Top 10 Massachusetts Winter Events

From an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party to an early-bird Saint Patrick’s Day parade, our list of the top 10 Massachusetts winter events has something for everyone. Read on to see our picks, then tell us about your own favorite Massachusetts winter events in the comments!

Top 10 Massachusetts Winter Events

First Night Boston Boston | Dec. 31, 2018–Jan. 1, 2019

First launched in 1976, Boston’s First Night celebration is said to be the oldest and largest New Year’s Eve arts festival in the country. Copley Square and Back Bay are the hub for the schedule of entertainment and special attractions, which include crowd-pleasing large-scale ice sculptures and a light show. The “People’s Procession” parade steps off at 6 p.m., followed by an early-bird family fireworks display at 7. Musical performers keep the main stage rocking from 7:30 p.m. onward, and the countdown to midnight culminates in spectacular fireworks over Boston Harbor.

Moby-Dick Marathon New Bedford | Jan. 4–6, 2019

Join in the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s annual read-a-thon of one of America’s most enduring novels, Moby-Dick. The weekend kicks off Friday night with a ticketed dinner and Moby-Dick-themed presentation. Saturday morning features a “Stump the Scholars” trivia Q&A and a mini-marathon reading of a children’s version of Moby-Dick. The main event — the reading aloud of Herman Melville’s unabridged classic by local celebrities and volunteers — begins at noon Saturday and continues through into Sunday. A ceremony on Sunday afternoon will honor those who made it all the way through.

Boar’s Head Festival Springfield | Jan. 11–13, 2019

An impressive Gothic stone church adjacent to Forest Park in Springfield, Trinity United Methodist Church is famed for its annual Boar’s Head Festival, a celebration that channels the spirit of medieval England as it commemorates the visit by the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus. The pageantry is unforgettable, as real farm animals (geese, sheep, goats, a donkey, etc.) as well as camels (!) are included in the performance by costumed townspeople, dancers, and musicians. There are a number of festival performances over three days, and each is followed by a punch and cookie reception with music provided by a brass quintet. Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended.

New England International Auto Show Boston | Jan. 17–21, 2019

Behold the premier showcase of newest-model vehicles, both imported and domestic, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Almost every production vehicle on the show floor is available for attendees to touch and even climb into, while preproduction models, concept cars, and exotic machines offer plenty of eye candy from behind their roped-off enclosures. Don’t miss the “super car” collection, valued at over $5 million, comprising new and vintage luxury rides from the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo. Test drives can be booked on select production models, and factory and dealer reps will be on hand to answer questions.

Railroad Hobby Show West Springfield | Jan. 26–27, 2019

For a chance to see more than nine acres of railroad-centric displays and attractions — including over 60 model train layouts, a flea market, and booths run by manufacturers and historical societies — make tracks for the Eastern States Expo, home to the largest train show in North America. Organized by the Amherst Railway Society, the show also features clinics on the finer points of model railroads, teaching such skills as creating background trees, modeling water features, and wiring the electrical system.

Merrimack River Eagle Festival Newburyport | Feb. 9, 2019

When winter returns to Merrimack Valley, so do the bald eagles. Every year Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge host a grand event marking their return. Register in advance for one of the driving tours, or pick up a map of eagle hot spots and go on a do-it-yourself bird-watching trip. Kids will love the “see a raptor” show at Newbury City Hall, while the Joppa Flats and Parker River facilities will offer family-friendly activities, arts and crafts, and more throughout the day.

So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Festival Salem | Feb. 8–10, 2019

This decadent annual tradition brings ice sculptures, wine tastings, deals on Valentine’s Day gifts, and plenty of chocolate, chocolate, chocolate to downtown Salem. The festivities commence Friday night with a wine and chocolate tasting (note: tickets for this event sell out quickly). On Saturday and Sunday, stroll downtown to take in the 20-plus ice sculptures, browse local shops for chocolate samples and sweet discounts, and look for Valentine’s-related specials at Salem restaurants.

Bay State Winter Games The Berkshires | Feb. 9–Mar. 3, 2019

Ranging in age from 5 to 70-plus, athletes from across Massachusetts as well as the other five New England states will descend on the Berkshires for this annual sports spectacular. Since their inception in 1985, the Bay State Winter Games have included alpine skiing and figure skating (both ISI and USFS); other sports, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoe racing, have cycled though different years. On the schedule for 2019: alpine skiing, curling, figure skating, and masters ice hockey. Venues and dates vary by sport, so be sure to check the website for full details.

Winterfest Lowell | Feb. 22–23

Shake off that cabin fever with a weekend in Lowell that’s chock-a-block with things for the whole family to do. JFK Plaza is the center of the festival fun, which ranges from carousel rides and ice skating to live music and street performances. Among the hot spots is the Winter Market, offering arts and crafts, fashion, and specialty foods. Feeling hungry? St. Anne’s Episcopal Church hosts an all-you-can-eat chocolate festival, while the North Bowl Soup Competition at the Masonic Center pits top local restaurants against one another in the quest to make the tastiest chill-banishing soups and chowders. There’s also a fleet of food trucks, and a craft beer showcase to boot.

Cape Cod Saint Patrick’s Parade Yarmouth | Mar. 9, 2019

Crowds start lining up early along Route 28 in Yarmouth for Cape Cod’s largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade, which traditionally kicks off before the actual holiday (March 17) and gives folks a chance to extend their celebration of the wearing o’ the green. Some 40,000 people are expected to cheer on the parade of floats, fire trucks, marching bands and pipe-and-drum units, classic autos, Shriners on scooters, Irish step dancers, and more. The parade begins at 11 a.m., and after it wraps up, many participants and spectators congregate at local restaurants and bars for post-parade food and drink specials. What are your favorite Massachusetts winter events? Let us know!