Goodbye, 2024! The new and awaited year has finally arrived, and it’s time to set some new goals for 2025, like having more fun in the Hub. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most amazing and fun things to do in Boston this January. Start the year on the right foot and check these out!
1. Enjoy the soothing sounds of classical music by candlelight
Calm your mind and experience classical music in a whole new light with these sensational concerts located in a historical Boston venue. Throughout this winter, the Candlelight Concert series will feature a wide variety of themed repertoires. Hosted at the Greater Boston Stage and Temple Ohabei Shalom, the venue will be illuminated with flameless candles, creating an unforgettable ambiance. Highlights of the concert series this month include:
Can’t decide which concert to go to? Get a Candlelight Concert gift card and redeem it for any Candlelight concert of your choosing! It also makes a lovely gift experience for birthdays and anniversaries!
Multiple locations
2. Grab rooftop fondue on this outdoor heated deck in Seaport
Cozy up with sherpa blankets, space heaters, and close friends while munching on scrumptious bites at Deck12 atop the stylish modern hotel, Yotel Seaport! This quintessential winter activity in Boston is the epitome of cozy. It’s all the fun of après ski without the exertion.
Try the cheese fondue for a savory treat and finish with the chocolate fondue for something sweet! Deck12 also offers a full menu beyond fondue. Enjoy this warming meal while overlooking the stunning views of Boston Harbor and Downtown Boston.
3. Go ice skating around the city
January is the perfect time to show off your skills on the ice, and many (if not all) of the rinks in the city are now open! Check out our list of our favorite ice rinks to get some inspiration for your next skating session. Check out Frog Pond for Boston’s ultimate ice-skating experience or find a different rink in this list to skip the line!
4. Check out a local museum—for free
Museums are great places to visit on a snowy winter day, and Boston is home to some truly impressive museums. However, those museum admission fees can add up if you’re looking to experience them all. Luckily, if you time your visit right, you can get free or discounted admission to many of Boston’s world-class museums. Check out our guide to getting free or discounted admission for all the best tips.
5. Buff up your haunted history on a Boston Ghost Tour
Ghost tours are a signature Boston event for a reason, and they’re not only for October! And 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.
Departure from 139 Tremont St
6. Enjoy some freshly-shucked oysters at America’s Best Landmark Restaurant…
Possibly one of the best Boston spot to enjoy freshly-shucked oysters, Union Oyster House is “North America’s Best Landmark Restaurant.” The iconic North End enclave, which has been around since 1862, received the distinction from the World Culinary Awards, beating other emblematic U.S. nominees including NYC’s Katz’s Delicatessen and the only other New England entry and oldest restaurant in the country, Newport’s White Horse Tavern.
And if you like Boston Cream Pie, they have one of the best in the city!
Find it at 41 Union St
7. Or check out the U.S.’s oldest tavern instead!
Built in 1652, the historic White Horse Tavern in Newport, RI, has been welcoming hungry Americans since even before the US was born. The building is considered a National Landmark and it’s even among the 10 oldest restaurants in the world! And as you’ll notice here, the food itself is well worth the trip!
White Horse Tavern at 26 Marlborough St, Newport, RI 02840
8. Cozy up with these fireside dining options
Treat yourself to a warm and comforting dinner by a cozy fireplace at one of these 6 Boston restaurants. You’ll enjoy grate food and it even makes for a wonderful date spot! Some of our favorites include:
- Pammy’s- for farm to table dining in Cambridge
- Capo-for classic Italian in a rustic Southie setting
You can’t go wrong with any spot on this list!
9. …and if you’r hungry for more… warm-up with a hearty bowl of ramen
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of hot ramen to warm you up on a cold winter’s day. If you’re looking to slurp down on a steamy bowl of noodles in a flavorful broth we know a few places you may want to check out. From creamy shoyu to 48-hour chicken broth all served with noodles cooked to perfection, here are some of our favorite spots to grab ramen in Boston. And the best part? They’re all open for delivery!
10. Enjoy new movies on the big screen
We can’t wait to see the newest movie releases of the month! And there’s nothing cozier than grabbing a few friends, a massive bucket of popcorn and venturing out to watch a new film in the ambiance of your favorite AMC! There are plenty of anticipated films to explore. Get your tickets to the hottest films in Boston here with an exclusive discount.
11. Make your taste buds dance with a warm hot chocolate
Did you know that drinking hot chocolate can actually make you smarter? Not like we need another excuse to grab a cup of cocoa!
- For a super-rich cup go to L.A. Burdick in Back Bay
- For a classic cup check out Tatte, multiple location
- For unique cocoa varieties visit Cacao in JP or Newton
From Tatte to the Four Seasons and everything in between, we are loving grabbing hot chocolate at these shops to make winter a bit more bearable!
12. Go for a taste of Italy on this food tour of the North End
You’re going to need the carbs for this fun yet in-depth tour of the North End! Get into the details of the Freedom Trail and one of Boston’s most historic districts while scoping out the best of Italian food in the entire city! You’ll finish the tour connected to the city in a brand-new way and most likely very very full.
13. Head to one of these New England ski towns
New England is full of beautiful skiing destinations all around. There’s nothing like a refreshing ski to make you feel grateful for the obnoxious abundance of snow the Northeast gets! Put that snow to good use and head to the slopes here in Vermont or New Hampshire at these nationally acclaimed skiing cities!
14. Or head to one of the nation’s best
Stowe, Vermont one five USA Today Readers Choice awards in December for skiing, ski resorts, ski restaurants and snow much more! It’s no wonder it’s one of Conde Nast Travelers favorite skiing destinations in the country! If you’re looking for the it town for New England skiing, book a trip to Stowe!
15. If you can’t ski snow tubing will do
You can have just as much fun tubing down one of these 11 lanes in Great Barrington! This destination was named one of the top ten snow tubing places in the entire country!
Find Butternut Ski Area and Tubing Center at 380 State Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230
16. Hit refresh at this lovely spa
If the New Year calls for anything it’s a little self-pampering. This literal Haven outside of the city is offering all sorts of treatments featuring biodynamic and organic ingredients from local vendors. Get a facial, massage, or relax in its sauna to completely reset and refresh for 2023!
Find it at 14 Church Street Hopkinton, MA 01748
Multiple locations
17. And reset at this 5-star wellness resort in the Berkshires
You can face your fears in 2024 at this cold plunge and breathwork class at Miraval Berkshires. The class teaches important skills like mind over matter and also tricks on incorporating these health-boosting techniques into your everyday life! Build your resilience and adaptability in stressful times to seamlessly power through the year! Miraval is so widely acclaimed, the Fashion Director of Instagram was spotted there!
18. While you’re there…why not make a trip out of it?
Western Massachusetts is gorgeous year-round, but especially if you’re a snow bunny. Trade Boston’s slush and mush for fresh white powder this January! There’s an abundance of fun things to do in different parts of Western Mass from Springfield’s Museum of Basketball to Deerfield’s horse-drawn sleigh rides! Here is the perfect itinerary for a few days in Western Mass.
19. Check out Boston’s non-alcoholic bottle shop
Dray Drinks is the perfect spot to stock up on your dry January tinctures. Dray offers a wide assortment of non-alcoholic spirits, whiskeys, and wines for zero proof enthusiasts to delight in!
20. Brave the weather and check out some of Boston’s coolest outdoor winter setups
We’ve all trudged through the snow to get to work or class in the harsh New England winter — we’re seasoned winter adventurers. So don’t let a little snow or wind stop you from enjoying a fun (and cozy) night out. Fire pits, igloos, cute greenhouses and snow much more await you at these charming Boston spots which are all decked out for the winter and will help you stay cozy all season long!
21. Melt into a therapeutic mani-pedi
This January, local MiniLuxe nail salons are offering a luxurious upgrade with Bearaby’s Calmer Weighted Heated Neck Wrap during Deluxe Manicures and Pedicures. The innovative wrap provides therapeutic warmth and deep touch pressure, transforming a standard nail appointment into a deeply restorative self-care experience. Customers can also purchase Bearaby’s Calmer and Dreamer products in-store to extend their relaxation ritual beyond the salon. Reserve your salon therapy online at participating locations!
22. Check out a dazzling light up ballet show
We Call It Ballet is in Boston for one-day only this month! Dancers wear glow-in-the-dark illuminated sets as they perform a ballet inspired by the beloved classic, Sleeping Beauty! Learn more and reserve your tickets.