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

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!!

Free Holiday Fun this Weekend – 12/7/19 to 12/8/19

Double posting today! After writing about Saturday’s Tree Lighting on the USS Constitution, I realized a post about weekend holiday events would be useful and fun too!

Old South Meeting House – Holiday Open House – 12/7

We took a tour of the Freedom Trail for the first time this fall and had a lot of fun. But we decided to skip the sites with admissions fees, both to keep costs down and to try to finish the trail in a reasonable amount of time 😉

Well, this weekend we might head over to Old South Meeting House for their FREE Holiday Open House!! It looks like a really fun and interesting program, PLUS we can get another stamp for our National Parks Passport.

Details: Saturday, December 7, 2019, 10am-4pm, Free Admission, 310 Washington St, Boston, MA.

Brandeis Ballet Club’s Full Length Nutcracker – T accessible, 12/7 & 12/8

Seeing the Nutcracker is a wonderful holiday tradition for some. But tickets to most productions can be expensive. Looking for a cheaper alternative to the Boston Ballet’s production? The Brandeis Ballet Club is putting on their 4th annual, full-length Nutcracker! They’ve put a modern twist on the classic ballet.

There is free admission for students and non-students alike!

Details: Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 12:30 pm and Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 5 pm. Free and open to the public. Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Theatre, Brandeis University, 415 South St, Waltham, MA.

T-Accessible! 0.3 mile walk from the Brandeis/Roberts stop on the Fitchburg commuter rail line. 0.7 mile walk from Bus #70 stop at Tavern Rd and Weston St.

Live Nativity on Boston Common – 12/7

If you hit up the Old South Meeting House on Saturday, you could continue your holiday festivities in the evening with a Live Nativity on Boston Common, featuring live animals and readings in English and Spanish! This event is put on by Renewal Church Boston in Back Bay. It’s free, but they are collecting gently used winter accessories such as scarves, hats and gloves to distribute to the needy.

Details: Saturday, December 7, 2019, 5pm to 8pm, Boston Common Parade Ground near Frog Pond. Spanish reading at 7 pm.

Candlelight Labyrinth Walk – 12/8

Looking for something more contemplative? I’m intrigued by this event held by the Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway in Boston. The simple description reads:

Candlelit Labyrinth Walk: In Peace & Harmony. Meet & Greet. Celebrate Walk the Candlelit Labyrinth. Tie a Ribbon with Your Wish on the Wishing Tree. Enjoy Hot Chocolate & Luscious Cookies. RSVP appreciated

Details: Sunday, December 8, 2019, 4:30pm to 5:30pm, Free, Armenian Heritage Park, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA

Holiday Concert by the Harvard Wind Ensemble – 12/8

My son’s saxophone teacher is performing with the Harvard Wind Ensemble this weekend in a free Holiday Concert. We can’t wait to see them perform!

Details: Sunday, December 8, 2019, 8pm, Lowell Hall, 17 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA.

Know of any other great and free holiday events this weekend or anytime later this month? Please share them in the comments below! Thanks!!!

Free Christmas Fun at the USS Constitution 12/7/19

This Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 3:45 pm to 6 pm, the USS Constitution is hosting a lovely Christmas Tree Lighting. The event includes “holiday music, free hot chocolate and cookies, an appearance by Santa Claus and his elves, and remarks from USS Constitution’s Commanding Officer.”

I bet opportunities for beautiful holiday photos will be abundant!

The public may begin boarding the ship at 3:45 pm, the tree lighting will be at 4:30 pm, guests may then tour the ship until 6 pm.

Please note that all adults must show appropriate ID and all bags are subject to search before going onto the ship. Click here to read more about visiting the USS Constitution, ID requirements, what to expect when going through security screening, directions and parking.