Holidays in Boston: 5 Festive Experiences Not to Miss!

Boston is affectionately known as “The Hub” and there is no better time to make it your hub for activities than during the bustling, beautiful and charming holiday season. The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) invites both first-time visitors and lifelong residents to take full advantage of all the traditions the city has to offer, especially after many of those favorites had to be put on hold in 2020. The “Boston: Your Hub for the Holidays” campaign is in full swing and visitors are encouraged to share their experiences on social media with #VisitBoston and #BostonUSA.

In honor of this enchanted season, the GBCVB has compiled a list of its top five holiday highlights. The following is not ranked in a particular order but provides options for holiday-goers of every age and interest.

1. Tree Lightings and the Holiday Lights Trail

One of Boston’s greatest holiday traditions is the 50-foot white spruce tree that comes to Boston Common each year from Nova Scotia; the Tree for Boston is a goodwill gesture of thanks to Boston for providing aid to Halifax following a tragic fire in 1917. The tree lighting will take place on Dec. 2 this year. Although this is the most famed of all Boston tree lightings, there are a number of celebrations and displays throughout all city neighborhoods including the Columbus Park Trellis in the North End and the Copley Square Tree Lighting on Nov. 29. Boston’s holiday lights trail incorporates Downtown Crossing, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Seaport and more, with sparkling displays all along the way. Visitors can follow the trail on their own or book a private charter of the Old Town Trolley Tour Holiday Lights and Sights Tour.

Frog Pond Skating, photo credit Kyle Klein Photography

2. Outdoor Skating Rinks

Lace up for some ice skating at a variety of rinks across the area – there is of course the iconic Frog Pond on Boston Common but some more recent rinks that have popped up include 401 Park in the Fenway neighborhood. Other options worth bundling up for are in Kendall Square in Cambridge and the hilltop rink at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline.

3. Holiday Markets and Shopping Strolls

What’s the holiday season without making a list and checking it twice for all your gift needs? This year’s holiday markets include the legendary Faneuil Hall, the Holiday Market at Snowport, Boston Public Market’s Holiday CR[EAT]OR Market, the Holiday Bos. Shop by Black Owned Bos., SOWA’s Winter Festival and Black Market Holiday Market in Roxbury’s Nubian Square, which hosts weekend pop-ups featuring dozens of local African and African-American artists, vendors and entrepreneurs. Many neighborhoods also highlight small businesses with shopping strolls, including Beacon Hill, the North End, South Boston, the South End and Observatory Hill in Cambridge.

Urban Nutcracker, Photo credit Peter Paradise Michaels

4. Performances and Concerts

Boston boasts a highly eclectic array of performances and artists during the holiday season. The Holiday Pops bring cheer throughout the season with a vast lineup of concerts at Symphony Hall; A Christmas Story, The Musical brings the classic 1983 movie to the stage through Dec. 19; and on Dec. 17-19 at the Cutler Majestic Theatre, A Christmas Celtic Sojourn combines Celtic, Pagan and Christian traditions for a truly remarkable experience with a 20-year history. Boston also has two longstanding performances of The Nutcracker: Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker is on stage at the Boston Opera House through Dec. 26, and Urban Nutcracker is at the Shubert Theatre from Dec. 18-23. In production for nearly 20 years, it takes the traditional Nutcracker to a whole new level, reimagined to incorporate dances from other cultures. At the Emerson Paramount Center, Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity is in its 51^st season, with performances of the highly-energetic gospel telling of the Christmas story from Dec. 10-19. For those who want to experience the pop music version of a holiday singalong, Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball hits the TD Garden on Dec. 12. 

5. Family Fun

Families from the area can find festive events in Boston and beyond with some marquee options for kids taking place just outside the city. ZooLights at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Mass., is the true definition of a winter wonderland (with many animals to check out along the way); Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature brings beloved children’s books to life in the form of decorated trees at the Concord Museum in Concord, Mass.; and Magic of Lights at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., provides a dazzling display that families can enjoy from the warm comfort of their vehicles as they drive through. Back in Boston, the Freedom Trail Foundation Holiday Stroll helps families learn how Boston’s historic holiday traditions evolved. 

And the fun continues as we ring in 2022. Boston’s First Night is the nation’s oldest First Night celebration, taking place on Boston Common and in Copley Square with a procession, ice sculptures, free entertainment, and – of course – fireworks.

This comprehensive list highlights many of Boston’s most iconic offerings yet there is so much more to be seen, heard, tasted and felt in the area. Learn more at bostonusa.com and on social media at @visitboston on Instagram and Twitter and on Facebook.

Beacon Hill, Credit Kyle Klein