Free Holiday Events in Boston, MA
Boston, MA's free holiday events include Artesani Playground, Boston Common Frog Pond, DCR Kelly Outdoor Rink, DCR Steriti Memorial Rink, and Hatch Memorial Shell. Tree lighting ceremonies, holiday parades, and free outdoor concerts typically run late November through December.
Free spray pool in summer, ice skating in winter
38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108 · Daily 6am-11pm, Frog Pond spray pool 11am-6pm (summer)
Real warship from 1797, free to board
Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA 02129 · Daily 9:30am-5pm
Full children's floor, therapy dogs, all free
700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 · Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm
Free, 30 minutes, antique fire engines
344 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210 · Saturdays 10am-4pm
LED swings that glow at night, totally free
420 D St, Boston, MA 02210 · Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 7am-10:30pm
Free wading pool, less crowded than the Esplanade
1255 Soldiers Field Rd, Brighton, MA 02135 · Pool: late Jun-Labor Day 11am-6pm; playground: dawn to dusk
Free concerts all summer, no tickets needed
47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108 · Summer concerts typically Wed and weekend evenings
Seven splash fountains, free, through downtown
Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02111 · Daily dawn to dusk, fountains seasonal
17 miles of path along the Charles. Free. Separate bike and pedestrian lanes. The most obvious running route in the city for a reason.
Storrow Dr, Boston, MA 02116 · Open 24 hours
Basketball and tennis courts in the South End. Free. Community garden next to it. Pickup games after work.
75 W Rutland Sq, Boston, MA 02118 · Daily dawn to dusk
Indoor pool, gym, fitness center -- all free or nearly free. The city's community centers are massively underused.
20 South St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 · Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Gym, dance studio, fitness center, teen center. Pool across the street. Free for residents. East Boston's best-kept secret.
112 Paris St, Boston, MA 02128 · Mon-Fri 9am-8:30pm, Sat 9:30am-4:30pm
Indoor pool in Roxbury. Lap swim starts at 6am. Free for Boston residents.
159 Norfolk Ave, Boston, MA 02119 · Tue-Fri 6am-8:30pm, Sat 7:30am-5pm
Indoor pool open year-round. Doors open at 5:30am on weekdays. Serious lap swimmers use this one.
160 Florence St, Roslindale, MA 02131 · Mon 7am-3pm, Tue-Fri 5:30am-9pm, Sat 7am-3pm
Free. Year-round. 5:55am Wednesday at Harvard Stadium stairs. This is where the whole movement started.
65 N Harvard St, Boston, MA 02163 · Wed 5:55am & 6:30am, Mon & Fri 6:30am
Free admission. Outdoor rink run by DCR. Skate rental $5. Locals only vibe. Open Dec through March.
1 Marbury Ter, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 · Sun-Fri 12pm-7:30pm, Sat 1pm-7:30pm
Gym, pool, computer lab. Free for Boston residents. Dorchester's go-to rec center.
35 Westville St, Dorchester, MA 02124 · Mon-Fri 3pm-8:30pm
Indoor rink in the North End. Free admission. $5 skate rental, cash only. Harbor views from inside. Most locals don't know it exists.
561 Commercial St, Boston, MA 02109 · Varies by day -- call (617) 523-9327 to confirm
No cover, live jazz every single night since 1947
427 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118 · Daily 7pm-1am, jam session Tue-Sat 7-9pm
Free concerts on the Charles River all summer
47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108 · Seasonal, concerts typically 7pm in summer
Live music every night, no cover, food is real
541 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116 · Sun-Wed 5pm-12am, Thu-Sat 5pm-2am, brunch Sat-Sun 10am-3pm
LED swings that glow and change color, free
420 D St, Boston, MA 02210 · Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 7am-10:30pm