Boston dates worth knowing

Thu, Oct 15 – Sun, Oct 25

Korean community

Boston Asian American Film Festival

Coolidge Corner Theatre, Emerson Paramount Center, Pao Arts Center · Boston area, MA

The 18th annual showcase of films about the Asian American experience. The opening night film screens Thursday, October 15 at 7PM at Coolidge Corner Theatre.

Sat, Oct 17 – Fri, Oct 30

City & living

Early voting begins in Boston

City of Boston · Boston, MA

Early voting for the November 3 state election runs October 17 through October 30. Households with registered voters can use this window instead of election day itself.

Tue, Oct 20

16:30-18:30

Housing

Boston Home Center homeownership drop-in session

26 Court Street, MOH Constituent Center · Boston, MA

Tuesday, October 20, 4:30–6:30 p.m. at 26 Court Street. Boston Home Center staff answer questions about city homeownership resources, free of charge. Sessions repeat on the third Tuesday of each month.

Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25

Academic calendar

Northeastern Family & Friends Weekend

Northeastern University · Boston, MA

Held October 23–25 on the Boston campus. Parents visiting that weekend can join campus programs.

Fri, Oct 23

20:00

Academic calendar

MIT Family Weekend Concert

Kresge Auditorium, MIT · Cambridge, MA

A free concert at Kresge Auditorium on Friday, October 23 at 8 p.m., held as part of MIT Family Weekend. Useful for parents planning a visit that weekend.

Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25

Academic calendar

Berklee Family Weekend 2026

Berklee College of Music · Boston, MA

Runs Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25.

Sat, Oct 24

City & living

Voter registration deadline for the state election

City of Boston · Boston, MA

Registration closes October 24 for the November 3 state election. Households that moved recently should update their address by this date as well.

Mon, Oct 26

City & living

MBTA commuter rail fall/winter schedules take effect

New commuter rail schedules take effect Monday October 26. On the Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, Needham, Newburyport/Rockport, and Providence/Stoughton lines several trains depart earlier or later than before, while the Framingham/Worcester line is unchanged. Commuters should recheck their usual train time.

Sat, Oct 31 – Sun, Nov 1

City & living

MBTA Green Line weekend suspension (Oct 31–Nov 1)

Green Line service is suspended this weekend between Government Center and Babcock Street (B), Government Center and Kenmore (C), North Station and Kenmore (D), and Heath Street and North Station (E), with free shuttle buses replacing trains. Riders should allow extra travel time.

Sun, Nov 1

02:00

City & living

Daylight saving time ends

Clocks go back one hour at 2 a.m. on November 1. If you keep a regular call time with family in Korea, recheck it after this date.

Sun, Nov 1

Housing

Boston second-quarter property tax due

The FY2027 second-quarter tax bill is issued October 1 and due November 1. Since that date falls on a Sunday, the city's rule moves the deadline to the first business day after.

Tue, Nov 3

City & living

Massachusetts state election day

City of Boston · Boston, MA

Massachusetts general state election day. Voting on this day requires registration by October 24; it is the day for voters who did not use the October 17–30 early voting period.

Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 22

Korean community

13th Annual KCSB Exhibition: Minhwa (Korean folk painting)

Nye Gallery, LexArt, 130 Waltham St · Lexington, MA

A Minhwa exhibition by three Korean-American artists at the Nye Gallery, LexArt in Lexington, November 7–22. A chance to see traditional Korean painting with your family.

Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 15

City & living

MBTA Green Line nine-day suspension (Nov 7–15)

For nine consecutive days, Green Line service is suspended between Government Center and Babcock Street (B), Government Center and Cleveland Circle (C), North Station and Kenmore (D), and Heath Street and North Station (E), with free shuttle buses. The MBTA advises budgeting at least 25 extra minutes from Cleveland Circle to Park Street.

Sat, Nov 7

12:00-15:00

City & living

Boston Veterans Parade

Boston Public Library (Boylston St) to City Hall Plaza · Boston, MA

The parade starts at the Boston Public Library on Boylston Street, passes the corner of Park and Tremont, and ends at 1 City Hall Plaza. Admission is free; note the route if you plan to be downtown that afternoon.

Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8

City & living

Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail weekend suspension (Nov 7–8)

Commuter Rail service is suspended between Framingham and South Station this weekend, replaced by four free shuttle bus routes via stops including Wellesley, West Newton, Newtonville and Boston Landing. There are no shuttle stops at Wellesley Farms or Lansdowne.

Wed, Nov 11

Holidays

Veterans Day (federal holiday)

A Wednesday, but Federal Reserve Banks are closed. It is easy to overlook mid-week, so check dates if you have a wire or closing that week.

Wed, Nov 11

City & living

Veterans Day: Boston city offices closed, parking meters free

City of Boston · Boston, MA

On Wednesday, November 11, City offices and BCYF community centers are closed and parking meters are free with no time limit. Daytime street cleaning is canceled and overnight cleaning runs as usual; trash and recycling pickups are delayed in some neighborhoods that week. Check with the library directly for branch hours.

Mon, Nov 16 – Thu, Dec 10

City & living

Green Line C branch skips Hawes Street and Summit Avenue inbound (Nov 16–Dec 10)

For 25 days, inbound C branch trains will not stop at Hawes Street or Summit Avenue. The MBTA directs riders to Saint Mary's Street or Kent Street instead of Hawes Street, and to Coolidge Corner or Brandon Hall instead of Summit Avenue.

Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Nov 22

City & living

MBTA Red Line suspension south of Broadway (Nov 20–22)

For three days the Red Line is suspended between Broadway and JFK/UMass (Ashmont) and between Broadway and North Quincy (Braintree), with free shuttle buses. Old Colony Commuter Rail is fare-free between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass and South Station, and the MBTA advises at least 50 extra minutes from Braintree to Downtown Crossing.

Mon, Nov 23

17:00-18:00

City & living

Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park

Christopher Columbus Park, 110 Atlantic Avenue · Boston, MA

A free one-hour lighting ceremony from 5 to 6 p.m. at the waterfront park in the North End. It is an easy first outing of the holiday season for visiting family.

Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29

Academic calendar

Boston University Thanksgiving recess

Boston University · Boston, MA

No classes November 25–29; classes resume Monday, November 30. Plan travel around these dates.

Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29

Academic calendar

Harvard Griffin GSAS Thanksgiving recess

Harvard University · Cambridge, MA

Thanksgiving recess for Harvard Griffin GSAS runs November 25–29. Fall classes end December 4 and examinations begin December 10.

Wed, Nov 25

Academic calendar

Northeastern fall break (Thanksgiving)

Northeastern University · Boston, MA

Fall break begins Wednesday, November 25 and classes resume Monday, November 30. The last day of full-semester classes is December 13.

Wed, Nov 25 – Fri, Nov 27

Academic calendar

Boston College Thanksgiving Holidays

Boston College · Chestnut Hill, MA

Thanksgiving Holidays run Wednesday, November 25 through Friday, November 27. Plan short trips home or family travel around these dates.

Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29

Academic calendar

Berklee Thanksgiving recess

Berklee College of Music · Boston, MA

Campuses are closed for Thanksgiving recess November 25–29. Campuses are also closed on Veterans Day, November 11.

Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29

Academic calendar

Tufts fall break (residence halls remain open)

Tufts University · Medford, MA

No classes November 25 through 29, with classes resuming November 30. Residence halls stay open, so students who do not travel can remain on campus.

Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29

Academic calendar

Emerson Thanksgiving break: residence halls close November 25 at noon

Emerson College · Boston, MA

Residence halls close at noon on Wednesday, November 25 and reopen at noon on Sunday, November 29. There are no classes November 25 to 27, and classes resume Monday, November 30 at 8:00 a.m. ET. A student staying in Boston over the break should confirm housing in advance.

Thu, Nov 26 – Fri, Nov 27

Academic calendar

MIT Thanksgiving holiday

Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA

No classes Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving) and Friday, November 27 (Institute holiday). The last day of classes is December 10 and final exams run December 14–18.

Thu, Nov 26

Holidays

Thanksgiving Day (federal holiday)

Federal Reserve Banks are closed, so wires and closings do not go through. Universities are also on recess this week; see each school's entry for exact dates.

Thu, Nov 26

City & living

Trash and recycling delayed during Thanksgiving week

City of Boston · Boston, MA

Thanksgiving, November 26, is a city holiday and the city says trash and recycling pickups are delayed in some neighborhoods that week. Check your own collection day in the city's Trash Day app.

Sat, Nov 28

17:00-18:00

City & living

Lighting of the Ship at Martin's Park

Martin's Park, Smith Family Waterfront · Boston, MA

A free children's holiday celebration hosted by Boston Parks and Recreation at Martin's Park in the Seaport and Fort Point area, with Santa arriving by boat with the Boston Police Harbor Unit.

Mon, Nov 30

City & living

Boston daytime street sweeping season ends

Daytime street sweeping ends November 30 in most Boston neighborhoods; it continues through December 31 in the North End, South End, and Beacon Hill. Cars parked during sweeping hours can be towed, so keep checking posted signs until then.

Mon, Nov 30

17:00-18:00

City & living

Copley Square Tree Lighting (free)

Copley Square, 560 Boylston Street · Boston, MA

A free Boston Parks and Recreation event on Monday, November 30, 5–6 p.m., at Copley Square (560 Boylston Street), with musical performances, arts and crafts, appearances by Santa Claus, and a guided tour of the newly renovated square.

Thu, Dec 3

18:00-20:00

City & living

Boston Common Tree Lighting

Boston Common, 139 Tremont Street · Boston, MA

A free city-run ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m. The tree is sent each year by Nova Scotia in thanks for Boston's relief effort after the 1917 Halifax explosion, so the event carries some local history worth explaining.

Thu, Dec 3

20:00

City & living

Lighting of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall

Commonwealth Avenue Mall (approximate location: 15 Commonwealth Avenue) · Boston, MA

A free lighting of the trees along Commonwealth Avenue at 8 p.m., starting immediately after the Boston Common Tree Lighting. Both ceremonies can be seen the same evening.

Fri, Dec 4

Academic calendar

Harvard Griffin GSAS last day of fall classes

Harvard University · Cambridge, MA

Last day of fall full-term and fall session 2 courses. Reading period and exams follow, so book return flights after the exam period rather than after the last class.

Sat, Dec 5 – Wed, Dec 9

Academic calendar

Harvard Griffin GSAS fall reading period

Harvard University · Cambridge, MA

December 5 through 9 is set aside for exam preparation with no classes. It is not a break, so coordinate any visit during this stretch with the student first.

Mon, Dec 7 – Fri, Dec 11

Academic calendar

Berklee final exam period

Berklee College of Music · Boston, MA

The final exam period runs December 7 to 11 and includes ensemble auditions and juries. Performance obligations make this a difficult week for students to take time off.

Wed, Dec 9 – Fri, Dec 18

Academic calendar

Harvard Kennedy School fall semester examinations

Harvard Kennedy School · Cambridge, MA

In-class exams run December 9 to 18, following a reading period after classes end on December 4. Book return flights only after the student's last exam date is known.

Thu, Dec 10

Academic calendar

Boston University last day of fall classes

Boston University · Boston, MA

December 10 is the last day of fall classes, followed by a study period and final exams from December 14 to 18. The term effectively ends in mid-December.

Thu, Dec 10 – Sat, Dec 19

Academic calendar

Harvard Griffin GSAS fall examinations begin

Harvard University · Cambridge, MA

Fall examinations run December 10 to December 19. Individual exam dates vary by course, so confirm the student's last exam before booking flights or planning move-out.

Thu, Dec 10

Academic calendar

MIT last day of fall classes

Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA

Classes end December 10 and the final exam period runs December 14 to 18. The term is not over until exams finish, so plan travel after the student's last exam.

Fri, Dec 11

Academic calendar

Berklee fall semester instruction ends

Berklee College of Music · Boston, MA

Fall instruction ends December 11. Use this date as the anchor for return flights or decisions about housing over the winter.

Fri, Dec 11 – Sun, Dec 13

Academic calendar

Boston University study period

Boston University · Boston, MA

December 11 to 13 is a study period with no classes but exams still ahead. It is not a break, so it is not a good window for a family visit.

Fri, Dec 11

Academic calendar

UMass Boston fall semester ends

University of Massachusetts Boston · Boston, MA

The semester ends December 11, followed by a study period December 12 to 13 and final exams December 14 to 18. December 19 is held as a snow make-up day.

Sat, Dec 12

12:00

Academic calendar

Berklee residence halls close (December 12, noon)

Berklee College of Music · Boston, MA

Residence halls close at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, the day after instruction ends. Plan flights and storage around this time rather than the last day of instruction.

Sat, Dec 12

15:00-16:00

Korean community

Bopoong Workshop: Voice and Body, Korean Drumming (Somerville)

Somerville Music Spaces, 1060 Broadway #C101B · Somerville, MA

A Korean drumming (pungmul) workshop in Somerville on Saturday December 12 at 3 PM. No prior experience is needed and all ages are welcome, making it an easy first contact point for newly arrived families.

Sun, Dec 13

Academic calendar

Northeastern last day of fall classes with final exams

Northeastern University · Boston, MA

December 13 is the last class day for full-semester courses that have final exams, with the exam period starting December 14. Courses without exams continue through December 20.

Sun, Dec 13

City & living

MBTA winter bus service increases (routes 55, 74, 75)

From December 13, Route 55 (West Fenway–Arlington) gains early-morning and evening service, and Routes 74 and 75 between Belmont Center and Harvard add Sunday and late-night service. Relevant to families living toward Belmont and Cambridge.

Mon, Dec 14

Academic calendar

Tufts fall classes end

Tufts University · Medford, MA

Classes end December 14, followed by a reading period on December 15. Final exams begin December 16.

Mon, Dec 14 – Sat, Dec 19

Academic calendar

Boston College final exam period

Boston College · Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate final exams run Monday, December 14 through Saturday, December 19, and some class meeting patterns have exams on Saturday. Make-up common exams are scheduled Monday, December 21 at 9:00 a.m. Exam days depend on each class's meeting time, so confirm the student's last exam before booking a flight.

Mon, Dec 14 – Fri, Dec 18

Academic calendar

MIT final exam period

Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA

Classes end December 10 and final exams run December 14 to 18. Confirm the student's last exam date before setting flights or a lease end date.

Mon, Dec 14 – Fri, Dec 18

Academic calendar

Boston University final exams

Boston University · Boston, MA

Classes end December 10, a study period runs December 11 to 13, and final exams run December 14 to 18. The student's last exam date varies by course, so confirm it before booking travel.

Mon, Dec 14 – Fri, Dec 18

Academic calendar

UMass Boston final exam period

University of Massachusetts Boston · Boston, MA

The semester ends December 11, a study period runs December 12 to 13, and exams run December 14 to 18. December 19 is held as an emergency snow day if needed, so flights after that date leave more room.

Mon, Dec 14 – Sat, Dec 19

Academic calendar

Harvard Extension School final exams and last class meetings

Harvard Extension School · Cambridge, MA

Final exams and last class meetings run December 14 to 19, closing the fall term on December 19. The schedule extends through Saturday, so keep that weekend open.

Tue, Dec 15

Academic calendar

Tufts reading period

Tufts University · Medford, MA

A single day between the December 14 end of classes and the December 16 start of exams. Students use it to prepare, so visits are better scheduled after exams.

Tue, Dec 15

Academic calendar

Emerson College Spring 2027 tuition, room, board and fee payments due

Emerson College · Boston, MA

Spring 2027 tuition, room, board, and fee payments are due Tuesday December 15. If paying by wire from Korea, send a few days early to allow for bank processing time.

Wed, Dec 16 – Wed, Dec 23

Academic calendar

Tufts final exams and review boards

Tufts University · Medford, MA

Final exams and review boards run December 16 to 23. Winter break (December 23 to January 19) closes the residence halls, and students are expected to move out 24 hours after their last final. Confirm the student's last exam date before booking a flight.

Thu, Dec 17

Academic calendar

Emerson last day of fall classes

Emerson College · Boston, MA

December 17 is the last day of Boston fall classes and follows the Friday schedule. Residence halls close at noon the next day, December 18.

Fri, Dec 18

12:00

Academic calendar

Emerson residence halls close (December 18, noon)

Emerson College · Boston, MA

Residence halls close at 12:00 noon ET on Friday, December 18, the day after the last day of classes. Plan flights and storage around this time.

Sat, Dec 19

12:00

Academic calendar

Boston University residences close (December 19, noon)

Boston University · Boston, MA

Residence dining service is suspended after dinner on Friday, December 18, and the residences close at noon on Saturday, December 19. Book flights around the student's last exam and this closing time.

Sun, Dec 20 – Mon, Jan 4

Academic calendar

Harvard Griffin GSAS winter recess begins

Harvard University · Cambridge, MA

Winter recess starts December 20 with most University offices closed until they reopen January 4. Any paperwork or administrative request is best completed before December 19.

Sun, Dec 20 – Sun, Jan 3

Academic calendar

Harvard Extension School winter break

Harvard Extension School · Cambridge, MA

No classes from December 20 to January 3, with offices closed December 24 through January 3. Handle registration or inquiries by December 23.

Mon, Dec 21

09:00

Academic calendar

Boston College make-up and common exam date

Boston College · Chestnut Hill, MA

After the regular exam period ends December 19, a make-up and common exam slot is set for 9 a.m. on December 21. Check whether the student is scheduled in it before booking travel.

Mon, Dec 21

17:00

Academic calendar

Boston College residence halls close

Boston College · Chestnut Hill, MA

Students must leave 24 hours after their last final exam or by 5 p.m. Monday, December 21, whichever comes first; halls close for winter break from December 21. Students may apply for a one-night extension to stay until 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 22 for travel-related reasons.

Wed, Dec 23 – Tue, Jan 19

Academic calendar

Tufts winter break begins, residence halls close

Tufts University · Medford, MA

Winter break runs December 23 to January 19 and the residence halls close. Students must move out within 24 hours of their last exam, which can fall well before December 23.

Thu, Dec 24 – Sun, Jan 3

Academic calendar

Berklee winter recess: administrative offices closed

Berklee College of Music · Boston, MA

Administrative offices are closed from Thursday December 24 through Sunday January 3 and reopen Monday January 4. Complete any document requests or administrative inquiries by December 23.

Fri, Dec 25

Holidays

Christmas Day (federal holiday)

December 25 is a holiday observed by the Federal Reserve System, when Federal Reserve Banks and Board offices are closed.

Fri, Dec 25

City & living

Christmas Day city closures and trash delay in Boston

City of Boston · Boston, MA

City offices, Boston Public Library locations, and BCYF community centers are closed on Friday, December 25. Parking meters are free with no time limit, and trash and recycling pickups are delayed in some neighborhoods that week, so check your collection day before putting bins out.

Wed, Dec 30 – Fri, Jan 1

Academic calendar

UMass Boston New Year's holiday observed (Dec 30–Jan 1)

University of Massachusetts Boston · Boston, MA

The university observes the New Year's holiday on December 30, 31, and January 1. Winter session classes begin right after on January 4, so any office business is best finished by December 29.

Fri, Jan 1

Holidays

New Year's Day (bank holiday)

Listed as a Federal Reserve bank holiday on January 1, 2027.

Mon, Jan 4

Academic calendar

Harvard Griffin GSAS winter recess ends; University offices reopen

Harvard University · Cambridge, MA

University offices reopen Monday January 4 and winter recess ends. Spring term online check-in opens the next day, January 5, so paperwork held over the break can be handled from this date.

Mon, Jan 4 – Fri, Jan 29

Academic calendar

MIT Independent Activities Period (IAP) begins

Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA

The Independent Activities Period runs Monday January 4 through Friday January 29, with spring classes starting February 1. January 4 at 5 PM is also the spring pre-registration deadline for continuing students, worth noting if the student is still in Korea.

Mon, Jan 4 – Sat, Jan 23

Academic calendar

Harvard Extension School January Session begins

Harvard Extension School · Cambridge, MA

The three-week January Session runs Monday January 4 through Saturday January 23. January 4 is also the deadline for course changes and for dropping with a full tuition refund, so enrollment decisions need to be settled by the first day.

Mon, Jan 4 – Fri, Jan 15

10:00

Academic calendar

Harvard Kennedy School January Session

Harvard Kennedy School · Cambridge, MA

The two-week January Session begins Monday January 4 at 10 AM and ends Friday January 15. Regular spring courses start January 25, so students not taking the session can plan travel around that gap.

Mon, Jan 4 – Fri, Jan 22

Academic calendar

UMass Boston winter session classes begin

University of Massachusetts Boston · Boston, MA

Winter session classes run Monday January 4 through Friday January 22, with the 100 percent refund drop deadline on Thursday January 7. The spring semester begins January 25.

Fri, Jan 8

08:00-12:00

Academic calendar

Emerson College new student spring move-in

Emerson College · Boston, MA

New students move in Friday January 8 between 8 AM and noon in assigned time slots, followed by New Student Orientation January 9 to 11. Flights for a spring-admitted student should be planned around this date.

Fri, Jan 8 – Fri, Jan 15

Academic calendar

Berklee spring 2027 check-in period

The spring 2027 semester check-in period, listed as a deadline on Berklee's academic calendar. It is worth confirming with your student that check-in is completed within this window.

Sun, Jan 10 – Mon, Jan 11

Academic calendar

Emerson College returning student move-in

Emerson College · Boston, MA

Returning students move back in on Sunday January 10 or Monday January 11 at a time they select in the housing portal, and spring classes begin Tuesday January 12. Return flights after winter break should land by these dates.

Mon, Jan 11 – Fri, Jan 22

Academic calendar

January@HarvardGriffinGSAS

Harvard University · Cambridge, MA

The Harvard Griffin GSAS January program runs January 11–22 on the school's academic calendar. If your graduate student is taking part, plan winter-break travel around these dates.

Tue, Jan 12

Academic calendar

Berklee residence halls open for spring

Berklee College of Music · Boston, MA

Residence halls open for both new and returning students. New undergraduate orientation runs January 12–17 and spring instruction begins January 19, so book flights for on or after the opening date.

Thu, Jan 14 – Mon, Jan 18

Academic calendar

Boston University spring move-in

Boston University · Boston, MA

January 14 is move-in by appointment for orientation only; new and continuing spring students move in by appointment January 15–18. Students who lived on campus in fall 2026 may return from 10 AM on January 15 through January 18.

Sun, Jan 17 – Tue, Jan 19

09:00

Academic calendar

Boston College spring move-in

Boston College · Chestnut Hill, MA

Students may arrive between Sunday, January 17 and Tuesday, January 19, with the earliest move-in at 9:00 AM on January 17. Individual early arrivals are not permitted and arriving before the approved date incurs a $125-per-night fee, so plan to arrive on or after January 17.