The tree at Quincy Market was lit this year on November 22. Photo via iStock/HABesen

Holiday Fun

Where to See Boston’s Best Holiday Lights

Stroll through these beautiful light displays to get in the festive spirit

If you are sticking around Boston for the holidays, or if you call the city home, we have you covered with a wintry guide to put you in a festive mood. Check out our comprehensive list of holiday lights and shows sure to amaze you. And don’t forget to bundle up!

Boston Common Christmas Tree
139 Tremont St., Boston Common

The annual Christmas tree at the Boston Common, a 40-year-old, 45-foot-tall white spruce, is bedecked with lights and ornaments for all to see. For the 54th year, a Nova Scotia tree was donated to the city, this time by Claire and Ronald Feener from Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. The Canadian province has gifted Boston a Christmas tree every year since 1971 as a thank you for the city’s relief efforts following a deadly ship collision in Canada’s Halifax Harbour in 1917. Stop by this winter season—the tree is a great spot for photos.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall and Charlesgate Park Holiday Lights
Arlington Street to Kenmore Square, Back Bay

The trees along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall are again illuminated with beautiful white lights, funded by community support and the Friends of the Public Garden. The lights will be lit from Arlington Street to the Charlesgate Park block of the Mall. Pro tip: take a seat on a Mall bench with a hot cocoa from a nearby Newbury Street cafe and check out the area’s many historic statues illuminated by the season’s festive lights.

Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting
110 Atlantic Ave., Boston

The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park has latticed 260 feet of the waterfront’s trellis with 50,000 blue lights, marking the 23rd year of this cherished annual tradition. Since its start in 2002, the display has brought wintry cheer to the city of Boston every holiday season. Bring the kids for a romp on the playground or pair the spectacle with a trip to nearby Faneuil Hall. 

Martin’s Park Lighting of the Ship
64 Sleeper St., South Boston

Boston is speckled with slivers of green space, but Martin’s Park stands out for its climate-friendly design, handicap accessibility, and giant pirate ship for kids to play on. The ship and surrounding fencing will be draped with 1,500 feet of holiday lights this season. Built in memory of the Boston Marathon bombing’s youngest victim, eight-year-old Martin W. Richard, the park sits on the Boston Harborwalk along the historic and beautiful Boston Harbor. After you see the lights, venture just south of the park with the kids—or kids at heart—in your life for a visit to the Boston Children’s Museum. 

Menorah Lighting at Snowport
One Seaport Blvd., Boston
Sunday, December 21, at 4:30 pm

Photos courtesy of Boston Seaport by WS Development

The Chabad of Downtown Boston will host its annual menorah lighting ceremony at Snowport, Seaport’s winter market. The event will include lighting a colossal nine-foot menorah, kosher treats, and more. There’s a ton happening elsewhere at Snowport, too: a holiday market featuring over 125 small businesses, food and drink, and a 52-foot holiday tree adorned with 10,000 twinkling lights.

ZooLights at Stone Zoo
149 Pond St., Stoneham

Although this one isn’t technically in Boston, it’s such a magical experience that we couldn’t leave it out. Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths illuminated by thousands of sparkling lights along 26 acres of the Stone Zoo. Home to black bears, Canada lynx, reindeer, and more, the zoo will also feature model trains and other wintry set pieces in its display. On select dates through December 23, you can take photos with Santa Claus. Tickets for the Santa Experience event sell out quickly, so be sure to plan ahead. The lights will continue shining through January 4, from 4 to 9:30 pm, excluding Christmas Day.

Somerville Illuminations Tour
Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave., Somerville 

Somerville residents go all out for the holidays, adorning their homes with lights and lawn ornaments. Thankfully, the Somerville Arts Council has us covered with a detailed map and tour route of all the most dazzling displays. Drive, cycle, or walk the path yourself or with loved ones or meet in front of Somerville City Hall at 5:45 pm on December 13 for a guided bike tour.

Copley Square Tree Lighting
560 Boylston St., Boston

After a three-year hiatus, the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting returns brighter than ever. The annual tree lighting took a break while the square was closed for renovations, but the popular holiday tradition is back, now with a new fountain and green area. Stick around after you see the lights: about a block away are the more than 300 shops and food options that make up Boston’s famous Newbury Street. 

Quincy Market Tree Lighting
206 South Market St., Boston

In the West End Square between Quincy Market and historic Faneuil Hall stands a Christmas tree whose height rivals that of Boston Common’s iconic Nova Scotia spruce. The adornments on the 50-foot-tall evergreen are particularly special this year—the tree was lit with the help of a wish child from Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. While you’re there, get in some last-minute gift shopping at Faneuil Hall, with more than 40 push carts and name-brand stores to browse.  

Downtown Boston Holiday Kingdom
10 Summer St., Boston

Downtown Boston transforms for the holidays, with giant star lights illuminating main roads while hundreds of lighted trees, wreaths, and winter-themed landscaping line pathways. Among the decorations are a dozen giant animal-themed nutcrackers. These 16-foot-tall figures have illuminated nutcracker bodies, with the heads of animals such as eagles, rhinos, and unicorns. Follow the Downtown Boston Alliance’s interactive Holiday Kingdom Trail Map to find all 12 statues and access a list of curated restaurants and retailers—some offering discounts. 

Happening at the same time is the Downtown Boston Holiday Market at the Summer Street Plaza. The market is held each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm, until December 21. Vendors will be selling food, art, clothing, and other handcrafted items. 

Winterfest at the Yard
100 Hood Park, Boston

A bit outside of Boston (though easily accessible by the T), the Yard Charlestown—an outdoor entertainment venue—is hosting one of the largest winter carnivals and lights festivals in the city. Once the site of the Hood Milk factory, the Yard now hosts concerts, markets, and large community gatherings. Winterfest will feature a lighted ice castle, an artisan village, numerous food and drink options, and dozens of light displays—making it the perfect photo opp. The event runs on select dates through December 30, from 5 to 9:30 pm, and has a $5 entrance fee. You can purchase tickets here or with a card at the door; the venue does not accept cash.  

The Anchor Winter Garden
One Shipyard Park, Charlestown

Boston’s neighborhoods and streets aren’t the only places being brightened this holiday season. The Anchor is bringing holiday cheer to its harborside open-air venue with a grove of more than 175 lighted trees. There are hundreds of feet of multicolored lights to see, along with extensive drink options and curated holiday menus. The Anchor’s Frozen Fire Festival, which features fire installations, Cirque performers, a hot chocolate bar, and a holiday market, runs through December 14, although the illuminated trees will be accessible all winter.

Holiday Drone Show at Boston Common 
139 Tremont St., Boston

LED-lit drones will decorate the skies above Boston Common as part of the city’s first-ever Frostival, a winter-long event series celebrating the city’s festive spirit through featured holiday markets, lighting displays, and family-friendly events. The synchronized drones will form winter-themed designs at 6 and 8 pm each Saturday, through December 20.