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.
Get ready for a week of creativity and curiosity at the Foundry Family Festival, happening February 14–21! The festival is packed with hands-on arts and STEM activities for all ages and experience levels, perfect for families looking to learn, play, and explore together.
3. Attend a seasonal performance.
St. Paul’s Choir School kicks off the season with “Christmas in Harvard Square” on December 7 and 14. “Midwinter Revels“, another cherished Harvard Square tradition, follows December 12–28 at Sanders Theatre. Then the New Year starts off on a high note at Club Passim’s Boston Celtic Music Festival, January 15–18. The excitement keeps rolling into February with Harvard’s famous Hasty Pudding and Woman of the Year roasts.
4. Celebrate a holiday in Cambridge.
Ring in the Lunar New Year with special menus at local restaurants like Wusong Road and Sumiao Hunan Kitchen. For Valentine’s Day, Giulia and Urban Hearth provide intimate settings with unforgettable cuisine.
5. Treat yourself to a staycation.
The Charles Hotel invites guests to ring in the New Year with a special holiday stay! Plus what better way to start off the year than with a relaxing visit to their onsite spa, Corbu? In February, the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel offers a romantic Valentine’s Day package. Located next to shopping at CambridgeSide and near restaurants like Monteverdi and the Helmand, it’s the ultimate date night destination.
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 starting November 29. Their season kicks off with an ice show plus free ice skating during Canal District Kendall’s annual Winter Market, December 13 and 14.
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 20–December 28. Curl up by the fireplace with whimsical libations and light bites. 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.
Tag us in your winter adventures (@CambridgeUSA) for a chance to be featured on our social media!
