Boston Holiday Lights Events & Tree Lighting Celebrations 2023

photo credit: The Anchor Boston

Cherished holiday traditions in Greater Boston include holiday tree lightings, festive shows & performances, and lots of joyful holiday light displays in the area. 

Below are some fun holiday traditions that continue to bring light and smiles to the Boston area community.  

Boston

Macy's Tree Lighting at Downtown Crossing - Boston
November 12, 2023 at 4:00pm

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (Boston BID) hosts the neighborhood’s seasonal celebration with: the Macy’s Holiday Tree lighting.

Visitors in November and December can expect bright and colorful lights spanning the main thoroughfares, hundreds of lighted trees, giant hanging snowflakes, and winter-themed plants and landscaping along the streets.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace Tree Lighting - Boston
November 21, 2023

Join us for the lighting the city's first holiday tree of the season, at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace tree lighting.  We are excited to see that the event is back after a multiple

year hiatus.  Enjoy a day full of holiday entertainment, delicious food and shopping.

Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting - Boston
November 20, 2023 at 5:00pm

The blue lights on the trellis will be turned on the Monday before Thanksgiving as they have been since 2003! Entertainment includes holiday sing-alongs and a visit from Santa Claus!

Located at 110 Atlantic Avenue on Boston’s historic waterfront, Christopher Columbus Park will be transformed into a beautiful holiday display when the park’s 260 feet of trellis are illuminated with 50,000 blue lights along with 14 decorated trees at the Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting.  

photo courtesy of Friends of Christopher Columbus Park

Holiday Ship Lighting in Martin's Park - Boston Seaport
November 25, 2023 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Join us for Boston's newest holiday tradition on November 25, 2023. 4 - 6pm for the annual Holiday Ship Lighting in Martin's Park.  Welcome Santa who will be arriving by boat. Enjoy some hot cocoa, caroling, and holiday fun!

Presented by Friend's of Martin's Park and Boston Parks and Recreation Department.

photo credit: Boston Parks & Recreation Dept.

USS Constitution Tree Lighting
December 8, 2023

The public is invited to attend USS Constitution’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on the ship.

The free event will include a visit and photo opportunities with Santa Claus, free hot chocolate and cookies, holiday music, ship tours, and remarks from the ship’s commanding officer.

Guests are invited to view the ship’s gun firing in observance of evening colors, a ceremony for lowering the American Flag on the ship at sunset, which will be at 4:11 p.m.

The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. and photos with Santa Claus will be available after the ceremony.

photo courtesy of USS Constitution

Light up Seaport Tree Lighting - Boston
December 1, 2023 

Join us at 7:30pm at the Seaport Common for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree and a stroll around the Seaport Snowport Tree Lighting & Holiday market.  *The evening's festivities start at 5:00pm and run through 9:00pm.

photo credit Lindsay Ahern

This year’s market will offer outdoor curling, other winter games and a larger dining area. In addition, the Holiday Market at Snowport features more than 120+ small businesses, a tree market for all of your evergreen needs. 

photo credit: @oschapo

Copley Square Tree Lighting - Boston
Monday, November 27, 2023 from 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and The Friends of Copley Square will welcome revelers virtually to the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting. The usual festivities surrounding the lighting will not take place this year, but everyone will be able to enjoy the lights thru January. 

photo credit: Milford Street

Boston Common Tree and Festive Lights - Boston
Thursday, November 30, from 6-8 p.m.

Mayor Michelle Wu and The Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia, will celebrate the Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting Spectacular from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on WCVB-TV.

The holiday lights throughout both parks will light up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when the Mayor is joined onstage by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Santa Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty. The show will close with a pyrotechnic display.

photo courtesy of City of Boston

Just prior to the tree lighting, The Skating Club of Boston will again host their Boston Tree Lighting Skating Spectacular at the Boston Common Frog Pond at 5:00 pm.  This exciting, FREE ice skating show featuring a cast of local skaters from The Skating Club of Boston!

Commonwealth Avenue Mall 

Mayor Michelle Wu and The Committee for the  Lighting of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall will light the trees on the Mall immediately following the Boston Common Tree Lighting.  Trees along the Mall will be illuminated with elegant white lights all winter.

The usual festivities surrounding the lighting will not take place this year, but everyone will be able to enjoy the lights thru January. 

photo credit: Boston.gov

Just down the way at Charlesgate Park, (near Hynes Convention Center), enjoy the Glow of the Emerald Green Grove, whose lights shine bright throughout the season from November 30, 2023 - March 31, 2024.

photo credit: Emerald Conservancy

Boston's Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings

The annual Mayor's Enchanted Trolley Tour is a festive tradition of lighting holiday trees while bringing holiday spirit to children across Boston.  The tour includes visits with Santa, holiday performances, tree lightings and more, led by Mayor Michelle Wu.  

Photo courtesy of The City of Boston 

Boston Common & Copley Square Menorah Lightings

Hanukkah kicks off with the lighting of the 22-foot tall menorah on the historic Boston Common, ushering in a week of warmth & brightness to the Boston area.

photo courtesy of The Freedom Trail

The Anchor Boston - Holiday Tree Lighting

Enjoy a festive display of holiday lights, with outdoor seating and concessions this season.  Stroll by, or stop in for a bit.  The Anchor is open 7 days a week until New Year's Eve with lots of fun programs & events!  All ages welcome, and always open to the public.

The Anchor's official tree lighting will take place on December 8. 2022.  Enjoy an afternoon filled with holiday festivities beginning at 4pm including:

• Live ice sculpture carving from Ice Effects
• Live aerialist performances
• Live holiday performances throughout the night
• Holiday tree lighting at 6pm featuring Danny Ryan, David Halbert and special guests

Be sure to check out our grove of 50 trees of various sizes, shapes and decorations in the fountain area too. 

photo courtesy of The Anchor Boston

NORTH SUBURBS

Zoolights at Stone Zoo - Stoneham, MA

Zoolights at Stone Zoo's  winter wonderland will take visitors on an enchated stroll through the Zoo, along tree-lined paths lit by twinkling lights. Spanning the 26 acres of Stone Zoo, visitors will walk through the beautifully lit Yukon Creek and see black bears, a bald eagle, Canada lynx, arctic foxes, and even reindeer!

This year, several illuminated large-scale lantern displays will light up your winter's night!

photo courtesy of Stone Zoo

Celebration of Lights - Methuen, Marshfield & Lancaster

This year, Fiesta Shows, New England's largest amusement provider is hosting three new drive-thru holiday light shows in Methuen, Marshfield & Lancaster.  Each venue features mile long paths filled with over 1 million twinkling LED lights and holiday displays.  Enjoy!

Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights - Methuen

The Merrimack Valley Celebration of LIghts is the only drive-through holiday light spectacular on the North Shore - featuring dozens of dazzling, larger-than-life holiday themed displays to delight the entire family.

The show returns under the management of Fiesta Shows this year, for those looking for a festive  drive-thru lights display on the North Shore.

Somerville's Illuminations Holiday Tour - Somerville, MA
December 8 - 30, 2022

Come celebrate the folk artistry of residents who transform their houses and yards with lights, ornaments, and shrines of devotion and fantasy.  To keep costs down,  Somerville's Illumination Holiday Tour will not include the tradition trolley ride this year. 

A map will be available for self-guided tour experiences.  Due to popular demand, caroling is back on December 15th!  Enjoy joyful holiday voices from many a porch. 

photo courtesy of Somerville Arts Council

Gift of Lights at NH Motor Speedway - Loudon, NH
November 23 - December 31, 2023

It’s time for New Hampshire Motor Speedway to trade in the checkered flags for more than 2.5 million twinkly LED lights for the 10th annual Gift of Lights at NH Motor Speedway . The 2.5-mile drive-thru light show will feature the Tunnel of Lights , 520 displays and 80 different scenes.

photo credit: kcasso81 (IG)

SOUTH SUBURBS

Holiday Giving Tree Lighting at Patriot Place - Foxborough
November 17, 2023

Kick off the Holiday Season at Patriot Place as we light our Holiday Giving Tree on Friday, November 17 starting at 6:00 PM, located at the Dean College Stage outside Bar Louie and Citizen Crust.

The festive family favorite will feature a tree lighting countdown followed by a pyrotechnic fireworks display, holiday carolers, photo opportunities, giveaways from the 98.5 The Sports Hub Street Team and appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Gingerbread Man, Pat Patriot and the Patriots cheerleaders.

Additionally, for the second year, one lucky guest will take home $500 just in time for their holiday shopping courtesy of Santander Bank.

The evening will also include a holiday performance by the 215th Army Band as part of the lead-up to the 2023 Army-Navy Game presented by USAA, which will be played at Gillette Stadium and in New England for the first time ever on Dec. 9, 2023.

photo courtesy of Patriot Place

La Salette Festival of Holiday Lights - Attleboro, MA
November 23, 2023 - January 1 2024

La Salette Festival of Holiday Lights is one of the most beloved and popular Christmas displays in the state. Featuring: 300,000 Lights illuminating over 10 acres of winter wonderland.

The event is held at The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, so many of the displays celebrate the spiritual side of the holidays.

photo credit: Robert Gillis / La Salette Shrine 

Magic of Lights at Gillette Stadium - Foxboro, MA

Magic of Lights at Gillette Stadium is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations.  This will be the final year for this display at Foxboro.

Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Foxboro’s favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price.

TIPS

• The entrance to the venue is on the southbound side of Route 1 (across the street from the stadium).  (67 Washington Street)  Plan for big time traffic.
  
  
• We recommend playing your own Christmas music vs. tuning into the 88.7 radio station so you don't have to hear commercials. 

photo courtesy of Magic of Lights

Enchanted Village: Jordan's Furniture Avon
November 10, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Enjoy Boston's historic Enchanted Village, now on view at Jordan's Furniture in Avon. Jordan’s Furniture purchased the surviving pieces of the Enchanted Village at auction and restored the vintage collection to its former glory. The Village is open for all to enjoy during the holiday season.

Christmas Festival of Lights: Edaville USA

Hop on board and make the holidays really special at the annual Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville USA. Hundreds of lights surround you on this magical train ride. Come enjoy one of New England's largest display of holiday lighting.

Enjoy the old world feel of the Christmas Market at Edaville. Stroll through a variety of market stalls and enjoy the light displays all throughout the park as generations of visitors to Edaville have for the past 75 years.

Roger Williams  Holiday Lights Spectacular - Providence
November 24, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Brighten your holidays and celebrate the magic of the season with Roger Williams Park Zoo! Bring family and friends to experience Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo – just in time for the holidays.

The event, featuring festive, larger-than-life dazzling displays, is even bigger and brighter this year with more than 3 ½ million illuminated lights that transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland!

Bundle up, grab an adult beverage, hot chocolate, or roast some s’mores and stroll through 40 acres of illuminated pathways. From radiant reindeer to sparkly snowmen, this is a must-see experience this holiday season.

photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park

Holiday Wonderland: Newport Mansions - Newport, RI
November 18, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Celebrate the Holidays at the Newport Mansions - both indoors and outdoors!  For the first time, the exterior of The Breakers and its landscape will be awash in thousands of festive colored lights, including 28 spruce trees glittering and glowing.

The Children’s Cottage will be outlined in lights and visitors will be able to peek through the windows at Santa’s Workshop inside. Holiday music will fill the air.  

photo courtesy of Newport Mansions

Sparkling Lights at the Breakers: An Outdoor Wonderland - Newport
November 18, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Holidays at the Newport Mansions returns to The Breakers, Marble House and The Elms. The houses will be decorated and open daily for the holidays, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. All properties will close at 3 p.m. on December 24. 

For the third year in a row, “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers: An Outdoor Magical Wonderland” will illuminate the historic landscape with thousands of colorful lights. But this outdoor attraction has been significantly expanded to include the southern portion of the property.

photo credit: Louis Walker III 

Gardens Aglow: A Celebration of Holiday Lights - Sandwich
November 24 - December 23, 2024

Join us for the Gardens Aglow celebration of lights that has become a treasured holiday tradition. This event features beautiful light displays throughout the gardens, as well as many activities throughout the grounds:

• Roast marshmallows at the fire pits
• Participate in a reindeer scavenger hunt
• Eat festive treats, drink hot beverages, and warm yourself up at the Magnolia Café
• Visit Santa Claus at the Outdoor Stage
• Enjoy Cape Cod Donuts, a warming area, games, and music at the Parade Field
• Capture your experience at fun photo opportunities throughout the grounds
• Shop for fabulous holiday gifts at The Shop at Heritage
• Stroll the gardens with family and friends, and enjoy Heritage in a whole new light

Advance online ticket purchases are strongly advised, as we expect that all timeslots will sell out. Walk-up ticket sales are not guaranteed at the door. All tickets are date and time specific, and attendance is limited to provide a safe, high-quality experience for all. 

photo courtesy of Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

South Shore Celebration of Lights - Marshfield

The South Shore Celebration of Lights is returning under the management of Fiesta Shows this year, for those looking for a drive-thru lights display on the South Shore.

The brand new light show will feature over 1-million holiday lights and decorations through a 1-mile driving path. The holiday event is a safe, festive holiday experience from within their own vehicle.

Visitors will get to enjoy dozens of large displays along the mile, and they’ll twinkle in sync with a radio program as you drive through the course.

photo courtesy of South Shore Celebration of Lights IG

Enchanted Village of Lights at the Cape Codder - Hyannis

Escape To An Enchanted Holiday Wonderland at the Cape Codder Resort.   Stroll through thousands of dazzling lights and animated scenes reminiscent of yesteryear.

See a one-of-a-kind Christmas Tree made of more than 70 lobster traps, then stop by the lobby to view the enormous table-top Christmas Village with toy trains.   Admission to the Village and Santa are FREE and open the public. Guests are encouraged to bring Gift Cards and non-perishable foods to place under our Giving Tree. 

photo courtesy of Cape Codder Resort

Lobster Pot Tree - Provincetown, MA
November 25, 2023 - January 1, 2024

This cool tradition in Provincetown (yep, it's built out of lobster pots and a giant anchor), is truly an impressive sight to behold.  The Lobster Pot Tree will be on display through January 1 for all to enjoy in Lopez Square.

photo credit: Julian Popko

WEST SUBURBS

Festival of Trees and Snow Village at Mass Hort - Wellesley
November 24, 2023 - December 30, 2023

Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Festival of Trees showcases dozens of decorated trees as well as Snow Village, including a model railroad display.

The Festival offers beautifully decorated holiday trees that are donated and decorated by local businesses, garden clubs and other organizations, and individuals. Visitors ‘vote’ with their raffle tickets, selecting the tree they would like to win at the end of the event.  

Outside there will also be decorations in The Gardens at Elm Bank.  Visitors can keep warm and cozy melting S’mores at the fire pit.  This is a visual treat for young and old alike and each year it is a little different.

photo courtesy of Mass Horticultural Society

photo courtesy of Mass Horticultural Society

Lancaster Celebration of Lights - Lancaster

The Bolton Fair is partnered with Fiesta Shows, New England largest amusement provider, and will open a drive-thru holiday light show this holiday season.

The Lancaster Celebration of Lights will feature a new path this year, there will be over 1-mile of roadway transformed into a glittering display of over 1-million led lights and featuring a 90' Christmas Tree.

Night Lights: New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill - Boylston
November 24, 2023 - December 31, 2023

Heralded as one of the best winter light displays in Massachusetts, there’s no secret why the annual Night Lights event at New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill attracts more than 50,000 guests from around the region.

Bring the whole family for a magical, fun outdoor experience.

photo courtesy of New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill

Winter Wonderland at Southwick's Zoo - Milford, MA

Join us for our annual holiday-themed event: Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo!  Enjoy a magical journey through Southwick’s Zoo with friends and family to view spectacular holiday lights and handcrafted displays.

This beloved festive tradition, perfect for family and friends, is set to shine brighter than ever before, featuring over 4 million illuminated lights and dazzling displays that will transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland.

photo courtesy of Southwick Zoo

Holiday Haybale Lighting at Powisset Farm - Dover
December 2, 2023  from 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Get into the holiday spirit at Powisset Farm as we celebrate the season with our annual haybale tree lighting!

Holiday lightings come in all forms, including hay bales!  The annual Powisset Farm Hay Bale lighting is both unique and fun.  The 'tree' is actually about a dozen hay bales stacked on top of each other in the shape of a tree. 

At this delightful event, gather around a fire pit, enjoy the Solstice StoryWalk, wish our beloved Powisset pigs happy holidays, make a craft, nosh on farm-fresh food, and sip on hot cider, hot toddys, hot chocolate or craft beer. This event is rain, snow or shine, so be sure to dress warmly.  

photo credit: Powisset Farm

Winter Lights at Naumkeag, Bradley Estate & Stevens Coolidge - Stockbridge, Canton & North Andover
11/24/2023 - 1/6/2024

Three of our beautiful garden properties will sparkle with thousands of shimmering, artfully designed holiday lights at Winter Lights. Bring the whole family for a magical, fun, and safe outdoor experience – with food, refreshments, and more.

photo courtesy of Trustees of Reservations

Bright Nights at Forest Park - Springfield, MA
November 22 , 2023 - January 1, 2024

Bright Nights is New England's largest holiday lighting display. Enjoy the wonders of Seuss Land, Jurassic World, Toy Land, North Pole Village, and many more from the comfort of your own car.

Visitors can tune their car radio to 98.5 FM to enjoy holiday music. Don't forget to stop at 'Bright Nights Gift Stop' for refreshments and souvenirs!

photo courtesy of Bright Nights at Forest Park

First Night Boston 
December 31, 2023 - January 1, 2024

First Night in Boston is a city-wide New Year's Eve celebration that is free and open to the public.  For over 40 years, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, ice sculptures, light shows, the wonders of the season and the beginning of a new year. 

photo credit: BostonUSA

Looking for more December events in Boston?  Check out our handy guide to winter fun. 

Traditional winter activities like Ice Skating and Skiing Near Boston are also popular for families.  And for more ideas about fun things to do in Boston anytime of year, we have oodles of options for you on our Boston Events calendar.

Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for over 20 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.