- savor + roam
- Posts
- what to do in Boston this weekend (feb 7 - 9)
what to do in Boston this weekend (feb 7 - 9)
first Friday art openings + Valentine's Day markets
Nicole Tommasulo
06 Feb • Estimated Reading Time: 27 minutes
Table of Contents
P.S. If you have an event, new attraction, new hotel, or restaurant opening you’d like me to cover, don’t hesitate to reach out.
food news
A small regional group of Mexican restaurants will expand into South Boston this Spring. As Caught in Southie reports, Ocho Cafe will be moving into the space on 11 West Broadway that was once home to the Purple Shell and Stephi’s in Southie. Open for lunch and dinner, Ocho Cafe will be serving up classic Mexican fare, including quesadillas, tacos, fajitas, and margaritas.
planning ahead:
valentine + galentine events
Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, and whether you love the holiday or hate it, there are a few fun events and deals happening around Boston that you should know about.
shops + sweet treats
Boston’s Little Miss Cupcape (250 Newbury St, Boston, 02116) has opened pre-orders for their Valentine’s Day menu, available for pickup or delivery between Jan 31 and Feb 16. Highlights include their Valentine’s Day Cupcake Pack, Conversational Heart Mini Cakes, Bake At Home Cookie Dough rolls, and a cute little box of XOXO Cupcakes. If you’re gluten-free or vegan, don’t worry; there are cupcakes for you, too! Use code SAVOR10% for 10% off your order. Can’t make it in to pickup your order? Little Miss Cupcape does same-day local delivery + overnight shipping.
If you want a one-stop shop for VDay/GDay supplies, head to EBO Grocery (110 Meridian St, East Boston, 02128) in East Boston. They have everything: oysters, caviar + necessary accouterments, fresh produce, used vinyl, and a whole wine wall to browse through.
classes + workshops
Grab your Galentine (or Valentine) and come to The Urban Grape for a special Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board Workshop on Tuesday, Feb 11. Tickets for two are $125 (solo are $95) and include a flight of three wines, a 10 × 10 board, cheeses, meats, and more fun accompaniments as you learn how to make your charcuterie board step-by-step.
Get festive with your gals at the Valentine’s Day Flower Arranging Workshop at AeronautBrewing Company (14 Tyler Street, Somerville, 02143) on Thursday, Feb 13, from 7 - 9 pm. Tickets are $85 and include a two-hour workshop with floral designer Rebecca Allamey of Moosh Floral, plus materials (cut flowers, greenery, vase, + floral clippers) you get to take home with you.
Go on a sensory journey through rare essences and exclusive ingredients to create a bespoke fragrance with Pine 617’s Valentines Perfume Making Class at Boston Public Market (100 Hanover Street, Boston, 02108) on Thursday, Feb 13, from 5:30 - 8 pm. Tickets are $72.50 if booked by Feb 3; otherwise, they are $125.
Spend an afternoon celebrating the season of love with a special Galentine’s Gathering at Be the Light Yoga Studio (482 Shirley St, Winthrop, 02152) on Saturday, Feb 15, from 12 - 1:30 pm. There will be a 30-minute empowering barre class and a 30-minute self-love-themed restorative yoga flow. Then, enjoy delicious acai bowls and coffee — courtesy of Selva Coffee House — while making friendship bracelets. Tickets are $22.
unique ways to celebrate
If you’re looking for a cute spot to have an intimate dinner with your Valentine or a few of your closest Galentines, book time at Over the Tunnel Bookstore inside EBO Grocery (110 Meridian St, East Boston, 02128). Why it’s a good deal: Part of your booking fee is put toward a credit to use in the grocery for your event (think: oysters, caviar, bubbles).
Are you a runner?
Participate in running research with The RunDot Project.
This annual research initiative includes 2 free months of run training for qualified participants and gives you an opportunity to reach your true athletic potential with optimized training protocols.
unique things to do in Boston:
feb 7 - feb 9
Everything here is happening this weekend only. Scroll down for recurring events every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Boston.
all weekend long
If you’re still looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, don’t miss the Valentine’s Gift Ship & Shop Market on Friday, Feb 7 - Sunday, Feb 9, at Boston Public Market (100 Hanover St, Boston, 02108). Stroll through year-round vendors, plus specially curated pop-ups, while sipping on festive seasonal cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks.
Warm up this weekend with a Belgian hot chocolate from Snacks Box Boston. Their truck will be between Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market on Feb 8 and Feb 9 from 12 - 6 pm.
Nearby: Salem is hosting the 23rd annual So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival around Salem's Downtown District from Feb 8 through Feb 9. Ice Sculptures will be illuminated from 5 - 9 pm both nights, weather permitting, and will remain in place as long as weather allows. The Salem Trolly will provide rides around town for $3 per person.
friday
february 7
first friday + art openings
Come to the opening reception for CHROMESTHESIA: A Study in Sound + Color, a solo exhibition by Miles Perry (@thisisanoriginalworkofart), on Friday, Feb 7, from 5 - 9 pm at SoWA Art + Design District (450 Harrison Ave, Boston, 02118). One of my favorite emerging Boston artists, Perry’s new exhibition explores synesthesia and a fresh perspective on how color and sound can coexist. The show continues through Feb 28.
Celebrate Black History Month at MFA First Fridays this Friday, Feb 7, from 6 - 9 pm. Sip a signature cocktail and explore “Power of the People: Art and Democracy” while enjoying music from DJ YVNG PAVL and Spotlight Talks. Tickets required: Free for members, $27 for nonmembers.
February is for (art) lovers, and SoWa Art + Design District (450 Harrison Ave, Boston, 02118) is opening its doors on Friday, Feb 7, from 5 - 9 pm for First Friday.
classes + workshops
Whether you’re new to craft cocktails or want to brush up on your skills, don’t miss the Winter Cocktails Mixology Class at Short Path Distillery (71 Kelvin St, Everett, 02149) on Friday, Feb 7, from 7 - 8:30 pm. Tickets are $60 and include a welcome drink and distillery tour before an in-depth mixology class with a Short Path bartender & spirits specialist.
If you haven’t caught any other Pottery with a Purpose classes so far this year, you have another chance this Friday, Feb 7, at High Street Place Food Hall (100 High St, Boston, 02110) at the Palentine’s Pottery Class. Tickets are $75 and include a step-by-step tutorial on pinch pots and how to turn them into various unique handmade gifts (and the materials to make them).
wellness
Wash away the week’s stress with a Live Sound Bath Performance on Friday, Feb 7, from 6 - 7 pm with Healing Tones Studio at JP Centre Yoga (670 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, 02130). Tickets are $40.
saturday
february 8
classes
If candy making has always been on your bucket list, or you want to go DIY for Valentine’s Day gifts, grab your bestie or partner and come to the Chocolate Truffle Making Class this Saturday, Feb 8, from 3 - 5 pm at Boston Public Market (100 Hanover St, Boston, 02108). Hosted by Jennifer Lee’s Allergen Free Bakery, tickets are $45.
for book lovers
Spend An Evening with KA Tucker exploring her Wild series on Saturday, Feb 8, from 7 - 9 pm at Lovestruck Books (44 Brattle St, Cambridge, 02138). Tickets are $30 and include a copy of the first or fourth book in the Wild series.
While Bostonians can walk by Louisa May Alcott’s Beacon Hill homes daily, visiting her Orchard house in Concord isn’t as simple. But, on Saturday, Feb 8, you join Kelois massAdventures for an enchanting guided tour of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. The journey begins in Boston, where you’ll board the Commuter Rail out to Concord, and a bus will be provided for transportation back to town after the tour. Tickets are $65 and include transportation.
tastings, pop-ups, markets + parties
Happy Super Bowl weekend! To celebrate, Time Out Market (401 Park Dr, Boston, 02215) is hosting a Tom Brady Look-alike Contest on Saturday, Feb 8, from 2 - 3 pm.
Celebrate love at the Valentine’s Gay Vendor Market on Saturday, Feb 8, from 12 - 5 pm at Dorchester Brewing Co (1250 Mass Ave, Boston 02125). Sip while you shop local LGBTQIA+ makers just in time for Valentine’s Day.
sunday
february 9
markets
Shop local artists, makers, and vintage sellers at the Small Mart Valentine’s Day Market this Sunday, Feb 9, from 11 am - 4 pm at Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre (55 Davis Square, Somerville, 02145).
wellness
Wind down from the weekend with an Immersive Yoga session with JOYN Yoga this Sunday, Feb 9, at the WNDR Museum (500 Washington Street, Boston, 02111). Tickets are $25, and mats by CARMU will be provided.
If you want a different type of yoga class, come to the free IceFlow Yoga on Ice (for Adults) class on Sunday, Feb 9, from 7:30 - 8:20 am. Skate rentals are available for $15.
classes
Whether you’re a fan of ramen already or want to brush up on your broth game, take the Ramen Masterclass with chef Tracy Chang this Sunday, Feb 9, from 11 am - 1 pm at PAGU (310 Mass Ave, Cambridge,02139). Tickets are $119 and include demos of various broths and tasting different ramen. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to build your own ramen bowl.
Learn the basics of pottery making or brush up on your skills with Pottery with a Purpose’s Sculpt + Sip Class on Sunday, Feb 9, from 1 - 3 pm at Long Live Roxbury (152 Hampden St, Boston, 02119). Tickets are $85 and include a complimentary drink, a Beginner Pottery Kit, and a hands-on tutorial on creating pinch pots.
Sip, snip, and celebrate Valentine’s Day with Bluebird Bouquets at their Blooms & Besties Workshop on Sunday, Feb 9, at Aeronaut Brewing (14 Tyler Street, Somerville, 02143). Two sessions (1 - 3 pm or 4 - 6 pm) are being held during Aeronaut’s Besties & Brews Galentine’s Day party. Tickets are $55.
Spend an afternoon in creative exploration at a Valentine’s Collage Workshop with Jamie Tara on Sunday, Feb 9, from 10 am - 12 pm at SoWa Artists Guild Studio 306 (450 Harrison Ave, Boston, 02114). Tickets are $40 ($30 for the class and $10 for materials). Materials are provided to make cards or flammable images.
reoccurring winter events
As a reminder, the Commuter Rail has $10 weekend passes, which gives the ticketholder unlimited travel on Saturday and Sunday. Pass is activated during your first trip on Saturday and continues to stay active until Sunday night.
winteractive
If anyone knows how to enjoy winter after the holiday season slows, it’s Québec. Inspired by and partnering with our northern neighbors, the Downtown Boston Alliance has again brought WINTERACTIVE to Boston.
The exhibition is a walkable art experience stretching from Government Center to the Theater District. Not only are multiple Mr. Pinks hanging out, adding color and whimsy to the city, but there are also great light-up installations, giving Bostonians a reason to leave the house even after the sun goes down.
A map of the artwork is available here. The installations will be viewable from now until March 30, 2025.
tours
Taste your way through Back Bay with a Back Bay Evening Chocolate Tour. For $55, take a guided walking + tasting tour of one of Boston’s most beautiful neighborhoods while learning Back Bay’s historical and architectural significance. Plus, enjoy tastings at four different locations where you’ll sample hot chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, and cake from Back Bay’s most iconic establishments.
Boston Athenaeum routinely holds Art & Architecture Tours throughout the week and weekend. Tours are always free for members, $15 for adults, $10 for students/educators/military, $8 for children 11 and under, or $4 using your EBT, WIC, or ConnectorCare cards.
Whether you’re a local or visiting Boston for the first time, there’s never a bad time to take a tour. For something a little different (and delicious), book a spot on the Freedom Trail: History Tour & Brewery Taste. Follow the Freedom Trail, stopping at 11 of 16 major landmarks along the trail, with Hub Town Tours before enjoying lunch and beer tasting at Democracy Brewing.
wellness
(New) Reoccurring: Enjoy a quiet hour of crafting at Porter Square Books Boston Edition’s (50 Liberty Dr, Boston, 02210) Audiobook and Craft Hour every Saturday beginning Feb 1, from 1 - 2 pm. Grab a drink and a snack from Travelmug Cafe and get cozy among fellow booklovers and crafters.
Last year, Moki Sauna debuted a winter pop-up downtown, inviting Bostonians to enjoy a pop-up sauna and polar plunge in an urban setting. This year, they’re back and have set up their wood-fired saunas and cedar cold plunge barrels at Somernova (14 Tyler St, Somerville, 02143) until April 15. Sessions start at $45 for 1 hour.
Start your weekend with a dose of wellness at The Hidden Art Gallery (25 Myrtle Street) in Beacon Hill, which hosts weekly Explore Meditation with Watercolor classes. Held every Friday from 3 pm - 6 pm, learn the basics of meditation while intuitively creating with watercolor. Classes are $55.
Reconnect with your ability to digest and rest during a Sound Bath Meditation with Ramon of Ib and Flow (247 Walnut St, Brookline, 02445). Sessions ($50) are held every Sunday.
Chase away — or press pause — on your end-of-weekend stress with a movie night at Sam Adams Boston Brewery (30 Germania St, Jamacia Plan, 02130). From 6 to 9 pm every Sunday, the brewery hosts a free weekly watch party. Their final February movie theme and movies are TBA.
Wind down from the weekend and prepare for the week ahead with a Grounding Meditation session every Sunday from 5 - 6 pm at Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio (663 Centre Street, Boston, 02130) in Jamaica Plain. Led by Licenced Mental Health Counselor Brennan Mallonnee, you will be guided through techniques on how to calm stress responses and practice trauma-informed grounding techniques for anxiety. Tickets are $20. Yoga mats, cushions, and blankets are available for use, but you are welcome to bring your own.
If you’re trying to bring balance into your life this year, start your Sunday brunch with a gentle yoga flow with Brewery Yoga at Lamplighter CX. The class is held every Sunday from 12:30 - 1:30 pm at Lamplighter Brewing Co.’s CX location (110 North First Street, Cambridge, 02141) in their upstairs taproom. Tickets are $25 and include a beer token or complimentary non-alcoholic drink.
classes + workshops
Whether you already love screenprinting or are completely new to this printing method, DARK MODE hosts DIY Screenprinting workshops at their storefront in Bow Market (1 Bow Market Way, #24) in Somerville on Friday (7 pm) and Saturday (6 pm and 7 pm) nights. Tickets are $45, including t-shirts.
DARK MODE also hosts Candle Making and Intention Setting Workshops every Thursday at 7 pm in their storefront at Bow Market in Somerville. Tickets are $50.
Spend your Friday learning to make classic Italian cuisine with Self Up Cooking Classes (19 Kingston St) in Downtown Crossing from 6 pm - 9 pm. Every week, they host an Italian Dinner with Tiramisu Finale cooking class and dinner experience, where you can learn how to make a three-course meal, including a luscious tiramisu for dessert. Tickets are $100 and include all ingredients.
tastings
Coffee lovers, this one is for you. Every Friday at 10 am, Counter Culture Coffee (374 Somerville Ave) in Somerville opens their Training Center for free coffee tastings. Anyone who wants to can learn and commune over perfectly brewed, high-quality, sustainable coffee.
Come to DeLuca’s Market Wine Cellar (11 Charles Street, Boston, 02114) in Beacon Hill for a free wine tasting every Friday from 4 - 7 pm. Every week, resident wine expert Donovan handpicks a mix of familiar favorites and bottles from up-and-coming vineyards or hard-to-find vintages to share among participants. No ticket is required.
Every Friday at 6:30 pm, GrandTen Distilling (383 Dorchester Ave) in South Boston holds Friday Night Flights: a chance to get to know their full line-up of spirits (plus special limited-run bottles not available elsewhere) at an intimate tasting. Tickets are $25, and seating is limited (10 max).
On Saturdays, Boston Harbor Distillery (12R Ericsson St, Boston, 02122) leads VIP tours ($50) and barrel-side tastings of their spirits ($20).
Love Child holds free wine tastings every Friday (5 pm - 7 pm) and Saturday (12 pm - 3 pm) at their South Boston (364 West Broadway) location. These tastings are free and require no reservations.
Come to The Urban Grape (303 Columbus Ave) in Back Bay on Saturday for The After Brunch, between 2 pm and 5 pm, for their weekly free wine tasting.
winter pop-ups
Reoccuring: Skip the slopes and head straight to Sam Adams Boston Brewery (30 Germania St, Jamaica Plain, 02130) for Après Sam on Saturday and Sunday for all of February. You can reserve a heated igloo (which includes a bucket of Cold Snap), hang in the Beer Garden with a local live DJ, or head to the Barrel Room Lodge, where an acoustic cover band will be playing.
Ongoing: To get festive above Boston, visit ViewBoston’s Stratus Winter Oasis. At the top of Prudential Tower (800 Boylston), Status Bar has been transformed into a winter wonderland where guests can sip seasonal cocktails while the city glitters around them. Tickets are $38, including admission to ViewBoston exhibits and one beer, wine, or signature cocktail. This also gives you access to The Beacon Bistro, View Boston’s restaurant.
Ongoing: To literally warm up after a walk around Seaport, book a table at Deck 12’s heated rooftop outdoor bar (65 Seaport Blvd). Like in previous years, there is an Apres theme, complete with heaters, fondues, chair lifts, gondolas, and more. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Ongoing: Stay warm while enjoying the city skyline at Seaport’s Rooftop at the Envoy (70 Sleeper St, Boston, 02210). Grab one of their signature hot cocktails (or crafted mocktails) and cozy up to your friends in one of the igloos, ice boxes, or around your own fire pit. $25 deposit to book; minimums depend on time + day.
ice skating in Boston
Boston Common’s Frog Pond Skating Rink (38 Beacon St) is open daily from 10 am - 10 pm, with the last entry admitted 30 minutes before closing. Anyone 58 inches or taller must pay $10 to skate. You can also rent skates ($15 for adults, $10 for kids), rent lockers, and get your skates sharpened ($7). New Year’s hours: Dec 31st: 8:00 AM – 1:00PM; Jan 1st: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
From now until mid-March, enjoy outdoor ice skating at Skate @ Canal District (300 Athenaeum St) in Kendall Square. Lessons and season passes are available. All-day admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students + seniors, and $1 for children 13 and under. Open daily (M, T: Noon - 5 pm; W, TH: Noon - 8 pm; Sat: 11 am - 9 pm; Sun: 11 am - 6 pm).
Located right behind the Stony Brook MBTA stop, the DCR Kelly Outdoor Rink (1 Marbury Terrace) in Jamaica Pain is a volunteer-run, donor-supported operation. Open now through mid-March, Sunday through Friday: 12 pm – 7:30 pm, Saturday: 1 pm – 7:30 pm. Skating is free, and all-day skate rental is $4 cash ($5 credit card).
winter markets
Farmer’s Market season never ends in Boston; it just moves inside. Visit Somerville’s Winter Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm inside The Center for the Arts at the Armory (191 Highland Ave).
Jamaica Plain holds its weekly Farmers Market every Saturday from 12 pm - 3 pm year round in the Bank of America (677 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, 02130) parking lot.
Rosalind Village is celebrating the return of its Winter Farmers Market. Every Sunday from 11 am - 2 pm in the ABCD Parking Lot (32 Birch St, Boston, 02131), shop fresh produce, meat, fruits, and specialty foods, plus appearances from summer market favorites, including The Neighborhood Farm and Lilac Hedge Far.
Reply