Christmas in Boston turns the city into a festive wonderland of lights, spectacular decorations, special holiday music and shows, and plenty of good cheer.
The winter holiday season is a wonderful time to visit!
Stop by Boston Common for a round of ice skating, or walk over to Columbus Park to see 50,000 dazzling blue and white holiday lights glowing from the trellis and nearby trees.
Enjoy a spectacular performance of The Nutcracker or Black Nativity . . . sing along at a Holiday Pops concert at Symphony Hall . . . take a special Boston Harbor Holiday Brunch, Cocoa & Carols,or New Year's Eve fireworks cruise . . . or attend Christmas Eve midnight mass or church services . . . enjoy hot mulled wine and holiday shopping at one of Boston's holiday markets.
Or, just walk around and enjoy all the gorgeous lighted trees, serenading carolers, and maybe even snow that make Christmas in Boston so special.
Top photo: Lighted Christmas tree at Faneuil Marketplace
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Where to Find Lighted Christmas Trees
By late November and early December, Boston sparkles with beautifully decorated and festively lit Christmas trees.
Two of the biggest trees stand proudly in Boston Common and Faneuil Hall Marketplace, site of the Blink! holiday lights and music show.
You can find more lighted trees near Macy's in pedestrian-friendly Downtown Crossing - plus plenty more in store windows, hotel lobbies, and restaurants.
Want to actually see the Christmas lights turned on? Holiday tree lighting events take place in late November - early December. Find the schedule here
Holiday Concerts, Shows, & Performances
Take a look at the fantastic line up of Christmas holiday shows and concerts in Boston this year, and use these ticket discount codes to save on your tickets:
Enter DISCOVERY 10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets
Top Boston Christmas and Holiday Shows & Concerts
Save with this event discount code:
Enter DISCOVERY 10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets
Christmas Shows Schedule & Tickets
- Blue Man Group - Charles Playhouse - Multiple shows all month
Holiday Pops Schedule & Tickets
See More Seasonal Holiday Show Dates & Tickets
Christmas Eve Events in Boston
If you're looking specifically for events on Christmas Eve, you'll find an excellent mix of music, entertainment, and religious services.
Keep in mind that many businesses close early, some restaurants will be open only for lunch while others may close all day, and stores will be packed full of last minute shoppers. Some attractions and tours may also be closed for part or all of Christmas Eve.
Scroll down this page to find information - or use these Quick Links: Music | Entertainment | Church Services
Boston Hotels with Christmas Specials
Boston hotels deck their halls - and their lobbies - with lavish seasonal splendor throughout December and the holiday season.
Better yet, they get into the spirit of giving by offering special holiday packages.
- Eliot Hotel - "Winter in the City" and "Make Room for the Holidays!" Check rates
- The Newbury Boston - "Holiday Tea for Two" - Check rates
- Lenox Hotel - "Fireside Experience Package" - Check rates
- Bostonian Boston Hotel - "Winter Wonder" - Check rates
Holiday Savings with Boston Discount Cards
Don't forget that Boston discount passes can save you up to 50% and more on top attractions during the holidays. They also make nice holiday gifts. Using a discount card is the easiest way to save money when visiting Boston!
Christmas Shopping in Boston
Boston stores deck their halls - and walls, windows, aisles - with holiday decorations designed to put you into the spending, and of course giving, spirit.
Just seeing all the decorations can be lots of fun.
But if you're serious about shopping, read our recommendations for the best places for Christmas shopping in Boston, especially if you want to accomplish a lot in a short time.
For biggest savings at discount outlets, check out Wrentham Village and Assembly Row.
Boston's Christmas Markets & Winter Festival Markets
Enjoy hot mulled wine, hot chocolate, and plenty of other good things to sip and nibble on while you explore Boston's biggest and best Holiday Markets this year!
Depending on what's on offer on any particular day, you may get to see live ice sculpting, holiday workshops, plenty of artisans and vendors - plus it's the perfect way to get all your holiday shopping done in one place at this family-friendly event.
Find out about this year's Christmas Markets in Boston, Cambridge, & Somerville
Special Holiday Cruises on the Northern Lights
Celebrate the holidays while relaxing and sightseeing on the festively decorated Yacht Northern Lights on these special cruises around Boston Harbor:
- Holiday Brunch on Northern Lights - See historic sights and panoramic views around Boston Harbor with friends and family as you enjoy this relaxing cruise with brunch, hot chocolate, and holiday cheer - Book now
- Holiday Cocoa & Carols Cruise - Sip hot chocolate and treats as you listen to jazzy holiday favorites on this festive cruise - Book now
- New Year's Eve Cruise on Northern Lights - Say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023 on this festive Boston Harbor cruise with music and gourmet appetizers; beverages for purchase onboard - or pre-order a bottle of Moet & Chandon when you book - Book now
- New Year's Day Brunch Cruise - Welcome the New Year with a tasty hot 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing tour around Boston Harbor - Book now
- Gift Card - Give the perfect holiday gift! Shop now
Carolers - Where to Enjoy a Performance
One of the serendipitous delights about walking around Boston in December is happening upon a group of Christmas carolers.
Some perform in predictable places like Faneuil Hall Marketplace and in Downtown Crossing near Macy's, but others appear in random places, singing just for the sheer joy of sharing traditional holiday music and Christmas carols.
Walk around Beacon Hill on almost any evening as Christmas draws near, and you're likely to hear a caroling party or two singing as they wind their way around the narrow streets, carrying candles and spreading holiday cheer.
Want to participate? Gather a few of your friends, neighbors, and family members, light a few candles, and form your own caroling party.
More things to do in Boston in December
Christmas in Boston - The Movie
The holiday season brings the perfect excuse to watch Christmas in Boston (#ad), a light-hearted chick-flick movie. The plot is silly but sweet - pen pals since middle school, Gina and Seth have never met ...until finally Seth needs to make a Christmas week trip to Boston where Gina works.
The problem? All these years, they've been exchanging photos ... but of their best friends rather than of themselves. You can probably guess what happens - but still, it's fun to watch.
Note - don't watch this movie with your young kids unless you want to explain a non-culinary use of chocolate syrup.
The Boston part? Wonderful scenes of Back Bay and the giant Christmas tree in Faneuil Hall Marketplace. More about fun Boston Christmas movies (#ad)
Where to Find Santa in Boston
Boston has plenty of Santas to grant Christmas gift wishes - or at least listen to your child's fantasy gift list.
You'll get some great photos - a perhaps a few surprises as you hear the wish list unfold.
But to get into the real spirit of Christmas in Boston, watch for Globe Santa, who usually appears at various places throughout the city during the holiday season. This is a special Santa, one who really does make wishes come true for the city's neediest families. When you see him (or her) - give generously! Find out more about how to donate
You can find plenty more Santas throughout the city - try the Shops at Prudential Center, Assembly Row, the Snowport Holiday Market at Seaport, Downtown Crossing - look for pop-up Christmas markets. You can also find Santa at times at almost every Boston shopping mall.
Visiting Boston for Christmas? Fun Ways to Explore the City
Christmas Eve Midnight Services & Special Music, Plus Hanukkah Services
If you're visiting Boston and want to attend Christmas Eve services, Midnight Mass, Christmas Day church services, or Hanukkah or Shabbat services, you'll find a warm welcome from our famous churches and synagogues, regardless of your personal beliefs or religion.
Here are Boston churches, synagogues, and places of worship with Christmas Eve and Hanukkah services, and strong ties to Boston history. Please check their websites for service times and possible weather-related updates:
- Arlington Street Church (Unitarian Universalist; 351 Boylston Street, Back Bay; 617-536-7050, www.ascboston.org) - Renowned for its music and Tiffany windows
- The Boston Synagogue - (Unaffiliated post-denominational egalitarian Jewish shul with a lay-led congregation; 55 Martha Road, West End, http://bostonsynagogue.org) - The only synagogue in downtown Boston; Shabbat and Holiday services every week; award-winning modern building built in 1971
- Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Roman Catholic; 1400 Washington St, South End; 617-542-5682; www.holycrossboston.com) - Gothic Revival style; largest in New England); midnight mass on Christmas Eve
- Emmanuel Church/Center (home to Episcopal and Boston Jewish Spirit congregations; 15 Newbury Street, Back Bay, 617-536-3355; www.emmanuel-boston.org) - Famous for Bach cantatas presented during Sunday services
- King's Chapel (Ecumenical; corner of Tremont and School Streets, Historical Downtown Boston; 617-227-2155; www.kings-chapel.org) - Founded in 1686, Freedom Trail site, renowned for its music
- Old North Church (Episcopal; 193 Salem Street, North End; 617-523-6676; www.oldnorth.com) - Freedom Trail site where Paul Revere arranged for 2 lanterns to be hung; built in 1723; oldest standing church building in Boston; usually has carols on Christmas Eve
- Old South Church (Congregational; corner of Dartmouth & Boylston, Copley Square, Boston; 617-536-1970) - The congregation dates back to 1669 and the second generation of Boston's founders; the magnificent Northern Italian Gothic building is the congregation's third home (you can visit the first, the Old South Meeting House, on the Freedom Trail)
- Park Street Church (Evangelical; One Park Street, across from Boston Common; 617-523-3383; www.parkstreet.org) - Freedom Trail site
- Saint Leonard Church (Roman Catholic; 320 Hanover Street, North End; 617-523-2110) - Founded in 1873 and the first Roman Catholic Church built by Italian immigrants in New England. Close to the Freedom Trail
- Trinity Church (Episcopal; 206 Clarendon St, Copley Square;
617-536-0944; www.trinitychurchboston.org) - World-famous architectural masterpiece by H.H. Richardson; afternoon and midnight services, with special organ music.
- Vilna Shul (Jewish cultural center and historic synagogue; 18 Phillips Street, Beacon Hill neighborhood, Boston; 617-523-2324; www.vilnashul.org) - Built in 1919 but home to a traditional Jewish synagogue of Lithuanian immigrants formed in the 1890s. Beautiful murals are currently undergoing restoration. Hosts Hanukkah events and special Shabbats. Check Vilna Shul's website for details about Chanukah celebrations.
More Christmas and Hanukkah Celebrations in Boston during December (& November)
- Menorah lights glow on the 32-foot tall menorah in Copley Square during each night of Hanukkah (begins December 18). Sponsored by Chabad of Boston. You'll see more menorahs at the Massachusetts State House, Faneuil Marketplace, Boston Common, and other locations. A special Chanukah celebration usually takes place - but no details have been released yet.
- Hanukkah Festival of Lights at Museum of Fine Arts - Date & Time TBD. This presentation typically brings together 8 international female artists with 8 Hanukkah lamps from MFA's collection for an evening of performance, education, and artistry. Free, but you need to register here.
- A community-wide Hanukkah A Cappela Concert takes place at Vilna Shul on (date TBD), 3pm-4:30pm (18 Phillips Street, Beacon Hill neighborhood).
- Old South Ringers Christmas Concert - The church's resident handbell choir presents a program of Christmas music; free admission; December 4 at 6 pm; Old South Church in Boston (Corner of Dartmouth and Boylston Streets, Back Bay, Boston); more info: www.oldsouth.org
- Christmas with the Back Bay Ringers - The handbell ringers presents a program of Christmas music; $20 admission; December 9, 7:30pm at First Church Boston (66 Marlborough Street, Back Bay, Boston); get tickets ($15-$20) at www.backbayringers.org
- Chorus Pro Musica - Candlelight Christmas Celebration featuring Old South's Skinner Organ ; December 9 and 12; Old South Church (Copley Square, corner of Dartmouth & Boylston, Back Bay, Boston; reserve tickets at www.choruspromusica.org)
- Noel - Holiday Concert by the Boston Choral Ensemble celebrating the season, including old and new traditional and secular carols, plus the world premiere of a new composition by Nell Shaw Cohen; Old South Church (Copley Square, corner of Dartmouth & Boylston, Back Bay, Boston), Sunday December 10, 3pm - for tickets ($5-$25) check the Boston Choral website
- Menorah Lighting at One Seaport - Join Chabad of Downtown Boston for their annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony and holiday Chanukkah treats on December 22 at 6pm.
- Chanukah Cantata - Central Reform Temple of Boston, 15 Newbury Street (Emmanuel Church), Back Bay neighborhood; free and open to the community - More info: www.crtboston.org
- Friday Night Chanukah Dinner & Music at The Boston Synagogue (55 Martha Road in Charles River Park/West End) - Check the temple's website for dates.- More info: http://bostonsynagogue.org/dinners
- Old North Church Advent Christmas Concert (193 Salem Street in the North End). Normally, there is a concert with arrangements of familiar Christmas carols and Christmas-inspired works for choir and orchestra. More information: 617-523-6676.
Secular Entertainment on December 24
Try these suggestions for secular entertainment on Christmas Eve (make reservations as early as possible):
Matzo Ball at the Royale (279 Tremont Street, Theatre District) - Music and dance beginning about 9pm on December 24 and ending 2am December 25 for the nation's largest Jewish singles event (according to the sponsors) - 279 Tremont Street; 617-338-7699 - tickets required; always sells out; check for ticket availability in early November: https://matzoball.org/
Loews Boston Common Theater - 19 screens of entertainment (175 Tremont Street, across from Boston Common); call 888-262-4386 for shows and times.
Chinatown restaurants - Many, although not all, are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Santa-Themed Fun Fund-Raisers: Santa Speedo Run & More
Numerous Christmas-themed Boston fund-raising events during December provide help for those who might not otherwise have happy holidays.
You'll see lots of Santas, such as this group heading into Game On! near Fenway Park, engaged in these fund raising activities.
Perhaps the most famous is the Santa Speedo Run, involving about 500 scantily clad Santas running a loop down Boylston Street and up Newbury Street.
They warm the hearts of shoppers - and raise a significant amount of money for local charities.
Boston Attractions on Christmas - Open or Closed?
Most theaters, stores, the Frog Pond ice skating rink, and museums will be closed on Christmas. So what can you do on Christmas Day in Boston?
Most Boston movie theaters will be open (be sure to check first), including AMC Loews Boston Common 19 (175Tremont Street, across from the Common).
Many Boston restaurants, including most hotel restaurants plus a number of others, will be serving Christmas dinner. Reservations are a MUST on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, because this is a popular time to go out. If you don't plan ahead and can't get reservations, keep in mind that many Chinatown restaurants will be open, as well as most hotel bars where you'll usually find excellent bar menus.
New Year's Eve & New Year's Day Cruises
Welcome the New Year aboard the elegant yacht Northern Lights on these special New Year's Eve and New Year's Day cruises around Boston Harbor:
- New Year's Eve Cruise - Say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023 on this festive Boston Harbor cruise with music and gourmet appetizers; purchase the beverage of your choice onboard - or pre-order a bottle of Moet & Chandon when you book - Book now
- New Year's Day Brunch Cruise - Welcome the New Year with a tasty hot 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing tour around Boston Harbor - Book now
- Gift Card - Give the perfect holiday gift! Shop now
First Night Boston - Welcome the New Year
Sometimes Christmas in Boston feels like it ends too soon - but no worries, Boston's gala First Night extravaganza is just around the corner.
So even if Christmas is still in the future, it's not too early to plan for NYE.
Most important, if you're coming into the city for the big event, make your hotel reservations NOW to avoid disappointment - check out all the Boston New Year's Eve hotel specials.
Blink! Holiday Light Show at Faneuil Market - Not Happening in 2022
This show is canceled again for this year - but here's what normally happens:
Blink! combines 350,000 flashing LED lights and holiday music to set Faneuil Hall Marketplace ablaze every evening through early January.
Catch the free show, which runs numerous times between 4:30pm and 10pm from late November through early January as you stroll around the country's open-air marketplace, site of the largest Christmas tree in New England. The show, which changes year-to-year, is especially fabulous this year.
Faneuil Marketplace also offers excellent shopping opportunities - lots of unique "only in Boston" boutiques mixed in with larger national chains where you'll often see "40% off" signs.
More holiday shopping recommendations
Questions & Answers about Christmas in Boston
Romantic Things to Do in Boston during the Christmas Holidays
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