Christmas in Boston conjures up traditional images of twinkling holiday lights white with snow, door to door caroling, and a winter wonderland primed with shoppers looking for the perfect gift.
All of this and more can be experienced in the city of Boston. Here is our guide to the best Boston Christmas events. These events are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Updated for 2023!
Boston Christmas Events for 2023
Christmas in Boston- The Arts & Culture Scene
Boston offers many kid-friendly cultural experiences and holiday shows during the Christmas season.
Boston Ballet performs the holiday classic, The Nutcracker ,at the Boston Opera House November 24- December 31, 2023.
From December 1-24, 2023, the Boston Pops become the Holiday Pops. Head to the Symphony Hall to enjoy experiences like a sing-along and an appearance by Santa.
The Boston Pops also offer a kids matinée which is a shorter show with more kid-friendly carols and a post-performance visit with Santa.
Maybe your clan will enjoy the annual ChristmasTime in Waltham at the Reagle Music Theater of Greater Boston. The 2023 show features precision dancers, a living nativity, a visit to the North Pole, scenes from a Victorian Christmas in Boston, and over 20 classic Christmas songs. It takes place December 2, 3, 9 & 10, 2023.
Another unique performance is Black Nativity. See the story of the Nativity through uplifting gospel music, dance, bible verses, and black vernacular. This show can be seen December 1 – 17, 2023 at the Emerson Paramount Center.
For a different type of holiday performance with a dose of history, try the annual Boston Tea Party Reenactment at the Old South Meeting House on December 16, 2023.
The Old South Tea Party Players bring to life heroic patriots such as Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. They recount the events of December 16, 1773, when 5,000 colonists braved the December night to protest by dumping tea into Boston Harbor.
Boston Christmas Lights & Festivals
Tree Lightings
The famed Christmas Tree at Faneuil Hall Marketplace boasts thousands of twinkling lights. There is a tree lighting ceremony and the tree stays lit throughout the season to enhance your holiday shopping in town.
There is also a lovely tree lighting in Boston Common (November 30), in Copley Square at the Boston Public Library on November 27 from 5-6pm, and in the Massachusetts State House (November 21).
More Holiday Lights
Just across the street from Boston Common is Boston’s Public Garden. Many of the evergreens in the garden are covered in beautiful white lights during the holiday season.
Good to know: USA Today voted Boston Common Frog Pond the best outdoor ice skating rink in the US. Try it out during the holidays and see if you agree!
The annual lighting of the Columbus Park trellis takes place on November 20, 2023 There are over 50,000 lights on this 260-foot trellis. There will be music and food to enjoy during this celebration which is a Christmas holiday tradition.
Everyone in your family is likely to enjoy Holiday ZooLights at the Stone Zoo. Thousands of twinkling lights will shine the way through the zoo exhibits during the holiday season. Santa will be on site at his magical castle waiting to spread holiday cheer. November 17 through January 7, 2024. Reservations are required.
Love to shop? Here is a great resource highlighting various Boston holiday markets, including the one downtown.
Find deals on amazing family-friendly hotels in Boston.
Rides with Santa
Kids just love a good festive train or boat ride with Santa to bring on the holiday cheer. At Edaville Festival of Lights, the park is decked out in millions of beautiful Christmas lights. This event takes place November 9 through December 31, 2023.
The train ride with Santa takes guests on an adventure through the sparkling wonderland. Gold Tickets ($43) include unlimited Christmas train rides and unlimited use of all 90 plus rides and attractions including access to Thomas Land & Cran Central. Silver Tickets ($30) include admission and unlimited train rides. There is also a general admission ($13) option that does not include the train or rides.
If a boat cruise might be a better option for your brood, you are in luck. The Spirit of Boston offers a Lunch with Santa Cruise. Prices include a lunch buffet, cookie decorating, goodie bags, and more.
Check out our Top 10 Things to Do in Boston with kids for fun any time of the year.
Boston Holiday Strolls & Music
Nothing provides more of a holiday feeling than a good old fashion New England holiday stroll. Boston offers the Beacon Hill Christmas Stroll early in December.
Charles Street is closed to allow safe exploration of the area. Horse-drawn buggy rides, carolers, and photos with Santa are available.
In nearby Portsmouth, New Hampshire at Strawberry Banke, your family can experience the Annual Candlelight Stroll. During weekends in December, the museum grounds glow with hundreds of candle lanterns.
Purchase tickets to enjoy crafts, instruction, house tours, music, a bonfire, and more. This event takes place on weekends December 2- 17, 2023.
A quick winter ferry ride will bring you to the beautifully cobblestone lined streets of Nantucket. Christmas Stroll on Nantucket is led by the town crier the first weekend in December.
Santa and the missus arrive by boat, followed by a lively party with carols and demonstrations. This year’s event takes place December 1-3, 2023.
Be on the lookout for the magical talking tree or visit the Festival of Trees at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. This event will take place December 1- 30, 2023.
For more Christmas cheer and music, celebrate at the Trinity Church with one of the most beloved Christmas events in Boston.
Candlelight Carols at Trinity Church celebrates the birth of Christ through Christmas carols and scripture readings performed by the Trinity choirs and instrumentalists. To allow more people to attend, tickets are offered at both half price and regular price. Guests are encouraged to pay what they can afford.
Meals with Santa
At Gore Place in Waltham make your reservation for a Santa Tea. High tea will be served in the Carriage House on the property. You may also expect kids activities, stories, and Santa himself. This event takes place December 19-20th.
Lastly, the Wenham Museum will host a variety of holiday-themed functions just right for the family on select December weekends. There is usually a holiday party and an Artisan Fair mid-November but those are cancelled for 2023.
End the year with First Night: Boston on New Years Eve. Over 1 million revelers come out to enjoy the day-long child-friendly event. It includes ice sculptures, entertainers, crafts, and more.
Check out our Top 10 Things to Do in Boston any time of the year.
Find an amazing deal on a family-friendly Boston hotel for the holiday season.
Special thanks to Michelle Brennan who wrote the original version of this article.
