Let the Skating Begin!

Right about now, my favorite winter sport starts all over Boston - ice skating. No need to have any fancy equipment, super warm outfits or crazy skills. No need to rent a car and drive out to some mountains and get a chalet. You can go skating right here in Boston. Or Cambridge, or JP, or wherever!

For a full list of city-owned rinks check out the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Most are free entry and offer cheap rentals, like Stony Brook's $2 skates. Unfortunately, you are no longer allowed to skate on the Jamaica Pond as this old-timey picture shows.

Kendall Square Rink Opening Party Saturday 11 AM - 9 PM

Free entry to the rink, ice show at 2 PM and free refreshments, which I'm hoping means hot chocolate and cookies.

Charles Hotel Rink Opening Party Sunday 12 -6 PM

This was supposed to be last week, but it was too warm. What's going on New England? So here's your chance - free performances at noon, free skating and rentals all day.

College Night at the Frog Pond Tuesday 5 - 9 PM

The Common's Frog Pond freezes over every winter to make the most picturesque, though pricey, skating spot. Tuesdays those with a college ID get a break - just $2 entry. Now where did I put that old ID?

There's a ton more going on this weekend - I Love Latkes Party in Harvard Square, Illumination Tour of Somerville, Battle of the Belgians at City Feed, Caroling Mob in JP - so check out the full calendar at the bottom of the site.

Two Christmas Events and a Soccer Match

While it gets darker and darker earlier and earlier, at least you can light up the night with these events. And just to throw a curveball, one really good looking soccer watching party this weekend.

Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll

Thursday 6-9 PM

Beacon Hill already has that quite perfect colonial Christmas feel. Combine that with Victorian carolers, brass bands, buggy rides and you've got quite a holiday feast. Shops will be luring you in with free drinks and food. So just go straight here from the office for a free dinner.

Ice Chimes on the Greenway

Thursday 6-7 PM

Now that the highway is gone, there's been tons of great public art going on on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. (Anyone catch the hammock?) Now they're unveiling Ice Chimes which apparently will make rain and snow stick to it, forming icicles. As icicles grow, they will cause the chimes to sound. Interesting, but have any icicles formed yet? Websites say there's a reception and a nightcap at Vintage Lounge afterwards. While the art is free, I have a feeling the nightcap is not.

Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona

Saturday 3:30-6PM

Hey soccer fans out there! Twice a year Madrid plays Barcelona and this is nothing true football fans want to miss - El Clasico. Join the MIT Spanish Club to watch the game at the Thirsty Ear Pub on the MIT campus. Looks open to us regular folk. Free treats like Jamon serrano and queso. Buy your own drinks, unless there are some happy drunk FC Barcelona fans that you can get to buy you a round when they win.

As always, these events and more on the Beantown on the Cheap Calendar, just scroll to the bottom of the site.