Boston Red Sox die-hards are well acquainted with the organization's usual winter fan festival, Winter Weekend.
Winter Weekend was a two-day event that has taken place at MGM Springfield and Foxwoods Resort Casino in the past. The festival featured events and panels with players, prospects, alumni, coaches and front office officials. But, after a few question-and-answer sessions gone awry, the Red Sox have a new plan for 2025.
Boston's new fan festival, Fenway Fest, will take place on Jan. 11 at MGM Music Hall and Fenway Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features some staples of past Winter Weekend fan festivals and some moments exclusive to 2024-25.
Everything fans need to know about Fenway Fest, the Red Sox's new winter fan festival format
Introducing Fenway Fest, coming to @FenwayPark on Saturday, Jan. 11!
— Red Sox (@RedSox) December 9, 2024
🎟️ https://t.co/399ZkuJYXw pic.twitter.com/MFUTgGJXYz
Fenway Fest tickets will run fans $85 for adults and $35 for children ages three to 14. All tickets include a voucher to a Red Sox home game in April or May and access to all Fenway Fest events on Jan. 11.
The "Fan Fest" portion of the proceedings will occur at Fenway Park. Fans will have self-guided access to the Green Monster, the Red Sox clubhouse and many of the exhibits at the park, including ones containing Hall of Fame memorabilia. There will also be games and activities for kids, including appearances from Wally and Tessie.
Autograph and photo sessions will occur at Fenway Park and the team store on Jersey Street. Tickets grant access to one of the sessions with a few players each, and attendees must pre-register for autograph and photo sessions before the event. Plenty of Red Sox fan-favorites will be present at Fenway Fest, including Rafael Devers, Triston Casas, Wilyer Abreu, and new acquisitions Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, among plenty of others.
The panel portion of the event will take place at MGM Music Hall and is first come, first serve, so arrive early if you'd like a seat. The panel will feature Greg Whiteley, the director of Boston's upcoming Netflix series “The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox,” and a sneak peek of the show.
In the past, Red Sox fans have relished the opportunity to interact with players and question management during Q&A panels. Hopefully, the Sox can find a way to strike a balance between old and new with the latest fan festival format.