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Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Boston for Kids

Boston's zoos will be aglow with seasonal fun as the top Christmas events and holiday activities come to town for 2023! Zoo Lights event photo courtesy of the Stone Zoo.
Boston's zoos will be aglow with seasonal fun as the top Christmas events and holiday activities come to town for 2023! Zoo Lights event photo courtesy of the Stone Zoo.
11/5/23 - By Caitlin Dowling

The top holiday activities and Christmas events for Boston kids are coming to town! We will celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the 12 Days of Christmas, all on the heels of Thanksgiving. While there are plenty of holiday events and Christmas activities near Boston to keep kids busy and feeling festive throughout November and December, we've rounded up our picks of Boston's top holiday festivities during the magical season of joy and wonder.

Keep that holiday and Christmas spirit going all season long with our Holiday Fun Guide. If you are planning bigger holiday adventures, consult our 12 Best Christmas Towns in New England and the region's 25 Top Holiday and Christmas Activities. 

 

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Santa, Rudolph, and the whole gang will be coming to town for fun holiday activities in Boston! Holiday Happenings event photo courtesy of Suffolk Downs.
Santa, Rudolph, and the whole gang will be coming to town for fun holiday activities in Boston! Holiday Happenings event photo courtesy of Suffolk Downs.

Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in Boston

2023 Lighting of the Ship in Martin’s Park

Boston—Tuesday, November 21, 2023
FREE
A special children’s celebration will be held at the Smith Family Waterfront with the third annual holiday lighting of the ship in Martin’s Park. Martin’s Park will be transformed into a magical holiday display when the ship, surrounding beach fencing, and pedestrian bridge are illuminated with over 1,500 feet of blue and white tube lights. READ MORE

2023 Boston's Official Holiday Tree Arrival

Boston—Tuesday, November 21, 2023
FREE
The annual gift of an evergreen Christmas tree from Nova Scotia is arriving by police escort at Boston Common on Tuesday, November 21. READ MORE

Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker

Boston—Friday, November 24 - December 28, 2023
Slip away into the warm drawing room of the Silberhaus family and watch as Clara’s surroundings transform before your eyes. From the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the iconic snow scene, this classical ballet—set to the beloved music of Tchaikovsky—continues to enthrall audiences of all ages. Let your dreams come to life at New England’s most beloved holiday event. With brave toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and a tree that grows to the sky, this classical ballet conjures the childlike wonder in us all. READ MORE

Boston Common Tree Lighting 2023

Boston—Saturday, November 25, 2023
FREE
It's the 82nd Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting! Hosted by Mayor Michelle Wu and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, marking the 52nd year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the explosion of a munitions ship on December 6, 1917. READ MORE

2023 Lighting of Commonwealth Ave

Boston—Thursday, November 30, 2023
FREE
Following the Boston Annual Tree Lighting, the city of Boston will light up the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Refreshments will be provided by The Newbury and include cookies and hot chocolate. READ MORE

The BSO's Holiday Pops

Boston—Friday, December 1 - Sunday, December 24, 2023
Rejoice as the Boston Pops return for performances filled with holiday music favorites, the jubilant Pops sing-along, and a visit from Santa Claus himself. Started in 1973 by Boston Pops Conductor Arthur Fiedler, these concerts take place in the magical atmosphere of world-famous Symphony Hall, beautifully decorated to evoke all the magic and charm of the season. READ MORE

Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights

Boston—Thursday, December 7, 2023
Families can enjoy an evening of art and activities celebrating Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Festivities include holiday themed performances, gallery talks with museum curators, and engaging art experiences, as well as crafts, treats, and prizes. READ MORE
Watch Greater Boston light up for the 2023 holidays, with family fun in and around the city. Winterlights at Naumkeag, photo courtesy of the Trustees Facebook page.
Watch Greater Boston light up for the 2023 holidays, with family fun in and around the city. Winterlights at Naumkeag, photo courtesy of the Trustees Facebook page.

Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events near Boston

LEGO Discovery Center Boston

Somerville—Saturday, November 18 - Sunday, December 31
At LEGO Discovery Center Boston, families can create their own adventures with over two million bricks. Build epic creations, explore play areas, meet LEGO characters, and catch fun events year-round events, like the Holiday Bricktacular, where you can create a LEGO ornament, attend a holiday-themed workshop with a Master Model Builder, and much more. READ MORE

"Hanukkats" by Talking Hands Theatre

Brookline—Saturday, December 9 - Sunday, December 17, 2023
How do you play dreidel and why? Join Ziva the cat as she goes back to the time of the first Hanukkah to recover the missing letters on her dreidel! READ MORE

ZooLights at Stone Zoo

Stoneham—Daily, Friday, November 17, 2023 - Sunday, January 7, 2024
Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Enjoy a one-way stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to black bears, bald eagle, Canada lynx, reindeer, and arctic foxes. This year, several illuminated large-scale lantern displays will light up your winter's night. READ MORE

Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, NH—Thursday, November 24 - Sunday, January 1, 2023
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is trading in the checkered flags for more than 2.5 million twinkly LED lights for their 10th annual Gift of Lights. Passengers will cruise through 2.5-mile of lights at this drive-thru experience, including the Tunnel of Lights. READ MORE

Festival of Trees and Snow Village at Elm Bank

Wellesley—Friday, November 24 - Sunday, December 29, 2023
Along with trees decorated by Massachusetts Horticultural Society expert gardeners, there is an indoor Snow Village, a model railroad, outdoor lighting displays, and a fire pit with s’mores. Purchase tickets in advance. READ MORE

Winterlights at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

North Andover—Friday, November 24 - Saturday, December 31, 2023
This Trustees' beautiful garden property sparkles with thousands of shimmering, artfully designed holiday lights. Bring the whole family for a magical, fun, and safe outdoor experience – with food, refreshments, and more.  READ MORE

Christmas by Candlelight Sturbridge

Sturbridge—Friday, November 24 - Saturday, December 30, 2023
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village is an enchanting evening filled with New England holiday traditions, Colonial music, sleigh rides, a roaring bonfire, and a nightly tree lighting.  READ MORE

Winterlights - Naumkeag

Stockbridge—Friday, November 24 - Saturday, January 6, 2023
Enjoy a magical outdoor experience and get in the holiday spirit and take a stroll through thousands of shimmering holiday lights. Food and refreshments will also be available. READ MORE

Southwick Zoo Winter Wonderland

Mendon—Saturday, November 18 - December 31, 2023
This year’s Winter Wonderland guests will enjoy two events in one. Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination will feature a ride through an enchanted forest on Santa's train. Stroll through Santa’s Village and snap photos at a meet and greet with Santa, then catch some performances under the Cirque de Illumination tent. READ MORE

Santa's Wonderland

Foxborough—Daily through Sunday, December 24, 2023
Enjoy a free photo with Santa at Santa’s Wonderland in Foxborough. To keep everyone safe this year, timed reservations are required.  READ MORE

Christmas on the Common

Middleboro—Sunday, December 3, 2023
FREE
The Bridgewater Business Association hosts Christmas on the Common. Grab a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy music, food, crafts and support local businesses. READ MORE

Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars

Portsmouth, NH—Saturday, December 2 - Sunday, December 17, 2023
Take a festive candlelight stroll through the museum grounds passing by costumed role players and performers who recreate the traditions of times past; including the Shapiro family preparing for Hanukkah in 1919, the Goodwin family perparing for a Victorian Christmas and the Abbotts who waited for news of their soldier fighting in WWII. READ MORE

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