We’re nearing the close of winter, and while spring is still far ahead on the horizon, there’s so much to enjoy during this occasionally snowy month! From wintertime classics like sledding and ice skating to Valentine’s specials like romantic concerts and dinners, we have plenty of activities and ideas for you to enjoy this February in Boston.
1. Enjoy the soothing sounds of classical music by candlelight
Whether as a Valentine’s date or just a fun winter adventure, a candlelight concert is a Boston bucket list must! There are so many comforting classics and to pick from this month:
- Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More
- Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
- A Tribute to Taylor Swift and her greatest hits
You can also spice things up with a Candlelight gift card and leave the show picking up to your giftee!
2. Explore a dazzling ballet show inspired by Sleeping Beauty
Glow-in-the-dark costumes bring the tale of Sleeping Beauty to life with a sparkling fusion of fashion and dance. Local dancers light up the stage in an ensemble of magical costumes while portraying a tale inspired by the story of Sleeping Beauty. Learn more and reserve your ticket!
3. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the city
Explore the most romantic corners of Boston and learn about some of the secret love languages of the city. Afterall, Boston was named the “most romantic state!” Check out our full list of the best things to do this Valentine’s Day in Boston.
4. Get ready to watch the Superbowl at a local hangout
The Superbowl is Sunday, February 9! While the Pats won’t be in the lineup, it’s still a good time to cheer on a team and enjoy some delicious Superbowl eats like wings and nachos- and let’s not forget about the commercials. There is nothing like watching them live in a rambunctious crowd!
5. Enjoy the last guaranteed month of supple snow on the slopes
February is the last month of meteorological winter. As we know, Boston has a barometer of its own, which means we could get snow through April, but we could also transition into a normal spring for once.
Play it safe and make sure to squeeze out every last bit of skiing or snowboarding at these awesome skiing towns like Stowe and North Conway!
6. If you can’t ski…there’s always snow tubing!
Not all native New Englanders know how to ski, and many transplants certainly don’t. But that shouldn’t be a reason you can’t enjoy the thrill of gliding down the slopes at full force. Luckily, Massachusetts is home to one of the best snow tubing destinations in the country so you can cash in on the winter fun!
Find Butternut Ski Area and Tubing Center at 380 State Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230
7. Treat yourself to a solo winter-themed date
We don’t take ourselves out enough! We mean out out. Spoil yourself and treat yourself to an indulgent day with some of our winter date ideas– this applies to singles and those in relationships!
8. Send your taste buds dancing with fabulous hot chocolate
It’s Valentine’s Day in a cup! From the super decadent Tatte hot chocolate to the over-the-top creations at Trident, there are so many spots to grab a hot chocolate in Boston this winter.
9. Go on a mystery winter picnic date
Food tours are the perfect way to explore the best offerings of Boston’s food scene. Instead of stressing about what to eat for dinner, go on a guided (or self-guided!) tour around the city to have a totally unique culinary experience in the form of a mystery picnic!
10. Twirl around one of these Boston ice skating rinks
It’s a workout and winter fun in one! Frog Pond was once the best ice-skating rink in America, so make sure to take advantage of this iconic rink! If you prefer to ditch the long lines, check out these 7 other skate rinks we love!
From February 9 -14, The Rink 401 Park welcomes the return of “The Pink Rink”. The entire space will glow pink setting the perfect stage for a romantic skate date that can launch into the neighborhood’s hot spots for an ideal evening.
And, on Saturday, February 10 visitors to The Rink 401 Park will enjoy a free Barbie movie-inspired skating spectacular, “Skate Kenway” from 7-8 PM.
11. Dine inside a dazzling heated yurt
You and up to 7 others can dine inside a winter-themed yurt at the Bowery Bar. The New American restaurant offers classic comfort food with a modern twist.
12. Buff up on haunted history with a Boston Ghost Tour
Ghost tours are a signature Boston event for a reason! if you’ve never been on one before, then be sure to check out the Boston Ghost Tour, running every night throughout the winter. While walking the city streets after dark, you’ll learn the stories of haunted locations and ghosts that provide a different viewpoint on some of the real history hidden behind the city’s past.
Tours start in the Boston Common at 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
13. Check in on that New Year’s resolution to get fit
So you made an oath to hit the gym on the daily. Or to try a new sport. How is it going?
Hopefully good, but if not (or if you’re just looking for a way to shake up your current exercise routine) these gyms and exercise classes are the best in the city, according to Bostonians. And they sound incredibly fun!
14. Try this sultry ‘Dining in the Dark’ experience
But your tastebuds to the test at this mysterious blindfolded dinner. It will heighten your sense of taste and smell during the 3-course meal. Secure your tickets for this one-of-a-kind dinner!
15. Visit Kennebunkport for ‘Paint the Town Red’ Month
A little over an hour and a half away from Boston lies Kennebunkport, a tiny little port town in Maine, where every February is a celebration of all things red and romantic. From February 1st to the 28th, Kennebunkport will “Paint the Town Red” and host a variety of deals, events, and celebrations that earns this town the tile of “Most Romantic Town” in New England.
16. Marvel at a massive ice castle in New Hampshire
Ever dreamed of stepping into Elsa’s ice castle from Frozen? That dream can now be a reality at the new Ice Castles experience in North Woodstock, New Hampshire— just 2 hours north of Boston. You can walk through your very own icy fairytale!
Find the Ice Castles at 24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH 03262
17. Go sledding!
We’re bound to get some more snow this February, and what better way to enjoy some inclement weather than to sled down some freshly snowed-upon hills? Boston’s multitude of public parks means that there are plenty of options for picking the best hill for sledding – check out our favorites here.
18. Buy someone you love (self-included) a fat bouquet of flowers for no reason
Did you know flowers can instantly heighten your “happiness hormones,” dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin? Peony, anthurium or rose-whatever makes you giddy, grab a bouquet. Some of our favorite flower shops in the city are Rouvalis on Beacon Hill, Winston’s in Back Bay, and Rococo Floral in Somerville.
19. Take a winter break at a tranquil New England destination
Not many states get a week-long school break in February, luckily in Massachusetts we do! Grab the family for a getaway at one of these tranquil destinations. They’re also perfect for a weekend excursion or Valentine’s Day date!
20. Enjoy some delicious Italian food in the North End
Italian is perhaps the most romantic of all the cuisines. From splashing flour onto your partner’s face to a Lady and the Tramp pasta moment, February and Valentine’s Day set the perfect ambiance for romantic Italian dinners. Some of our favorite ways to get an Italian fix in February are:
- An Italian cooking class with tiramisu finale
- A pizza tour of the North End
- A classic Italian dinner at one of these North End restaurants
21. Celebrate Black History Month this February and beyond
Boston has many culturally rich Black history museums, festivals, and events celebrating Black communities of the past, present and future. From an accessible opera performance celebrating Black artists to a “Black Dolls Matter” exhibit, there is so much to take in this month and enjoy and learn about the Black history of our city.
22. Go somewhere new for winter recess
Luckily, Massachusetts has a lovely break from President’s Day, February 19, through the 23, at least if you have grade school-aged children. These are some perfect excursions that are only a short drive or plane ride from the city:
- Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico is only a 3.5-hour flight from the city, and you don’t even need a passport! Sun and sand await!
- AutoCamp Cape Cod is just a 1-hour drive or Peter Pan bus ride from Boston and is one of the coolest hotels near the city. Stay in a cozy AirStream, grill under the stars, partake in ongoing activities like sunrise yoga, and explore the charming seaside town of Falmouth!
- Only have time for a day trip? The New Bedford Whaling Museum is hosting special programming specifically for the upcoming winter recess. Each day offers a host of free learnings and activities for the whole family to enjoy, celebrating the remarkable life and legacy of Captain Paul Cuffe.
23. Ride a snow tubing summit in Seaport
You can now go snow tubing in Seaport! It’s one of the most exhilarating winter activities in the city. Pro tip, ride the lane closest to the stairs if you want a speedy trip down the summit!
24. And while you’re there…try the hot cocoa at Woods Hill Pier 4
The upscale waterfront farm-to-table restaurant has a house made hot cocoa cart featuring the most extravagant chocolate to sip on this season! Pick from four cocoa bomb flavors, two different marshmallow options and your choice of milk and whipped cream, and assemble the drink at your table!
25. Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Boston
Cambridge’s Sumiao Kitchen has a special menu to commemorate the Year of the Wood Snake. The Hunan kitchen in Kendall Square is known for its bold flavors. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, with a tradition of good fortune – red envelopes filled with surprises will be distributed! Find even more Lunar New Year festivities happening this month in Boston.
26. Indulge yourself in some local chocolates (all month long)
Sure, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to get some delicious chocolates. But why wait? Every day is chocolate day in our books. Pick truffles like Pistachio Praline Encased in creamy white chocolate or Almond Shortbread from some of our favorite chocolate shops!
27. Enjoy a gobsmaking orchid show
Over 2,000 orchids fill the space at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, under one hour from Boston. The annual show juxtaposes flowers and video games this year for a curiosity-sparking exhibit.
28. Take a Mexican-inspired cooking class on Beacon Hill
The Mexican-inspired fast-casual taco spot, Taco Azul, is hosting spicy cooking classes this February for a good cause. A portion of proceeds go to charity, and you’ll become a master chef by the time class is over!
29. Savor a 4-course pre fixe steak frites dinner for $34.95
Enjoy an extra round of steak frites on the house at the newly opened Medium Rare at Arsenal Yards in Watertown. Warning—the secret sauce is addicting.
30. Enjoy a dazzling glow-in-the-dark ballet show
Experience the classic Sleeping Beauty in the form of an elegant dazzling ballet! We Call it Ballet: Sleeping Beauty in a Dazzling Light Show premieres for one-night-only in Boston this February!
31. Check out the inaugural artist series at this New York Times-recognized sandwich shop
Cutty’s, the cult fav Brookline sandwich shop is kicking off the new year with a special artist collab series. The first artist in the series is Tara Lewis, a Brooklyn based realist painter known for her playful large-scale portraits blending irreverence with a satirical edge, and her recent Brooke Shields collaboration series! Lewis’ art will be on display and available in a limited-edition merch drop. The sandwich shop introduced an all-new limited edition Cutty’s sandwich: The TLC (a nod to Tara Lewis)—with Roast Turkey, Green Leaf Lettuce, Calabrian Chile Mayo, Provolone, and Pickled Celery on Iggy’s Focaccia Roll.
32. Sample sweets on this Chestnut Hill dessert crawl
If you have a sweet tooth, mark your calendar for February 8! The Street at Chestnut Hill hosts an epic dessert crawl with tastings at 6 local spots—from ice cream at Van Leeuwen to chocolate chip bread pudding at Aquitaine! The crawl is from 12-2 PM on Saturday, February 8, and tickets are $10. Learn more and reserve your sweets crawl!
33. Try Somerville’s new Japanese-adapted Chinese-American diner
Mimi’s Chūka Diner brings a completely new food concept to Somernova in Union Square. The restaurant serves Japanese-adapted Chinese cuisine (“chūka ryori”) merged with an American diner concept for an inventive menu. Mimi’s diner-inspired menu items include a mouthwatering house-ground burger with Mimi’s own yaki-bbq sauce, a matzo ball wonton soup and perfectly crispy hand-cut fries tossed in “chuka fine herbs.”
Open from 12 PM daily at 14 Tyler St Suite 102, Somerville, MA 02143
34. Support this New Englander skiing 528,000 feet for an admirable cause
Adjunct Professor at UMass Lowell, Burma Road Ventures CEO, Chair of the HBS Alumni AASU Racial Equity Project, and Asians in Biotech head, Chesley Chen, is skiing 100 vertical miles (aka 528,000 feet) for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to support his son’s recovery from cancer. Tristan Chen overcame a battle with blood cancer two years ago. Tristan is an elite rock climber and was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in May 2022. He went through three rounds of chemotherapy and a haplo-stem cell transplant. Today, Tristan is climbing better than before and was even named LLS’s National Honored Hero for its Big Climb campaign.
“Tristan’s doctors are funded directly from LLS research grants, which really brings this close to home,” said Chesley. Last year, Chelsey helped raise $400,000 for LLS’s mission to cure blood cancer via the skiing event, Shred For Red. This year, he aims to raise $100,000 more—bringing the total to half a million dollars! Follow Chelsey’s journey and support online.
35. Join an outdoor cycling event in Seaport to end homelessness
HomeStart’s ICycle, Boston’s only all-day outdoor spin-a-thon, returns for its 18th year at a new Seaport location— The Rocks at Harbor Way. The 2-day cycling event has over 300 participants who will join in-person spin classes led by Boston’s top certified instructors from B/SPOKE Studios, The Handle Bar and more! Over 300 corporate team riders are expected to raise critical funds to address homelessness. Red Sox’s Wally and Tessie, and the Patriots’ Pat Patriot will also make an appearance during the event on February 12 and 13. You can learn more or register here.
36. Watch the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament on Boston’s largest video wall
The U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland will compete in the inaugural ice hockey tournament, 4 Nations Face-Off. Catch it at High Street Place, home of Boston’s 28-foot-long video wall:
- Wednesday, February 12 at 8 PM (Canada vs. Sweden)
- Thursday, February 13 at 8 PM (USA vs. Finland)
- Saturday, February 15 at 1 PM (Finland vs. Sweden) and 8 PM (USA vs. Canada)
- Monday, February 17 at 1PM (Canada vs. Finland) and 8:00 PM (Sweden vs. USA)
- Thursday, February 20 at 8 PM (Championship Game-Top Two Teams faceoff)
Find all the games at High Street Place with special game day eats from vendors, a live DJ, and commentary!
37. Engage with over 40 panelists and leaders at Harvard’s Mexico Conference
The 3-day event, running from February 21- 23, features 40 panelists of academic, political and business leadership backgrounds. The conference is a non-profit event led and run by Harvard government and public policy students. This is the eighth edition of Harvard’s annual Mexico Conference. The conference is dedicated to fostering dialogue and connecting communities. Learn more about the lineup and schedule here. The event takes place at Harvard Kennedy School.