Kids

Where to see holiday lights around Boston this season

Make room in your calendar for festivities happening all around the city.

A crowd gathers to watch the 82nd annual Boston Common Tree Lighting in 2023. Nathan Klima for The Boston Globe

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The city is about to light up, neighborhood by neighborhood, bringing joy to Bostonians from Fenway to the Seaport.

We rounded up six free, family-friendly lighting events to attend across the city. Many of these displays feature entertainment and refreshments, and if you’re lucky, you might meet Santa himself.

Bundle up and have fun at these festive community-building activities.

Christopher Columbus Park trellis lighting

Christopher Columbus Park’s yearly blue lit trellis.

Don’t miss the bright blue lights of the Christopher Columbus Park trellis set to illuminate the park starting on Monday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. There will be clam chowder, cookies, hot cocoa, and more to commemorate the holidays.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace Christmas Tree

The annual Faneuil Hall Christmas tree lighting will take place on Nov. 26, 2024.

On Tuesday, Nov. 26, be sure to stop by Faneuil Hall to see a 45-foot Norway spruce light up, decorated with ornaments, garland, ribbons, and more. Free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream will be distributed to guests, as well as Ned Devine’s Hot Chocolate. The event will run from 3 to 7 p.m., and Santa Claus will make an appearance (even with his busy schedule). On Dec. 15, the Marketplace is hosting a Central Synagogue Hanukkah Wonderland in the Quincy Market Upper Rotunda, followed by a menorah lighting on Dec. 26.

Lighting of the Ship at Martin’s Park

The Martin’s Park Ship Lighting in Boston on Nov. 26, 2022. *– Carlin Stiehl for The Boston Globe*

Martin’s Park will be holding a festive Lighting of the Ship on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. See the ship, surrounding fencing, and pedestrian bridge illuminate in blue and white lights. Seaport’s Betty the Yeti and Santa will make appearances, with hot cocoa and live entertainment provided.

The Boston Common Tree Lighting

Wally The Green Monster and Tessie The Green Monster pose with attendees of the 81st Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting on Dec. 1, 2022. *Erin Clark/Globe Staff*

Hosted by Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia, the 83rd annual Boston Common Tree Lighting will take place on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. Mayor Wu will be joined onstage by Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer just in time for the lights. Visitors can expect many activities, such as a photo-op, giveaways, refreshments, and more.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall

Happening right after the Boston Common Tree Lighting, Friends of the Public Garden will light up Commonwealth Avenue Mall, from Arlington Street to Kenmore Square, on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.

Light Up Seaport 2024

Visit Seaport Common on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. to experience holiday tunes, refreshments, live music, and more. The tree lighting itself will take place at 7:30 p.m. And who knows, you might just run into Betty the Yeti.

Jessika Landon

Audience Engagement Co-op

Jessika Landon is the audience engagement co-op at Boston.com and a senior at Emerson College. She is a native of Bangor, Maine.

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