Photo: Fletcher6 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0On now · Nov 6 - Dec 24
Santa Photo Experience at Burlington Mall
Family photos with Santa at the mall, by reservation through Simon/Where Is Santa.
What to do around Boston, Nov 9 to Nov 19
Confirmed events only. If a date is not announced we leave it out; the full holiday guide tracks 162 events, including the ones still waiting on dates.
Running in the next 10 days
Photo: Fletcher6 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Percival Kestreltail / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0On now · Nov 7 - Dec 24
Santa Photo Experience at Northshore Mall
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.
Photo: Rhavasy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0On now · Nov 6 - Dec 27
Snowport
Outdoor winter village with a 130+ vendor holiday market, food and drink, iceless curling, a Christmas tree market and photo spots.
Photo: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 13 · Nov 13 - Dec 31
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Lyric Stage's holiday-season comedy of theatrical mayhem.
Photo: EgorovaSvetlana / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0On now · Nov 7 - Dec 20
Christmastime at Santa's Village
Holiday theme park days with rides, Santa and seasonal shows in the White Mountains.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Opens Sun, Nov 15 · Nov 15
An Evening with Peter Billingsley and A Christmas Story
Screening of A Christmas Story followed by a moderated conversation and audience Q&A with Peter Billingsley (Ralphie).
Opening in the next two months
Photo: Dale E. Martin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0Opens Fri, Nov 20 · Nov 20 - Jan 3
Deck the Halls at Hammond Castle Museum
Castle decked out with candlelit greenery, fairy lights, a gingerbread castle replica and two menorahs; about 60 minutes.
Photo: Sowaboston / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 20 · Nov 20 - Dec 27
SoWa Christmas Market (11th annual)
Indoor holiday market with 100+ local makers, artists and food vendors, plus separately scheduled tastings and workshops.
Opens Fri, Nov 20 · Nov 20 - Jan 3
ZooLights
Nightly walk-through light displays across the zoo grounds, with a carousel, jungle fun and Santa visits on select dates.
Photo: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Opens Sat, Nov 21 · Nov 21 - Jan 3
Christmas Festival of Lights
Large free walk-through light display across the shrine grounds, with the International Creche Museum, carousel, hayride, Santa photos and food.
Photo: Das Nili / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Opens Sat, Nov 21 · Nov 21
Faneuil Hall Marketplace Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Marketplace's big holiday tree lighting with an afternoon stage program.
Photo: CopperDoodle / Wikimedia Commons, CC0Opens Sat, Nov 21 · Nov 21 - Jan 3
Holidays at the Newport Mansions
Gilded Age mansions decorated for the holidays; Chateau-sur-Mer is open weekends only.
Opens Sat, Nov 21 · Nov 21 - Jan 3
Night Lights: Fantastical Forest
Illuminated garden trails and conservatory displays after dark at the botanic garden formerly known as Tower Hill.
Opens Sat, Nov 21 · Nov 21 - Dec 27
Sparkling Lights at The Breakers
Evening visit to The Breakers with the mansion and grounds lit up for the holidays.
Photo: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0Opens Sun, Nov 22 · Nov 22
Medford Farmers Market: Holiday Harvest Market
A one-day holiday edition of the Medford Farmers Market outside City Hall. The city listing has only a poster and no vendor list.
Opens Sun, Nov 22 · Nov 22 - Dec 13
Pet Photos with Santa (Santa Paws) at Northshore Mall
Evening sessions where pets can pose with Santa for a photo.
Opens Mon, Nov 23 · Nov 23
Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting
24th annual lighting of the park's 260-foot trellis with music, Santa and Rudolph, hot chocolate, eggnog and chowder.
Photo: Briancua / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Tue, Nov 24 · Nov 24
Boston's Official Holiday Tree Arrival
The Nova Scotia gift tree arrives at Boston Common by police escort ahead of the Dec 3 tree lighting.
Opens Tue, Nov 24 · Nov 24 - Jan 3
Christmas at Blithewold: Gifts of Nature
Mansion decorated with displays inspired by the gardens, woodlands and shoreline.
Opens Wed, Nov 25 · Nov 25 - Jan 3
Bright Nights at Forest Park
Drive-through display of illuminated sculptures and lit scenes through the park; tickets are per car.
Opens Wed, Nov 25 · Nov 25 - Dec 28
Festival of Trees (18th annual)
A walk-through of decorated trees and holiday displays at the Mass Horticultural Society's Elm Bank gardens.
Opens Wed, Nov 25 · Nov 25
Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument
Thanksgiving Eve gathering where the community throws the switch to light the Pilgrim Monument for the season.
Opens Thu, Nov 26 · Nov 26 - Jan 3
Gift of Lights
2.5-mile drive-through light show around the speedway.
Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 31
Boston Ballet: Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker
Boston Ballet's full-length holiday production, about two hours with one intermission. Includes a sensory-friendly show and a premium add-on experience.
Photo: Wgmleslie at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 27
Christmas by Candlelight
Evening visit to the 1830s village with candlelit houses, caroling, and decorated period homes.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Circus artistry and aerial acts set to holiday music, an all-new production this year.
Photo: NearEMPTiness / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 27
Edaville Winter Wonderland
Weekend evenings of light displays, unlimited Holiday Express train rides, skating, carriage and pony rides and Santa photos; a pricier First-Class Pajama Express adds a reserved seat and cocoa.
Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 27
Gardens Aglow
Timed-entry evening walk through the gardens lit with light installations; Santa VIP slots and an adult Avant Glow night on Dec 26‑27.
Photo: MyCatIsAChonk / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Nov 29
Handel and Haydn Society: Handel's Messiah
H+H's annual Messiah with conductor Harry Christophers.
Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Jan 3
Holiday Lights Spectacular
Nightly light show across the zoo grounds in Roger Williams Park, with millions of lights.
Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons, CC0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 20
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Greater Boston Stage Company's holiday show, staged as a vintage radio play.
Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 30
Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights
Drive-through light show, priced per vehicle, with one-hour time slots.
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 6
Nantucket Noel: Tree Lighting and Christmas Stroll
Over 150 trees lit on Main Street, then a Stroll weekend with Santa arriving by nautical sleigh, carolers and a marketplace.
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27
Newport Illuminated Boat Parade
Decorated, lit-up boats cruise Newport Harbor; viewable from the waterfront.
Photo: Antony-22 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 31
Salem Holiday Happenings
Downtown holiday season with a window contest across 30+ businesses, Small Business Saturday and Wassail Weekend.
Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 23
Santa Express Trains
60-minute train ride with a Santa visit and seat tiers from coach to premier couch seating.
Photo: Fletcher6 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27
Santa's Arrival and Holiday Tree Lighting
Santa arrives atop the Hawthorne Hotel, then a procession down the Essex Street pedestrian mall to light the city holiday tree at Lappin Park. Kicks off Salem's Holiday Happenings season.
Photo: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Dec 30
South Shore Celebration of Lights
Drive-through light show on over a mile of roadway with a 90-foot tree, music on FM radio.
Opens Fri, Nov 27 · Nov 27 - Jan 2
Winterlights at the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate
Evening illuminated walk through the estate grounds by The Trustees.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Opens Sat, Nov 28 · Nov 28 - Nov 29
Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops 2026
Family holiday pops concerts by the Cape Ann Symphony and Chorus.
Photo: Rizka / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Opens Sat, Nov 28 · Nov 28 - Dec 6
Christmas at The Gables
Special holiday tours of the historic House of the Seven Gables waterfront site.
Photo: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Sat, Nov 28 · Nov 28
Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree
A tree built from lobster traps is lit at the foot of MacMillan Pier.
Photo: Rhavasy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Opens Sat, Nov 28 · Nov 28
Martin's Park Ship Lighting
Fifth annual lighting of the playground ship, fencing and bridge with 1,500 feet of blue and white lights; Santa arrives by police harbor boat.
Opens Sat, Nov 28 · Nov 28
Nashua Winter Stroll (31st)
Downtown holiday kickoff: Santa procession, 25-foot tree lighting at 5:30 pm, entertainment, photos with Santa and a closed Main Street.
Opens Sat, Nov 28 · Nov 28
Safe Haven Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Full-length Nutcracker from Portsmouth, NH's Safe Haven Ballet.
Opens Sat, Nov 28 · Nov 28 - Dec 19
Santa in the City
Visit Santa in a Back Bay 'living room' set and leave with a souvenir photo. Four Saturdays only.
Photo: Briancua / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Sat, Nov 28 · Nov 28
Santa Magic and Tree Lighting at Long Wharf
Santa visit and tree lighting on the Newport waterfront.
Photo: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Sun, Nov 29 · Nov 29
23rd Annual Tree Lighting on the Town Common
Music, caroling, holiday characters and kids' crafts, ending with the lighting of the Common's holiday tree.
Photo: Fletcher6 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0Opens Sun, Nov 29 · Nov 29 - Dec 6
Pet Photos with Santa at Burlington Mall
Evening pet-photo sessions with Santa.
Photo: Gregg Squeglia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Mon, Nov 30 · Nov 30
Copley Square Tree Lighting and Park Reopening
Tree lighting plus a guided tour of the renovated park, crafts, Santa and Rudolph, and choir performances; cookies and Santa photos after at the Fairmont Copley Plaza.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Opens Mon, Nov 30 · Nov 30 - Dec 25
The Port of Wonder
Month-long downtown holiday celebration from the Greater Newburyport Chamber, opening with the Market Square Christmas tree lighting, with weekend programming along State, Inn and Pleasant Streets.
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Tue, Dec 1 · Dec 1
Christmas in Newport
Month-long festival with events on nearly every day of December, running since 1971.
Opens Wed, Dec 2 · Dec 2
Winter Extravaganza
A city-listed winter event; the calendar entry says only 'Save the date, more info to come'.
Opens Thu, Dec 3 · Dec 3 - Dec 23
A Christmas Carol (2026)
Musical ghost-story adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol with traditional carols; about 2 hours 20 minutes with intermission.
Photo: Ethan Long / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0Opens Thu, Dec 3 · Dec 3
Boston Common Tree Lighting
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.
Opens Thu, Dec 3 · Dec 3 - Dec 28
Boston Pops Holiday Pops
The Boston Pops holiday concerts with a Santa visit; includes kids' matinees and a sensory-friendly show.
Opens Thu, Dec 3 · Dec 3
Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting
The Back Bay mall trees are lit right after the Common ceremony, with a long strip of lights along Comm Ave.
Photo: Messerjdx / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Thu, Dec 3 · Dec 3 - Dec 13
Kennebunkport's Christmas Prelude
Eleven days of tree lighting, hat and pooch parades, Santa arriving by lobster boat and fire engine, caroling and a Friday family street festival with fireworks.
Opens Thu, Dec 3 · Dec 3 - Dec 6
Wickford Village Festival of Lights (41st)
Village-wide holiday weekend with tree lighting, shopping and events around the harbor village.
Opens Fri, Dec 4 · Dec 4
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage
Stage version of the Peanuts special with a sing-along of carols at the end.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons, Public domainOpens Fri, Dec 4 · Dec 4 - Dec 20
Candlelight Stroll
Evening stroll through the candlelit historic neighborhood with costumed interpreters, carriage rides and a vintage-Christmas trolley on weekends.
Opens Fri, Dec 4 · Dec 4 - Dec 13
Christmas Prelude Trolley Rides
Rides in heated trolleys decked with greens, Santa visits, hot chocolate and a fire pit.
Opens Fri, Dec 4 · Dec 4 - Dec 6
Falmouth Holidays by the Sea Weekend
Three-day Cape Cod holiday weekend: Nobska Lighthouse open house, Seafaring Santa by boat, a village stroll, Village Green lighting and the 63rd Christmas Parade.
Opens Fri, Dec 4 · Dec 4
Light Up Seaport Tree Lighting
Lighting of a 52-foot tree billed as Boston's largest, at the Seaport during Snowport. A menorah lighting follows Dec 10.
Opens Fri, Dec 4 · Dec 4
Manchester Holiday Stroll and Business Open House
Downtown shops open late with treats, a shopping rewards passport and a kids' Mysteries by the Sea scavenger hunt.
Photo: Adavyd / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Opens Fri, Dec 4 · Dec 4
Rockport Holiday Shopping Night
Evening of holiday shopping through Dock Square with an after-party and raffle at Brackett's Oceanview Restaurant.
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Sat, Dec 5 · Dec 5
56th Annual Bowen's Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting
Afternoon of Santa visits and local choruses, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by boat in Bowen's Basin; tree lit at 6 pm.
Opens Sat, Dec 5 · Dec 5 - Dec 13
A Christmas Carol (staged reading)
A staged reading of Dickens's A Christmas Carol, presented by The Christmas Carol Collective in the Inn's chapel.
Opens Sat, Dec 5 · Dec 5
Christmas in Rockport: Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
Santa arrives by boat at T-Wharf at 1 pm, then the Dock Square tree is lit at 4 pm.
Photo: Rhavasy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Opens Sat, Dec 5 · Dec 5
Plymouth Holiday Market
One-day indoor holiday market at Plymouth Memorial Hall.
Photo: Domenico Convertini / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0Opens Sat, Dec 5 · Dec 5
Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade
Tree lighting ceremony in Market Square followed by a parade of lit-up floats and groups from Islington Street into downtown.
Opens Sat, Dec 5 · Dec 5 - Dec 13
Reagle Music Theatre: ChristmasTime 2026
Reagle's annual community holiday revue, a long-running Waltham tradition.
Opens Sat, Dec 5 · Dec 5
Santa Arrives by Boat and Jingle Bell Walk
Santa comes in by boat at Masconomo Park, with a Jingle Bell Walk, photos, crafts and a visit with Mrs. Claus.
Opens Sun, Dec 6 · Dec 6 - Dec 12
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides on Bearskin Neck
Daytime horse-drawn carriage rides along Bearskin Neck during the Christmas in Rockport season.
Opens Sun, Dec 6 · Dec 6
Manchester Friendship Tree Lighting and Seasonal Concert
Manchester-Essex Regional music students perform on the Town Green, then the Friendship Tree is lit.
Opens Sun, Dec 6 · Dec 6
Open Newbury: Holiday Stroll
Newbury Street goes car-free for a day of holiday shopping and storefront activities, with shops invited to run family-friendly pop‑ups.
Photo: Briancua / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Sun, Dec 6 · Dec 6
Rockport Menorah Lighting
Public menorah lighting hosted by Chabad of Cape Ann as part of Christmas in Rockport.
Opens Sun, Dec 6 · Dec 6
The Bell Ringers holiday concert
Holiday handbell concert by the Bell Ringers of the Memorial Congregational Church, presented at the historic inn.
Photo: 4300streetcar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Opens Sun, Dec 6 · Dec 6
Worcester Union Station Holiday Market
One-day holiday market in Worcester's restored Union Station grand hall.
Opens Wed, Dec 9 · Dec 9
Holiday Pops Company Celebration with Sutton Foster
Special Holiday Pops fundraising concert headlined by Sutton Foster.
Opens Fri, Dec 11 · Dec 11
35th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
The city's annual downtown tree lighting. The city page lists the 2026 date as a save-the-date; time and program are not posted yet.
Opens Fri, Dec 11 · Dec 11 - Dec 28
Midwinter Revels 2026: An American Celebration of the Solstice
Revels' long-running winter-solstice stage show, this year with 19th-century Great Plains songs and stories and music from Polish, Irish, German, Indigenous, Chinese and Black traditions.
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Fri, Dec 11 · Dec 11
WaterFire Providence Holiday Basin Lighting
Bonfires burn on the river through downtown Providence with a holiday theme, plus onshore programming.
Opens Sat, Dec 12 · Dec 12 - Dec 20
Anthony Williams' Urban Nutcracker
Boston's jazz-and-hip-hop-flavored retelling of the Nutcracker, about two hours with a 20-minute intermission.
Photo: Rhavasy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Opens Thu, Dec 17 · Dec 17 - Dec 23
A Christmas Carol
Hanover Theatre's annual Christmas Carol production (19th year).
Opens Sat, Dec 19 · Dec 19
Celtic Christmas by Candlelight
Nine Irish traditional musicians led by Keith Murphy play carols, dance tunes and slow airs by candlelight.
Photo: Adavyd / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Opens Sat, Dec 19 · Dec 19
Rockport Christmas Pageant: A Nativity Re-enactment
Torch-lit procession from Dock Square up Main Street to the Congregational Church for a nativity re‑enactment.
Opens Sat, Dec 19 · Dec 19
Santa's Holly Jolly Jamboree at Northshore Mall
One-afternoon holiday party at the mall's Santa set.
Photo: Antony-22 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Opens Sun, Dec 20 · Dec 20
Salem Holiday Market
One-day indoor holiday craft and gift market in historic Old Town Hall.
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The full 2026 Boston Holiday Lights Guide →
Dates and prices come from each event's official page and were last checked November 9, 2026. Confirm before you go; schedules change.
