Add Ping Pong and New Breweries to Your Boston Weekend Plans This January

So the holidays are over, and you've napped to your heart's content (and logged too many cat videos with captions like “full of cheese and unsure what day it is”). And while Boston is abuzz with anticipation of our first legit snowstorm of the season—glorious flakes or not—we’re still forging on this month with fun weekend events.

In January, start the year by sipping rooftop toddies with maximum après ski vibes, bulk buying tomes at indie bookshops, dabbling in the awesomeness of Ping Pong, and hunkering down for a wintery Matrix movie marathon. We'll update this monthly but kick-off 2024 with this collection of serotonin-boosting weekend happenings in Boston this January.

Ongoing
Seaport District, Cocktails starting at $12
Post-holiday cocoon mode is fortifying for the soul, but there’s nothing like that après life to get you into the great outdoors, with a drink in hand, of course. The heated roof at Deck 12 has been reimagined into a funky little après ski scene, complete with gondolas and sans the actual effort of skiing. Grab a Naughty Toddy cocktail and cozy up on a chairlift or ski-themed Adirondack chair. The extensive fondue menu and rustic elegant bites all pair perfectly with wintery cocktails like their Rosemary Spritz.

Starting January 12
Downtown, Starting at $70
Speaking of getting in touch with gratitude, the 35th Annual Boston Wine & Food Festival spans most of the winter. Its tastings, seminars, winemaker-centric dinners, and themed events appeal to vino-newbies to tried and true connoisseurs. The Opening Night Reception on January 12 is designed as a $155 walk-around tasting event with over 20 wineries, including Veuve Clicquot Champagne and the legendary Opus One. Later in February, plan for the $70 Wine and Chocolate Tasting led by Adam Centamore of Eat-Drink-Learn and a $255 James Bond Bordeaux-themed dinner.

January 21, 12 pm
Somerville, Free
Maybe beer is the key to showing the planet a little more TLC. At a minimum, it’s a starting point as Aeronaut Brewing Company and the Massachusetts Sierra Club team up for a Climate Justice Fair. Learn about sustainable practices, climate justice, and clean energy—all while sipping some mighty fine beers. Organizations like Boston Climate Action Network and Energy Allies will be serving up actionable information on ways to prioritize the climate in day-to-day life. Plus, the brewery’s New Year's Eve Prototype—a 5.9% Japanese Rice Lager—is on tap, along with over 15 other sips, including a jazzy Cherry Merlot Hard Seltzer.

Ongoing
Jamaica Plain, Starting at $6
A civil engineer walks into a bar. Luckily for Egleston Square, this is real life, not the start of a barley broo-fueled Dad joke. Liz Nicol (said civil engineer) launched a new brewery—a community-minded spot with seating for 36 craft beer enthusiasts. Nicol’s brews are generally tried and true styles, with a malt-forward personality, but she’s also busy with some sassy small-batch vibes. This LGBTQIA+ and woman-owned business welcomes everyone, and Nicol is keen to disrupt the lingering stereotypes of the male-dominated brewery scene. The TVs are aglow with soccer and women’s sports, and you can get in on the soon-to-launch Drag Race fantasy league.

January 12–14
City-wide, Starting at $25
Grab your kilt. It’s time for some Celtic EDM (it’s Boston–so, obviously). Though the Boston Celtic Music Festival spans four days starting on January 11, a Celtic EDM Easter egg is tucked away late-night on Friday, January 12. The Boston Urban Ceilidh portion of the festival kicks off at the Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theater, and Ramblxr (Elias Alexander) closes out the night with a bagpipes banger dance party. The festival is hosted throughout the city at venues such as The Burren and Club Passim, and highlights traditional Celtic music, fresh takes, and even a BCMFest Brunch. Individual show tickets run as low as $25, or grab a full festival ticket for $75.

January 15, 4 pm
Fenway–Kenmore, Starting at $15
Spend a wholesome afternoon at Boston Symphony Orchestra with the Boston Children's Chorus (BCC), where they’ll perform In the Name of Love: 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert. More than a group of singing cherubs, the voices of the BCC endeavor to spark critical discussions of social justice, and, since 2008, have performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Sydney Opera House, and the White House. This holiday performance is rooted in love and celebrates the contributions of civil rights leaders, such as Coretta Scott King and Bayard Rustin, who helped shape how activism in this country is enacted.

January 21, 1 pm
Jamaica Plain, Free
The perfect Sunday doesn’t exi … Hold up; scratch that—Samuel Adams Boston Brewery is hosting its monthly Vintage & Vinyl event. You can chill at the brewery for four hours of beers and treasure hunting. Shop small makers and artisans and sift through racks of vintage clothing and goodies galore. Past vendors include Atlantic Coast Clothing Co. (their Boston neighborhood-themed gear is giving max minimalist mojo) and Fresh Vintage Supply. Grab a pint, search for vibey vinyl, and have a perfectly chillax Sunday afternoon.

January 31, 7:30 pm
North End–Haymarket, Starting at $22
It goes without saying that this David Bowie tribute, Starman, includes some pretty major (Tom) costumes. Whether you’re hoping for Modern Love or Ziggy Stardust, the odds are in your favor since they constantly rotate through the massive song list. They'll perform on the main stage at City Winery at 7:30 pm but arrive early to take advantage of the extensive menu and wine pairings. The City Winery folks are as jazzed about food and wine as they are about music and make pairing Duck Tacos with a lovely Pinot Noir easy-breezy.

January 21, 1 pm
Brookline, $20
Obviously, there’s no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than watching all three Matrix movies, back-to-back, in the nostalgic coziness of The Coolidge Corner Theater. You can expect six hours of Keanu Reeves’ Neo questioning our machine-centric world and ushering in a ground-breaking for-its-time way of choreographing and filming fight scenes. As an added bonus, there’s a pre-marathon costume party, so create a backstory for your Matrix character and arrive soiree-ready. The Coolidge sells tasty snacks, wine, and beer, including their very own brew, the Cult Classic by Zero Gravity Craft Brewery.

January 26–28
Theater District, Starting at $25
Herman Melville’s Moby Dick is a legendary tale, and Yngvild Aspeli’s version—at the Emerson Paramount Center—is a wildly unique take on the classic. The production combines video effects, actors, fifty extraordinary puppets, an orchestra, and a life-sized whale (of course) to explore the story’s central themes of all-consuming obsession and the inherent struggles of humanity. Grand and thought-provoking as it is, the puppetry alone is enough to quench your culture-crave the whole month long. Pre-game at Sip Wine Bar to mix and match $5 wines for a DIY flight or Avery Bar’s cozy fireplace at the Ritz-Carlton, just around the corner.

January 28, 5 pm
Jamaica Plain, Free
On the list of things we want more of in 2024, papercuts generally ain’t gonna make the cut. Unless, of course, it’s the soothing library-meets-quirk mood of Papercuts Bookstore. They’ve been around for almost a decade, and host engaging events with authors such as Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, known for her eloquent blend of memoir, essay, and polyvocabulary. She’ll be there for a casual evening to discuss her new book, Touching the Art, exploring family trauma and her relationship with her late grandmother. Make an afternoon of it by visiting Monumental Market—a community hub featuring a nut-free bakery, locally-roasted coffee, swoony plants, and records.

Ongoing
Brighton, Starting at $20
Life is full of obstacles, but at least the ones at Action Athletics are 10/10 when it comes to epic workout form. The newly opened obstacle training facility offers expert guided conditioning and training classes, obstacle course programs, friendly competitions, and open gym sessions where you can explore the agility, strength, and balance challenges of their in-house obstacle course. Action Athletics is at Boston Landing—where the Bruins and Celtics train—so you can refuel at Broken Records Beer Hall with drinks, shuffleboard, and their almost-famous Currywurst Tots with sliced bratwurst and curry ketchup.

Ongoing
City-wide, Prices vary
Most Bostonians have a favorite Bruins game day bar, like West End Johnnies and The Harp—both so close to the Garden you can almost hear the slapshots. The Pineapple Chicken Sandwich gets a lot of (much-deserved) attention at Johnnies and the folks at The Harp serve everything from peppery honey mustard Black and Gold Wings to burgers and flatbreads. Those catching the game downtown can’t go wrong with $4 pints and arcade games at Side Bar. Or go with a somewhat quieter vibe over at the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse, where they take food as seriously as Boston sports.

Ongoing
Seaport, Starting at $39 per table
Put down that curling broom and warm up at Spin, the Seaport’s Ping Pong paradise. The space is vibey and energetic, with colorful murals, leather sofas, and the rhythmic sound of Ping Pong paddles in the air. Each Friday night, you’ll meet local pros on hand for tips on game strategy and paddle know-how, or to just hop in on your game. If nothing else, you’ll have a blast and eat some wicked tasty grub like the Spin Burger with two smashed patties, whiskey pickles, and their secret gizmo sauce. Reserve a one-hour game table for up to 10 guests for $39.

January 27–28
Back Bay, $15 Weekend Admission
Calling all turtles and hares alike! The Boston Run Show celebrates runners of all levels—from casual around-the-block runners to those training for the major marathons. The weekend-long exhibits and talks feature education, inspiration, and even injury prevention. The event is headlined by Olympic American Sprinter Michael Johnson, and speakers include Hellah Sidibe, the first Black man to solo run 3,061 miles across the U.S. The exhibit floor will bustle with over 100 vendors—from Adidas and New Balance to Boston Beer Company. Plus, plenty of opportunities to connect with local running clubs. Giveaways and swag? But of course!

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