Winter on the Waterfront

en español 

While the days are shorter and colder weather is setting in, there’s still so much to see and do on your waterfront!

Boston’s harbor and waterfront are an open and accessible resource you can safely enjoy – either in person or virtually from home. Explore miles of Boston’s Harborwalk, warm up at a local business, or tap in to virtual events at home. Take our recommendations for dining, art & light installations, and activities to help you make the most of the Waterfront these next few months, and check the Bundle Up Boston map for ideas on how to enjoy your waterfront now and all winter long. Whatever you choose, go ahead and #BundleUpBoston, and enjoy your waterfront!

Events & Activities

Winter Wildlife Cruise

Grab your camera and binoculars and join park rangers and local naturalists to observe animals who make their wintertime home in Boston Harbor and around the outer Harbor Islands.

  • Saturday, January 18, 2025| 11:00pm -3:30 pm | REGISTER

Revolutionary Harbor: Honeybees and the Impacts of Colonialism on Insect Lives

Learn about the key role insects play in our ecosystems and how the legacy of colonialism threatens their survival.

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025| 11:00pm -3:30 pm | REGISTER

Winter Warmer at Moakley Park

Come to Moakley Park for a free, fun afternoon complete with warm drinks, yummy snacks, games, crafts, and more.

  • Saturday, February 8, 2025| 2:00 pm-4:00 pm| REGISTER

Winter Wander on Peddocks Island

Experience an unforgettable winter day as you wander the trails of Peddocks Island in search of winter tracks and traces. Enjoy a guided walk, play in the snow (if the weather cooperates), or join us by the fire for s’mores by our firepit.

  • Saturday, February 15, 2025 | 11:00pm -3:30 pm | REGISTER

Revolutionary Harbor: Boston Harbor and the Battle of Bunker Hill

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, we invite you to join National Park Service ranger Savannah Rose as she explores how Boston Harbor helped to shape the Battle of Bunker Hill.

  • Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 6:00 pm-7:30 pm | REGISTER

Explore Your Waterfront

Snowport

Hold on to your handwarmers — the Seaport’s been shaken up in a giant snow globe and transformed into a magical winter getaway. Find gifts, treats, activities, and plenty of surprises in this one-stop wonderland you can enjoy all season.

Boston’s Black Heritage Trail

The Black Heritage Trail® is a 1.6 mile walk through the heart of Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. The trail showcases residences and community buildings associated with a Black community that thrived on, and near, the north slope of Beacon Hill before, during, and after the American Civil War.

Art & Lights

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park Holiday Trellis Lights

Bundle up and enjoy the the ambiance of the Christopher Columbus Parks iconic trellis ablaze in blue lights to commemorate the Holiday Season!

Ship Lights at Martin’s Park

Martin’s Park at the Smith Family Waterfront is a climate-resilient park built in memory of eight-year-old Martin W. Richard, the youngest victim of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The accessible park provides play opportunities for children, families, and visitors of all abilities. The wooden play ship is the centerpiece of the space that will be lit for the holidays.

Hatchling 2025 on The Greenway

Created by interdisciplinary design team Studio HHH, Hatchlings is a 100% solar-powered installation that pays joyful homage to one of Boston’s architectural gems and envisions a brighter, more environmentally sustainable future for our city. This creative activation will provide Bostonians with an experiential destination during the coldest months of the year while showcasing an innovative and sustainable approach to holiday lights.

ICA Free Thursday Nights

The ICA is free for all visitors every Thursday evening. Tickets for Free Thursday Nights will be available at 10 AM on that Thursday morning.

Harbor at Home: Virtual Programs

Revolutionary Harbor Lecture Series

Join the National Parks of Boston for this special winter lecture series, which runs monthly from January through March.

  • Honeybees and the Impacts of Colonialism on Insect Lives Thursday, January 23, 2025| 11:00pm -3:30 pm | REGISTER for
  • February and March program descriptions, dates, and registration information coming soon

Fitness and Wellness

Winter Harbor Hikes or Runs

Start your year off on the right foot with a self-guided walk along Boston’s Waterfront. Check out one of four recommended routes around the harbor to get outside and get moving!

Boston Parks Virtual Fitness Series

Join the Boston Parks Department for free virtual fitness classes led by certified instructors from January – April. Classes are free but online registration is required. 

  • Sundays at 8:00am – HITT led by Jacqui Bullens
  • Mondays at 6:00pm – HITT led by Ella Froggatt
  • Tuesdays at 5:30pm – Yoga led by Nikita Virani
  • Wednesdays at 6:00pm – Yoga led by Christine Radice
  • Thursdays at 6:00pm – Dance Fit led by Carmen Blyden
  • Fridays at 12:00pm – Chair Yoga led by Karma Longtin
  • Saturdays at 10:00am – Zumba led by Lena Andrade

 

Support our programs!

Boston Harbor Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our programs would not be possible without the support of our generous donors. We hope you will consider joining your neighbors with a gift in support of our community programming.