Arnold Arboretum – Broke Boston Homeschooling

Kendall Square Holiday on Ice Celebration – 12/14

Every year the Kendall Square outdoor skating rink opens for the season with a skating show featuring professional skaters, international competitors, and lots of holiday fun. The show is free. Skating is free for the day as well (skate rentals cost extra) 11am-9pm.

Details: Saturday, December 14, 2019, show begins at 2pm, free, 300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA.

*Source:* https://www.kanva.ca/entrelesrangs/

“Entre Les Rangs” – Ongoing until 2/2/2010

There’s a very fancy public art installation that just opened up in the Seaport this week. While I don’t usually enjoy the District 1-ness of the Seaport and the events held there, I do enjoy free public arts and exposing my children to them! This one looks like a community experience akin to the “The Gates” many years ago in Central Park in NYC. From the descriptions, it sounds to me like the best time to go is night, but I’m sure it’s captivating any time of day. “Entre Les Rangs” translates to “Between the Ranks” or “Between the Rows.”

Details: December 9, 2019 to February 2, 2020, free, Seaport Commons, 85 Northern Ave, Boston, MA.

Blink! at Faneuil Hall – Nightly through 1/1/2020

This exuberant light and music display has become an annual tradition in Boston. During the day on Saturday, December 14, 2019, you can also enjoy “Candy Land Play-A-Thon” from 10am to Noon where each participating child receives a free game or gift. From Noon to 5pm you can take “Selfies with Santa” and make a Christmas Photo Frame while supplies last.

Details: Saturday, December 14, 2019, free, Candy Land 10am-Noon, Selfies with Santa Noon-5pm. Blink! holiday lights, nightly 4:30pm-10pm every half hour, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA.

Family Hike: Short Days, Long Nights – 12/15

The Arnold Arboretum is hosting a winter solstice themed family hike, with a storywalk and chickadee craft. Meet inside the Main Gate at the visitor center.

Details: Sunday, December 15, 2019, 2pm to 3:30pm, free, Hunnewell Building Visitor Center, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA.

“A Light Through the Ages” the Meaning of Chanukah in Story and Song – 12/15

“Central Reform Temple of Boston will offer the eleventh annual presentation of “A Light Through the Ages”, a celebration of Chanukah in story, song and light. This beloved holiday tradition for people of all faiths offers a unique opportunity for the greater Boston community to experience the inspiration and broader significance of the Festival of Lights.” Free but registration is required.

Details: Sunday, December 15, 2019, 4 pm, free, Central Reform Temple, 15 Newbury St, Boston, MA.

Holiday Concert Featuring the Copley Singers – 12/15

On Sunday at the St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Church, the Friends of the Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library is hosting a holiday concert where the audience is welcome to sing along to festive and solemn Christmas carols from Europe and the Americas, from ancient to modern times.

Details: Sunday, December 15, 2019, 3:30pm, free, 55 Warren Street, Charlestown, MA.

Have any free and fun holiday events you think another BBHSer might enjoy? Please share them below in the comments, thank you!!

The links in the list below go to each institution’s visiting/admissions information page. Please make sure to read all information on those pages to make sure you know what to expect and to confirm the days and times. I always recommend calling ahead or visiting websites before going to museums because policies can change at any time and sometimes museums are closed unexpectedly. Click here for the BBHS page on Museum resources.

Generally you will need to bring an appropriate ID for free admissions based on residency, military status and EBT benefits.

Arnold Arboretum, free and open to the public. Donations accepted. The visitor center is closed on Wednesdays and holidays.
Boston National Historical Park, all City and Federally owned properties of the park are free and open to the public. These include Faneuil Hall, Bunker Hill Monument, Bunker Hill Museum, USS Constitution (the ship), and Dorchester Heights Monument.
(Almost Free) Children’s Museum, Fridays 5pm-9pm, $1 admission
Commonwealth Museum, free and open to the public, closed weekends.
Harvard Art Museums, Saturdays, 10am-Noon, for MA residents only. Always free for active duty military, EBT card-holders, Cambridge residents.
Harvard University, Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, free and open to the public, closed Mondays
Harvard University, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Sundays 9am-Noon, MA residents only. During the school year, Wednesdays 3pm-5pm. Always free for active duty military, EBT card-holders.
Harvard Semitic Museum, free and open to the public, closed Saturdays.
Harvard Museum of Natural History, Sundays 9am-Noon, MA residents only. During the school year, Wednesdays 3pm-5pm. Always free for active duty military, EBT card-holders.
Harvard Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, free and open to the public, closed Saturdays.
(Almost Free) MFA, Wednesdays, 4pm-10pm, voluntary donation
MIT Museum, During the school year, the last Sunday of the month. July and August, free for Cambridge Public Library cardholders. Always free for active duty military, EBT card-holders.
MIT, List Visual Arts Center, free and open to the public, closed Mondays
USS Constitution Museum, suggested donation. Always free for active duty military, EBT card-holders.

I will update this post with new information as I get it. Please send me any information you have on free admission to museums not listed here!! Comment below or contact me.

Tag: Arnold Arboretum

Free Holiday Fun this Weekend – 12/14 to 12/15