Events

10 free things to do in Boston in December

From holiday lights to short films to concerts, there's plenty of free fun in the city in December.

Light Up Seaport
Meet Betty the Yeti at Light Up Seaport on Dec. 5. Light Up Seaport

By Cheryl Fenton

4 minutes to read

Embracing the holiday season doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Throughout the month, you can appreciate a peaceful candlelight stroll with a cup of cocoa, hit the slopes on your trusty sled, celebrate with outdoor twinkle lights galore, and listen to live holiday music, all without shelling out a dime. Read on to discover 10 things to do in Boston for free this December.

1. Take to the frozen hills

When the city is covered in snow, make the most of the city’s snowy slopes and join fellow sledders, tubers, and tobogganists for a day of sledding in Boston. Pair it with your thermos of hot cocoa and you’ve got yourself the makings of an East Coast winter wonderland. Try out Flagstaff Hill in Boston Common, the Sugar Bowl in JP, Peters Hill at Arnold Arboretum, Olmsted Park, Franklin Park, and Dorchester Park, to name a few. (various locations)

2. Stroll a park twinkling with holiday lights

The night shines with 7,000 lights on the special Boston Common Holiday Tree
gifted to the city by Nova Scotia for the 84th annual Boston Common Tree
Lighting on Dec. 4. The sampling village begins at 6 p.m. and features a photo-
op, giveaways, and refreshments. The holiday lights throughout both parks follow the fun by lighting up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when Mayor Michelle Wu is joined onstage by Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to flip the switch. (139 Tremont St., Boston)

3. Hang out with Betty the Yeti

The pink and plush celebrity returns on Dec. 5 for her ninth year of holiday
revelry at “Light Up Seaport.” Dancing to beats by DJ Brian Halligan, Betty will be doling out treats from Puffy Clouds Boston from 5 to 8 p.m. The festivities
continue with music from Boston City Singles, Hill House The Band, Grace By
Nia’s The Gracenotes, Lourde Childs, and Bermuda Search Party from 6 to 8
p.m., and the grand tree lighting is at 7:20 p.m. If you hold Insider VIP status,
stop by Betty’s Blizzard Bluff at The Superette to grab a free Betty the Yeti
beanie, while supplies last. (Seaport Common, Boston)

4. Satisfy your love of short films

The Goethe-Institut Boston hosts RPM’s Short Film Festival on Dec. 6, which
allows for a deep dive into the world of cinema during 14 films over the course of six and a half hours. Films are presented in three different sections: two films at 2 p.m.; six short films from Germany at 4 p.m.; and the work of Swedish artist Gunvor Nelson at 7 p.m. Entrance is free with RSVP for each viewing section.(170 Beacon St., Boston)

5. Surround yourself with peaceful candlelight

Enjoy hot chocolate and sweet treats as you stroll Boston’s “Candlelit Labyrinth Walk: In Peace & Harmony” on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. On Dec. 7 at 4:45
p.m., the Armenian Heritage Park transforms into a glowing celebration of the
peace of the season, complete with a Wishing Tree and dove cards to decorate.
You can also share the warmth with others by bringing a winter hat, scarf, or
gloves to donate to the ABCD Winter Coat Drive. RSVP is appreciated by
emailing [email protected]. (Rose Kennedy Greenway, Atlantic
Ave. and Mercantile St. between Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Christopher
Columbus Park, Boston)

Participants in a previous Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll in Boston.

6. Welcome the season with handbells

Whether you’re an enthusiast or looking for a unique musical experience, the Old South Ringers’ 15th annual free Christmas Concert delivers. Held within the stunning Old South Church on Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), this holiday event showcases magical melodies of the season on traditional English handbells. During the hour-long concert, you’ll experience the mesmerizing sounds of this local choir as they play both secular and sacred holiday favorites. (645 Boylston St., Boston)

7. Listen to holiday favorites

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra’s (BYSO) Intensive Community Program
presents its annual holiday concert, featuring ICP musicians performing seasonal favorites and a festive singalong. This rigorous string instrument training program within the BYSO brings quality classical music instruction to underrepresented communities, and for an exciting two hours on Dec. 13 at 5 p.m., you’ll enjoy the culmination of all the talent and hard work. (Tsai Performance Center, 685 Commonwealth Ave., Boston)

8. Celebrate Hanukkah with a Menorah Lighting

Public menorah lightings to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights take place
around Boston throughout the celebration’s eight nights, beginning this year on the evening of Dec. 14 and running through Dec. 22. One of New England’s tallest menorahs is located at Brewer Fountain on Boston Common, where a grand lighting ceremony will take place on Dec. 14 around 4 p.m., with special guests, live music, holiday treats, and warm beverages. You’ll find others at the Massachusetts State House, Faneuil Marketplace, Copley Square, and the Museum of Fine Arts. (various locations around Boston)

9. Ring in the new year

As the year comes to a close, First Night Boston 2025 brings together as many
as 1 million people to celebrate, beginning in the newly refurbished City Hall
Plaza at noon on Dec. 31 and continuing with programming throughout the day and night. Free entertainment and special attractions around Copley Square and Back Bay include cultural and musical performances in various indoor venues, fantastic ice sculptures at City Hall, Boston Common, and other locations, light displays, the People’s Procession at 6 p.m., and Family Fireworks at 7 p.m. over the Boston Common. Moments before midnight, join in on the signature Countdown pyrotechnics and light show in Copley Square. (City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Sq., Boston)

10. Enjoy a Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll

Organized by Boston Harbor Now, the signature Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll returns again this year on Dec. 31 from 1 to 5 p.m. It promises to bring the magic of the season to life through a sparkling trail of dozens of intricate ice sculptures hosted by businesses and cultural landmarks along Boston’s waterfront. Participate in the Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll selfie contest and enter to win a staycation prize package for two. (numerous locations along Boston’s waterfront)

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile