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12/10/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/11/2024 03:18

Where to See Boston’s Best Holiday Lights

Where to See Boston's Best Holiday Lights

Stroll through these beautiful light displays to get in the festive spirit

The trees on the Comm Ave Mall were lit this year on December 5, just after the Boston Common Tree Lighting. Photo via iStock/Marcio Silva

Holiday Fun

Where to See Boston's Best Holiday Lights

Stroll through these beautiful light displays to get in the festive spirit

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If you are sticking around Boston for the holidays or call the city home, we have you covered with a wintry guide to put you in a festive mood. Read our comprehensive list of holiday lights and shows sure to amaze you. Don't forget to bundle up!

Boston Common Christmas Tree
139 Tremont Street, Boston Common

The annual Christmas tree at the Boston Common, a 30-year-old 45-foot-tall white spruce, is bedecked with lights and ornaments for all to see. For the 53rd year, a Nova Scotia tree was donated to the city, this time by Hugh and Liz Ryan from Mattie Settlement, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. The Canadian province has gifted Boston a Christmas tree every year since 1971 in thanks for the city's relief efforts following a deadly ship collision in Canada's Halifax Harbour in 1917. Stop by this winter season-the tree is a great spot for photos.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall and Charlesgate Park Holiday LightsArlington Street to Kenmore Square, Back Bay

The trees along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall are illuminated with beautiful white lights. This event is funded by community support and the Friends of the Public Garden. This year, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Charlesgate Alliance are building on an annual tradition and adding their signature emerald green lighting to the Charlesgate Park block of the Mall. Pro tip: lounge on the mall with a hot cocoa from a nearby Newbury Street cafe and check out the area's many historic statues illuminated by the season's festive lights.

Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting
110 Atlantic Ave., Boston

Photo via iStock/Marcio Silva

The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park latticed 260 feet of the waterfront's trellis with 50,000 blue lights, marking the 22nd year of this cherished annual tradition. Since its start in 2002, the display has brought wintry cheer to the city of Boston every holiday season. Bring the kids for a romp on the playground or pair the spectacle with a trip to nearby Faneuil Hall.

Martin's Park Lighting of the Ship64 Sleeper St., South Boston

Boston is speckled with slivers of green space, but Martin's Park stands out for its climate-friendly design, handicap accessibility, and giant pirate ship for kids to play on. The ship and surrounding fencing will be draped with 1,500 feet of holiday lights this season. Built in memory of the Boston Marathon bombings' youngest victim, Martin W. Richard, the park sits on the Boston Harborwalk along the historic and beautiful Boston Harbor. After you see the lights, venture just south of the park with the kids-or kids at heart-in your life for a visit to the Boston Children's Museum.

Menorah Lighting at Snowport60 Seaport Blvd., Boston

Sunday, December 29, at 4:30 pm

Photos courtesy of Boston Seaport by WS Development

The Chabad of Downtown Boston will host its annual menorah lighting ceremony at Snowport, Seaport's winter market. The event will include lighting a colossal nine-foot menorah, treats, and more. There's a ton happening elsewhere at Snowport, too: a holiday market featuring over 120 small businesses, food and drink, and a 50-foot holiday tree adorned with 10,000 twinkling lights.

ZooLights at Stone Zoo
149 Pond St., Stoneham

Photo courtesy of Zoo New England

Although this one isn't technically in Boston, it's such a magical experience that we couldn't leave it out. Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths illuminated by thousands of sparkling lights along 26 acres of the Stone Zoo. Home to black bears, Canada lynx, reindeer, and more, the zoo will also feature model trains and other wintry set pieces in its display. On select dates through December 23, you can take photos with Santa Claus. Tickets for the Santa Experience event sell out quickly, so be sure to plan ahead. The lights will continue shining through January 5, from 4 to 9:30 pm, excluding Christmas Day.

Somerville Illuminations Tour
Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave., Somerville

Somerville residents go all out for the holidays, donning their houses with lights and lawn ornaments. Thankfully, the Somerville Arts Council has us covered with a detailed map and tour route of all the most dazzling displays. Drive the path yourself or cycle over to Somerville High School at 5:45 pm on December 14 for a guided bike tour.

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