Make the most of the holidays in Boston with our detailed event guide. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this guide showcases the festive magic of Boston.
One of the highlights of the season is the Boston Common Tree Lighting Spectacular, where the city's iconic tree sparkles into life amidst music and holiday cheer. With the stirring sounds of the Holiday Pops at Symphony Hall, audiences are treated to a delightful blend of classic and contemporary holiday music performed by talented musicians. And the Cirque Dreams Holidaze is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a captivating mix of acrobatics and holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Boston
- Boston Common Tree Lighting Spectacular
- Holiday Pops at Symphony Hall
- Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The Musical
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze
- Snowport: Boston Seaport's Holiday Wonderland
- Downtown Boston Holiday Market
- Boston Women’s Holiday Market at Faneuil Hall
- Christmas Festival at Seaport World Trade Center
- Magic of Lights at Gillette Stadium (Foxboro)
- Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings
See these and even more events listed below!
Boston Holiday Light Displays
Boston Common Tree Lighting Spectacular
What to Expect:
Figure skating show preceding the tree lighting.
Description:
The Boston Common Tree Lighting Spectacular is a free annual event featuring a figure skating show by the Skating Club Boston, followed by the lighting of Boston's official Christmas tree from Nova Scotia. The ceremony includes public skating at Frog Pond and is hosted by Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
Where: Boston | More Info: Boston Common Tree Lighting Spectacular
Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings
What to Expect:
Holiday tree lightings in various Boston neighborhoods.
Description:
The Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings is a holiday tradition where festive holiday trees are lit throughout Boston, sponsored by Bank of America, featuring visits from Santa and more.
Where: Boston | More Info: Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings
Magic of Lights at Gillette Stadium
What to Expect:
Over a million sparkling lights in festive displays.
Description:
Gillette Stadium transforms into a dazzling display of holiday lights with over a million sparkling lights, featuring festive favorites like the 200-foot Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, Candy Cane Lane, Toyland, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas. The event also includes a 32-foot tall animated Barbie and synchronized dancing displays to popular holiday tunes.
Where: Foxboro | More Info: Magic of Lights at Gillette Stadium
Winterlights at Southwick Zoo
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays with polar bear and singing penguin exhibits.
Description:
Southwick's Zoo transforms into a dazzling spectacle with over 4 million illuminated lights and large displays, featuring polar bear and singing penguin exhibits.
Where: Mendon | More Info: Winterlights at Southwick Zoo
Zoolights at Stone Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Zoolights at Stone Zoo features thousands of twinkling lights illuminating tree-lined paths and festive exhibits, including Yukon Creek with black bears, Canada lynx, and reindeer.
Where: Stoneham | More Info: Zoolights at Stone Zoo
Boston Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Festival at Seaport World Trade Center
What to Expect:
Extensive array of handmade products from American artisans.
Description:
The New England Christmas Festival is a premier holiday shopping event featuring over 350 artisans showcasing handcrafted items, including seasonal decor, distinctive home accessories, fine jewelry, specialty foods, and more.
Where: Boston | More Info: Christmas Festival at Seaport World Trade Center
Boston Women’s Holiday Market at Faneuil Hall
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from over 40 local woman-founded businesses.
Description:
The Boston Women’s Holiday Market at Faneuil Hall features over 40 unique women-founded businesses, makers, and artists each week in December. Enjoy gift wrapping, face painting, and live music while shopping for meaningful gifts. Visit the Faneuil Hall Santa and explore New England staples in Quincy Market.
Where: Boston | More Info: Boston Women’s Holiday Market at Faneuil Hall
Downtown Boston Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday activities and pop-ups featuring local vendors.
Description:
The Boston Women's Holiday Market at The Speedway offers a diverse array of gifts and goodies from over 30 women-owned small businesses. Enjoy delicious food and drinks, experience special holiday activities, and pop-ups throughout the event. The market is accessible via multiple bus lines and offers ample parking options.
Where: Boston | More Info: Downtown Boston Holiday Market
Snowport: Boston Seaport's Holiday Wonderland
What to Expect:
European-style holiday market with local vendors and festive activities.
Description:
Snowport is a European-style holiday market in Boston Seaport featuring over 60 local businesses, a festive menu from Tuscan Kitchen and Breezy Hill Orchard, and enchanting holiday decor. It includes activities like curling and appearances by Betty the Yeti.
Where: Boston | More Info: Snowport: Boston Seaport's Holiday Wonderland
Boston Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pops at Symphony Hall
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday music performed by a world-class orchestra.
Description:
The Boston Pops Holiday Pops concert at Symphony Hall features classic holiday tunes like Jingle Bells, 12 Days of Christmas, and Sleigh Ride, performed by the renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Where: Boston | More Info: Holiday Pops at Symphony Hall
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
What to Expect:
World-class circus arts and holiday storybook characters.
Description:
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular that combines a Broadway-style production with contemporary circus arts. The event features a world-renowned cast of performers, including aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, and breath-catching acrobatics. The original music score includes new twists on seasonal favorites, creating an imaginative and fun experience for all ages.
Where: Boston | More Info: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The Musical
What to Expect:
Heart-warming adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic tale.
Description:
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical brings Dr. Seuss' classic tale to life on stage, featuring hit songs like "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." The Grinch, narrated by Max the Dog, discovers there's more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic.
Where: Boston | More Info: Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The Musical
Hanukkah Festival of Lights at Museum of Fine Arts
What to Expect:
Interactive exhibits and performances showcasing Jewish heritage.
Description:
Celebrate Hanukkah at the Museum of Fine Arts with art, music, and activities honoring Jewish traditions and culture.
Where: Boston | More Info: Hanukkah Festival of Lights at Museum of Fine Arts
Boston First Night
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities and artistic performances.
Description:
Boston First Night is a vibrant New Year's Eve celebration featuring live performances, ice sculptures, and fireworks, showcasing Boston's rich cultural heritage.
Where: Boston | More Info: Boston First Night
Urban Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Modern fusion of classical ballet and urban dance forms.
Description:
Anthony Williams' Urban Nutcracker is a modern Boston-centric holiday classic that blends classical ballet with diverse dance forms like tap, hip hop, flamenco, and jazz. Set in present-day downtown Boston, it combines the rhythms of Duke Ellington with the classical music of Tchaikovsky.
Where: Boston | More Info: Urban Nutcracker
Black Nativity
What to Expect:
Unique blend of scripture, verse, music, and dance.
Description:
Langston Hughes' Black Nativity is a critically acclaimed production presented by the National Center of Afro-American Artists, blending scripture, verse, music, and dance to retell the Nativity story.
Where: Boston | More Info: Black Nativity
Visits with Santa
What to Expect:
Special visit from Santa Claus.
Description:
Join the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and conductor Keith Lockhart for a dazzling holiday concert featuring traditional and popular Christmas songs, a joyful sing-along, and a special visit from Santa Claus.
Where: Boston | More Info: Visits with Santa
Boston Other Holiday Activities
Jordan's Enchanted Village
What to Expect:
Colorful inner tube slide through a wooden structure.
Description:
The Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture in Avon, Massachusetts, features a beautifully crafted wooden structure with 59 mechanical figures and 18 vignettes. Visitors can enjoy a thrilling ride in a colorful inner tube down a smooth slide, similar to a water slide or a backyard hill without the water or snow. The attraction also includes photos with Santa and other holiday activities.
Where: Avon | More Info: Jordan's Enchanted Village
Menorah Lighting at One Seaport
What to Expect:
Traditional Hanukkah celebration with a tall 9-foot Menorah.
Description:
Join Chabad of Downtown Boston at One Seaport in Boston Seaport for a traditional Hanukkah celebration featuring a tall 9-foot Menorah lighting.
Where: Boston | More Info: Menorah Lighting at One Seaport
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- South Boston (2 miles)
- Cambridge (3 miles)
- Chelsea (3 miles)
- Somerville (3 miles)
- Everett (3 miles)
- Brookline (4 miles)
- Revere (4 miles)
- Jamaica Plain (5 miles)
- Malden (5 miles)
- Medford (5 miles)
- Arlington (6 miles)
- Watertown (6 miles)
- Belmont (7 miles)
- Melrose (7 miles)
- Milton (8 miles)
- Winchester (8 miles)
- Newton (8 miles)
- Saugus (8 miles)
- Quincy (8 miles)
- Stoneham (9 miles)
- Waltham (9 miles)
- Woburn (10 miles)
- Dedham (10 miles)
- Needham (10 miles)
- Wakefield (10 miles)
- Lexington (10 miles)
- Braintree (11 miles)
- Weymouth (11 miles)
- Reading (12 miles)
- South Peabody (12 miles)
- Burlington (12 miles)
- Wellesley (13 miles)
- Norwood (13 miles)
- Peabody (13 miles)
- Randolph (14 miles)
- Salem (14 miles)
- Wilmington (14 miles)
- Canton (14 miles)
- Natick (16 miles)
- Stoughton (16 miles)
- Danvers (16 miles)
- Beverly (17 miles)
- Beverly Cove (17 miles)
- Billerica (17 miles)
- Framingham (19 miles)
- Brockton (19 miles)
- Tewksbury (20 miles)
- Framingham Center (20 miles)
- Acton (21 miles)
- Chelmsford (23 miles)
- Lowell (23 miles)
- Easton (23 miles)
- North Andover (24 miles)
- Mansfield (24 miles)
- Westford (25 miles)
- Dracut (25 miles)
- Marlborough (25 miles)
- Franklin (26 miles)
- Methuen (26 miles)
- Gloucester (27 miles)
- Milford (28 miles)
- Haverhill (29 miles)
- Salem (31 miles)
- Attleboro (31 miles)
- Taunton (32 miles)
- Middleborough (33 miles)
- Cumberland (33 miles)
- Shrewsbury (34 miles)
- Woonsocket (34 miles)
- Nashua (35 miles)
- Lincoln (36 miles)
- Pawtucket (37 miles)
- Leominster (38 miles)
- Worcester (39 miles)
- Derry (39 miles)
- Derry Village (39 miles)
- Smithfield (39 miles)
- North Providence (41 miles)
- East Providence (41 miles)
- Fitchburg (41 miles)
- Providence (41 miles)
- Merrimack (41 miles)
- Johnston (44 miles)
- Cranston (44 miles)