Boston, Massachusetts, is a stunning city with lots to offer. The city is a foodie’s paradise, filled with delicious dishes on the Italian North End. Boston is also known for its abundance of historical sites, including The Paul Revere House and The Freedom Trail.
While Boston is a fun city to visit year-round, the holidays in Boston are something special. From fresh white snow in Boston Commons to holiday decorations lining the streets, the city truly has a magical feel in winter. To ensure a trip filled with maximum holiday cheer, partake in the events and activities listed below.
10 Partake In The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl
Ugly sweaters are not only comical but very commonly worn during the holiday season. Alaska Airlines even got in the holiday spirit by offering early boarding to passengers wearing ugly Christmas sweaters! A great way to celebrate the holiday season in Boston is to attend the Boston Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl. This crawl takes place on December 3rd at Faneuil Hall, a marketplace and shopping area containing multiple bars. Participants purchase a ticket to the crawl and enjoy admission to bars, discounted drinks, and live DJs. This is a 21+ event.
- Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022, 1-8 pm
- Cost: Early Bird Deal- $9
- Address: 1 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109
9 Go Christmas Shopping
Faneuil Hall is also a great location for holiday gift shopping. The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is full of both antique shops and modern stores. From toy stores to popular clothing stores like Urban Outfitters, there is no shortage of shopping.
- Address: 1 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109
A must-visit shop during the holidays is Christmas in Boston, a festive store featuring ornaments, holiday decor, advent calendars, nutcrackers, and more.
- Location: South Market Building
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm, Sunday 11 am-7 pm
8 View Some Christmas Lights
There is no shortage of stunning light-up decorations during the holiday season. One way to enjoy the festive lights is to simply wander down neighborhood streets and enjoy the lights put up by local families and residents.
There are also plenty of elaborate, professional Christmas light displays in and around Boston. ZooLights at Stone Zoo, for example, features thousands of lights, as well as several unique animal lanterns. Tree trunks are wrapped in colorful lights, and giant candy canes and wreaths are scattered throughout the zoo.
- Address: 149 Pond St, Stoneham, MA 02180
- Dates & Hours: November 18-January 8; 4-8:30 pm time slots
- Cost: $12-14
7 Go Ice Skating At Frog Pond
Another fun winter activity that gets people in the holiday spirit is ice skating. Boston Common Frog Pond is the spot for gliding around on ice while being surrounded by beautiful trees and snow. One unique feature of Boston Common Frog Pond is ice skating lessons are offered for inexperienced skaters who want to learn the ropes.
- Address: 38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
- Hours: Monday 10am-3:45pm, Tuesday-Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am09pm
- Admission: 58-inches and over- $8, under 58-inches- free
- Skate Rentals: Adult- $15, child- $10
6 Attend The Giant Menorah Lighting
There are plenty of Hanukkah festivities in Boston as well. A yearly menorah lighting ceremony takes place at Boston Common, the public park where Frog Pond is also located. At this ceremony, a giant menorah is lit, and there is also live music and a special greeting from the governor. The ceremony is set to take place on November 28th at 4 pm, but this stunning menorah will remain in the park for visitors to view all season long.
- Address: 115 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 (by the Brewer Fountain)
- Date & Time: Sunday, November 28th at 4pm
5 Embark On A Holiday Brunch Cruise
Cruises are a popular way to see and explore new areas of the world. Some people go as far as planning cruise trips to Antarctica! Short, daytime cruises are also a great way to explore a city and enjoy the water. Consider taking a holiday brunch cruise in Boston to experience the city in a new way while getting in the holiday spirit. Board the Northern Lights cruise boat and enjoy hot chocolate, a three-course holiday brunch, and stellar views. This cruise passes Boston Light, the oldest lighthouse in America, as well as the harbor islands.
- Meeting Location: 60 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
- Cost: $70
- Duration: 2 hours
- Book Online: fareharbor.com
4 Take In A Performance Of The Nutcracker
The distinguished Boston Ballet, a professional ballet company, is a must-see when in Boston. Get in the holiday mood by attending a performance of The Nutcracker. The show runs from November 25-December 31st, 2022. The Nutcracker is a family-friendly show, yet all ages will enjoy this performance. The choreography, set design, costumes, and live music transports the audience into the story. Attend a December 24th show for a magical Christmas Eve performance.
- Address: 539 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
- Cost: $45-164 per ticket
3 Enjoy A Boston Pops Concert At Symphony Hall
Another performance guaranteed to generate lots of holiday spirit is the Boston Pops Orchestra show. This orchestra specializes in both light classical music and pop music. The Holiday Pops concerts consist of lovely symphony renditions of Christmas songs accompanied by festive snowflake light displays. Shows run from December 1st-24th, including both afternoon and evening performances. The Symphony Hall venue also offers matinees specifically for small children, making these Pop Orchestra concerts a fun event for the whole family.
- Address: Symphony Hall- 301 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115
- Cost: $20-126 per ticket
2 Attend The Boston Common Tree Lighting Ceremony
There is something so magical about attending a tree lighting ceremony. Seeing a fur tree light up with bright bulbs and a star on top will put anyone in the holiday spirit. The city of Boston hosts its own yearly tree-lighting ceremony. The Boston Common Tree Lighting Ceremony 2022 is set for December 1st. Thousands of people gather every year to watch the official Christmas tree spring to life, along with dozens of other trees in Boston Common and the Public Garden. Even Santa Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty the Snowman make an appearance at this event!
- Address: 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
- Date & Time: Thursday, December 1, 6-8 pm
1 Explore A Christmas Market
After shopping at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, explore a traditional Christmas market. Boston’s most popular holiday market is the SoWa Winter Festival. This charming winter festival includes over 100 vendor booths containing food, drinks, crafts, gifts, and art. The SoWa Winter Festival is the perfect spot to purchase holiday gifts, ornaments, and one-of-a-kind trinkets. The Christmas market also features a row of food trucks, a fire pit, and several art galleries.
- Address: SoWa Power Station- 550 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
- Dates & Times: Friday-Sunday, Nov 25-17; Wednesday-Sunday, Nov 30-Dec 4; Wednesday-Sunday, Dec 7-11
- Cost: $10 admission