Boston won’t have to wait until December for its first major holiday tree lighting. Faneuil Hall Marketplace will kick off the season on Saturday, November 21, with an afternoon of entertainment before the tree lights up at 6 PM.
The celebration also coincides with the opening weekend of a new indoor holiday market at Quincy Market, giving visitors a chance to combine gift shopping with the evening’s main event.
The festivities start before sunset
Faneuil Hall’s annual celebration begins at 2 PM, with performances throughout the afternoon and a visit from Santa.
The tree lighting is scheduled for 6 PM sharp. Through a partnership with Make-A-Wish, a wish recipient will flip the switch, with Santa joining the celebration. Admission is free.
The November date puts Faneuil Hall ahead of several other major seasonal celebrations, including Copley Square’s November 30 lighting and the Boston Common ceremony on December 3.
A new holiday market opens the same weekend
There’s another reason to arrive early: Faneuil Hall Marketplace’s new Holiday Market opens November 20 on the second floor of Quincy Market.
The indoor market will bring together local makers, creators, and businesses, offering a new downtown stop for holiday shopping. Organizers have not yet announced the vendor lineup.
The market is scheduled to run Friday–Sunday from November 20 through December 20, followed by additional shopping days December 21–24.
Plan your visit
- Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Festivities begin: 2 PM
- Tree lighting: 6 PM
- Location: Faneuil Hall Marketplace
- Admission: Free
Browse the market, catch the afternoon entertainment, and stay for the switch-on with help from Make a Wish and Santa himself!
