Boston’s Free January Events: From Book Clubs to Snow Watch

BOSTON, Mass. — As Bostonians recover from holiday spending, the city is offering a variety of free events to kick off the new year. From book clubs to bike rides, here’s what’s happening in Boston this January.

On Saturday, Jan. 11, the Boston Public Library in Copley Square will host a “Hot Date with a Book Club” event. Librarians from various BPL branches will help attendees find their perfect book club match. “It’s exactly how it sounds: You’ll meet some of the librarians who run book groups all around the BPL system to find your perfect match,” said a library spokesperson.

For those looking to stay active, Boston Bikes is organizing a winter ride through Dorchester and Mattapan on the same day. The event will conclude with hot chocolate, and free Bluebikes will be available for those without their own. “No bike? No worries. They have a limited number of free Bluebikes available,” the organizers noted.

Meanwhile, the city’s museums are gearing up for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20. The Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Institute of Contemporary Art will all offer free admission, along with special activities and performances reflecting on MLK’s vision for racial justice.

In other news, the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest migration report shows that fewer people are leaving Massachusetts compared to previous years. While 27,500 residents left the state in 2023, this marks a significant drop from the 55,000 who left during the peak of the pandemic. “While our return to pre-pandemic out-migration levels could simply signal a return to normalcy, Gov. Maura Healey is optimistic,” said a state official.

On the transportation front, the MBTA’s Silver Line will undergo drainage improvement work at South Station from Jan. 10 to Jan. 12. During this period, Silver Line buses will be rerouted, but riders will only be charged $1.70 per trip. “Before you roll your eyes, the MBTA is throwing riders a bone,” said a spokesperson.

As Bostonians brace for winter weather, meteorologists predict a light dusting of snow on Saturday. “New England weather gon’ New England weather, so brush up on your snow shoveling skills and keep your snow boots handy,” advised a local weather expert.

For foodies, the Too Good To Go app is now available at Massachusetts Whole Foods locations. The app offers discounted “surprise bags” of surplus food, with deals as low as $4 for $30 worth of gourmet cheese. “Most everyone agrees it’s a seriously solid deal,” said one user.

Finally, the residents of Jack Satter House in Revere have created a unique fundraiser: a calendar featuring senior citizens posing as models. “One woman said, ‘That’s pornography!’” recalled Christine Griffin, who helped organize the project. “We all said to her, ‘You haven’t seen pornography!’” The calendar is available for purchase online.