Winter Programs
Programs, activities, and fun things to do this
winter over December and February Breaks!
2025-26
What is this slideshow? This slideshow provides a variety of programs, events, and activities for Elementary/Middle School students that are currently happening in Cambridge and surrounding areas this winter (including the December and February Break!).
Who are these activities for? The box in the right-hand corner tells you which grade level/ages these opportunities are open to.
What are the benefits of doing an activity or program over winter break?
Winter break is the perfect time to dive into a new hobby or interest you've always wanted to try. Plus, you'll make great memories and awesome new friends in a safe place.
How do I get to the website or register for these opportunities? Clicking the words and links that are underlined will take you directly to websites and registration forms.
Is there a fee? Rates vary depending on the opportunity. For more information contact the program directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
February Break
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
When: Mid December through mid March.
Monday & Tuesday: Noon - 5pm; Wednesday & Thursday: Noon - 8pm
Friday: Noon - 9pm; Saturday: 11am - 9pm; Sunday: 11am - 6pm
Where: 300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA
(Located in Canal District Kendall, just off 3rd St.)
Cost: All day Admission: Adults: $7; Student and Senior Rate: $5; Child 13 & Under: $3
View additional rates online (including skate rental!)
Learn more online
Skate @ Canal District Kendall is a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink located in the heart of Canal District Kendall, just off 3rd Street.
They plan to open for the season by December 5th (WEATHER PENDING). Opening date is always uncertain until they are able to make the ice safe for skating. Construction of the rink and weather will determine when the rink will be open for the season.
Skate @ Canal District Kendall
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
When: February 14-22
Where: 314 Main St., Cambridge
Cost: Free with museum admission.
Learn more online
The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the exception of family workshops, all activities are free with museum admission. Take a look at the full schedule below, then plan your visit.
School Vacation Week @ MIT Museum
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
When: Saturday, February 21, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: MIT Welcome Center, 292 Main St., Cambridge
Cost: No cost
Learn more online
Welcome the Year of the Horse! 🧧🐴🍊 Featuring hands-on crafts, face painting, treats, and more.
Presented in collaboration with our friends in MIT's Graduate Tower at Site 4.
Please note that capacity is limited; space is available on a first come, first served basis regardless of registration.
Lunar New Year @ MIT Welcome Center
Middle School
Open to: 6th-8th Graders
Educational Programming, Arts and Crafts, Sports, Games, and more!
When: Tues, February 17th-Fri, February 20th, Full Day Care (8 AM-5:30 PM)
Where: 100 Putnam Avenue (Door 14/Cafeteria)
Cost: No cost
How to Sign Up: Fill out this interest form
For questions, email Marse@eastendhouse.org or text/call 617-468-6924
East End House Middle School Program: February Break
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: K-5th Graders
Vacation Week Programming at MLBCC is full day care during February and April vacation weeks for K-5th grade students. The 1st-5th program is based out of the Maria L. Baldwin School and the Kindergarten program is based out of our building at 20 Sacramento Street. Enrollment and tuition are separate from our afterschool programming.
When: Tues, February 17th-Fri, February 20th, Full Day Care (8:30 AM-5:45 PM)
Where: 20 Sacramento Street, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $350 for families currently enrolled in our afterschool program
$525 for all other families
If you are not interested in signing up for the full week, we will be offering
a drop-in option for currently enrolled after school families at a rate of
$130 per day. This option will be offered closer to the start of the program
and dependent on space available.
How to Sign Up: Register online: agassizbaldwincommunity.asapconnected.com/?=org=3440
Baldwin Community Center
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: K-8th Graders
Open for full day programming. Students will engage in STEAM Activities, cooking, sports, computer fun, and more! Snacks and lunch will be provided.
When: Tues, February 17th-Fri, February 20th, 8:00am-5:00pm
Location: 5 Callender Street, Cambridge
Cost: $375/Week; $80/Day
How To Sign Up: Visit website to register: cambridgecc.org/enrollment.html
For More Information: Contact 617-547-6811 or info@cambridgecc.org
Cambridge Community Center
Elementary/Middle School
Open to Ages: 4–12
At Steve & Kate’s, campers choose which activities they do, whom they do it with and for how long. For kids, this experience is pure joy. It’s also a kind of training ground for life, where they’ll need to be empowered and independent and resilient and responsible for their own decisions. Happy human-ing starts here.
When: Monday, Feb 16th-Feb 20th, 8:00am-6:00pm
Location: Cambridge Friends School, 5 Cadbury Rd, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $134/day, fee includes lunch, snacks, activities
and all hours
How To Sign Up: Register online:
steveandkatescamp.com/cambridge-february-camp/
For More Information: Visit website:
Steve & Kate’s Camp
Elementary/Middle School
Open to Ages: 5-14
Adventure Days are Boston Bouldering Project's most popular kids program for ages five through fourteen! Packed with a full day of bouldering, top-roping, rope swinging, and arts & crafts, we’ll keep your kid engaged all day long!The day begins at 9:00am and ends at 3:30pm.
When: Monday, Feb 16th-Feb 20th, 9:00 AM-3:30PM
Location: Boston Bouldering Project, 12A Tyler St, Somerville, MA
Cost: $599
How To Sign Up: Register online:
https://boulderingproject.portal.approach.app/event/19178
For More Information: If you have any questions about
BBP Adventures please email our Youth Programs department,
at somerville.youth@boulderingproject.com
Adventure Week: Parkour Generations
Elementary/Middle School
Open to Ages: 5-14
Adventure Days are Boston Bouldering Project's most popular kids program for ages five through fourteen! Packed with a full day of bouldering, top-roping, rope swinging, and arts & crafts, we’ll keep your kid engaged all day long!The day begins at 9:00am and ends at 3:30pm.
When: Monday, Feb 16th-Feb 20th, 9:00 AM-3:30PM
Location: Boston Bouldering Project, 12A Tyler St, Somerville, MA
Cost: $599
How To Sign Up: Register online:
https://boulderingproject.portal.approach.app/event/19178
For More Information: If you have any questions about
BBP Adventures please email our Youth Programs department,
at somerville.youth@boulderingproject.com
Adventure Week: Parkour Generations
Middle School
Open to Teens
Join the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts for their February break cooking classes! Options include lessons on cupcakes, cookies, pasta making, dim sum, bread, and sushi.
When: Monday, Feb 16th-Feb 20th, times vary depending on class
Location: Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, 2020 Mass Ave,
Cambridge, MA
Cost: $115 per class
How To Sign Up: Register online:
cambridgeculinary.com/cooking-classes/teenager-cooking-classes/
For More Information: Contact CSCA for more information: (617) 354-2020
Teen Cooking Classes
Elementary/Middle School
Open to Anyone
Join us at The Foundry in East Cambridge for the fourth annual Foundry Festival! Immerse yourself in a week of free public programming and create connections with diverse communities. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in as many activities as you are excited about. This year's festival theme is Pathways. Chart a personal journey, learn a new skill, uplift others along theirs, and create intersections across art, culture, and community!
When: Saturday, February 14-Saturday, February 21
Location: The Foundry, 101 Rogers St, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost
How To Sign Up: No need to sign up!
For More Information: Visit website for more information: cambridgefoundry.org/events/festival
Foundry Festival
Elementary/Middle School
Open to Anyone
Join us at The Foundry in East Cambridge for the fourth annual Foundry Festival! Immerse yourself in a week of free public programming and create connections with diverse communities. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in as many activities as you are excited about. This year's festival theme is Pathways. Chart a personal journey, learn a new skill, uplift others along theirs, and create intersections across art, culture, and community!
When: Saturday, February 14-Saturday, February 21
Location: The Foundry, 101 Rogers St, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost
How To Sign Up: No need to sign up!
For More Information: Visit website for more information: cambridgefoundry.org/events/festival
Foundry Festival
Elementary/Middle School
Open to Anyone
Cambridge Public Library is hosting free events during the February vacation week!
When: Wednesday, February 18th-Saturday, February 21st
Cost: No cost
How To Sign Up: Click here to learn more about upcoming events
Cambridge Public Library Events
Elementary/Middle School
Open to Anyone
Do you or your child have a Cambridge Public Library Card? If so, you are eligible to reserve free or reduced Museum tickets to the following Museums.
Visit website for more information.
Museum Tickets @ Cambridge Public Library
December Break
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: Ages 4-11
When: Saturdays beginning December 7, 2024 through mid March.
Where: Simoni Rink, 155 Gore St., Cambridge
Cost: $405 + separate USA Hockey registration fee Scholarships Available! Please see Financial Aid Form here. Families in need are encouraged to apply.
How to Sign Up: Register online here.
Instructional Hockey introduces boys and girls 4 to 11 years old to ice hockey. The program emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and fun through organized practices and supervised, non-contact games. Tom Sieniewicz directs our Instructional Hockey program, assisted by other CYH volunteers.
Offerings also include: Learn to Skate!
Cambridge Youth Hockey
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
When: Mid December through mid March.
Monday & Tuesday: Noon - 5pm; Wednesday & Thursday: Noon - 8pm
Friday: Noon - 9pm; Saturday: 11am - 9pm; Sunday: 11am - 6pm
Where: 300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA
(Located in Canal District Kendall, just off 3rd St.)
Cost: All day Admission: Adults: $7; Student and Senior Rate: $5; Child 13 & Under: $3
View additional rates online (including skate rental!)
Learn more online
Skate @ Canal District Kendall is a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink located in the heart of Canal District Kendall, just off 3rd Street.
They plan to open for the season by December 5th (WEATHER PENDING). Opening date is always uncertain until they are able to make the ice safe for skating. Construction of the rink and weather will determine when the rink will be open for the season.
Skate @ Canal District Kendall
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
Professional skaters are joined by local elite competitors to create a fun-filled, high-energy, and family-friendly show. We invite you to skate with the stars right after the show, so be sure to rent skates or bring your own.
Special guests include an ensemble from Figure Skating in Harlem, “the only organization in the world for girls of color that combines the power of education with access to the artistic discipline of figure skating to build champions in life.”
When: Dec. 13th &14th, 2pm on Saturday and Sunday for a free holiday show and stay for the Canal District Kendall Winter Market!
Where: 300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA
(Located in Canal District Kendall, just off 3rd St.)
Cost: No cost! (Skate rental may cost additional)
Learn more online
Holiday Ice Show & Winter Market
Seaport Smalls
Join us Saturdays, from 10AM-11AM, all year long, for a rotating selection of free children's programming for ages 0-8 years old. Our programming partners include live animals, music and art for kids, Spanish education, a puppet party, holiday fun music, kids music class, and magic fun.
Where: The Paseo at Harbor Way
When: Saturdays
How To Sign Up: Register online: https://www.bostonseaport.xyz/event/seaport-smalls
Elementary
Open to: Ages 0-8 years old
ZooLights at Stone Zoo
Step into a sparkling winter wonderland and stroll along tree-lined paths aglow with thousands of twinkling lights. Discover festive displays throughout the Zoo and look for animal residents, including flamingos, black bears and reindeer, adding to the holiday magic.
When: November 14 - January 4, 4-9:30pm (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day)
Location: 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA
Cost: General admission $17.95 per person, Children under age 2 are free.
EBT/WIC discounts available.
How To sign up: Registration is required. Visit this link to register:
zoonewengland.org/engage/zoolights
For more information: Call 617-541-5466
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
Holiday Pops Kids' Matinees
Continuing one of Boston's most beloved holiday traditions, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops open the 2024 Boston Pops Holiday Series on December 8, kicking off a season that runs through December 24. Kids’ Matinee performances are geared toward younger children and are
shorter in length (70 minutes), with no intermission, plus an opportunity for
post-concert treats and a visit with Santa.
When: 12/7, 12/13, 12/14, 12/20, 12/22, 12/24
11AM
Location: Symphony Hall - Boston
Cost: $24-$175+
How to Buy Tickets: Buy tickets online
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol”
Step into the magic of Victorian England and rediscover the heart and soul of the holiday season! Commonwealth Shakespeare Company returns for another magical season at Boston’s historic Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre with its stunning production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”—a timeless story of redemption, generosity, and the power of human kindness.
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
When: December 6th-December 23rd
Location: Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre
219 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Cost: Varies, view ticket prices online
How to Buy Tickets: Buy tickets online
New Year's Eve Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll
Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll is back! Get ready to countdown to 2025 with more than 30 ice sculptures hosted by businesses and cultural sites across the waterfront – the largest Stroll EVER! Don your winter boots and get strolling during this FREE and fun waterfront excursion. A lineup of over 30 unique ice sculptures will be on display and enjoy other waterfront sites and activities along the way.
When: Dec 31st, 1-5pm
Where: Ice sculptures are located close to transit stations across all
major subway lines. Visit Courthouse (Silver Line), Aquarium
(Blue Line), Maverick (Blue Line), Haymarket
(Green / Orange Lines) or South Station (Red Line)
for a short walk to ice sculptures and the Boston Harborwalk.
Check out the MBTA website for service information.
Learn More: https://www.bostonharbornow.org/NYE/
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
Harvard Square Holiday Fair
One of the oldest and most popular fairs in the Boston area Held in Harvard Square for 8 or 9 days with free admission! A great selection of beautiful, original, affordable gifts.
When: Friday through Sunday: Dec 12th-14th & Dec 19th-21st
Fridays: 12-7pm, Saturdays: 11am-7pm, Sundays: 12-6pm
Where: 1426 Mass Ave. (Corner of JFK St & Winthrop St)
Close to the Harvard MBTA station.
Learn More: https://www.harvardsquareholidayfair.com/
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
Holiday Vacation Virtual Paint Class for Kids
When: Sun, Dec 28 • 3PM
Cost: $7
Christmas Virtual Paint Class for Kids
When: Sun, Dec 7 • 3PM
Cost: $7
Christmas Virtual Paint Class for Kids
When: Sun, Dec 14 • 3PM
Cost: $7
These 1 hour Zoom class will show your kids (ages 5+) how to create the paintings shown below!
How To sign up: Click here to register for one of these opportunities and others alike.
Virtual Zoom Art Class for Kids
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: All Ages
A community basketball league for Cambridge youth in grades 5–8.
Cambridge Community Center: Center Court
When: Saturdays, December 13-February 28th, 10am-2pm
Where: Cambridge Community Center
Cost: No cost!
How to Sign Up: Register online!
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: Grades 5-8
Since 1976, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances and the beginning of a new year. In keeping with this fantastic Boston tradition, the First Night celebration will open 2026 with an array of performances.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 31st 10am - Thursday, Jan. 1st 12am
Where: Locations throughout Boston, visit website to learn more
Cost: First Night Boston is entirely free and open to all.
No purchase is required to attend First Night events.
Learn more here
Boston’s Biggest New Year’s Eve Party!
Elementary/Middle School
Open to: Grades 5-8
This information is subject to change.
Please be sure to check with individual programs
regarding rates and availability.
The programs and events listed in this slideshow are open to the public but are not affiliated with CPS, the Agenda for Children OST or the City of Cambridge.