Experience the charm of Needham during the holidays with our guide. Whether you're rediscovering Needham or falling in love with it for the first time, this guide maximizes your holiday cheer.
Popular events this season include the enchanting Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village, where you can stroll through beautifully lit pathways and experience traditional festivities. The Boston Christmas Festival offers a delightful marketplace featuring local artisans, perfect for finding unique gifts. And the SoWa Winter Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a vibrant combination of food, craft beers, and holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Needham
- Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge)
- Boston Christmas Festival (Boston)
- SoWa Winter Festival (Boston)
- Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair (Boston)
- Harvard Square Holiday Fair (Cambridge)
- Quincy Market Holiday Shopping (Boston)
- Faneuil Hall Holiday Blink (Boston)
- Holidays at the Gardner Museum (Boston)
See these and even more events listed below!
Needham Holiday Markets and Shopping
Boston Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Largest arts and crafts festival in New England with over 350 artisan pop-up shops.
Description:
The New England Christmas Festival is an annual event featuring over 350 American artisans showcasing handcrafted items, including seasonal decor, home accessories, fashion, jewelry, specialty foods, and more.
Where: Boston | More Info: Boston Christmas Festival
SoWa Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Live musical acts and specialty food vendors.
Description:
The SoWa Winter Festival is a 15-day holiday market featuring over 100 local makers, artists, designers, and specialty food vendors. Enjoy live music, specialty foods, and cocktails in the historic SoWa Power Station.
Where: Boston | More Info: SoWa Winter Festival
Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with local artisans.
Description:
The Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair in Boston, MA, features local artisans selling handmade pottery, knitted items, ornaments, and more.
Where: Boston | More Info: Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair
Harvard Square Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Unique, handmade gifts from local artisans.
Description:
The Harvard Square Holiday Fair is a juried event featuring a diverse array of New England craftspeople and world-traveling importers. It offers a wide selection of unique, handmade gifts, including prints, pottery, photography, candles, jewelry, and more. This festive marketplace has been a holiday tradition since 1986, providing a high-energy alternative shopping experience.
Where: Cambridge | More Info: Harvard Square Holiday Fair
Quincy Market Holiday Shopping
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with over 40 local vendors selling apparel, gifts, and accessories.
Description:
Quincy Market offers a diverse array of local eateries featuring fresh seafood, sweet treats, and specialty beverages, ensuring visitors never leave hungry.
Where: Boston | More Info: Quincy Market Holiday Shopping
Needham Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments and festive decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the history of Christmas festivities at Old Sturbridge Village with demonstrations of classic projects, decorated Village and Christmas Tree Trail, live music, and sweet treats.
Where: Sturbridge | More Info: Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
Needham Other Holiday Activities
Faneuil Hall Holiday Blink
What to Expect:
Spook-tacular activities including a costume contest and festive treats.
Description:
Faneuil Hall Marketplace offers a unique shopping experience with over 40 local vendors selling apparel, gifts, and accessories. The historic location also features a variety of local eateries in Quincy Market, showcasing fresh seafood and sweet treats. Street performers add to the lively atmosphere with beautiful music and laughter.
Where: Boston | More Info: Faneuil Hall Holiday Blink
Holidays at the Gardner Museum
What to Expect:
Free art-making activities inspired by the museum's collection.
Description:
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum with free art-making activities, storytelling, and conversation, exploring connections to place and memory.
Where: Boston | More Info: Holidays at the Gardner Museum
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Wellesley (3 miles)
- Newton (4 miles)
- Dedham (4 miles)
- Natick (6 miles)
- Jamaica Plain (6 miles)
- Norwood (6 miles)
- Waltham (6 miles)
- Watertown (7 miles)
- Brookline (7 miles)
- Belmont (8 miles)
- Milton (9 miles)
- Cambridge (9 miles)
- Framingham (9 miles)
- Canton (10 miles)
- Somerville (10 miles)
- Arlington (10 miles)
- South Boston (10 miles)
- Boston (10 miles)
- Framingham Center (10 miles)
- Lexington (11 miles)
- Medford (11 miles)
- Quincy (12 miles)
- Everett (13 miles)
- Winchester (13 miles)
- Chelsea (13 miles)
- Stoughton (13 miles)
- Randolph (13 miles)
- Malden (13 miles)
- Braintree (13 miles)
- Woburn (14 miles)
- Revere (14 miles)
- Melrose (15 miles)
- Stoneham (15 miles)
- Burlington (15 miles)
- Weymouth (16 miles)
- Franklin (16 miles)
- Marlborough (17 miles)
- Saugus (17 miles)
- Acton (17 miles)
- Mansfield (17 miles)
- Wakefield (17 miles)
- Milford (18 miles)
- Brockton (18 miles)
- Reading (18 miles)
- Wilmington (18 miles)
- Easton (19 miles)
- Billerica (19 miles)
- South Peabody (21 miles)
- Tewksbury (23 miles)
- Chelmsford (23 miles)
- Peabody (23 miles)
- Westford (23 miles)
- Attleboro (24 miles)
- Salem (24 miles)
- Cumberland (24 miles)
- Woonsocket (24 miles)
- Shrewsbury (25 miles)
- Lowell (25 miles)
- Danvers (25 miles)
- Beverly (26 miles)
- Beverly Cove (27 miles)
- Dracut (27 miles)
- Lincoln (27 miles)
- Taunton (27 miles)
- Pawtucket (29 miles)
- North Andover (29 miles)
- Worcester (29 miles)
- Smithfield (30 miles)
- Methuen (31 miles)
- Middleborough (32 miles)
- Leominster (32 miles)
- North Providence (32 miles)
- Providence (33 miles)
- East Providence (33 miles)
- Johnston (35 miles)
- Salem (35 miles)
- Haverhill (35 miles)
- Nashua (35 miles)
- Fitchburg (36 miles)
- Cranston (36 miles)
- Gloucester (37 miles)
- Fall River (40 miles)
- Warwick (41 miles)
- Derry (42 miles)
- Bristol (42 miles)
- Derry Village (42 miles)
- Merrimack (42 miles)
- West Warwick (43 miles)
- Gardner (44 miles)