Looking for interesting things to do in Boston in January?
Boston hotels offer their cheapest rates this month, and the city is full of fun activities and events.
Outdoors, winter sports hold center stage at TD Garden, Fenway Park, local ice rinks, and ski slopes.
Indoors, Boston cultural venues, restaurants, and nightlife provide lots to do.
In Boston's Theatre District, the theater season is in full swing. Two big wine events add extra warmth. And Boston sports fans get to cheer the Celtics, Bruins, and the Patriots (assuming the Pats proceed to the playoffs).
January always feels like the coldest and snowiest month of the year in Boston. And often, it is. But the sky is luminous, even when cloudy, and as the month goes by, you may even notice the days getting a tiny bit longer.
If you're planning what to do in Boston in January, here are some fun activities to consider. Be sure to also check the Boston Event Calendar for January.
Top photo: Snowy day in Boston's Public Garden
Head for the Slopes
Several excellent downhill and cross country ski areas are located near Boston, less than an hour outside of the city - perfect for a day or even a weekend. Snowboarding and tubing are also available at some of them.
Just a little farther away in the Berkshires, you will find even more possibilities, including luxury ski resorts for romantic weekend getaways.
True, you will not imagine you are in the Alps - but these ski slopes near Boston offer you convenient places to learn, plenty of fun, and an easy opportunity to get out and enjoy January.
If you have slightly more time and want greater challenges, head to steeper slopes at ski areas and resorts (some of which are quite fancy) in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. Find out more in our complete guide to New England ski areas and resorts.
Immerse Yourself in Spectator Sports
Prefer to enjoy winter sports inside? TD Garden, conveniently located adjacent to North Station, provides an almost non-stop schedule of Boston Bruins hockey games and Boston Celtics basketball games during January.
You can easily get to TD Garden on the T (Boston's subway) - just take the Green or Orange Line to North Station, and enter directly from the station.
TD Garden Lineup for January:
Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets. Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.
Bundle Up & Go Ice Skating
Go ice skating on Frog Pond in Boston Common, or cross Charles Street to the Public Garden and "skate" across the frozen Lagoon - no actual skates required!
Find more places for ice skating in Boston
2 Easy Ways to Save BIG in Boston
Find out more about Boston discount cards, and how they give you big savings on top attractions.
Ignore the Cold . . . Take a Fun Tour around Boston
Don't let nippy January weather keep you from touring the city! You may be surprised by the interesting tours you can take even when the weather doesn't cooperate - luxurious dinner cruises on Boston Harbor (that's where the gorgeous winter sunset view in the above photo of Boston's skyline was taken), walking tours, even museum tours . . . plus lots more!
Or, go on a self-guided tour along the historic Freedom Trail. Set your own pace, and if the temperature feels frosty, pop into one of Boston's many bistros and pubs to warm up and enjoy a bite of local fare.
Too cold to walk the entire Trail? Head for the warmer indoor sites - go inside Paul Revere's house in the North End, join a free tour of the USS Constitution, aka "Old Ironsides," in Charlestown, or explore history in the Old State House and Old South Meeting House museums in downtown Boston.
Even better - visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace, right on the Freedom Trail. You'll find plenty of great shopping (and maybe some great January sales). Festive holiday decorations usually remain in place and provide good cheer until the end of the month.
More Fun Tours for January:
Stay Warm - See a Show in Boston's Downtown Theatre District
Boston's theater season gets into full swing during the winter months - perhaps because our ornate historic theaters seem especially cozy and appealing on cold winter nights. Check out the January theater schedule:
Top January Shows in Boston
Check out the Boston theater schedule for January with an exciting lineup of touring Broadway shows, musicals, kids shows, plays, and comedy:
- Every Brilliant Thing (English and Spanish performances) - Chelsea Theatre Works, Chelsea - Through Jan 19, 2025
- Crumbs from the Table of Joy - Lyric Stage - January 10 - Feb 2
- Dirty Disney - Charles Playhouse - Jan 10, 24
- Dancing with the Stars - Wang Theatre - Jan 16, 17
- Peter Pan: Theatrical Production - Boston Opera House - January 21 - Feb 2
- Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical - Colonial Theatre - January 25-26
- Blue Man Group - Charles Playhouse - Multiple shows all month
Schedules & Tickets
Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets. Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.
Get a behind-the-scenes tour the Wang Theatre, the crown jewel in Boston's historic Theatre District
Start your evening with dinner in a Theatre District restaurant, and check out more Boston nightlife afterwards.
More about Boston's Theatre District
Plan a Cruise
Did you know that most people book cruises during January? Must be the dismal weather.
Leaving for cruises from Boston from the Cruise Terminal couldn't be easier, and you can pick from exciting itineraries.
Cruise from Boston to . . . Bermuda . . . or Europe . . . or the Caribbean.
Go on a Boston Harbor Cruise
Popular Cruises
- Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
- Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
- Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience! Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar
Holiday Cruises
- Holiday Brunch on the Northern Lights- See historic sights and panoramic views around Boston Harbor with friends and family as you enjoy this relaxing cruise with brunch, hot chocolate, and holiday cheer - Book now
- Holiday Cocoa & Carols Cruise on the Northern Lights - Sip hot chocolate and treats as you listen to jazzy holiday favorites on this festive cruise - Book now
- Holiday Sunset Cruise on the Northern Lights - Enjoy gorgoeous sunset views over the Boston skyline, a cup of hot chocolate, classic holiday hits as you cruise on the festively decorated 1920's style yacht around Boston Harbor - Book now
- Gift Card - Give the perfect holiday gift! Shop now
New Year's Eve & New Year's Day Cruises
- New Year's Eve Cruise - Say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025 on this elegant Boston Harbor cruise with fireworks, live music, and gourmet appetizers; purchase the beverage of your choice onboard - or pre-order a bottle of Moet & Chandon when you book - Book now
- New Year's Day Brunch Cruise - Welcome the New Year with a tasty hot 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing tour around Boston Harbor - perfect start to the New Year! - Book now
- Gift Card - Give the perfect holiday gift! Shop now
Valentine's Day Cruise
- Romantic Valentine's Day Jazz & Champagne Tasting Cruise - Toast your valentine on this romantic evening cruise as you sample 3 champagnes and nibble on chocolate-covered strawberries while a live jazz band plays in the background. Capacity is limited, and these special cruises always sell out early. February 14 and 15
Capture Some Winter Scenes
Right after a snowfall, the city can be at its most beautiful. Bundle up and go out with your camera to photograph the seasonal beauty. Check out Boston weather in January to know what to expect (hint: not every January day is cold!).
Eat, Drink, & Be Merry
Q. What are good things to do in Boston in January when weather gets really, really miserable? You know . . . howling winds, sub-zero windchill, and lead-gray skies?
A. Stay inside and feel miserable - no, wait! That's the wrong answer! The right one is to eat, drink, and be merry. The weather outside may still be lousy - but you'll no longer care.
How to do this? Here's the easy 3-step process:
1. Eat - Make reservations in one of the warm and inviting Boston Italian restaurants.
2. Drink - Participate in one of the Boston wine festival events underway this month - the Boston Wine Festival gets January off to an exciting start, and the annual Boston Wine Expo toward the end of the month gives you the chance to sample wines from the best wineries from around the world.
3. Be merry - Do Steps 1 and 2, and you'll feel quite merry.
Go Gallery-Hopping
January can be the coldest month of the year, but visiting some of Boston's premier art galleries is an ideal way to mix exercise with culture!
Boston's art galleries concentrate in 3 neighborhoods: Back Bay, Fort Point, and the South End.
However, Back Bay also offers lots of boutiques for shopping the January sales as well as cozy cafes and coffee bars when you need to warm up - so start there.
Go for Laughs in Boston's Comedy Clubs
January weather may be nothing to laugh at - but the comics in Boston's comedy clubs will find plenty of other topics to amuse you. Most charge small covers, but pack in plenty of laughs. Take a look at what's on offer:
Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets. Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.
Find comedy club shows in Boston
More Fun Ways to See Boston
More Things to Do in Boston in January
Check Out More Top Boston Events Each Month
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Year at a Glance
More Articles about Things to Do in Boston in January
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