec 27 · hours vary (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
The Seaport's big holiday village at 100 Seaport Blvd, with local vendors, food and lights. Walk-in entry is free; optional timed weekend tickets cost extra.
View detailsFall Foliage Walk: Franklin Park
Tue Nov 10 · 11 AM–12 PM
A relaxed hour with the Boston Park Rangers in Franklin Park, learning why the leaves change. Meets off Pier Point Rd.
View detailsRoxbury Concert Series: Pelin Su Yavuz
Sat Nov 14 · 12 PM
A free midday piano set from a young Berklee pianist at the Shaw-Roxbury branch library on Dudley St. RSVP through the Roxbury Concert Series.
View detailsSecond Saturdays Volunteer Day at Jamaica Pond
Sat Nov 14 · 10 AM–12 PM
Two hours of hands-on park work around Jamaica Pond with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Register ahead and they'll email the waiver and meeting spot.
View detailsMFA $5 Third Thursday
Thu Nov 19 · 5–10 PM
After 5 PM the MFA is pay-what-you-wish with a $5 minimum, instead of the usual $30 adult ticket.
View detailsMIT FaMLE Fall Concert
Thu Nov 19 · 8 PM
MIT's laptop ensemble plays Killian Hall. Free and open to everyone.
View detailsSoWa Christmas Market
Nov 20 – Dec 27 · closed Mondays, Thanksgiving & Christmas
Over 100 local makers and food vendors inside the SoWa Power Station on Harrison Ave. Admission is $10 and kids 12 and under get in free.
View detailsMIT Symphony & Concert Choir: Carmina Burana
Fri Nov 20 · 8 PM
A full orchestra and choir doing Carmina Burana in Kresge Auditorium for $15. Free with an MIT ID.
View detailsFaneuil Hall Marketplace Tree Lighting
Sat Nov 21 · 2–6 PM (lighting at 6)
An afternoon of live performances at Quincy Market that ends with Santa and Make-A-Wish lighting the big tree at 6 PM.
View detailsFixit Clinic at the Central Library
Sat Nov 21 · 11 AM–2 PM
Bring a broken lamp, toaster or gadget to the BPL in Copley and volunteers help you try to fix it yourself.
View detailsBoston Women's Holiday Market at Warehouse XI
Sun Nov 22 · 11 AM–4 PM
A free holiday market of women-owned small businesses at Warehouse XI in Union Square.
View detailsChristopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting
Mon Nov 23 · 5–6 PM
The park's 260-foot trellis gets its holiday lights, with music, Santa, cocoa, cookies and free clam chowder from Joe's Waterfront.
View detailsBoston Common Tree Arrival
Tue Nov 24 · around 11 AM
Nova Scotia's holiday tree rolls onto the Common with a police escort. It's the yearly thank-you for Boston's help after the 1917 Halifax explosion.
View detailsTubaChristmas
Sat Nov 28 · 12:30 PM
Over a hundred tubas and euphoniums play carols on the Millennium Tower steps at Downtown Crossing. Bring earmuffs, for the cold and the brass.
View detailsCharles Hotel Tree Lighting
Sat Nov 28 · 4–7 PM
Harvard Square's yearly outdoor tree lighting at the Charles Hotel, with live holiday music.
View detailsLighting of the Ship at Martin's Park
Sat Nov 28 · 5–6 PM
Santa arrives by police boat and the playground ship lights up blue and white. Expect Berklee singers, crafts and a fire truck kids can climb on.
View detailsBoston Women's Holiday Market at the Armory
Sun Nov 29 · 11 AM–4 PM
Two floors of women-owned makers at Arts at the Armory on Highland Ave, the day after Small Business Saturday. Free entry.
View detailsCopley Square Tree Lighting & Reopening
Mon Nov 30 · 5–6 PM
The tree lighting doubles as the grand reopening of the redone Copley Square Park, with a tour, crafts, Santa and the Boston Children's Chorus.
View detailsMIT Gamelan Fall Concert
Wed Dec 2 · 8 PM
MIT's Balinese gamelan orchestra plays Thomas Tull Concert Hall. Free and open to all, but you may need to grab a free ticket.
View detailsBoston Common Tree Lighting
Thu Dec 3 · 6–8 PM
The city's biggest tree lighting, by the visitor center at 139 Tremont St. Mayor Wu and Nova Scotia's premier flip the switch on the Nova Scotia spruce.
View detailsCommonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting
Thu Dec 3 · about 8–8:15 PM
Right after the Common ceremony, the trees on the Comm Ave Mall light up from Arlington St to Charlesgate. A nice walk with a hot drink.
View detailsLight Up Seaport Tree Lighting
Fri Dec 4 · 6 PM
The 52-foot Seaport tree at 85 Northern Ave gets its 10,000 lights, right next to Snowport.
View detailsRambax MIT Fall Concert
Sat Dec 5 · 8 PM
MIT's Senegalese sabar drumming group plays Thomas Tull Concert Hall. It gets loud in a good way. Free and open to the public.
View detailsICA Play Date: Free Family Art Day
Sun Dec 6 · 10 AM–3 PM
Hands-on art making for kids at the ICA. Up to two adults with kids 12 and under get in free with the code PLAYDATE.
View detailsUnion Square Jingle
Sun Dec 6 · 12–5 PM (weather date Dec 13)
Union Square's shops, bars and cafes host a holiday crawl with a stamp-card challenge and a storefront decorating contest.
View detailsNEC Jazz Orchestra: Coltrane Centennial
Thu Dec 10 · 7:30 PM
NEC's jazz big band marks John Coltrane's 100th with saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi in Jordan Hall. Free, but reserve a ticket.
View detailsSeaport Menorah Lighting
Thu Dec 10 · 6 PM
Chabad of Downtown Boston lights the Hanukkah menorah at 60 Seaport Blvd, steps from Snowport.
View detailsHarvard Square Holiday Fair
Dec 11–13 & 18–20 · Fri 12–7, Sat 11–7, Sun 12–6
A long-running craft fair on two December weekends at the corner of JFK and Winthrop streets. Good for gifts you won't find at the mall.
View detailsMFA $5 Third Thursday
Thu Dec 17 · 5–10 PM
The MFA is pay-what-you-wish after 5 PM with a $5 minimum. A cheap way to see the galleries before the holidays.
View detailsFirst Night Boston
Thu Dec 31 · schedule TBA
Boston's New Year's Eve arts festival with performances, ice sculptures, a procession and fireworks. No purchase needed. The 2026 schedule hasn't been posted yet.
View detailsL Street Brownies New Year's Day Plunge
Fri Jan 1 · morning (TBA)
A South Boston tradition since 1904: club members run into Dorchester Bay off M Street Beach on New Year's morning while everyone else watches from the sand. The 2027 time isn't announced yet.
View detailsICA Free Thursday Nights
Thursdays · 5–9 PM
The ICA is free for everyone every Thursday from 5 to 9 PM. Reserve your free ticket online first.
View detailsGardner Museum Free Thursday Nights
Thursdays · 5–9 PM
Since July the Gardner has been free every Thursday night, not just once a month. Timed tickets open two days ahead and they do run out.
View detailsHarvard Art Museums
Tue–Sun · 10 AM–5 PM
Three museums under one roof on Quincy St, free for everyone every day they're open. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
View detailsArnold Arboretum
Daily · sunrise to sunset
281 acres of trees and paths, always free. The visitor center is open 10 to 4, and the Arboretum's guided walks are free too, though some need a ticket.
View detailsFree Fridays at Trinity Organ Concerts
Fridays · 12:15–1 PM (none Nov 27, Dec 25 or Jan 1)
A 45-minute lunchtime organ recital inside Trinity Church in Copley Square. Admission is free and they suggest a $10 donation.
View detailsKing's Chapel Tuesday Recitals
Tuesdays · 12:15 PM
A half-hour midday concert in the old stone chapel on Tremont St, with a $5 suggested donation that goes to the musicians. Dec 15 is a Half-Hour Messiah.
View detailsMusic Mondays at Snowport
Mondays · 5 PM (Nov 9 – Dec 21)
A different local singer plays the Snowport market every Monday evening through Dec 21.
View detailsBPL Art & Architecture Tours
Weekly · times vary, register ahead
A guide walks you through the Central Library in Copley: the Sargent murals, Bates Hall and the courtyard. Free, but you need to sign up, up to a month out.
View detailsMassachusetts Historical Society Exhibitions
Mon–Sat · hours vary (late Tuesdays)
Free exhibits on 1776 and the Adams family at the MHS on Boylston St. Both close Dec 19.
View detailsUSS Constitution
Wed–Sun · 10 AM–4 PM
Board the oldest commissioned warship still afloat, for free, at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Adults need a photo ID and go through security.
View detailsNovember Project at Harvard Stadium
Wednesdays · 5:55 or 6:30 AM
The free early-morning workout where hundreds of people run the stadium stairs, section by section. Meet at section 37 and sign the one-time waiver.
View detailsMarathon Sports Group Run (Boylston St)
Wednesdays · 6:30 PM
A free weekly group run from the Marathon Sports store at 671 Boylston, by the marathon finish line.
View detailsMarathon Sports Group Run (Brookline)
Thursdays · 6:30 PM
A free weekly group run from the Marathon Sports shop at 1638 Beacon St in Washington Square.
View detailsTracksmith Church of the Long Run
Sundays · 9 AM (doors 8:30)
A free Sunday long run from the Tracksmith Trackhouse on Newbury St, all year.
View detailsLunge Run Club
Wednesdays · 6:45 PM warmup, 7 PM start
A three-mile run, or a 1.5-mile social walk, from City Hall Plaza every Wednesday night. Easy way to meet people.
View details