Christmas In Boston
Boston's history, snowy weather, and abundance of Christmas lights makes it a beautiful place to be over the holidays. Treat yourself to a fine meal in one of the city's many restaurants and take a walk afterwards under trees aglow with white lights.
Boston Hotels: See special offers.
Be prepared for Boston's weather with warm clothing and appropriate footwear. There are plenty of attractions, museums and historic sights to see while you're in the city.
Things to Do
Faneuil Hall Christmas Tree
The Faneuil Hall Christmas Tree is located at Marketplace Center, adjacent to Paneuil Hall Marketplace. The 2023 tree lighting takes place November 21, 4:00 to 7:00pm.
Boston Common Christmas Tree
The Boston Common tree is Boston's official Christmas tree. The tree displayed at Boston Common is annual gift from Nova Scotia for assistance Boston provided following a deadly Halifax explosion in December of 1917. The 2023 Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place November 30th from 6:00 to 8:00pm adjacent to the Visitor’s Information Center at 139 Tremont Street.
In addition to the main tree, there are other trees lighted throughout Boston Common.
Commonwealth Avenue
In Back Bay, starting at Public Gardens. Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a parkway with a wide grassy mall in the center, lined with trees and statuary. For the holidays, the trees along Commonwealth Avenue Mall are lit with white lights.
Ice Skating
The Boston Common Frog Pond turns into a skating rink in the winter time. There are public skating hours daily beginning in late November.
Holiday Shows
Boston Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Enjoy the Boston Ballet's presentation of The Nutcracker. The 2023 performance dates are November 24 - December 31 at Citizens Bank Opera House.
Holiday Pops
You may have seen some of these concerts on television, or heard the recordings. The Holiday Pops concerts in Symphony Hall are wonderful entertainment. You'll enjoy beutifully performed holiday music - and you can participate in the traditional sing-along.
The 2023 Holiday Pops performance dates are December 1 through December 24. If you're taking the family, consider attending one of the special kid's matinee performances. More Information.
Handel's Messiah
The Handel + Hayden Society will hold their annual Messiah performances November 24, 25 and 26, 2023 at Symphony Hall.
Mariah Carey: Merry Chrimstmas One and All!
Mariah Carey is bringing her 2023 Chrimstmas tour to Boston. She'll be performing holiday favorites December 11th at TD Garden. More information.
Hotels
Taj Boston
- Formerly the Ritz-Carlton Boston. A historic hotel located right on Boston Common, overlooking Public Gardens. Within walking distance of restaurants and shops.
Hyatt Regency Boston - Good location close to Boston Common.
Hotel Commonwealth - One of the most recommended hotels in Boston. There's a T station next door for easy transportation.
Hotels near Boston Common - Be in the center of it all with a location close to Boston Common.
Hotels near Symphony Hall - Close to the Boston Pops performances.
See More Boston Hotels - A full listing of Boston hotels. To find the hotel closest to a particular site, venue or attraction, go to the Boston hotels page and scroll down until you see the "Landmarks and Attactions" list in the left margin. Select from the list and see the closest hotels listed and mapped.