Your perfect holiday guide to Brookline is here! Explore all the top festive events and activities. From longtime Brookline dwellers to first-time guests, our guide illuminates the city's yuletide spirit.
Popular Events: Experience the magic of the season with the Boston Pops Holiday Pops, where classic holiday tunes meet exceptional musical performances. Featuring dazzling arrangements, this concert brings together community and cheer. Additionally, the Urban Nutcracker reimagines the beloved ballet with contemporary flair, showcasing local talent and cultural diversity. And the timeless charm of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical is something you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Brookline
- Boston Pops Holiday Pops (Boston)
- Boston Common Tree Lighting (Boston)
- Urban Nutcracker (Boston)
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical (Boston)
- First Night in Boston (Boston)
- Boston's Enchanted Trolley Tour (Boston)
- Holiday Lights on Boston Common (Boston)
- Zoolights at Stone Zoo (Stoneham)
- Somerville Illuminations Month (Somerville)
- Christopher Columbus Park Lighting (Boston)
See these and even more events listed below!
Brookline Holiday Light Displays
Boston Common Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Symbolic tree lighting with Nova Scotia's gratitude for Boston's relief efforts.
Description:
The Boston Common Tree Lighting is a significant holiday celebration where the city of Boston and guests from Nova Scotia come together to light the official Christmas tree. The event features holiday music performances, speeches from local politicians, and a sampling village with photo-ops, giveaways, and refreshments. The tree lighting ceremony is followed by the illumination of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
Where: Boston | More Info: Boston Common Tree Lighting
Boston's Enchanted Trolley Tour
What to Expect:
Holiday tree lightings in multiple neighborhoods.
Description:
Boston's Enchanted Trolley Tour is a beloved holiday tradition where holiday trees are lit throughout the city, bringing joy to children and families. The event includes visits with Santa and various festive activities.
Where: Boston | More Info: Boston's Enchanted Trolley Tour
Zoolights at Stone Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
At Zoolights at Stone Zoo, visitors can stroll through 26 acres of beautifully lit paths, including Yukon Creek, home to black bears, Canada lynx, and reindeer. The event features hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights creating perfect backdrops for photos.
Where: Stoneham | More Info: Zoolights at Stone Zoo
Holiday Lights on Boston Common
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting ceremony with a sampling village.
Description:
The 83rd annual Boston Common Tree Lighting features a 7,000-light tree from Nova Scotia, accompanied by a sampling village with photo ops, giveaways, and refreshments. The event is hosted by Mayor Michelle Wu and includes a festive stage show with Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Where: Boston | More Info: Holiday Lights on Boston Common
Christopher Columbus Park Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday lighting display with musical performances and special guests.
Description:
The 22nd annual trellis lighting at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston's North End transforms the historic waterfront into a beautiful holiday display. The event features musical performances, a special guest appearance by Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and festive treats like eggnog and hot chocolate.
Where: Boston | More Info: Christopher Columbus Park Lighting
Somerville Illuminations Month
What to Expect:
Free, self-guided tours of Somerville's brightest holiday lights.
Description:
Somerville Illuminations Month is a month-long lights extravaganza featuring self-guided tours of the brightest holiday displays around Somerville, all accessible through a handy online map.
Where: Somerville | More Info: Somerville Illuminations Month
Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville
What to Expect:
Thousands of Christmas lights and vintage steam train rides.
Description:
Edaville's Christmas Festival of Lights features steam train rides, thousands of Christmas lights, local businesses, and vintage amusement rides.
Where: Carver | More Info: Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville
Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with extensive light displays.
Description:
Southwick Zoo transforms into a dazzling spectacle with over 4 million illuminated lights and larger-than-life displays, featuring enchanting polar bear and singing penguin exhibits.
Where: Mendon | More Info: Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo
Winter Lights at Naumkeag
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with festive music and seasonal treats.
Description:
Naumkeag transforms into a dazzling display of artfully designed holiday lights, set amidst its beautiful gardens and historic grounds.
Where: Stockbridge | More Info: Winter Lights at Naumkeag
Brookline Holiday Markets and Shopping
Boston Women’s Holiday Market at Faneuil Hall
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from local woman-founded businesses.
Description:
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 and New England staples.
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 with no entry fee.
Description:
The Boston Women's Holiday Market at The Speedway offers a festive day with over 30 women-owned small businesses, delicious food and drinks, and special holiday activities and pop-ups. Enjoy unique holiday activities and pop-ups throughout the event without entry fee. Discover a diverse array of gifts and goodies from talented women-founded small businesses.
Where: Boston | More Info: Downtown Boston Holiday Market
Brookline Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Boston Pops Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday concert with traditional and new arrangements of seasonal classics.
Description:
The Boston Pops Holiday Pops concert features Keith Lockhart leading the orchestra in classic holiday music, including Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Sleigh Ride, with a special visit from Santa Claus.
Where: Boston | More Info: Boston Pops Holiday Pops
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
What to Expect:
Live stage adaptation of the iconic holiday TV special.
Description:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical brings to life the beloved holiday classic, featuring Santa, Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and Rudolph. This heartwarming story teaches that what makes you different can be what makes you special.
Where: Boston | More Info: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Urban Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Fusion of classical ballet with urban dance forms in a Boston setting.
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, the performance showcases winter scenes to the rhythms of Duke Ellington and the classical music of Tchaikovsky.
Where: Boston | More Info: Urban Nutcracker
First Night in Boston
What to Expect:
Family-friendly event with diverse artistic performances and fireworks.
Description:
First Night in Boston is a vibrant New Year's Eve celebration featuring live performances, ice sculptures, and a spectacular fireworks display over Boston Common and Inner Harbor.
Where: Boston | More Info: First Night in Boston
Brookline Other Holiday Activities
Plimouth Plantation Tours
What to Expect:
Immersive historical experiences with educational opportunities for all ages.
Description:
Explore the rich history of the Wampanoag and English people who met along historic shores at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Discover stories of community, conflict, collaboration, leadership, faith, self-government, and gratitude through engaging exhibits and programs.
Where: Plymouth | More Info: Plimouth Plantation Tours
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Jamaica Plain (2 miles)
- Cambridge (3 miles)
- Boston (4 miles)
- South Boston (4 miles)
- Somerville (4 miles)
- Watertown (4 miles)
- Newton (5 miles)
- Belmont (5 miles)
- Medford (6 miles)
- Arlington (6 miles)
- Chelsea (6 miles)
- Everett (6 miles)
- Milton (6 miles)
- Waltham (7 miles)
- Needham (7 miles)
- Dedham (7 miles)
- Malden (7 miles)
- Revere (8 miles)
- Quincy (8 miles)
- Winchester (8 miles)
- Wellesley (9 miles)
- Melrose (9 miles)
- Lexington (10 miles)
- Norwood (10 miles)
- Stoneham (10 miles)
- Woburn (10 miles)
- Braintree (11 miles)
- Saugus (11 miles)
- Weymouth (12 miles)
- Canton (12 miles)
- Natick (12 miles)
- Wakefield (12 miles)
- Randolph (12 miles)
- Burlington (13 miles)
- Reading (13 miles)
- Stoughton (14 miles)
- Wilmington (15 miles)
- South Peabody (15 miles)
- Framingham (16 miles)
- Framingham Center (16 miles)
- Peabody (17 miles)
- Salem (17 miles)
- Billerica (17 miles)
- Brockton (18 miles)
- Acton (19 miles)
- Danvers (19 miles)
- Beverly (20 miles)
- Tewksbury (20 miles)
- Beverly Cove (21 miles)
- Mansfield (21 miles)
- Easton (21 miles)
- Marlborough (22 miles)
- Franklin (22 miles)
- Chelmsford (22 miles)
- Lowell (23 miles)
- Westford (24 miles)
- Milford (24 miles)
- Dracut (25 miles)
- North Andover (25 miles)
- Methuen (27 miles)
- Attleboro (28 miles)
- Cumberland (30 miles)
- Taunton (30 miles)
- Shrewsbury (30 miles)
- Woonsocket (30 miles)
- Gloucester (30 miles)
- Haverhill (31 miles)
- Salem (32 miles)
- Middleborough (32 miles)
- Lincoln (33 miles)
- Pawtucket (34 miles)
- Nashua (35 miles)
- Worcester (35 miles)
- Leominster (35 miles)
- Smithfield (36 miles)
- North Providence (38 miles)
- East Providence (38 miles)
- Providence (38 miles)
- Fitchburg (39 miles)
- Derry (39 miles)
- Derry Village (40 miles)
- Johnston (40 miles)
- Merrimack (41 miles)
- Cranston (41 miles)
- Fall River (44 miles)