Winter blues got you down?

Do the winter blues have you down? Are you completely broke from the holidays? Well have no fear! We at Lofts at Perkins Park have been researching some fun and possibly free ways to beat those cold melancholy days!

The year is young and Boston and Lowell are full of fun things to do without spending much if at all. Check out our suggestions for how to keep busy this winter while keeping your wallet full.

Williams-Sonoma celebrity chef series

At this free event, visitors don't just watch favorite local chefs like Matt Gaudet from Aquitaine and Gordon Hamersley from Hamersley's Bistro give demonstrations on their signature dishes -- they get to eat the results.
100 Huntington Ave #C9, Boston. 617-262-3080. 

Wine and beer tasting

Unwind after a long week at work with wine and beer tastings every Friday night at Ball Square Fine Wines and Liquors. On Jan. 20 the Somerville shop will be offering a selection of French and Italian wines to sample.
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 716 Broadway, Somerville. 617-623-9500. 

Cambridge winter farmer's market

Summer may be long gone but the Cambridge farmer's market is just beginning, with fresh food, art, and music every Saturday. Expect to find vendors like Jordan Brothers Seafood, Taza Chocolate, and Big Sky Bakery as well as music performances and food demos.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cambridge Community Center, Callender St., Cambridge. 781-302-4835. 

Public open night at the Coit Observatory

Got stars in your eyes? Pick out your favorite constellations at the Coit Observatory at Boston University, which offers free stargazing Wednesdays after 7:30 p.m. throughout the fall and winter, pending clear skies.
725 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. 617-353-2630. bu.edu

Jan. 22: Boston food swap

The Boston food swap, held at Space with a Soul, is essentially a potluck of epic proportions. Bring homemade and homegrown foodstuffs to swap for other items made or grown by locals, like baked goods, jam, spreads, and local eggs.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m., 281 Summer St., Boston. 

February 9-11th: Lowell WinterFest

Families from around New England can celebrate the wonders of winter at Lowell’s Annual Winterfest Celebration. Festivities include live entertainment, arts & crafts, kids activities, outdoor ice skating, soup bowl competition and the crowd favorite – the National Human Dogsled Championship, weather permitting.

Enjoy free ice skating, face painting, magic shows, tundra rides, fireworks and paling around with the lovable Lowla Bear. The Lowell Winterfest also includes crafts, live entertainment, a soup bowl competition and the crowd pleasing favorite – the National Human Dogsled Championships. A free shuttle will transport visitors between sites.