More than 40 sculptures, expanded waterfront programming, and Boston Common debut highlight 2025 New Year’s Eve celebration

BOSTON, Mass. – December 18, 2025 –  Boston Harbor Now today announced the return of the annual New Year’s Eve Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll, the East Coast’s largest ice sculpture celebration. On Wednesday, December 31, visitors from across Greater Boston and beyond are invited to explore more than 40 hand-carved ice sculptures along Boston Harbor, stretching from Charlestown to South Boston, plus a new sculpture location for 2025: Boston Common.

This year’s Stroll expands through new partnerships and additional activation sites, further strengthening the citywide commitment to creating welcoming, family-friendly experiences on New Year’s Eve. New partners include 15 Necco (Alexandria Real Estate Equities), the New England Revolution, and The Trustees of Reservations, each contributing a sculpture or programming that offers more ways for visitors to engage with Boston’s waterfront and open spaces.

New this year, Boston Harbor Now will offer a FREE water shuttle between East Boston’s Lewis Mall Dock, Fan Pier, and North Station. The ferry will depart every 40 minutes between 1:00-5:00 pm.

Leave Fan Pier: 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm

Leave Lovejoy: 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 5:00 pm

Leave East Boston: 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm

The water shuttle’s last stop of the day will be 6pm at Fan Pier. Visit bostonharbornow.org/nye for a detailed schedule.

The Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll is a signature feature of New Year’s Eve on the Waterfront, produced by Boston Harbor Now in collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit partners. As strollers make their way along the waterfront to view all the ice sculptures, they can also enjoy winter attractions across the city, from seasonal markets to public art to festive lighting displays, culminating with Boston Harbor’s midnight fireworks.

Strollers can also participate in the StayCation Giveaway, returning again for 2025. The contest invites sculpture viewers to snap a selfie with their favorite sculpture and then visit bostonharbornow.org/nye to learn more about how to enter for a chance to win one of several Boston staycation prize packages.

2025 Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll Highlights

• Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

• Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (with additional celebrations continuing through midnight)

• Locations: Across the Boston waterfront and Harborwalk, including a new sculpture at Boston Common

• Activities include:

  • More than 40 hand-carved sculptures created by local artists

  • Snowport Winter Village in the Seaport

  • Winter lights at the trellis in Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

  • Ship lights at Martin’s Park at the Smith Family Waterfront

  • Midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor

  • Additional festive programming led by partner organizations

  • FREE water shuttle from Fan Pier, North Station and Lewis Wharf

A full map and schedule are available at bostonharbornow.org/nye.

StayCation Giveaway Prizes

Grand Prize:

• Overnight stay at the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf

• Spirit of Boston cruise tickets

• Away Travel bag

Runners-Up (2):

• Overnight stay at the Seaport Boston Hotel + two Winter Wildlife Cruise tickets

• Overnight stay at the Hyatt Boston Seaport Hotel + two Winter Wildlife Cruise tickets

Strollers should visit bostonharbornow.org/nye for full details on how to enter the selfie contest.