Free Things To Do in Boston

• First Baptist Church
• Recurring daily

Come see the only holiday projection show in Boston! The JP Holiday Light Show will run every evening from 5:00 – 9:00pm, from Saturday, December 7 until Saturday, January 4, 2025. Shows will occur on the hour and half hour. Music is available through your mobile device…

• SoWa Art + Design District
• Recurring weekly on Sunday

Spend a Sunday afternoon at 450 Harrison Ave, and meet the artists directly. Family friendly and free event. Plenty of parking is available. SoWa Artists Guild Facebook/SoWa Artists Guild Instagram/SoWa Artists Guild

• Boston Common - Near Park Street Station

Join the Chabad of Downtown Boston for their 41st annual Menorah lighting on the Boston Common. All are welcome! Here's what to expect: The Lighting of a Giant 22' Menorah- one of New England's Tallest Menorahs! Greeting from dignitaries, local elected officials, and community…

• Seaport Blvd next to the Icon Theater

Join us for our Grand Seaport Menorah Lighting & Spectacular LED Show at the Seaport. All are welcome! Here's what to expect: Kindling the giant 9' Menorah Live music Chanukah treats & more! Fun for the whole family Great holiday venue RSVP (appreciated) Click here

• City Hall, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and more

Since 1976, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, the wonders of the season, and the beginning of a new year. In keeping with this fantastic Boston tradition, the First Night celebration will open 2025 with an array of performances…

• 344 Congress St
• Recurring weekly on Saturday

The Boston Fire Museum houses some of the oldest devices used to fight fires in Boston. In addition to buckets, trumpets, and fire grenades, you will also see some of the earliest examples of fire engines – some dating back to 1793. Tour Availability: Saturday Saturday…

• 855 Commonwealth Ave
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

The BU Art Galleries host a variety of ongoing exhibitions in three locations on the University campus focused on national and regional artistic endeavors. Tours Availability: Tuesday – Sunday (closed on holidays recognized by the school) Gallery Hours: 11 pm - 5 pm

• 43 Monument Ave
• Recurring daily

The Bunker Hill Museum’s exhibits and dioramas tell the stories of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the construction of the Monument, and the history of the Charlestown Neighborhood. The museum is housed in the old Charlestown branch of the Boston Public Library. Guests can request…

• Commonwealth Museum
• Recurring daily

The Commonwealth Museum brings history alive through exhibits and educational programs. Changing exhibits interpret artifacts and documents that illuminate Massachusetts history. The exhibits featured are typically focused on the work and words of men like John Hancock, Samuel…

• Harvard Art Museums
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Discover an array of artworks that transcend borders and spotlight the complexities of modern German identity. Made in Germany? Art and Identity in a Global Nation takes an unprecedented look at German art since 1980. Featuring artists from different generations and diverse…

• Massachusetts Historical Society
• Recurring daily

Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society is the nation's oldest historical society. The collections bring alive the stories of America's past through a series of changing exhibitions and public programs that are free to the public. Availability: Monday…

• McMullen Museum of Art
• Recurring daily

If you’re in the mood for a different kind of art, this museum houses collections loaned from institutions and art collectors all over the globe. Due to their reliance on loans, their exhibitions change quite frequently. In the span of a year, you could see pieces from China…

• MIT List Visual Arts Center
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

The MIT List Visual Arts Center offers visitors a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions in the galleries, as well as renowned permanent and public art collections located across the Institute making it an excellent location to discover unique artistic visions. Availability…

• Dorchester Brewing Co.
• Recurring daily

MOBA is the world's only museum dedicated to the collection, exhibition, and celebration of art that would not be welcomed to any traditional art museum. Our collection includes sincere art in which something has gone wrong in a way that results in a compelling, interesting…

• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• Recurring daily

On the Gardner Museum’s Anne H. Fitzpatrick Façade, Mickalene Thomas uses photographic collage to immortalize her first muse: her mother. On view from October 1, 2024 – February 17, 2025, Sandra, She’s a Beauty, 2009 is an homage by a daughter, an aspirational mirror, and…

• USS Constitution Museum
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Old Ironsides is one of the most famous ships in the history of the United States. Learn about the legacy of the USS Constitution ship, the world's oldest commissioned warship, at the USS Constitution Museum. The museum of this historic vessel is open to the public for free…

• Waterworks Museum
• Recurring daily

The Waterworks Museum interprets unique stories of the country's first metropolitan water system through exhibitions and educational programs on engineering, architecture, social history, and public health. Located along the Chestnut Hill reservoir, the Waterworks Museum…

• Rose Kennedy Greenway
• Recurring daily

The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy today announced the commission and upcoming installation of the next Dewey Square mural from artist Jeffrey Gibson next month. Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, is celebrated globally for his…

• Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital
• Recurring weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

The Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation tells the rich story of Massachusetts General Hospital's two centuries of history. Visit us to learn about the hospital's important contributions to the medical field and see how these discoveries and advancements…

• 1 Faneuil Hall Sq Ste 4
• Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Located on the top floor of the historic Faneuil Hall, the Military Museum and Armory displays uniforms, medals, and weaponry from The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, among other, more modern military artifacts. Learn about the soldiers of the Ancient…

• 685 Commonwealth Ave
• Recurring weekly on Wednesday

This astronomical observatory owned and operated by Boston University. It's located on the roof of the College of Arts & Sciences and offers free public hours on Wednesday nights. • Although it won’t cost you a dime, you do need to obtain tickets ahead of time because there…

• Institute of Contemporary Art
• Recurring weekly on Thursday

The ICA is free for all visitors every Thursday from 5 to 9 PM. Tickets for Free Thursday Nights will be available at icaboston.org/tickets at 10 AM on that Thursday morning. Beginning May 29, in line with the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and…

• First Baptist Church
• Recurring daily

Come see the only holiday projection show in Boston! The JP Holiday Light Show will run every evening from 5:00 – 9:00pm, from Saturday, December 7 until Saturday, January 4, 2025. Shows will occur on the hour and half hour. Music is available through your mobile device…

• Boston Common - Near Park Street Station

Join the Chabad of Downtown Boston for their 41st annual Menorah lighting on the Boston Common. All are welcome! Here's what to expect: The Lighting of a Giant 22' Menorah- one of New England's Tallest Menorahs! Greeting from dignitaries, local elected officials, and community…

• Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Join us for our indoor Chanukkah celebration at Faneuil Hall Quincy Market Place. All are welcome! What to expect: Kindling the giant Menorah Spectacular show Live music Chanukah treats & more! Children's A&C Fun for the whole family Great holiday venue

• Seaport Blvd next to the Icon Theater

Join us for our Grand Seaport Menorah Lighting & Spectacular LED Show at the Seaport. All are welcome! Here's what to expect: Kindling the giant 9' Menorah Live music Chanukah treats & more! Fun for the whole family Great holiday venue RSVP (appreciated) Click here

• City Hall, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and more

Since 1976, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, the wonders of the season, and the beginning of a new year. In keeping with this fantastic Boston tradition, the First Night celebration will open 2025 with an array of performances…

• The First Church of Christ, Scientist

The Pipes on the Plaza organ concert series continues at the Christian Science Plaza for 2024. Experience the glorious sounds of one of the world’s largest pipe organs at our upcoming organ concert at The Mother Church, featuring Ross Wood, Associate Organist at Parish of All…

• First Church, Cambridge

Join us for a free community concert at First Church, Cambridge on January 26, 2025 Jenny Ahn and Ala Jojatu, violins Cathy Basrak, viola Christine Lee, cello KORNGOLD String Quartet No. 2 in E-flat, Op. 26 BEETHOVEN String Quartet No. 7 in F, Op. 59, No. 1, Razumovsky

• Arlington Street Church, Boston

Powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist Nadia Washington makes her Celebrity Series debut as a headliner with her Quartet after performing in Jazz Along The Charles and Code Listen in the past. Share an afternoon of heartfelt original music that effortlessly traverses…

• The First Church of Christ, Scientist
• Recurring daily

You’re warmly invited to participate in festive and uplifting Bible-themed Christmas celebrations at The Mother Church Reading Room! Feel the joyous embrace of the Christmas season at your local Christian Science Reading Room. There will be Bible-themed events each day at 1 p.m…

• Boston Area Spanish Exchange (BASE)
• Recurring weekly on Friday

Join us for Spanish for Lunch! Free Open-level informal online conversation workshops at lunch time. Los viernes, del 3 al 31 de enero de 2025 De 12 pm a 1 pm. All levels are welcome for these free informal Spanish conversation opportunities. Free admission, rsvp required. Video…

• Cambridge
• Recurring daily

This tour provides an opportunity to visit and interact with the spaces that influential Black women in Cambridge inhabited during the 19th century. These historical figures include Harriet Jacobs, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Alberta V. Scott, Pauline Hopkins, Maria Baldwin, Mary…

• 256 Commonwealth ave.
• Recurring daily

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Boston Women’s Memorial, special recordings have been created for the statues of prominent women's rights advocates, enabling the statues to speak! This memorial, which is also one of the stops on the Boston Women's Heritage Trail…

• Faneuil Hall Marketplace
• Recurring weekly on Saturday

Join us for a free tour of Quincy Market's history, geography, and architecture. The guided tour occurs on Saturdays at 11am. Meet your tour guide, Linda Perlman, in front of Starbucks at 8 North Market.

• Recurring daily

Take a self-guided tour of Grove Hall and Nubian Square. Download the mobile app by visiting the Google Play or Apple app store · Download the 'Distrix' app · Make sure location is on · Select Roxbury Memory Trail · Have fun!

• The First Church of Christ, Scientist
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday

Join us for free tours of the original Romanesque church (The Mother Church Original, 1894) and the Byzantine-Renaissance extension (The Mother Church Extension, 1906), which houses one of the world’s largest pipe organs. Friday: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Saturday…