Discover Boston's top experiences without breaking the bank.
Free Things To Do in Boston
The Boston area offers an abundance of free and fun activities for everyone. See what's happening in Boston below!
Festivals
Back to Top of List- 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
F1® 75 celebrates the 75th anniversary of Formula 1® on February 18th, highlighting the legendary moments, iconic teams, and unforgettable drivers that have shaped the sport over the years. For the first time ever, all 10 teams will be together with the fans to launch the new…
- City Hall Plaza
Boston City Hall will be turned into a snowboarding park on Saturday, February 22nd when Red Bull Heavy Metal comes to town with some of the top snowboarders in the country competing. Red Bull Heavy Metal is taking the world’s top street snowboarders from the mountains and…
- South Boston
The annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day/ Evacuation Day Parade returns on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 1:00pm! The parade begins at the Broadway 'T' Station, South Boston and ends at Andrew Square. We suggest grabbing a spot anywhere along Broadway to watch the parade! Parade…
Museums & Exhibitions
Back to Top of List- 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…
- Artists For Humanity
- Recurring daily
Aristotle brings us Decade of Decisions: A Retrospective of Aristotle Forrester—a collection of artwork that unearths the connection between ancestral memory and the abstract gesture. Like a jazz composition, each mark inspires and collaborates with the next to build an organism…
- 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
McMullen Museum exhibitions, more than ninety over three decades, comprise works loaned from institutions and collectors around the world. Research-driven with the aim of generating new knowledge on subjects relating to all areas of art history, exhibitions are curated by…
- 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…
- Downtown Boston Alliance
- Recurring daily
Check out Winteractive, Downtown Boston’s Outdoor Winter Art Exhibition! Winteractive is a free, walkable art experience featuring 17 artworks and interactive play elements, presented by the Downtown Boston Alliance. Inspired by the vibrant winter festivals and art exhibitions of…
- 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…
- Hammond Castle Museum
- Recurring daily
Discover, Explore, and Learn at Hammond Castle Museum this February School Vacation Week! Let your child's imagination soar and join us as we welcome school-age children to explore the home and innovative legacy of one of America's most prolific inventors, John Hays Hammond Jr…
- 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…
Family Friendly
Back to Top of ListJeff Jam sings and performs songs for children of all ages. He travels all over Massachusetts, New England, and the world with his acoustic guitar, bringing songs and smiles to children everywhere. Join us in the Nook at the Boston Public Market on select dates for FREE family…
- Fiedler Field, Charles River Esplanade
Join us on the Esplanade for the launch of Frost Fit Fitness Series with a free, fun-filled day of orienteering, hot cocoa and other family friendly activities in partnership with Navigation Games and presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Perfect for all ages…
F1® 75 celebrates the 75th anniversary of Formula 1® on February 18th, highlighting the legendary moments, iconic teams, and unforgettable drivers that have shaped the sport over the years. For the first time ever, all 10 teams will be together with the fans to launch the new…
Join us in the Nook at BPM to make friendship bracelets for the whole family! At this all-ages event, BPM staff will be available to teach your kids basic woven and beaded bracelet techniques, or they can freestyle and make a friendship bracelet straight from the heart -- no…
- Steriti Memorial Rink561 Commercial Street Boston, MA 02109
Calling one and all for a *free* day of ice skating, music, and fun at DCR's Steriti Memorial Rink in Boston's historic North End! Join us from 12:00 - 4:00 pm for free skating and snacks! Ice Skating: Choose from sessions lasting 45 minutes each starting at 12:00 pm, 1:00pm…
- Lexington
The parade starts at 2pm at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street in East Lexington, proceeding west along Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington center, left onto Worthen Road ending at the town pool parking lot.
Performing Arts
Back to Top of ListEnjoy an evening of scenes in the intimate setting of NEC's Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. These concerts display the work that goes on daily in NEC's opera program, as faculty prepare student singers for performing careers. Perkin Opera Scenes at NEC appear under the…
- Scandinavian Center, West Newton
Join us for a free community concert at the Scandinavian Center in West Newton on March 21, 2025. Bracha Malkin and Bonnie Bewick, violins Danny Kim, viola Mickey Katz, cello DOHNÁNYI Serenade in C, Op. 10 Oleg PONOMAREV (Arr. Bonnie BEWICK) Polonez, for string quartet…
- 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…
Films / Movies
Back to Top of List- Boch Center Wang Theatre
- Recurring daily
In honor of the Wang Theatre’s 100th anniversary, we proudly present the Century Cinema Series: Lights, Camera, Boston! This free community event features four days of beloved films, highlighting favorite titles celebrating Boston’s role in movie history. Experience the magic of…
Classes / Lectures
Back to Top of List- Boston Area Spanish Exchange (BASE)
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
Join us for free open-level Spanish informal conversation workshops. Bring a good vibe and a story or news to tell with these informal conversation opportunities guided by a talented BASE instructor. ¡A conversar! All levels welcome. > Los viernes, del 17 de enero al 28 de…
- Boston Area Spanish Exchange (BASE)
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
Join us for free open-level Spanish informal conversation workshops. Bring a good vibe and a story or news to tell with these informal conversation opportunities guided by a talented BASE instructor. All levels welcome! Space is limited, and seats are reserved on a…
Tours & Trails
Back to Top of List- 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…
Outdoor Fun in Boston
From ice skating to outdoor markets, Greater Boston has plenty of ways to get outside this holiday season.
Parks in Boston
With almost 300 in Boston and Cambridge, there's space for you to get outdoors in Boston.
Guide to the Holiday Season in Boston
Stroll the Holiday Lights Trail, score tickets to a holiday performance, go ice skating on the Common, or book a festive hotel package - here's your guide to the holiday season in Boston.
Great Deals
Find discounts on attractions, restaurants, theatre tickets, tours, and more with our Great Deals.