Category Archives: Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

Weekly Event Summary (Jan. 22nd – Jan 29th) – Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

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Family Friendly Boston Cambridge Weekly Event Summary

1) Winter Wildlife Cruise (Jan 23)
2 Family Fun Day Saturday (Jan 23)
3) Henna Night (Jan 23)
4) Show of Strength: A Concert for Refugee Relief (Jan 23)
5) Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 23)
6) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 23)
7) Wreck Shop Movement’s Subway Cipher (Jan 24)
8) Cambridge Symphony Orchestra Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf (Jan 24)
9) Family Shopping Sunday (Jan 24)
10) “Waking in Oak Creek” Free Film Screening and Discussion (Jan 26)
11) ICA Free Thursday Nights (Jan 28)
12) Frog Pond Ice Skating (Jan 28)
13) Winter Panto 2016: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jan 30)
________________________________
Detailed Listings
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1) Winter Wildlife Cruise (Jan 23)
When:
Saturday, Jan 23, 2016 11:00a – 2:00p
Where:
Long Wharf North
66 Long Wharf
Boston, MA 02109
Admission: $15 – 20
Grab your camera and join park rangers and local naturalists to observe animals who make their wintertime home in Boston Harbor and around the outer Harbor Islands. Guest naturalists include representatives from the National Park Service, New England Aquarium and Mass Audubon.
Boarding begins at 10:30am at Long Wharf North. Full cash bar, snacks and hot soups will be available for purchase onboard.
In the event of severe winter weather, this program will be rescheduled to January 30.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids and seniors. Space is limited, and reservations and strongly recommended! Reserve your seat online at bostonharborcruises.com/boston-harbor-cruises/winter-wildlife-cruise
For more information visit http://www.bostonharborislands.org 
2) Family Fun Day Saturday (Jan 23)
When: January 23rd 10am-1:30pm
Where: Peabody School Gym
70 Rindge Ave.
Cost: Free
Hey Cambridge Families!
Did you know our Family Fun Day is this Saturday, January 23rd from 10am-1:30pm at the Peabody School Gym (70 Rindge Ave.). Children ages birth?8 years old and their families are invited to join the Center for Families for a fun morning of arts & crafts all about Antarctica, moon bounces, face painting, book giveaways, toddler obstacle course, infant area, performer, a light lunch, and more! Call CFF at 617-349-6385 for more information.
The weather forecast is for a snow storm on Saturday. We usually don?t cancel Family Fun Day unless it is a State of Emergency. We will post updates on our website and listserv in case of cancellation.
We hope to see you there!
Christine
3) Henna Night (Jan 23)
When:
Saturday, Jan 23, 2016 6:00p – 9:00p
Where:
Turkish Cultural Center Massachusetts
500 revere st
Revere, Ma
Admission: FREE
Turkish Cultural Center invites you to experience a traditional Turkish Henna night. This is a free event and for ladies only. Turkish food will be served.
4) Show of Strength: A Concert for Refugee Relief (Jan 23)
When:
Saturday, Jan 23, 2016 5:00p – 8:00p
Where:
Aeronaut Brewing Company
14 Tyler Street
Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
Admission: FREE
Looking to listen to great music, drink delicious beer, spend time with awesome friends AND support an important cause? We’ve got it all right here! Plus, a raffle with great prizes and access to a playlist featuring songs from our performers with every donation of $5.00 or more! All ages!!!
Show of Strength: A Concert for Refugee Relief will raise money for the American Refugee Committee! It features several local musicians performing on two stages at the lovely Aeronaut Brewery.
The raffle includes prizes such as a gift card to Aeronaut Brewing Company, gift cards to Flatbread Somerville, Redbones and Diesel Cafe, a surprise gift from Comicazi, free classes at OnStage Dance Company, and a gift from Circle Socks, a free 60 minute message from Etant, A Spa for Well Being, 2 free tickets to Somerville Theatre and more!
The performers include: Proper Company, Bron Don, Yohannes, Ryan Sweezey, Prateek Poddar’s music, Mary Casiello & Dann Russo, Hannah Christianson,Choro Sincapado (Ansel Barnum in the mix!), Juan Dhas, Sean Peters and more!
For more information visit http://https://www.facebook.com/events/191214874560032/
5) Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 23)
When:
Saturday, Jan 23, 2016 10:00a – 2:00p
Where:
Cambridge Community Center
5 Callender St
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission:
FREE
Join us for the 5th Annual Opening Day of the Cambridge Winter Farmers Market at the Cambridge Community Center! We will be open every Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm from January through April!
The opening day will feature local food and drinks, live music, an art project hosted by the Riverside Gallery, a photo booth, and face painting.
Our vendors for opening day:
Valicenti Pasta Farm Winter Moon Roots Copicut Farms Jubali BirchTree Bread Company Marblehead Salt Co. Sweet Lydia’s Apex Orchards El Recreo Estate Coffee, Inc. Fungi Ally Freedom Food Farm Levend Bakery Chickadee Farm Silverbrook Farm Narragansett Creamery The Soup Guy Honeycomb Creamery Kitchen Millie Lilac Hedge Farm Dan’s Power Plant Moose Cup Samira’s Homemade Just Add Cooking Soluna Garden Farm Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery
Our musicians:
JackKnife Valentines
JackKnife Valentines influences run from Bob Dylan and the Band to James Brown, Bill Withers and Gil Scott Heron. With two amazing lead singers in Jimmy James and Gene McAuliffe, their songs span roots americana, soul and country. Members of the band have played in prominent blues, rock, and alternative groups around Boston for several decades. Basically, it’s all about soul and playing from your heart.
James McCarthy
James McCarthy is a singer, pianist that performs upbeat pop music and catchy original songs.
For more information visit http://https://www.facebook.com/events/551489635018374
6) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 23)
When:
Saturday, Jan 23, 2016 9:30a – 2:00p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
Presenting the very best variety of products from New England farms and specialty vendors including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish, baked goods, and lots more.
Live music, delicious treats in two cafe areas and a chance to meet friends — Chase away the chill of even the coldest winter day with us!
December through March at 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. Every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (closed Dec 26, 2015)
For more information visit http://www.somwintermarket.org 
7) Wreck Shop Movement’s Subway Cipher (Jan 24)
When:
Sunday, Jan 24, 2016 3:00p – 6:00p
Where:
Downtown Crossing MBTA Station
Washington St & Winter St
Boston, MA 02108
Admission: FREE
Wreck Shop Movement’s Subway Cipher brings together rappers, poets and listeners from all over the Boston area every Sunday afternoon at the Downtown Crossing T stop. Free and open to everyone.
Read more about the Subway Cipher and some of its regulars in Perry Eaton’s story on Boston.com: http://www.boston.com/entertainment/2016/01/20/some-boston-best-hip-hop-comes-alive-every-sunday-stop/ssnPrKIBNlgzazim5o1ezK/story.html
Wreck Shop Movement is a collective that aims to further Hip Hop culture by uniting, educating and empowering people and giving back to the community.
For more information visit http://www.wreckshopmovement.com/ 
8) Cambridge Symphony Orchestra Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf (Jan 24)
When:
Sunday, Jan 24, 2016 4:00p – 5:30p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: $5-15
Please join us for our annual Family Concert!
We are proud to welcome special guest narrator Claude Woods, who will read the beloved story of Peter and the Wolf. We will also be featuring violinist Yoo Jin Ahn and there will be an audience sing-along to The Muppets.
We encourage families to bring children of all ages.
After the concert, children are invited to our instrument petting zoo, where they can try out violins and trumpets and many other instruments.
9) Family Shopping Sunday (Jan 24)
When:
Sunday, Jan 24, 2016 8:00a –
12:00p
Where:
Boston Public Market
100 Hanover Street
Boston, MA 02108
Admission:
FREE
Bring the family on your shopping trip to the Boston Public Market for a special family day and we?ll help teach kids that food can be fun! Enjoy kid-friendly recipe cards, a scavenger hunt, a sea life touch tank with Red?s Best, tote bag crafts, and specials or discounts from several Boston Public Market vendors.
For more information visit http://https://bostonpublicmarket.org/happenings<http://https:/bostonpublicmarket.org/happenings> 
10) “Waking in Oak Creek” Free Film Screening and Discussion (Jan 26)
When: Tuesday, Jan 26, 2016 6:30p – 8:30p
Where:
The Brattle Theatre
40 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Admission: FREE
Join the Pluralism Project for a free screening and discussion of Waking in Oak Creek, a film about community responses in the aftermath of the 2012 Sikh Temple shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring filmmaker Patrice O’Neill and film subjects Pardeep Kaleka and Arno Michaelis. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Diana Eck, director of the Pluralism Project.
The screening and panel are free of charge. This is the final event in the Religion Refocused film series, sponsored by the Pluralism Project and made possible by support from Mass Humanities, a state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Event partners include Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries, Everett Gurdwara Sahib, Gurdwara Sikh Sangat Boston, Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Medford, Milford Gurdwara Sahib (NESSC), and Sikh Dharma of Massachusetts (SDMA).
For more information visit http://www.pluralism.org/events/rr 
11) ICA Free Thursday Nights (Jan 28)
When: Thursday, January 21, 2016, 4 ? 9pm
Where: The Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Cost: Free
FREE for all every Thursday from 4 to 9 PM during ICA Free Thursday Nights. Special hours: From Oct, 10, 2015 to Jan 24, 2016, Free Thursdays will start early at 4 PM in conjunction with Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933?1957.
For more information visit http://https://www.icaboston.org/visit

12) Frog Pond Ice Skating (Jan 28)
When:
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2015 10:00a – Thursday, Mar 10, 2016 10:00p
Where:
Frog Pond
Boston Common
Boston, MA
Admission:
$5
The absolute best place to skate outdoors in Boston. Open to the public with skate rentals available. Weather permitting, ice skating returns to Boston Common Frog Pond mid-November of each year.
Open Daily starting Saturday, Nov 22, 2015:
Mon 10AM-4PM
Tue-Thu 10AM-9PM
Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM
Sun 10AM-9PM
Daily Admission:
Adult Admissions (14+): $5.00
Kid Admissions (13 & under): FREE
Rentals:
Adult Skate Rentals: $10.00
Kid Skate Rentals: $5.00
Locker Rentals: $2.00
Skate Sharpening
$8.00 per pair
#holiday
#NYE

13) Winter Panto 2016: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jan 30)
When:
Saturday, Jan 09, 2016 1:00p –
Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 6:00p
Where:
BCA Plaza Theatre
539 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02120
Admission: $20
Regular price tickets $20 — get half price tickets here:
Hold onto your hats! imaginary beasts sweeps into town like a cyclone this January with a tale full of magic and wonder when they refashion an American classic into a fantasy of technicolor proportions!
When a terrible twister drops Dorothy and her little dog Toto somewhere over the rainbow, they must take a journey of discovery to the Emerald City in order to get ?Home, sweet home?. But when our young heroine realizes that her Auntie Em has followed her to the Land of Oz the adventures really begin.
L. Frank Baum?s beloved fairy tale receives the full Panto treatment when the beasts return to Boston with their favorite cold weather tradition, and audiences of all ages will want to follow the ‘yellow’ brick road to the Boston Center for the Arts.

Weekly Event Summary (Jan 15th – Jan 22nd) – Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

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Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

Weekly Event Summary (Jan 15) 

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1) Boston Bike Party Presents: Neon Masquerade (Jan 15)
2) Casual Friday at BSO (Jan 15)
3) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 16)
4) Bio Blitz (Jan 16)
5) Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 16)
6) Potter’s Talk with Ben Owen III (Jan 17)
7) Martin Luther King Jr. Day Open House at the MFA (Jan 18)
8) Many Helping Hands MLK Day of Service 2016 (Jan 18)
9) Lego Club (Jan 19)
10) Frog Pond Ice Skating (Jan 21)
11) ICA Free Thursday Nights (Jan 21)
________________________________
Detailed Listings
________________________________

1) Boston Bike Party Presents: Neon Masquerade (Jan 15)
When:
Friday, Jan 15, 2016 7:00p –
9:00p
Where:
Copley Square
1 Copley Sq
Boston, MA 02115
Admission:
FREE
You are cordially invited to Boston Bike Party’s Neon Masquerade! Stay warm behind a mask and choose when to reveal your true identity, if ever. Add some feathers, glam, or glitter, but make sure to be bright! We’ll be lighting up the streets before we dance our way to midnight.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Copley Square, 7:00pm
Short ride followed by EPIC after party at POPAllston

2) Casual Friday at BSO (Jan 15)
When: January 15, 2016 – January 15, 2016
Times: Starting: 8:00 PM
Where:: Boston Symphony Orchestra / Boston Pops / Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
Cost: $25-$45
Fran?ois-Xavier Roth conducts Mozart and Stravinsky featuring Elizabeth Rowe and Jessica Zhou
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Hall Boston MA
Artist & Program Information
Fran?ois-Xavier Roth, conductor
Elizabeth Rowe, flute
Jessica Zhou, harp
MOZART Concerto in C for flute and harp, K.299 (29 min)
STRAVINSKY Petrushka (1911 version) (35 min)
You are invited to wear your favorite casual attire, and to arrive early to enjoy a free, pre-concert reception before you take your seat. This lowerpriced series also allows you to use tablets-to be provided by the BSO-if you choose to sit in a designated area in the rear of the orchestra floor. Tablet seating is in Orchestra Price classes 5 & 6 only. If you do not wish to participate in the tablet seating, please do not select these price areas.
3) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 16)
When:
Saturday, Jan 16, 2016 9:30a – 2:00p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
Presenting the very best variety of products from New England farms and specialty vendors including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish, baked goods, and lots more.
Live music, delicious treats in two cafe areas and a chance to meet friends — Chase away the chill of even the coldest winter day with us!
December through March at 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. Every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (closed Dec 26, 2015)
For more information visit http://www.somwintermarket.org 
4) Bio Blitz (Jan 16)
When:
Saturday, Jan 16, 2016 1:00p –
3:30p
Where:
Arnold Arboretum
125 Arborway Boston, Hunnewell Building
Boston, MA 02130
Admission:
FREE
Unseasonably warm weather in Boston has changed how plants and animals hunt, sleep, migrate, feed, reproduce and thrive in our environment. Come explore and investigate how life is adapting to our changing climate in the beautiful Arnold Arboretum this January. Bring your curiosity and a smart phone. We will be uploading our findings to citizen science platform iNaturalist during our (indoor) debrief immediately following our outdoor musings.
5) Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 16)
When:
Saturday, Jan 16, 2016 10:00a –
2:00p
Where:
Cambridge Community Center
5 Callender St
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission:
FREE
Join us for the 5th Annual Opening Day of the Cambridge Winter Farmers Market at the Cambridge Community Center! We will be open every Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm from January through April!
The opening day will feature local food and drinks, live music, an art project hosted by the Riverside Gallery, a photo booth, and face painting.
Our vendors for opening day:
Valicenti Pasta Farm Winter Moon Roots Copicut Farms Jubali BirchTree Bread Company Marblehead Salt Co. Sweet Lydia’s Apex Orchards El Recreo Estate Coffee, Inc. Fungi Ally Freedom Food Farm Levend Bakery Chickadee Farm Silverbrook Farm Narragansett Creamery The Soup Guy Honeycomb Creamery Kitchen Millie Lilac Hedge Farm Dan’s Power Plant Moose Cup Samira’s Homemade Just Add Cooking Soluna Garden Farm Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery
Our musicians:
JackKnife Valentines
JackKnife Valentines influences run from Bob Dylan and the Band to James Brown, Bill Withers and Gil Scott Heron. With two amazing lead singers in Jimmy James and Gene McAuliffe, their songs span roots americana, soul and country. Members of the band have played in prominent blues, rock, and alternative groups around Boston for several decades. Basically, it’s all about soul and playing from your heart.
James McCarthy
James McCarthy is a singer, pianist that performs upbeat pop music and catchy original songs.
6) Potter’s Talk with Ben Owen III (Jan 17)
When:
Sunday, Jan 17, 2016 2:00p –
4:00p
Where:
Pucker Gallery
240 Newbury St, 3rd floor
Boston, MA 02116
Admission:
FREE
Ben Owen III is an American studio potter working in Seagrove, North Carolina. Born into a traditional pottery family, he was first introduced to clay by his grandfather when he was eight years old. Ben?s natural talent and unusual level of interest led to an apprenticeship with his grandfather and father by age 13. Through high school, he carefully studied the shapes, glazes, and traditions of the Owen aesthetic and learned to appreciate the history and legacy of generations of craft.
During college, Ben?s interest in form, design, and color piqued; and he began to forge his own unique path in clay. Through technical exploration and academic influences, Ben?s clay vernacular began to evolve. Travels in the US attending workshops and conferences along with a fellowship in Japan, extended his continued research. Ben?s recent passions have included glaze creation and experimentation.
Works created by Mr. Owen are included in numerous museum collections including the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC; The International Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe, NM; The Schein-Joseph International Museum of Art in Alfred, NY; and The Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte, NC.
The exhibition Rich History, Vibrant Present will be held from 16 January through 28 February, 2016 at Pucker Gallery.

7) Martin Luther King Jr. Day Open House at the MFA (Jan 18)
When: Monday, January 18, 2016, 10am ? 4:45pm
Where: Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Cost: Free
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day by surrounding yourself with art, culture and community. Enjoy free admission all day long and an array of vibrant programs and activities for all ages.

8) Many Helping Hands MLK Day of Service 2016 (Jan 18)
When:
Monday, Jan 18, 2016 2:00p –
5:00p
Where:
Central Square, City Hall and Cambridge Senior Center
795 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission:
FREE
Make Jan. 18 MLK Day A Day of Service for the Cambridge Community
This is the 6th Annual Cambridge Day of Service that Many Helping Hands 365 has organized to celebrate the Martin Luther King Day holiday.
The event is free and open to the public.
All ages are welcome to help with hands-on crafts projects that benefit Cambridge residents in need. Join us for an afternoon of hands-on service projects! Make fleece scarves and blankets for homeless children and adults. Make Valentines for elders and veterans. Sort food, winter clothing, books and toiletries for people in need and more!
Come spend an afternoon making a difference in the lives of others. Many people. Many needs. Many Helping Hands.
Many thanks to the many organizations, city departments, businesses and individuals who help make Cambridge MLK Day of Service possible.
Don’t come empty handed!
Bring a can of food, gently used winter clothing or a children’s book for someone in need. We are also collecting and sorting donations of food, children’s books and winter clothing at the event.
All ages welcome! We need everyone’s helping hands

9) Lego Club (Jan 19)
When: Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 3:30 ? 4:30pm
Where: Children’s Library
Central Library in Copley Square
700 Boylston Street
Boston MA 02116
Cost: Free
Details: Children of all ages build and play together with LEGO and DUPLO bricks.


10) Frog Pond Ice Skating (Jan 21)
When:
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2015 10:00a – Thursday, Mar 10, 2016 10:00p
Where:
Frog Pond
Boston Common
Boston, MA
Admission:
$5
The absolute best place to skate outdoors in Boston. Open to the public with skate rentals available. Weather permitting, ice skating returns to Boston Common Frog Pond mid-November of each year.
Open Daily starting Saturday, Nov 22, 2015:
Mon 10AM-4PM
Tue-Thu 10AM-9PM
Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM
Sun 10AM-9PM
Daily Admission:
Adult Admissions (14+): $5.00
Kid Admissions (13 & under): FREE
Rentals:
Adult Skate Rentals: $10.00
Kid Skate Rentals: $5.00
Locker Rentals: $2.00
Skate Sharpening
$8.00 per pair

11) ICA Free Thursday Nights (Jan 21)
When: Thursday, January 21, 2016, 4 ? 9pm
Where: The Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Cost: Free
FREE for all every Thursday from 4 to 9 PM during ICA Free Thursday Nights. Special hours: From Oct, 10, 2015 to Jan 24, 2016, Free Thursdays will start early at 4 PM in conjunction with Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933?1957.

Weekly Event Summary (Jan. 8th – Jan 15th) – Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

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Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

1) Ottawa International Animation Festival (Today)
2) La Fete des Rois (Jan 9)
3) Ben Rawlence discusses CITY OF THORNS: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp (Jan 9)
4) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 9)
5) Kids’ Shows: Debbie and Friends (Jan 10)
6 Urban Gardening Series: Water Conservation in the Garden (Jan 10)
7) South Station Chess Simultaneous Exhibition (Jan 12)
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1) Ottawa International Animation Festival (Today)
When:
Friday, Jan 08, 2016 7:00p –
Sunday, Jan 10, 2016 5:00p
Where:
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Admission:
$5-10
Fri, Jan 8, 7 PM
Sun, Jan 10, 3 PM
FREE for Associate Members + above / $5 members + students / $10 nonmembers
Enjoy the world’s most cutting-edge, thoughtful, funny, and provocative animation at the ICA’s presentation of the Ottawa International Animation Festival’s best selections from 2015. Whether you love classic cartoons, mind-bending experiments, fantastic digital creations, dazzling effects, technical fireworks, thought-provoking observations, or pure gut-busting fun, there is something for everyone. Intended for mature audiences.
2) La Fete des Rois (Jan 9)
When:
Saturday, Jan 09, 2016 1:00p –
3:00p
Where:
The French Cultural Center
53 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
Admission:$8-25
A traditional French holiday, la F’te des Rois (Feast of the Kings) is a festive event and an opportunity for families to gather for some delicious Galette des Rois (King’s cake).
Children will enjoy fun activities while the galettes are warming up in the oven, then we will all enjoy a generous slice of the cake! If it’s your lucky day, your piece of galette will hold the I’ve (bean) and you will be crowned king or queen!
Pricing
Members:
$8 adults, $4 children, $15 family (2 adults and 1 or 2 children).
Non-Members:
$12 adults, $6 children, $25 family (2 adults and 1 or 2 children).
Children under 5: free

3) Ben Rawlence discusses CITY OF THORNS: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp (Jan 9)
When:
Saturday, Jan 09, 2016 11:00a – 12:00p
Where:
MIT Coop at Kendall Square
325 Main St
Cambridge, MA 02142
Admission: FREE
Book talk and signing with author, Ben Rawlence, about his latest work, “CITY OF THORNS: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp.”
Former Human Rights Watch researcher Rawlence (Radio Congo: Signals of Hope from Africa’s Deadliest War, 2012) tells the distressing story of Kenya’s vast Dadaab refugee camp, where nearly 500,000 people fleeing civil war in nearby Somalia live in a “teeming ramshackle metropolis” the size of Atlanta. Drawing on hundreds of interviews conducted during a series of extended visits to Dadaab since 2010, the author plunges readers into this hellish city of “mud, tents and thorns,” where three generations of displaced persons have lived amid malnourishment and disease.
Organized by the MIT Center for International Studies.

4) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 9)
When:
Saturday, Jan 09, 2016 9:30a – 2:00p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
Presenting the very best variety of products from New England farms and specialty vendors including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish, baked goods, and lots more.
Live music, delicious treats in two cafe areas and a chance to meet friends — Chase away the chill of even the coldest winter day with us!
December through March at 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. Every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (closed Dec 26, 2015)
For more information visit http://www.somwintermarket.org 

5) Kids’ Shows: Debbie and Friends (Jan 10)
When:
Sunday, Jan 10, 2016 10:30a – 11:30a
Where:
Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard St.
Brookline, MA 02446
Admission:
$9-12
Debbie and Friends concerts are fun for the whole family! Celebrate the release of the new Variety Show DVD with this multimedia kids/family concert. Proceeds from DVD sales will be donated to The Greater Boston Food Bank.

6) Urban Gardening Series: Water Conservation in the Garden (Jan 10)
When: Sunday, Jan 10, 2016 1:30p – 3:00p
Where:
Cambridge Public Library
449 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 01238
Admission: FREE
All gardeners aim to beautify the world. But we also have a responsibility to ensure that our actions contribute to, rather than detract from, the environment. Learn how water conservation practices can help you to create beautiful garden spaces without wasting precious water resources.
This class is part of our Urban Gardening Series a set of classes designed to help city dwellers grow healthy, sustainable, and beautiful urban gardens. Led by Society staff in partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Commission, these free classes take place at the Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, MA.
Sunday, January 10, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library,
449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138
Program Code: LEC6551
Instructor: Mark Richardson, Horticulture Director, New England Wild Flower Society
To register, go to:
For questions or registration help:
Contact the Public Programs Department at lreed@newenglandwild.org, or by phone (508) 877-7630, ext. 3303.

7) South Station Chess Simultaneous Exhibition (Jan 12)
When: Tuesday, Jan 12, 2016 12:00p – 2:00p
Where:
South Station
700 Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02111
Admission: FREE
Now at lunchtime: 12pm – 2pm
Come to South Station for a chance to play Grand Master Larry Christiansen – for free! A 3-Time American Chess Champion, Mr. Christiansen will play 25 games simultaneously.
All are welcome to play, or come watch Larry’s technique and skills.
This is a monthly event under the schedule board.

Touring Boston – What to Know About Visiting the Boston Museum of Science with Kids

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We went to the Museum of Science with some friends shortly after we moved to Boston (before we had kids) and we loved it! There was so much to do and so much to explore. They had a fantastic lightening exhibit, a weather station where you could see touch and feel all sorts of weather related things, science puzzles that test probabilities given different circumstances, pirate ships and more. We spent three hours there, saw maybe half the museum and had to head home because my husband had a take home test and MIT is not very forgiving when it comes to testing. Grr.

Fast forward a few years and I went back with my toddler son in
tow, and was amazed all over again at what the Boston Museum of Science had to offer. This time I was amazed by the live animal shows, ball runs and an amazing little kid only area that is crowd controlled so that once you’re inside your child can enjoy the toys without being over crowded.

We love the toddler area, it’s got stroller parking right out front and two levels of awesome things to play with and explore.  The top level has a ball run that sucks up ping pong balls and then drops them down a shoot.  The shoot has a bunch of magnetic pieces that can be moved and manipulated to change how the balls drop down and my son happily played with just the ball run for over an hour.

Things to Note:

1) Price
It’s expensive if you don’t have a discounted pass ($22/person, children under 3 are free)  However you can get discounted passes from the library if your a Boston local and MIT has a sweet deal where students can get in for free and can buy discount tickets for $7 for anyone else.

2) Stroller Friendliness
This place is huge!  Bring a stroller!  If you use the baby/toddler area you will be asked to park your stroller out front near it, but if you want to see some of the other amazing things the museum has to offer and you have little ones you’ll want the help of a stroller to get them around.

3) Baby/Toddler Area
The Museum of Science has an amazing baby/toddler only area.  We go and only go there and still feel like we’ve had a great trip.  They have tons for your little one to do and it’s crowd controlled so your little one wont be over run.

4) Getting There
The “T” drops off nice and close to the Museum of Science they also have a parking garage so getting there is a snap.

Summary and Rating ★★★★★

Five Stars.  I have loved the Boston Museum of Science every time we’ve gone.  It was a ton of fun to go as an adult and to be able to explore interesting bits of science and I love taking my son.  The toddler room is clean, there is plenty to see, and even I find the toddler toys interesting and engaging.  If you’re looking for a membership somewhere to get away from the winter blues this would be my location of choice.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below.

Museum of Science

1 Science Park
Boston, MA 02114

Phone: 617-723-2500
Website: http://www.mos.org/

Regular Hours:
January 1 – July 4 & September 9 – December 31
Saturday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Summer Hours:
July 5 – September 7
Saturday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

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Weekly Event Summary (Dec. 4th – Dec 10th) – Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

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Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

1) St. Nicholas Holiday Festival (Tomorrow)
2) SoWa First Fridays (Tomorrow)
3) Opera at Longy: Winter Gala (Dec 5)
4) Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair (Dec 5)
5) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Dec 5)
6) Citywide Friends of the BPL December Book Sale (Dec 5)
7) Harvard Book Store Winter Warehouse Sale (Dec 5)
8) Breakfast with Santa (Dec 5)
9) The Somerville Flea presents the Fourth Annual Holiday Flea (Dec 6)
10) Science and Cooking 2015 Lecture Series (Dec 7)
11) Museum of Fine Arts Playdates (Dec 7)
12) Free Thursdays at the ICA (Dec 10)
13) Blink Light & Sound Show (Dec 10)
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Detailed Listings

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1) St. Nicholas Holiday Festival (Tomorrow)
When:
Friday, Dec 04, 2015 5:30p – 8:30p
Where:
St. James’s Episcopal Church
1991 Mass Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140
Admission:
FREE
Listen to beautiful live music and enjoy a low-cost dinner and treats in the church’s beautiful, historic interior. Place your bids at a Silent Auction with many enticing items. Children’s activities include games, crafts and face painting. Wreaths and small gifts will be available for purchase.
For more information visit http://www.stjames-cambridge.org 
2) SoWa First Fridays (Tomorrow)
When:
Friday, Dec 04, 2015 5:00p – 9:00p
Where:
SoWa Galleries, Shops, and Restaurants
450 Harrison Ave
Boston, MA 02118
Admission: FREE
On the First Friday of every month, the Galleries, Artists, Shops & Restaurants of the SoWa Arts District open their doors to the public for an evening of culture and inspiration.
Meet the artists in their element and view their latest works, visit the Galleries & Shops and afterwards dine at one of our world class Restaurants.
The SoWa Artists Guild has over 60 Artists at 450 Harrison Ave. who make their studios available to all and strive to make art amd artists accessible to everyone.
Come and enjoy the fun. The event is free and parking is available.
3) Opera at Longy: Winter Gala (Dec 5)
When:
Saturday, Dec 05, 2015 8:00p – 9:30p
Where:
Longy School of Music
27 Garden St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Admission: FREE
Opera at Longy performs scenes from across the operatic repertoire, including works from Massenet, Offenbach, Humperdinck, Donizetti, Puccini, Mozart, Beethoven, and Mascagni, as well as some classic holiday carols.
4) Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair (Dec 5)
When:
Saturday, Dec 05, 2015 10:00a – 4:00p
Where:
Old South Church in Boston
645 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Admission: FREE
30 New England artists will vend their unique offerings from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm in the festively decorated chapel of historic Old South Church in Boston, located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay.
For more information visit http://www.oldsouth.org 
5) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Dec 5)
When:
Saturday, Dec 05, 2015 9:30a – 2:00p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
Presenting the very best variety of products from New England farms and specialty vendors including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish, baked goods, and lots more.
Live music, delicious treats in two cafe areas and a chance to meet friends — Chase away the chill of even the coldest winter day with us!
December through March at 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. Every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (closed Dec 26, 2015)
For more information visit http://www.somwintermarket.org
6) Citywide Friends of the BPL December Book Sale (Dec 5)
When:
Saturday, Dec 05, 2015 10:00a – 4:00p
Where:
Boston Public Library- Central
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Admission:
FREE
Everyone’s “go to” book sale happens on Saturday December 5th! Join us from 10-4 at the Central Library in Copley Square and load up on everything you need for cozy winter reading, snuggled in a bunch of blankets with some hot cocoa. Bag up hardcovers and paperbacks in all genres for $2 or less. Teachers, stock your classrooms with children’s books (in multiple languages!) for $1-$5. A large selection of vintage records from the ’30s-’70s (some 78 rpm!) available for $1. For sports enthusiasts we have hundreds of vintage reproduction photos of Boston teams and venues, many framed, for $5. Collectable postcards from around the world make great gifts for $1. And don’t forget our premium book corner, a competitively priced inventory of higher end books and ephemera.
If you would like to donate books, you can bring them to the sale and drop them off with a cashier. If you have books to donate but can’t make it to the sale, please drop off one bag labeled CWF at the circulation desk- if you have more than one bag, call us and we’ll schedule a time to drop them off so we have some volunteers ready!
For more information visit http://www.citywidefriendsbpl.org 
7) Harvard Book Store Winter Warehouse Sale (Dec 5)
When:
Saturday, Dec 05, 2015 10:00a – Sunday, Dec 06, 2015 6:00p
Where:
Harvard Book Store Warehouse
14 Park St
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
Book lovers, bargain hunters, holiday shoppers, and collectors:
Our hugely popular Harvard Book Store Warehouse Sale is back this December, and this winter’s sale is our biggest ever. Join us in Somerville as we open the doors once again to our warehouse on Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6.
Harvard Book Store Warehouse This year we’re offering an unprecedented 70% off the already-discounted prices on used and collectible books in our inventory. A fresh selection of curated remaindered titles will be 15% off their already-marked-down prices for the weekend.
Check off that holiday shopping list or go ahead and treat yourself to bargains galore and thousands of books to discover.
8) Breakfast with Santa (Dec 5)
When:
Saturday, Dec 05, 2015 9:00a – 10:00a
Where:
CambridgeSide
100 CambridgeSide Place
Cambridge, MA 02141
Admission:
FREE
Please join CambridgeSide for an event sure to delight children and adults featuring a special visit from Santa with a delicious complimentary breakfast courtesy of KIND. Games, music, prizes and holiday cheer. A simply magical morning. FREE and open to the public. Sign up at http://www.shopcambridgeside.com (Please note: there is limited seating and this event sells out quickly). Leary PR for CambridgeSide.
For more information visit http://www.cambridgesidegalleria.com/events 
9) The Somerville Flea presents the Fourth Annual Holiday Flea (Dec 6)
When:
Sunday, Dec 06, 2015 10:00a – 5:00p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
The Somerville Flea presents the Fourth Annual Holiday Flea
Vintage and Artisan Market
Live Music
Dj
Beer and Wine!
Two floors of gift buying goodness. You?ll never know what you?ll find at the flea, and that?s just how we like it. Vintage posters, prints, jewelry, artwork, housewares, clothing, ephemera, and a whole lot more! All in the friendly confines of the Historic Armory, which has a great coffee shop and a bar with beer and wine.
Yes beer and wine! Try that at a mall! So come on down for a unique shopping experience and score that perfect gift you never even knew existed for that special someone.
10) Science and Cooking 2015 Lecture Series (Dec 7)
When:
Monday, Dic 07, 2015 7:00p – 8:00p
Where:
Harvard Science Center, Hall C
1 Oxford St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Admission:
FREE
Members of the public will have the opportunity to learn about the scientific side of the culinary arts during the 2015 Science and Cooking public lecture series. The popular lecture series pairs Harvard professors with celebrated food experts and renowned chefs to showcase the science behind different culinary techniques.
Now in its sixth year, the series is organized by Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).
The public lectures are based on the Harvard course ?Science and Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to the Science of Soft Matter,? but do not replicate course content.
All talks will take place in the Harvard Science Center (1 Oxford St., Cambridge, Mass., Hall C) and begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted
Monday, Dec. 7
“Top Chef Tasting Notes”
Science Center Lecture Hall C, 7 p.m.
*Tom Colicchio, (@tomcolicchio), ?Top Chef? judge and chef/owner, Craft Hospitality
*Mei Lin, (@meilin21), ?Top Chef? season 12 winner
*Gail Simmons, (@gailsimmons), ?Top Chef? judge, culinary expert, and Food & Wine magazine Special Projects Director
For more information visit http://www.seas.harvard.edu/cooking
11) Museum of Fine Arts Playdates (Dec 7)
MFA Playdates
First and Third Mondays of each month, 10:15 am?11:00 am
On the first and third Mondays of each month, bring your toddler to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making. Each month focuses on a specific theme. Recommended for children ages 4 and younger with adults. Meet at the Sharf Visitor Center. No registration required.
Stay after the program to explore the Museum on your own or with new acquaintances, and enjoy snacks or lunch in the Garden Cafeteria or Calderwood Courtyard, and choose from a great selection of kid-friendly options from any of our dining venues.
FREE with Museum admission, plus admission is free to MIT students.
12) Free Thursdays at the ICA (Dec 10)
When: Thursday, Dic 03, 2015 5:00p – 9:00p
Where:
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
Admission:
FREE
Every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., general admission to the Institute of Contemporary Art is free.
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The Institute of Contemporary Art strives to share the pleasures of reflection, inspiration, provocation, and imagination that contemporary art offers through public access to art, artists, and the creative process.
13) Blink Light & Sound Show (Dec 10)
When:
Sunday, Nov 22, 2015 4:30p –
Sunday, Jan 03, 2016 11:00p
Where:
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
1 Faneuil Hall Sq
Boston, MA 02109
Admission:
FREE
Blink! – the state-of-the-art light & sound extravaganza that transforms every inch of America’s first open marketplace – returns to Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Marketplace Center for a fourth year. This magical and unforgettable light show uses over 350,000 LED lights to illuminate Boston’s skyline – to the song stylings of the Holiday Pops – in a seven-minute spectacle that runs continuously each evening beginning November 22nd.
Kick off the holidays at the Tree Lighting Spectacular on November 21st with our live broadcast on WBZ-TV, Channel 4 and simulcast on myTV38 (WSBK-TV). Join Governor Charlie Baker in flipping the switch to the tree and the first Blink! light and sound show of the season!
Performance Times
Blink! Light and Sound show lights up the entire Marketplace and begins at 4:30 pm daily. The first show starts on the Main Tree at Marketplace Center and on the trees in South Market at 4:30 pm and runs every hour on the half hour. The North Market show begins at 5:00 pm and runs every hour on the hour.
For more information visit http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/blink