In every corner of Boston, you’ll find plenty of dazzling holiday lights displays beginning in mid-November! So put on a warm hat, grab your gloves, and head on out to bask in the cheerful spirit of the season in the Spirit of America. Check out these places below for the best and brightest holiday lights in Boston and beyond!
Happy Holidays!
1. Boston Common
The Boston Common’s Official Christmas Tree is the landmark tree of Boston, and it’s as dazzling as ever. Like every year, Nova Scotia gifts the city with a beautiful tree as a thank-you for the help Boston gave them after a large explosion wrecked Halifax in the early 1900s.
Official lighting: Thursday, November 30 at 6 PM
2. Public Garden
Adjacent to the Boston Common tree you’ll find dazzling Christmas lights in the heart of the city. What more festive outing is there than taking a winter stroll through the Commons continuing through the Public Garden and finishing off on Commonwealth Avenue Mall?
3. Commonwealth Avenue
Ah, the glowing Comm Ave! Could we even have a holiday lighting round-up without including this dazzling boulevard of lights?
Eight blocks of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall glow gold thank to thousands of fairy lights arranged by a team of volunteers. Pair the visit with a walk through the Garden and Commons for the ultimate holiday walk!
Official lighting: Thursday, November 30 at 8 PM
4. Back Bay
Due to ongoing construction, there will be no Copley Square tree lighting this year. However, Back Bay will still be glowing with lights on Newbury Street. Make sure to check out the Cartier storefront which always has one of the grandest lights displays!
5. Beacon Hill
Whether it’s Halloween or the holidays, Beacon Hill sure knows how to work the seasonal decorations. Boston’s oldest neighborhood turns particularly beautiful this time of year, so make sure to take a stroll through its cobblestone streets to catch some amazing displays this holiday season, and don’t forget an ultra-aesthetic picture on the infamous Acorn Street!
6. Snowport
The Seaport officially transformed into the “Snowport” earlier in November and it’s the closest thing to a European winter village. Catch the dazzling tree, go curling, or sip on some hot cocoa to get into the holiday spirit! “Snowport’ will hold a plethora of events throughout the season like a holiday stroll and a Seaport tree and Menorah lighting.
Here you’ll find the tallest Christmas tree lighting in all of Boston for 2023!
Official tree lighting: Friday, December 1 at 5 PM
Official Menorah lighting: Sunday, December 10 at 6 PM
7. Downtown Crossing
The Macy’s tree returns to Downtown Crossing with a grand ceremony in November. Don’t forget to snap a pic or two while you’re doing your holiday shopping!
Official lighting: TBA
8. Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
Faneuil Hall’s massive 80-foot-tall tree will return this year, and merchants have put up lovely decorations around the market to make it look extra cheerful! Make sure to pay them a visit to support local vendors and check out their beautiful holiday décor all month long.
Official lighting: Tuesday, November 21 at 4 PM
9. Christopher Columbus Park
Make your way down to the waterfront to catch the 20th annual display of dazzling lights at Christopher Columbus Park. The city will be putting up 14 decorated trees as well as 50,000 blue lights to illuminate the park’s 260 feet of trellis.
Official lighting: Monday, November 20 at 5 PM
10. North End
There are some pretty amazing light displays in Boston’s Italian quarter this year from local vendors to residents, so make sure to take a turn around the North End this holiday season for some extra amazing lights. Oh, and while you’re at it why not pick up some scrumptious Italian and cannolis to sweeten up your winter stroll?
11. ZooLights at Stone Zoo; Stoneham, MA
This year Stone Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights show is returning with dozens of gobsmackingly beautiful lanterns that are sure to brighten up anyone’s day! The ongoing production will run from November 17 through January 7. Find more info on dates and times here!
Find “Zoolights” at Stone Zoo 149 Pond St, Stoneham, MA 02180
12. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
When it’s too cold for an outdoor holiday light show, check out Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition! The stunning indoor exhibit showcases Michelangelo’s 34 famous frescoes illuminated from within! Get tickets and learn more!
Find Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition at 121 Webster Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150
13. Bright Nights at Forest Park; Springfield, MA
One of the brightest in New England, the popular light show, Bright Nights, is making a comeback this year with its annual holiday drive-thru from November 22 through January 1. Bright Nights at Forest Park was named one of the top ten holiday light shows nationwide, according to USA Today!
Find Bright Nights at Forest Park at 300 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA 01108
14. Gardens Aglow; Boothbay, ME
Drive out to Boothbay, ME, for one of the best holiday light shows in the world according to Condé Nast Traveler! Located on the premise of the Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens, this world-class show right here in New England will have nearly 800,000 twinkling lights!
Find Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens at 105 Botanical Gardens Drive Boothbay, ME 04537
15. Dock Square; Kennebunkport, Maine
Named the “second best Christmas town in America” by HGTV, Kennebunkport is the quintessential New England winter day trip for those seeking a holiday experience akin to the movies! The official tree lighting at Dock Square is on December 1, but the town will stay jolly and bright well into the New Year!
Official lighting: Friday, December 1 at 5:30 PM
16. Charlesgate Park
To distinguish themselves as the bridge between Commonwealth Avenue and the Emerald Necklace, 10 Japanese zelkova trees will glow Emerald! It takes 27,500 lights to illuminate the 10 trees! The signature emerald green lighting will shine a spotlight on the intersection of two critical Boston greenspaces.
Official Lighting: Thursday, November 30 at Dusk
17. Red Apple Farm Winter Festival
You might know them from their apple cider donuts at the Boston Public Market. Red Apple Farm also hosts a winter festival brimming with holiday lights at their farm in Western Massachusetts.
Red Farm Lights begins November 24
18. The Ship at Martin’s Park
1,500 tube lights illuminate this historic ship in between Seaport and Fort Point. Catch the illumination reflecting off the water below and Santa’s entrance via boat, live A cappella from Ball In The House, and hot cocoa courtesy of Tuscan Kitchen!
Official lighting: Saturday, November 25, at 4 PM
64 Sleeper Street, South Boston