There are so many things to do in Boston Thanksgiving weekend. Whether you get tickets to see the Bruins, shop till you drop on Newbury Street on Black Friday, or make it to the opening night of Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker, rest assured there will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
After over a decade of helping clients celebrate Thanksgiving in the city, we put together this helpful guide of things to do in Boston Thanksgiving weekend that we don’t think you should miss!
boston museums
Although most Boston museums will be closed the day of Thanksgiving, they will be open for the rest of the weekend. Fun museums to bring the entire family to are the New England Aquarium, Boston Children’s Museum, and Boston Institute of Contemporary Art.
Ice Skate At Frog Pond
Boston Common’s Frog Pond transforms into an ice skating rink starting mid-November. While it will be closed Thanksgiving Day, it’s open the rest of the weekend to help you kick off the holiday season.
boston sports
If you and your family are sports fans, catch the Boston Bruins play the New York Rangers at 1pm on Friday, November 29.
Pie in the Sky
If you are looking for ways to give back this Thanksgiving, participate in Community Serving’s annual Pie in the Sky. “When you purchase an apple, pecan, pumpkin, or sweet potato Thanksgiving pie or make a ‘Pie for a Client’ donation, you help Community Servings deliver 560,000 made-from-scratch meals each year to those in need.” In addition to donating, you can also volunteer your time to support the event.
Black Friday Shopping
With deals all over the city, it should be a busy shopping weekend in Boston. If you need a plan to conquer Black Friday, we recommend making stops on Newbury Street and visiting the shops at the Prudential Center and Copley Place. If you don’t want to brave the cold and crowds, learn about our personal shopping services and we can get the deals for you.
The Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House
Opening on November 26th, The Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House is a holiday tradition for so many of us. The Nutcracker is running through December 26th this year, and you’ll want to get your tickets early if you are planning on taking the family this Thanksgiving weekend.
HOW SIMPLIFIED CAN HELP THIS THANKSGIVING:
- Family flying into Logan Airport? Let us help you schedule pick-up and drop-offs from the airport. One less thing you need to worry about.
- Need a place to stay? We can help you book a Boston hotel for the entire family near the attractions you want to see most.
- Tired of cooking? Enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner at one of Boston’s Top Restaurants. We can send you our recommended list of restaurant options and book your reservation. Need car service for the family? We’ll take care of that too.
- Want to see The Nutcracker or attend another show Thanksgiving weekend? We’ll get you tickets and help arrange transportation!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.