Family Weekend

Friday, October 20, 2023

Welcome Reception & Casino Night

5-8 p.m. | Atrium & Cardinal Lounge
Price: Free

Kick off Family Weekend with MCPHS students, faculty, and staff with a fun-filled evening! The whole family can play classic casino games, including Blackjack, Roulette, and Texas Hold ‘Em for a chance to win great prizes. Light refreshments will be provided.

Saturday, October 21, 2023

BarbieQ: A Barbie Themed New England Seafood BBQ

12—3 p.m. | Lawn on D, 420 D St., Boston, MA 02210
Guest Price: $34, MCPHS Student price: $18

Join the Cardinals Activities Board (CAB) at the ClamBQ. As one of MCPHS’ largest student organizations, it’s CAB tradition to host this event that’s fun for the whole family. This year, the ClamBQ is at Lawn on D, one of Boston’s most popular outdoor event spaces. Enjoy an unlimited seafood buffet of New England clam chowder, lobsters, and a carving station. This year’s theme is Barbie, so pink attire is not required but highly suggested for plenty of fun photo opportunities!

Transportation is available and included in ticket prices, if needed. Please plan accordingly and designate your interest in using transportation when checking out.

After the ClamBQ, return to campus for other Family Weekend events, or explore Boston’s Seaport, which offers restaurants, museums, shopping, entertainment, and more.

Franklin Park Zoo Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience:

6 p.m. | 1 Franklin Park Rd. Boston, MA 02121
Guest price: $15 MCPHS Student price: $4, Children Under 2: Free. Please check in at the admissions booth at the Zoo.

Boston Lights is back again, illuminating Franklin Park Zoo’s 72 acres with a stunning array of all-new lanterns and lights!

Come face-to-face with an ice-breathing dragon and more fantastical creatures in a frozen mythical land. Explore ancient Egypt, where you’ll discover towering pyramids, a 33-foot sphinx, and awe-inspiring wildlife. Dive into an underwater adventure through a coral reef featuring marine life from Down Under, and experience the rich cultural history of China through traditional lantern scenes, including a 200-foot-long display of pagodas, cranes, and lotuses, as well as a glowing walk-through dragon tunnel spanning over 80 feet.

Learn more about the Franklin Park Zoo Boston Lights. Transportation for this event is not provided. There is free parking at the Zoo. Details are in the FAQ section of the website above.

Ghost & Graveyards Private Trolley Tour

7 p.m. | Pick up and Drop off location on campus: 101 Palace Rd
Guest price: $48 MCPHS student price: $12: Limited quantity

Hop on a private Ghost & Gravestones trolley tour exclusively for MCPHS students and families! Walk amongst the dead in burying grounds nearly four hundred years old, hear stories of those whose mortal remains lie beneath your feet, and listen to tales of many of the sordid practices that went along with them in the historic city of Boston.

Length of tour and travel time: 2 hours

Learn more here: Ghosts and Gravestones. Disclaimer: This tour may not be suitable for children under 9. Due to the loud noises on our tour, children under 6 are not allowed onboard. 

Karaoke Night

7—9 p.m.| Atrium
Price: Free

Come pick your favorite song and showcase your skills at this interactive karaoke experience. Perform solo or as a family!

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Brunch with Red

11 a.m.–1 p.m. | White Hall
Price: Free

Join students, faculty, staff, and Red the Cardinal for a delicious brunch on-campus.

Fall Festival

12–2 p.m.| Atrium
Price: Free

Conclude your fun-filled weekend with autumn-themed DIY arts and crafts.

The University has partnered with the following hotels with room block rates and other discounts. Most accommodations and rates are for king or double queen rooms.

Room block rates are very limited and are NOT guaranteed. Please confirm directly with the hotel for rates and availability.

The Inn at Longwood Medical (0.8 miles from campus) | 617.731.4700

The Inn offers a discounted rate for MCPHS Students and families. Rates may vary depending on time of year and booking time; however, the discount equates to at least $40-$100 off retail rate.

Book your room at the Inn.

The Verb, which is centrally located by Boston’s historic Fenway Park, is offering 15% off the best available rate offered online, plus a $32 per-night fee. With 93 retro decorated rooms, a sun deck, roof deck, and record players with a curated vinyl collection available for use, The Verb is a unique experience.

Use the promo code “MCPHS” at checkout to receive the discount. Book your room at the Verb.

Boston Public Library & Museums 

• Boston Public Library
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Museum of Science
• Boston Children’s Museum

Students receive free admission to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Museum of Fine Arts with their MCPHS ID.

Boston Common & Frog Pond

Explore the beauty of America’s first public park, the Boston Common. The City of Boston is also hosting the Fall-O-Ween Children’s Festival on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 5—8 p.m. at the intersection of Charles and Beacon streets. Admission is free.

Head of the Charles

Since its origin in 1965, the Head Of The Charles® Regatta has welcomed the world’s best crew teams to the banks of the Charles River for the ultimate rowing competition. This year’s festivities coincide with Family Weekend and are free for spectators.

SoWa Open Market

SoWa in Boston’s South End has restaurants, artist studios, galleries, home decor showrooms, and fashion boutiques housed in chic reclaimed industrial warehouse buildings. Artisans, craftspeople, designers, shop owners, and local farmers gather in the Open Market on Sundays from May to October to sell their products and share their work.

And More!

There is no shortage of activities and things to do happening in Boston during Family Weekend. Explore more planned events.