Boston's Best Winter Festivals
Winter doldrums will not be a problem in Boston. The variety of winter festivals that are happening in and around the city have something for everyone to enjoy, adults and children alike. There are holiday celebrations, food festivals, music-themed events and so much more in the offing. Whether delectable food and drink, fine films or specialty music, the celebrations in Boston are diverse, offered by day and by night and simply fun and entertaining for all.
Swedish Yuletide-The SWEA Fair And Holiday Celebration
Cyclorama
539 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
www.sweaboston.org
Date: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Adults: $10.00 and children under 13 are free
The Swedish Women's Educational Association (SWEA) helps the city celebrate the Swedish Yuletide with a full-day festival. There are Swedish cafés, gifts, crafts, music and the St. Lucia, the Queen of Light, celebration at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Enjoy a traditional smorgasbord, have a glass of glögg, a hot spicy drink, or experience fictional Swedish Crime Scenes at an exhibit featuring the mysteries of famous Swedish crime authors. This festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Swedish holiday culture.
Boston's First Night
Copley Square
560 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
and
Boston Common
139 Tremont St.
Boston, MA02116
(617) 439-7700 (Conventures, Inc)
www.firstnightboston.org
Date: Dec. 31, 2015-Jan. 1, 2016
Free all-day event and open to all
Ringing in 2016 does not get any better than this all-day and all-night festival that has been happening for 40 years around the hub of the city. There are intricate ice sculptures to see, ice skating on Frog Pond in the center of the Boston Common, music and dancing at indoor and outdoor venues and a Copley Countdown and pyrotechnics display. The Copley Square and Boston Common sites are in close proximity, making strolling between the activities part of the fun. This is a wonderful, fun-filled family-friendly activity.
Boston Celtic Music Festival
Club Passim
47 Palmer S.
Harvard Square
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 492-7679
www.clubpassim.org
Date: Jan. 8-10, 2016; times vary
Tickets range from $15-28
This is a fun and lively three-day event that features Celtic musicians, singers and dancers from the Boston area. There is a kick-off parade on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, followed by concerts at Club Passim throughout the weekend. Irish fiddle music abounds as musicians perform Celtic music showcasing Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and other wonderful Celtic traditions.
Related: Boston's Best Street Art
Boston Wine Festival
Boston Harbor Hotel
70 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 330-9355
www.bostonwinefestival.net
Date: Jan. 9, 2016 through March 2, 2016
Dinner and wine range from $145 to $290 per person, brunch starts at $75
The Boston Wine Festival features several great events each week during a three-month long celebration. There are winemaker-hosted receptions, dinners, brunches and seminars offered throughout the festival. Over the duration of the festival, there are over 75,000 bottles of wine opened and enjoyed by the attendees. The four-course dinners, executed by world-renowned Chef Daniel Bruce, are often preceded by an informative hour-long seminar.
Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival
Salem Chamber of Commerce
265 Essex St.
Salem, MA
(978) 744-0004
www.salemmainstreets.org
Date: Feb. 5 - 7, 2016
Chocolate and wine tasting opportunities and over 15 large ice sculpture creations are scattered around downtown Salem, just 20 miles north of Boston. In addition to the chocolate samplings, many retailers offer in-store promotions throughout the weekend, and restaurants offer chocolate-inspired menu choices. Strolling around the city affords visitors a hours of entertainment.
Nancy is a native Bostonian. She enjoys the sights, sounds and tastes of Boston while exploring the city by day or night. Nancy is also a school nurse at an independent middle/high school. Her work can be found on a variety of websites, including Examiner.com.