Roger Williams Zoo - 10:00 AM
Roger Williams Zoo - 10:00 AM
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East - 11:00 AM
Virtual - various times
Roger Williams Zoo - 10:00 AM
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East - 11:00 AM
Virtual - various times
Activity Guides
- Beaches & Lakes
- Best Of Lists
- Birthday Parties
- Boats
- Boredom Busters
- Camps
- Childcare
- Christmas/Hanukkah
- City Guides
- City Hacks
- Classes & Enrichment
- Community
- Crafts & Recipes
- Earth Kids
- Easter
- Fairs & Festivals
- Fall Activities
- Family Travel
- Farms & U-Pick
- Free Activities
- GoList
- Halloween
- Holidays
- Hotels & Resorts
- Indoor Activities
- Museums
- News & Openings
- Outdoors
- Parent Talk
- Parks & Playgrounds
- Play Gyms & Sports Centers
- Pools & Spray Parks
- Preschools & Schools
- Restaurants
- Shows
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Special Needs
- Special Occasions
- Sports
- Spring Activities
- STEM
- Stores & Services
- Summer Activities
- Theme & Water Parks
- Trains, Dinos & Heroes
- TV, Film & Movies
- Virtual
- Visitors Guide
- Weekend Events
- Weekend Trips
- Winter Activities
- Zoos & Gardens
Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Hanukkah, Trains & Holiday Shows, December 5-6
The Boston area is lighting up this weekend with the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday! We've found plenty of ways for families to celebrate, including taking a tumble, attending a musical service or waiting for a gelt drop. Families can also check out a special Hanukkah art project at locations around Boston throughout the holiday.
Tons of other festive activities abound this weekend as well. Young train fans have their pick of the Bay State Model Railroad Museum Open House or one of the many Polar Express trains in the area. Speaking of your pick of activities, the month of December boasts some of the best choices of shows and concerts all year. I'm looking forward to seeing Velveteen Rabbit with my kids, and Tara says Boston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker is dazzling. There's also a free winter concert (pictured) this weekend to help usher in the season.
Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:
- Find out if the new, long-awaited Lynch Family Skatepark is for kids.
- We know parents' wallets take lots of hits this time of year. That's why we've rounded up 20 free holiday activities.
- Time to find those ice skates: Boston's outdoor ice skating rinks are opening for the season.
- The December GoList is jam-packed with great ideas for this festive month.
- See some of our favorite holiday light displays in and near the city.
- If you're looking for Santa this month, look no further!
- Thinking about taking the kids to see The Good Dinosaur? Read our parent review first.
Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
ALL WEEKEND
Bay State Model Railroad Museum Open House - Roslindale
Join the Bay State Model Railroad Museum for its annual holiday celebration—one of the two times each year the museum is open to the public.
The Velveteen Rabbit - Boston
Based on the classic children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit is the perfect holiday tradition for the whole family.
The Spirit of Christmas at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House - Concord
Join the Alcott family as they gather at Orchard House to celebrate a season of giving.
Sugar Plum Fairy Tea - Boston
The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common transforms into a Nutcracker dreamland where guests mingle with costumed characters.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Boston
Based on the beloved 1964 animated special, this adaptation brings everyone's favorite reindeer to the stage.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5
Free Holiday Movie Screenings - Somerville
The AMC at Assembly Row presents Home Alone for free, but be sure to reserve seats in advance.
Kids' Holiday Pops: Lexington Symphony - Lexington
Families can join Lexington Symphony as it celebrates the holiday season with a special Holiday POPS! concert.
Santa's Landing by Lobster Boat and Christmas Parade - Marblehead
Santa arrives by lobster boat! Children can walk with Santa, write a letter, have hot chocolate and more.
Climbing Your Family Tree - Boston
Kids are welcome at the NEHGS library for a free day of fun with genealogy, featuring family-themed arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, holiday snacks, and more.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 6
Tumble, Twist, and Flip over Chanukah - Stoughton
Kids can celebrate the joy and lights of Chanukah at this interactive gymnastics party.
Pure Treble Chorus Winter Concert - Duxbury
Pure Treble chorus presents a free winter concert open to the public.
The Great Chanukah Gelt Drop - Peabody
Families are welcome to join Chabad of Peabody for its Community Chanukah Party and Gelt Drop.
Kerplunk! at Improv Asylum - Boston
Join the creators of Boston’s Unscripted Musical Project on this new fantastic musical adventure perfect for the whole family.
Chanukah Cantata: A Light Through the Ages - Boston
Accompanied by the Zamir Chorale of Boston, the holiday experience celebrates Chanukah’s deep spiritual meaning through story and song.
Photo by Denise Maccaferri Photography
