The temperatures may be cooling down, but Cambridge is heating up with wintertime fun! See how many activities you can check off our winter bucket list:
1. Visit Mount Auburn Cemetery.
This season is a wonderful time to explore the grounds of Mount Auburn Cemetery, America's first garden cemetery. The evergreens here shine in wintertime! You can spot Douglas firs, dawn redwoods and more gorgeous trees. Visitors are welcome daily and admission is free. For another way to see the cemetery, reserve tickets to SOLSTICE: Reflections on Winter Light. The lights and music show is offered on select nights in December.
2. Have fun at a Cambridge festival.
Sample local businesses at Harvard Square's Taste of Chocolate Festival. The annual weekend festival returns January 23–26, with a chocolate tasting on January 25. More fun happens at the weeklong Foundry Family Festival in February. The family-friendly fest is packed with arts and STEM activities for all ages and skill levels.
3. Dine in an igloo.
Don’t let the winter weather keep you from dining outdoors! Stay warm in heated igloos on an outdoor patio at Royal Sonesta’s ArtBar. The cozy riverside igloos are open for brunch, lunch and dinner beginning November 28.
4. Attend a seasonal performance.
St. Paul’s Choir School kicks off the season with “Christmas in Harvard Square” on December 8 and 15. “Midwinter Revels,” another cherished Harvard Square tradition, follows December 13–28 at Sanders Theatre. Then the New Year starts off on a high note at Club Passim’s Boston Celtic Music Festival January 16–19. The excitement keeps rolling into February with Harvard’s famous Hasty Pudding Man and Woman of the Year roasts.
5. Celebrate a holiday in Cambridge.
Count down to the New Year at Lamplighter Brewing Co.’s annual New Year’s Eve parties, happening at both their CX and Broadway taprooms. Then ring in the Lunar New Year with special menus at local restaurants like Wusong Road and Sumiao Hunan Kitchen. Plus, Cambridge hotels like Kimpton Marlowe Hotel and The Charles Hotel offer romantic packages for two; the perfect excuse for a Valentine’s Day getaway in Cambridge!
6. Take a tour.
Charles River Boat Company runs holiday-inspired riverboat cruises on the Charles River throughout December. While Off the Beaten Path Food Tours run year-round, stops like Flour Bakery switch out their tour offerings seasonally. During the chillier months, warm up with Flour's rich hot chocolate on the Harvard Square Chocolate Tour.
7. Ice skate at Canal District Kendall.
Cold weather means it's time to break out your skates! Located in the heart of Kendall Square, the ice skating rink at Canal District Kendall is open daily through mid-March. Their season kicks off with an ice show plus free ice skating during Canal District Kendall's annual Winter Market.
8. Try seasonal food and drink.
Embrace wintertime with themed eats and drinks! Restaurants across Cambridge unveil special menus for the season. Order seasonal lattes at 1369 Coffee House or try delicious ice cream treats at New City Microcreamery, just a couple of many Cambridge restaurants with winter-inspired eats.
9. Shop local.
Whether you’re shopping for the holidays or searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day present, you’re sure to find a unique gift at a local business. Outdoor markets and shopping strolls fill Cambridge’s neighborhoods through December. You can also support small businesses throughout the year. Find local businesses to shop with the City’s Business Diversity Directory.
10. Pop into a pop-up bar.
Miracle Bar at the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel is decked out in Christmas decor November 29–December 24. Curl up by the fireplace with whimsical libations and light bites. December 2–January 1, The Charles Hotel's Noir transforms for Maccabee Bar, the only Hanukkah-themed bar in the Boston area. The pop-up serves themed cocktails like Cold Kiddush and Latke Sour.
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