The December plan: 30 holiday events around Boston
Every event here has confirmed dates. Long runs are for any night you pick; the rest are listed by day. Tick the boxes as you go.
December at a glance
The number is how many of the dated events below fall on that day. Free picks: 11 of 30.
Pick any night: the long runs
These run for weeks. Choose a date, check the box, buy tickets early where it says so.
Boston Ballet: Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker
Show · Citizens Opera House, Boston · Varies by performance · Check price
Boston Ballet's full-length holiday production, about two hours with one intermission. Includes a sensory-friendly show and a premium add-on experience.
Tip: Boston Ballet's site noted sales-system maintenance; groups of 10+ get up to 35% off. Avoid resale sites, which showed far above face value.
Christmas at Blithewold: Gifts of Nature
Day trip · Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum, Bristol, RI · Check price
Mansion decorated with displays inspired by the gardens, woodlands and shoreline.
Tip: Check blithewold.org/hours before going.
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Show · Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main St, Stoneham · 7pm Saturdays · Check price
Greater Boston Stage Company's holiday show, staged as a vintage radio play.
Tip: Box office 781-279-2200 (Tue-Fri noon-4pm); $6 tickets for EBT holders.
Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights
Lights · Mann Orchards Riverside Farm, Methuen · Opens 5 pm · Online per car: weekday $22.99, weekend/holiday $26.99, Flex
Drive-through light show, priced per vehicle, with one-hour time slots.
Tip: Tickets sold out online are not available at the gate; hotline (978) 219‑4232.
Salem Holiday Happenings Free
Walk & stroll · Downtown Salem, Salem · Varies · Free
Downtown holiday season with a window contest across 30+ businesses, Small Business Saturday and Wassail Weekend.
Tip: Salem Main Streets: 978‑224-5551.
Santa Express Trains
Train ride · Granite State Scenic Railway, Lincoln, NH · Noon and 2 pm (Fridays in December and Dec 22-23 at 2 pm only) · Prices not listed on the schedule page
60-minute train ride with a Santa visit and seat tiers from coach to premier couch seating.
Tip: Advance reservations are required; pets are not allowed.
Santa Photo Experience at Burlington Mall
Santa · Burlington Mall (Level 1, in front of Lululemon; Lenscrafters wing entrance), Burlington · Check price
Family photos with Santa at the mall, by reservation through Simon/Where Is Santa.
Tip: Book a slot online; the Santa set is on the lower level near the Lenscrafters wing entrance.
Santa Photo Experience at Northshore Mall
Santa · Northshore Mall (Santa set on the Lower Level near The North Face), Peabody · Check price
Classic photos with Santa at the mall, booked by reservation through the Simon/Where Is Santa system. Special sessions (pet photos, a sensory-friendly Caring Santa morning on Dec 6, a Dec 19 jamboree) are listed as separate entries or in the note.
Tip: Reserve a time slot online first.
Snowport Free
Market · Seaport Common / 100 Seaport Blvd, Seaport, Boston · Nov 6-Dec 6: Mon-Thu 3-8pm, Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm. Dec 7-27: Mon-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm · Free
Outdoor winter village with a 130+ vendor holiday market, food and drink, iceless curling, a Christmas tree market and photo spots.
Tip: Saturday and Sunday need timed-entry tickets via the Seaport Insider app; weekdays are easier. Iceless curling lanes are reservable for groups of up to 8.
SoWa Christmas Market (11th annual)
Market · SoWa Power Station, South End, Boston · Nov: Tue-Thu 4-8pm, Fri 4-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm (opening night Nov 20 4-9pm · $10 admission, kids 12 and under free
Indoor holiday market with 100+ local makers, artists and food vendors, plus separately scheduled tastings and workshops.
Tip: Follow the Power Station signage (the official page lists both 550 and 530 Harrison Ave). No re-entry once you leave.
ZooLights
Lights · Stone Zoo, Stoneham · 4:00-9:30 pm nightly · Plan-ahead pricing changes daily
Nightly walk-through light displays across the zoo grounds, with a carousel, jungle fun and Santa visits on select dates.
Tip: Buy online ahead; gate tickets cost more and evenings can sell out. Parking is free and the walk takes about 1-1.5 hours.
December 1 to 6
Toddler Storytime and Craft Free
Family · Lynn Public Library, 5 North Common St, Lynn · 10:00 am · Free
A toddler story time with songs and dancing followed by a craft, open to children of all abilities; no registration.
3 dates in December: 2026-11-18 to 2026‑12‑16
Toddler Tales Story Time (ages 1.5-3) Free
Family · Melrose Public Library, 69 West Emerson St, Melrose · 10:30 am · Free
A 25-minute story time of songs and movement for toddlers and their caregivers; registration is required.
3 dates in December: 2026-11-18 to 2026‑12‑16
Winter Extravaganza
Walk & stroll · Venue not stated (listed on the City of Medford calendar), Medford · 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm · Check price
A city-listed winter event; the calendar entry says only 'Save the date, more info to come'.
Tip: Check the city calendar again in late November for the location and program.
American Mahjong for Beginners Free
Community · Malden Public Library, 36 Salem St, Malden · 6:00 pm · Free
A beginner class teaching the basics of American Mahjong for adults 18 and over; registration required and limited to 8 people.
Boston Common Tree Lighting Free
Tree lighting · Boston Common (near Visitor Information Center), Boston · 6-8 pm · Free
City's signature tree lighting with the Nova Scotia tree, hosted by Mayor Wu and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston; the Commonwealth Ave Mall lights follow.
Tip: Take the T to Park Street and arrive early; the crowd is large.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting Free
Lights · Commonwealth Avenue Mall (Arlington St to Charlesgate), Back Bay, Boston · About 8 pm · Free
The Back Bay mall trees are lit right after the Common ceremony, with a long strip of lights along Comm Ave.
Tip: Walk over from Boston Common through the Public Garden.
Michelle Wolf: Best Job in the World
Comedy · Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St, Medford · 7:30 pm · Tickets via Ticketmaster
Stand-up from comedian Michelle Wolf.
Christmas Prelude Trolley Rides
Train ride · Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, ME · 9:30 am-5:30 pm · $15 per person
Rides in heated trolleys decked with greens, Santa visits, hot chocolate and a fire pit.
6 dates in December: Dec 4-6 and 11-13, 2026 (Fri-Sun), 9:30 am-5:30 pm
Tip: Sells out quickly; Santa visits Sun Dec 6 and Dec 11‑13.
Movie Afternoon at the Library: The Wild Robot Free
Film · Melrose Public Library, 69 West Emerson St, Melrose · 2:00 pm · Free
A free all-ages screening of the PG animated film The Wild Robot; doors open 1:50 pm and no registration is needed.
56th Annual Bowen's Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting Free
Tree lighting · Bowen's Wharf, Newport, RI · 12:30-7:30 pm · Free
Afternoon of Santa visits and local choruses, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by boat in Bowen's Basin; tree lit at 6 pm.
Tip: Santa arrives by boat, weather permitting.
Christmas at The Gables
Day trip · The House of the Seven Gables, Salem · Tours at 2:30-3:30 pm and 3:30-4:30 pm (Dec 6: 2:30 pm only) · Holiday price not listed
Special holiday tours of the historic House of the Seven Gables waterfront site.
2 dates in December: Nov 28-29 and Dec 5-6, 2026 (tour slots 2:30 and 3:30 pm; Dec 6 only 2:30 pm)
Tip: Specialty tickets are released on a schedule; check the tickets page before you go.
Origami Unfolded: Opening Celebration
Museum · Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St, Salem · 10:30 am to 4 pm · Included with museum admission
Opening day for the Origami Unfolded exhibition with activities and workshops; some need same-day sign‑up.
Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade Free
Parade · Market Square and Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH · 5:00-7:00 pm · Free
Tree lighting ceremony in Market Square followed by a parade of lit-up floats and groups from Islington Street into downtown.
Tip: Parade reaches Market Square roughly 20-30 minutes after its 6 pm start; arrive early for a spot near the tree.
UMass Lowell River Hawks vs Boston College (men's hockey)
College hockey · Tsongas Center, UMass Lowell, Lowell · 6:05 pm · Tickets via the Tsongas Center
Home game at the Tsongas Center.
Engelbert Humperdinck
Music · Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St, Medford · 7 pm · $39 to $109
The pop crooner in concert at the Chevalier.
The Union Square Jingle: Shop, Sip and Mingle Free
Community · Union Square, Somerville · 12 pm to 5 pm · Free
A Sunday of local shopping and experience gift ideas in Union Square (storm date Dec. 13).
December 7 to 13
Smokey Robinson: Legacy of Love Tour
Music · Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St, Medford · 7 pm · Tickets via Ticketmaster
Motown legend Smokey Robinson on tour.
UMass Lowell River Hawks vs Maine (men's hockey)
College hockey · Tsongas Center, UMass Lowell, Lowell · 7:05 pm · Tickets via the Tsongas Center
Home game at the Tsongas Center.
December 14 to 20
Rockport Christmas Pageant: A Nativity Re-enactment
Parade · Dock Square to Congregational Church, Rockport · 5 pm · Price not listed
Torch-lit procession from Dock Square up Main Street to the Congregational Church for a nativity re‑enactment.
Tip: Procession starts in Dock Square; get there ahead of 5 pm for a spot along Main Street.
Boston Neighbor, bostonneighbor.com. Dates, hours and prices come from each organizer's own page (last checked November 9, 2026). Confirm before you go; the live list is at bostonneighbor.com/this-weekend/.
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