What to do in Boston this weekend (Jan 16 - 18)

If you have an event, a new attraction, a hotel, or a restaurant opening you’d like me to cover, please reach out!

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Time ran out for Time Out Market. The Fenway neighborhood food hall will be closing its doors on January 23. The CEO cites “inconsistent footfall” and increased operating costs preventing “consistent profitability” as the reasons behind the decision. (CBS News)

Things are looking up. Boston Magazine published its list of the most anticipated Boston restaurants of 2026, with at least 17 already generating buzz. Highlights include Daily Provisions in Seaport, next to Ci Siamo, a homey, “approachable” Italian eatery from Danny Meyer and Union Hospitality Group. Plus, C’Yool, a Yemeni coffee shop and bakery coming to the South End; Doune & Pepe, “Caribbean fusion from Haitian food experts” in Dorchester; and Eastern Edge, a new food hall coming to Kendall Square with globe-trotting vibes.

RIP, Dugout Cafe. After almost 100 years, the Dugout Cafe has permanently closed its doors. This follows the news that the bar’s liquor license was sold to the upcoming Seaport District location of Earl’s Kitchen and Bar, per Universal Hub. (Boston Restaurant Talk)

According to FamilyVacationist, four New England hotels and resorts are some of the best places in the U.S. for families to vacation. The locations include Inn by the Sea (Cape Elizabeth, Maine), Topnotch Resort (Stowe, VT), Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa (Bretton Woods, NH), and Weekapaug Inn (Westerly, RI).

Beginning January 21, citizens from 25 countries must post a $15,000 bond to visit the US. This is in addition to the 13 current nations the US requires visitors to post a bond from. New countries include Fiji, Cuba, Dominica, Algeria, and Venezuela. (CN Traveler)

Welcome back, Winteractive. Boston’s annual outdoor winter art exhibits have officially gone up at 18 different spots around the city. Click here for a full rundown of where to find this year’s installations.

Goodbye, Weeping Willow. One of Boston Public Garden’s iconic willows will be coming down this spring after more than 50 years of standing sentry over the swan pond. Unfortunately, this particular willow has reached the end of its natural lifespan, but it will be replaced with a new willow this spring. (Boston.com)

The windiest city. Boston had more than 100 days with winds topping 30 mph in 2025, thanks to a warmer-than-usual year in the Gulf of Maine and a robust storm season. (The Boston Globe)

What I’m reading this week:

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A curated rundown of unique events happening this (long for some) weekend in and around Boston that I’m either attending or wishing I were. If you’re looking for weekly happenings, like wine tastings and yoga classes, scroll to the next section.

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The Boston Celtic Music Festival returns to Cambridge for its 23rd year from Thursday, January 15, through Sunday, January 18. Various venues will be hosting a full lineup of performances, including Old Blind Dogs, Altan, Boston Urban Celidh, and more. Some tickets are still available.

Get cozy at Snug Life, a convention focused on the comforts of life, on Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, at The Charles River Speedway (525 Western Ave, Boston, MA 02135). Shop blankets, baked goods, knitwear, plants, rugs, candles, flannels, and more from local vendors. Plus snacks from Pizza Project, The Koji Club, Tandoora Curry on Wheels, Wanderlust Global Food, and Rite Boston. Free entry with food and drink available for purchase.

Get a limited preview of The Rink at Tallship from Friday, January 16, through Tuesday, February 10. Enjoy 60-minute ice skating sessions along Boston Harbor either in the rink or on a scenic loop. Or, tap into your inner child with ice bumper cars. Plus, warm up with drinks and snacks at the skate-up bar. Dates will be limited until the grand opening (Feb 11). See the full calendar for details.

Recurring: Every Friday in January, Short Path Distillery (71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149) is taking reservations for their Apres Ski Cocktail Speakeasy Pop Up. Think twinkle lights, hot boozy drinks, and winter classics. Reservations required.

Learn a new skill, or brush up on old ones, at the Winter Mixology Class on Friday, January 16, from 7 to 9 pm at Short Path Distillery (71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149). After receiving a glass of welcome punch and a distillery tour, you’ll get a hands-on workshop with spirit specialist Christine Boussalini. Tickets are $65 and include materials or two winter cocktails.

Flow for a cause at the Benefit Yoga Class at Remant Brewing (2 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143) on Saturday, January 17, from 9 to 10 am. The class is a benefit for Tamy, owner of Maca Boston, also located inside Bow Market, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Appropriate for all levels. Suggested donations: $20.

Join Drawdown Brewing (3204 Washington St, Boston, MA 02130) for an afternoon of crafts and cozy vibes at Color & Drawdown on Saturday, January 17, from 12 to 3 pm. Grab a beer and a few coloring pages and color away the January blues. Drawdown will be supplying coloring pages and colored pencils. Feel free to BYO sketchbooks, planners, etc. This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase.

Celebrate Japanese New Year on Saturday, January 17, from 12 to 4 pm at Bow Market (1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143). Nagomi Bento will host a festive celebration featuring traditional food, music, crafts, and more. Entry is free. Food and drink are available for purchase.

In honor of Edgar Allen Poe’s birthday, Boston Public Library (700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116) will be hosting a special talk, The Raven in the Frog Pond: Edgar Allen Poe and the Boston Literati in 1845, on Saturday, January 17, from 2 to 3 pm. Paul Lewis, Professor Emeritus at Boston College, will be discussing 1845, Poe’s best and worst year, and lead a special group recitation of “The Raven.” This is a free event.

End the weekend with Sunday Morning Yoga with Live Piano (& a mini concert) at Museum of Modern Renaissance (115 College Ave, Somerville, MA 02144) on Sunday, January 18, from 10 to 11:30 am. This class is appropriate for all levels. Tickets are $39.19.

Grab your sweetheart for an afternoon of screen-free fun at Bloom Together: Couples’ Floral Arrangement & Tapas Afternoon on Sunday, January 18, from 3 to 5 pm at Romano Florist (206 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113). Floral designer (+ Romano owner) Connie will lead you through the creation of your very own piece of living art while you snack on tapas from North End Lobster Co. Tickets are $75 per couple.

Embrace the hygge vibes at the Free Cozy Beverage and Spiced Popcorn Bar at both Curio Spice Co locations (2267 Mass Ave, Cambridge + Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St, Boston) on Sunday, January 18, from 12 to 4 pm. Test some of Curio’s top sellers of 2025 and find your favorite new spice or cookbook. This is a free event.

Enjoy an afternoon of music at the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Community Chamber Concert on Sunday, January 18, from 2 to 5:30 pm at the Veronica Robles Cultural Center (282 Meridian St, East Boston, MA 02128). The program was chosen by the musicians, highlighting lesser-known works they’re excited to share. This is a free event.

Get a head start on spring cleaning at the Book Swap at Porter Square Books: Boston Edition (50 Liberty Dr, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02210). Bring as many books as you’d like, but you must leave with the same number you brought (you’ll be given numbers when you check in). This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase from Travelmug Cafe.

Enjoy free admission to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), Franklin Park Zoo, Stone Zoo, and Peabody Essex Museum.

Join Faneuil Hall for A Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 19, from 1 to 2 pm. There will be performances of classical works, spirituals, and freedom songs, alongside remarks, readings, and spoken-word tributes to Dr. King’s legacy. Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah, Boston’s Poet Laureate, will be delivering the keynote. This is a free event.

Listen to the Soundtrack of MLK’s Life with George Russel Jr. and Friends on Monday, January 19, from 10:30 am to 2 pm at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (Columbia Point, Dorchester, MA 02125). This is a free event.

Grab a drink and join Aeronaut Brewing (14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA) for Astronomy on Tap: Radio Astronomy on Monday, January 19, from 6 to 8 pm. Learn about the history of radio astronomy, including the discovery of pulsars and the first black hole images. This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase.

As a reminder, the Commuter Rail has $10 weekend passes, which give the ticket holder unlimited travel on Saturday and Sunday. The pass is activated during your first trip on Saturday and remains active until Sunday night.

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Shop the Charles River Farmers’ Market every Friday (12 - 6 pm) and Sunday (10 am - 3 pm) at The Charles Hotel (1 Bennet St, Cambridge, MA, 02138). During the winter, vendors are set up in red sheds and still have fresh bread, pasta, meat, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Jamaica Plain holds its weekly Farmers Market every Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm year-round in the Bank of America parking lot (677 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, 02130).

Shop the legendary Haymarket, America’s oldest open-air market, every Friday and Saturday from 6 am to 7 pm. Vendors offer fresh, affordable produce, dairy products, meat, and seafood. Just steps from Boston Public Market and MBTA’s Haymarket Station.

Every Saturday from November 1, 2025, through April 11, 2026, you can shop for local and healthy foods at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market at Arts at the Armory (191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143). The market is held weekly from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm except for 11/29/25 and 12/27/25.

Boston Common Frog Pond Ice Skating is now open. Admission price is based on height: $12 for 58 inches and over, while anyone 58 inches and under is free. Locker rentals and skate rentals are also available.

Skate at DCR Kelly Outdoor Rink (Jamaica Plain) for $0 Sunday through Friday from 12 to 7:30 pm. Skate rentals are available for $4 (or $5 with a credit card).

Brookline’s Jack Kirrane Rink at Larz Anderson Park (Brookline) is open daily except Wednesdays (Fri: 12 - 3, 6 - 8 pm. Sat + Sun: 12 - 2; 2:30 - 4-30 pm. Tues + Thurs: 9 - 12). Admission is $10. Skate rentals are $8.

Kendall Square’s Skate @ Canal District is open daily (M: 12 - 5 pm, Tues - Thurs: 12 - 8 pm, F: 12 - 9 pm, Sat: 11 - 9 pm, Sun: 11 am - 6 pm). Admission is $7. Skate rentals are $12.

You can find a full rundown of recurring walking tours, food tours, bus tours, and trolley tours of Boston in my Beginner’s Guide to Boston.

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.

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 a complimentary non-alcoholic drink.

Or, if you’re looking for a grounding experience free of any alcohol, join NamaStay Sober’s weekly free Yoga Session at The Point Yoga and Barre Revere (56 Salt St, Revere, MA 02151). These sessions are appropriate for all levels, including beginners.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to navigate Boston by bicycle but have been too intimidated to start, join a Weekend In-And-Back Guided Ride with A Better City TMA. On Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm this spring and summer, join a free, three-hour bicycle ride from one of the many bike paths outside the city (meeting location disclosed upon sign up) and traverse the Urban Loop through downtown before returning to the start location.

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.

Love Child hosts free wine tastings every Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm and Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm at their South Boston location (364 West Broadway, Boston, MA). These tastings are free and require no reservations.

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 can learn and connect over perfectly brewed, high-quality, sustainable coffee.

Come to DeLuca’s Market Wine Cellar (11 Charles Street, Boston, MA 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.

On Saturdays, Boston Harbor Distillery (12R Ericsson St, Boston, 02122) leads VIP tours ($50) and barrel-side tastings of their spirits ($20).