Night Lights: Dazzling Gardens

Experience Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden, one of the region’s most dazzling winter light displays! Revel in the wonder of the winter season with friends, family, and half a million lights. Enter an illuminated world where stars of the botanic garden shine, and where sparkling experiences and one-of-a-kind light displays inspire joy to last all year. It’s a celebration of nature like you’ve never seen before—bright, bold, and full of dazzle. There is no better place to make memories this season than Night Lights. As the days grow shorter, find cheer in gardens decked out in a record number of lights. Wander among twinkling trees and enchanting landscapes. Night Lights displays change each year, so there is always something new and exciting for return visitors to discover. Festive family activities, sweet treats, holiday shopping, and more await. And with free on-site parking, the magic begins the moment you arrive! Garden Members receive a 25% discount on tickets and 50% off on tickets purchased for the evenings of December 1–3 (while supplies last!). Learn more and get your tickets at <a href="https://nebg.org/nightlights/">nebg.org/nightlights</a>.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Holiday Wreath Making with Bluebird Bouquets

The Twelve Days of CRAFT-MESS! The annual Wreath Making Workshop has returned! Join Bluebird Bouquets for a festive and creative experience where you'll craft a fresh floral wreath to brighten your home this holiday season. Using an 18-inch grapevine base, you will learn to design in Bluebird’s signature asymmetrical style, combining seasonal foliage, vibrant florals, and decorative accents. Whether you plan to hang your wreath on your door, wall, or use it as a striking table centerpiece, this workshop offers all the materials and expert guidance you need to create a truly unique holiday decoration. Don't miss this beloved seasonal tradition! Begin your class with coffee, tea, and a light pastry and enjoy this holiday wreath making tradition.

Winter Holiday Floral Arrangement

Design an elegant seasonal showstopper with poinsettias, roses, evergreens, and berries. Learn expert floral design skills and techniques. Deck the halls with dazzling winter florals! Join us for a festive floral design workshop where you'll create beautiful holiday décor for your home. Great for gifting or brightening your own home. All ability levels are welcome and all supplies will be provided along with a light coffee &amp; tea service.&nbsp;

Frosted Fun: Gingerbread Decorating Workshop

Welcome to the Twelve Days of Craft-mess! Bring holiday magic to life through gingerbread. Inspired by the Garden’s elegant Orangerie, this festive workshop invites you to design and decorate your very own gingerbread greenhouse. Under the guidance of Peppers’ Artful Events’ Executive Pastry Chef and Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship finalist, Lisa Clark, you’ll learn creative decorating techniques to turn premade gingerbread panels into candy-coated botanical masterpieces. Icing “glass” windows, frosted evergreens, and sparkling sugar details transform each structure into a miniature conservatory worthy of display. With step-by-step instruction, Chef Lisa breaks down each element into approachable techniques—perfect for those new to decorating or looking to elevate their holiday skills. All materials are provided for this relaxing, adults-only afternoon of artistry and fun.

Winter Solstice: Crown, Candle, & Yule

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Seasonal Crafts at New England Botanic Garden. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, creativity, and festive cheer! This enchanting season invites you to embrace its charm through a delightful hands-on experience. Join us for coffee and tea while crafting a stunning floral crown centerpiece using an array of seasonal and dried blooms that capture the essence of winter's beauty.&nbsp;&nbsp; In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about the tradition of the Yule log and its history as a symbol of warmth, protection, and renewal during the winter season.&nbsp;Participants will create their own Yule log to take home using a wooden base, seasonal greenery, dried citrus, candles, and other natural materials. As we craft, we will also explore the meaning behind some of the items traditionally used; such as evergreens holly, and cinnamon.&nbsp; All materials will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own small items or personal symbols to add. The goal is for each person to leave with a beautiful, meaningful centerpiece that can be displayed or shared with family during the winter season.

Gnomevember at New England Botanic Garden

The gnomes return! Visit New England Botanic Garden this fall to explore a whimsical world of garden gnomes! Visiting from near and far, the Garden’s cast of specially designed and crafted gnomes have taken up residence in some of their favorite spots around the Garden. Created by talented local artists, each gnome has a unique personality and a story waiting to be discovered. Can you find them all? This exhibition is included with General Admission. Learn more at <a href="https://nebg.org/gnomevember/">https://nebg.org/gnomevember/</a>

Sip & Script: Calligraphy Holiday Ornaments

Sip, swirl, and script your way into the elegant art of modern calligraphy. Join us during the twelve days of Craft-mess.&nbsp;In this class, you'll learn the basic strokes that form letters and practice combining them into graceful script. No artistic background or perfect handwriting required—anyone can learn calligraphy! What You'll Experience Introduction to calligraphy: Learn to use a dip pen and ink to form elegant modern letterforms. Plus, your own calligraphy set to keep! Hands-on practice: Build skills through guided exercises in strokes, letters, and layout. A living tradition: Discover the rich history of calligraphy and its modern-day resurgence. Relax and sip: Enjoy coffee, tea, or mulled cider, with casual conversation, and creative company.

Block Printing Workshop: Make & Gift Napkins

The Twelve Days of CRAFT-MESS! Get into the holiday spirit with a joyful afternoon of block printing! Design and carve your own rubber block - or choose from ready-made designs- then print a beautiful set of cotton napkins, perfect for handmade holiday gifts. No experience necessary. All supplies included. Instructor: The Indigo Squirrel (aka Cathy Wilkerson) has a passion for dying with indigo. She can often be found leaning over a vat with blue fingers, fabric in hand. Cathy is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Textile Design, and has been a teacher in the Continuing Education department for more than a decade.

Sugar & Spice: An Herbal Holiday Kitchen

Sugar &amp; Spice: An Herbal Holiday Kitchen &nbsp; The aroma, taste, and visual delight of herbs can transform any holiday table. In this festive, hands-on class, you’ll make three delicious creations to enjoy or share: a rich herbal butter for seasonal meals, a custom salt rub to elevate your cooking, and a sparkling sugar rim perfect for holiday cocktails. Handouts will include recipes and ideas for additional blends so your celebrations can be filled with flavor all season long.

Gnome for the Holidays: Paint Your Own Gnome

Create your own mini garden gnome in this fun painting workshop for tweens to adults! Enjoy gnome-sized treats while brining your very special gnome to life while learning to paint on 3D surfaces. All supplies are included. No experience needed.

Cultivated: New England Apple Tree Symposium

Science, Cider and the Cultivated Apple. A regional symposium exploring the science of apple cultivation, heirloom preservation, and the craft of cider. Join us for CULTIVATED: The New England Apple Tree Symposium—a two-day celebration of heirloom apples, orchard innovation, and the deep-rooted legacy of pomology. Explore the Frank L. Harrington, Sr. Orchard with expert orchardists and NEBG horticulturists, taste rare and flavourful apple cultivars, and dive into essential topics like rootstock selection, integrated pest management, and genetic preservation.&nbsp; Cap off the weekend with an optional off-site cider trail—featuring a guided tasting at a local craft cidery. So, whether you're a home grower, a cider enthusiast, or simply curious about the science behind your favourite fruit, this immersive experience offers engaging lectures, hands-on tastings, and behind-the-scenes orchard access.

Pysanky Club: Pysanky for the Tree

Discover the timeless beauty of Ukrainian Pysanky,&nbsp;reimagined as unique holiday ornaments for your tree.&nbsp; In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the traditional wax-resist method using a kistka stylus, melted beeswax, and colorful dyes to decorated hollowed eggs. All materials are provided, along with step-by-step instruction and take-home varnishing tips, so your ornaments will sparkle for seasons to come.&nbsp; Though Pysanky are traditionally created at Easter, these special pieces bring the same artistry, blessings, and symbolism into the holiday season—adding handmade treasures of culture, resilience, and celebration to your tree.

Needle Felted Holiday Birds at New England Botanic Garden

he Twelve Days of CRAFT-MESS! Learn the art of needle felting while creating charming wool holiday birds. Using colorful fiber and simple tools, you'll sculpt and shape your own festive feathered friend perfect as an ornament, gifts, or cheerful seasonal décor.&nbsp; No experience needed. All materials are included.

Seeds to Sustenance: Nut Tree Symposium

Discover the power of nut trees at NEBG's Seeds to Sustenance symposium. Join us for our inaugural full-day symposium to explore the ecological, cultural and culinary value of nut trees in the Northeast - centred around the return of the American chestnut and expanding into broader themes of restoration, food systems, and climate resilience.&nbsp;

Stranger Plants at New England Botanic Garden

Step into a world of botanical wonder with Stranger Plants at New England Botanic Garden. This exhibition brings to life imagined plant species with bizarre, otherworldly traits inspired by the remarkable adaptations of some of the most interesting plant species found right here on Earth. Celebrating the strange and the spectacular with bold colors and unusual shapes, this immersive experience unfolds in The Ramble, a garden designed to spark curiosity for visitors of all ages. This fall, prepare for extraordinary encounters with plants unlike any you’ve ever seen and get up close to species so unique they could only exist in your wildest dreams, and nowhere else on Earth. Experience this otherworldly exhibition during the Garden’s daytime general admission hours, through an educational program, or during Glowing Wild, a special event series taking place on select Fridays and Saturday evenings. Stranger Plants is included with general admission. Additional tickets are required for educational programs and Glowing Wild, and these must be purchased in advance. Learn more at <a href="https://nebg.org/stranger-plants/">https://nebg.org/stranger-plants/</a>

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

newenglandbg

Experiences