Where to See Holiday Lights and Performances This Season
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than elaborate displays of glimmering holiday lights, so let’s get jolly over festive decor! We found gorgeous lights displays, tastefully decorated trees and more all around Boston and beyond. Get ready to drink in lights in town, or take a day trip to celebrate the season! Here are some of the best spots to visit with friends or family that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit:
ZooLights at Stone Zoo
Photo: https://www.timeout.com/boston/things-to-do/where-to-see-christmas-lights-in-boston
Bundle up and head to ZooLights, where twinkling lights decorate the area around Stone Zoo’s animal enclosures. Wander the festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to black bears, Canada lynx, reindeer and more, and remember to keep an eye out for Mrs. Claus as she strolls through the zoo!
Seaport Holiday Tree (a.k.a. Snowport)
Photo: https://www.timeout.com/boston/things-to-do/where-to-see-christmas-lights-in-boston
The Boston Seaport transformed into Snowport for the fifth year this holiday season, turning into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll the Winter Wonder Walk, check out the brightly-lit Christmas tree and enjoy outdoor play for all ages all December long.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall
Photo: https://www.timeout.com/boston/things-to-do/where-to-see-christmas-lights-in-boston
If you’re shopping on Newbury Street during the holiday season, scurry over to Comm Ave to enjoy a cheery holiday stroll along the beautifully lit, tree-lined pedestrian strip.
Boston Common Tree
Photo: https://www.timeout.com/boston/things-to-do/where-to-see-christmas-lights-in-boston
Standing 45 feet tall, the famous Boston Common tree (which is gifted to Boston from Nova Scotia each year) is ready for Bostonians to view in awe throughout this holiday season.
Rose Kennedy Greenway
Photo: https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/hatchlings
Public art can be appreciated year-round on this mile-long stretch of grassy parkspace. This winter, the Greenway is displaying illuminated “Hatchlings,” nine miniature homages to Boston architectural icon, the Hatch Shell, created by Studio HHH. These solar- and grid-powered light sculptures are lit all day and nightly until 11pm.
The Liberty Hotel’s Inverted Christmas Trees
Photo: https://www.timeout.com/boston/things-to-do/where-to-see-christmas-lights-in-boston
For something a little different, walk around the lobby of the former Charles Street Jail – and the current-day Liberty Hotel – where seven inverted Christmas trees hang from the ceiling. Decorated by a Boston florist and event designer (Cityscapes), these holiday trees are suspended from the hotel lobby’s stunning 90-foot rotunda.
Somerville Illuminations Tour
Photo: https://www.timeout.com/boston/things-to-do/where-to-see-christmas-lights-in-boston
Somerville residents and businesses display their creativity each holiday season by decking out their buildings with glowing lights. The Illuminations Tour is self-guided, and you can drive the route using a digital map showing where to find all of the brightly decorated sites. The map will also feature user-submitted “don’t miss” locations, as well as businesses offering Illuminations specials.
The Nutcracker – Boston
Boston Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker has attracted a steady stream of revelers since the company began performing it in 1958. The current production, choreographed by Boston Ballet artistic director Mikko Nissinen, features acrobatic feats, fantastical sets, and that unforgettable score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Boston’s Enchanted Trolley Tour
Photo: www.bu.edu/articles/2022/14-live-holiday-performances
The annual Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley Tour is a festive tradition of lighting holiday trees while bringing holiday spirit to children across Boston. The event includes visits with Santa, holiday performances, tree lightings and more.