Christmas in Boston: 2023 Events & Activities for Families

Amanda Banta said:  Get into the holiday spirit with a Holiday Pops! show performed by the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra. Soprano Kristen Watson and Tenor Matthew Anderson will join the orchestra as it performs classic holiday songs.

To the delight of the believers in the room, Santa Claus will drop in on the concert hall. Guests also are asked to contribute new toys to for the March of the Toys charity drive.

Amanda Banta said:  Celebrate a Cape Cod Christmas with the Enchanted Village at the Cape Codder Resort, where thousands of lights will be strung for an extraordinary holiday display. Stroll through the lights and topiary animals, visit with Santa, enjoy holiday ensemble concerts, performances by carolers and warm up by the nightly bonfires (weather permitting). Hot chocolate and holiday snacks will be available for purchase. Visitors are asked to donate gift cards or new unwrapped toys that will be given to Independence House in Hyannis.

5pm-8pm

Amanda Banta said:  The North Shore Music Theatre brings Charles Dickens' classic of Ebenezer Scrooge's Christmas journey to the stage with a musical adaptation that was created specifically for this theatre. The show, which debuted in 1989, features magical special effects and holiday songs. Because parents are advised that the show contains sudden loud noises, pyrotechnics, and dark images children under the age of 4 are not permitted. Guest are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate.

Amanda Banta said:  The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, led by Conductor Keith Lockhart, will bring their magical Holiday Pops show to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The orchestra will perform holiday classics, including their beloved version of Sleigh Ride, and new arrangements of favorite Christmas songs.

Kids will be thrilled to see Santa Claus join the orchestra on stage for their finale and the traditional sing-a-long that follows their Holidays Pops concerts.

2:30pm-4:30pm

Amanda Banta said:  The Trustees of Reservations will light up the gardens of Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover, and Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton for the holiday season. Bring the family out for a magical outdoor experience and as the gardens dazzle with thousands of shimmering holiday lights.

4:30pm-8:30pm

Closed Monday & Tuesday

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   Welcome the holidays with the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting. Featuring appearances by Santa Claus and Rudolph along with live entertainment by the Boston Children’s Chorus, the Boston Pops Esplanade Brass Ensemble, and Berklee College of Music students.

5pm

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  The Boston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker is an annual holiday tradition for many families in the area. This magnificent show will transport you to an imaginary world of dancing snowflakes, toy soldiers, the Mouse King and a magical growing Christmas tree. Set to the enchanting music of Tchaikovsky, this classic ballet continues to thrill audiences of all ages. Make it a part of your family's holiday memories this year.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   Join the Boston Pops in a performance filled with holiday music favorites, a festive sing-along, and even a visit from Santa Claus! Kids matinee performances are shorter in length (70 minutes) with no intermission and include post-concert photos with Santa. For those seated at the cabaret-style floor tables, there will be special kid-friendly menu options along with holiday treats.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  The City of Boston’s Christmas tree will be presented as a gift from Nova Scotia. The holiday lights will light up shortly before 8pm when the Mayor is joined onstage by Santa Claus and Rudolph.

6-8pm

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  

Check out this annual Christmas tradition with production numbers such as Oh, Holy Night, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Happy Holiday, and a visit from the jolly guy himself! The holiday spectacular ends with a beautiful Living Nativity that truly captures the real meaning of the season.

12pm

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Celebrate the season with conductor Francisco Noya and the Boston Civic Symphony at the most family-friendly holiday pops in New England. Enjoy holiday favorites, a sing-along plus a special visit from Santa.

1pm & 3:30pm

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   The Mayor's Enchanted Trolley Tour is a Boston holiday tradition of lighting holiday trees throughout the City. The stops will include visits with Santa, holiday performances, tree lightings and more. See website for a the complete schedule of this year's trolley stops.

Time & locations vary by date

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Take a stroll along tree-lined paths lit with thousands of twinkling lights at the extremely popular Stone Zoo's ZooLights. Enjoy the festive decorations while visiting Yukon Creek and see bald eagles, Canada lynx, arctic foxes, black bears and reindeer.

4pm-9:30pm

Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day

Amanda Banta said:  Kids can dash around The Park at Chestnut & Bartlet Street to search for hundreds of candy canes hidden by Santa and his elves. Start by sipping hot cocoa. Then, grab your bag and flashlights for the hunt! Bring your own bag and flashlight.

5:30pm-7pm

Amanda Banta said:  Santa Claus will come to town on a firetruck for the annual Cohasset Village Holiday Stroll! Enjoy holiday cookie decorating, Christmas carolers, hayrides, Frozen characters, kids crafts, tree lighting, and browse the local shops and businesses of Cohasset Village.

4pm-7pm

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   The Festival of Trees features beautifully-decorated holiday trees. Visitors can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win their favorite tree. The Snow Village features trains winding through holiday villages and scenic vignettes, including Christmas in Boston, Fenway Park, and lots of decorated houses and lights. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the mesmerizing, miniature scenery. A fire pit with s’mores and more will be offered at this great holiday event.

Closed Monday & Tuesday

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   The Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville Theme Park shines bright with millions of lights, Christmas train rides, visits with Santa, amusement rides, attractions, and more!

Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day

Amanda Banta said:  Kick off the holiday season with a special tree lighting event in the Boston Seaport. There will be live holiday music, an appearance by Betty the Yeti, special offers and surprises!

5pm-9pm

Amanda Banta said:  A musical group that transcends generations, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will bring its multi-sensory performance to the DCU Center for a holiday show that will rock the house. The group's show will include music from their Christmas Eve and Other Stories album, in which songs are presented to tell the story of helping reunite a young girl with her father.

3pm & 8pm

Amanda Banta said:  The Polar Express comes to life in a spectacular 4-D movie experience for the holiday season. The Museum of Science will show a 15-minute version of the classic Christmas movie with multi-sensory effects.

Amanda Banta said:  The South Shore Ballet Theatre will bring The Nutcracker to life with its holiday performance that draws in crowds year after year. The show, which will feature young dancers from within the ballet school as well as the community, performs a traditional telling of the story featuring Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the magical world they inhabit.

Amanda Banta said:  Families can enjoy an evening at the zoo with Capron Park Zoo's Winter Nights, complete with hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, and visits with the animals under the holiday lights.

5pm-8pm

Karen Lebedzinski Cle... said:  The Friends of the Townsend Public Library Holiday Fair and Festival of Trees will feature over 60 trees decorated with book themes, children's games, kids only shopping area, visits with Santa, desserts, cookies and crafters!

10am-3pm

Amanda Banta said:  The Company Theatre in Norwell, MA, offers Elf Jr. The Musical. Just like the movie, Elf Jr. is funny and the music will keep kids entertained while also getting everyone into the holiday spirit. This is a spot to expose kids to theater at a more affordable cost and a smaller venue than a Boston theater.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   Black Nativity is the joyous account of the original story of the Nativity in scripture, verse, music and dance. Based on the Gospel of St. Luke, combined with the poetry of Langston Hughes, this song-play is filled with moving voices that will lift you and your family to new heights of joy this holiday season.

Date & time vary by location

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  The Christmas Revels has been a holiday tradition for more than 50 years. Experience a joyful celebration of the winter solstice that travels the world each year highlighting different cultural traditions including music, dance, folktales and rituals.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   As darkness falls, visitors can admire the glittering lights displayed throughout 15 acres of formal gardens at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. The gorgeous collection of trees and shrubs, along with illuminated paths, sculptures, and fountains, come to life basking in the glow of the holiday lights. Warm up, make s'mores and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa around the fire pits.

4pm-10pm

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   Kick off your holiday season on Thanksgiving weekend with with a spectacular treat for the whole family. The Nutcracker revolves around Clara, a young girl who enters a magical world where the nutcracker she received as a gift and other characters come to life.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   Celebrate the holiday season with New England’s largest production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the classic tale of miser Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future. This musical, set with timeless music, festive costumes and and captivating lighting and scenery, follows Scrooge as he discovers the true spirit of the holiday season.

Running time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with intermission.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   Join Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for their beloved Holiday Pops concert making a stop at The Hanover Theatre. Enjoy holiday classics and new arrangements of seasonal favorites. Santa Claus will make a guest appearance during the concert’s finale followed by the favorite Boston Pops Holiday sing-a-long to bring this special performance to a magical end.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   Come watch as Christopher Columbus Park is transformed into a holiday wonderland when they flip the switch and the park’s 260 feet of trellis are lit up with 50,000 blue lights along with several decorated trees thoughout the park. Enjoy live entertainment with a selection of holiday classics and special guests Santa Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty.

5pm

Amanda Banta said:  Join Wachusett Mountain Resort for a fun-filled day of Christmas celebration. Enjoy winter treats, carolers, arts and crafts and Santa will arrive for a visit in a creative way!

Amanda Banta said:   The OrigNation Cultural Arts Center will perform Tafuta!, a tale of a child who learns to cherish his family's heritage and Kwanzaa traditions. The show uses music, poetry and dance to tell its story. The cast is comprised of children from all over Massachusetts.

2pm & 6:30pm

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Come experience the uplifting illumination of over 400,000 lights spanning 10 acres. The shrine also features the International Creche Museum with hundreds of creches from around the world and the Outdoor Creche of Bethlehem featuring a candle lit with a flame from Bethlehem, Israel.

5pm-9pm

Tracy Snyder Molina said:   Gardens Aglow, a holiday tradition for many, takes place at Heritage Museum & Gardens where the grounds sparkle with more than twelve miles of holiday lights. Other festivities include marshmallow-roasting, a reindeer scavenger hunt, visit with Santa Claus in Heritage's vintage Model T, model trains, carousel rides, holiday treats at Magnolia Café and much more.

4:30pm-8pm

Amanda Banta said:  Catch some of the best classic Christmas movies in the theaters this season courtesy of Showcase Cinemas.

November 27: A Christmas Story

December 4: Elf

December 11: The Polar Express

December 18: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Select Saturdays, 11am

Reservations required

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Come together for a meaningful night promoting peace and harmony at the Candlelit Labyrinth Peace Walk at Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway. Participants are invited to walk the labyrinth by candlelight, tie a ribbon on the Wishing Tree and enjoy hot chocolate and desserts.

4:30pm

Amanda Banta said:  Stroll through beautifully decorated Christmas trees of all sizes, colors and themes. Don't miss the indoor ice skating rink, Santa's workshop, a toy testing station and character visits, too.

Amanda Banta said:  Take in the Boston Skyline and a visit from Jolly St. Nick with a cruise through Boston Harbor. Kids will enjoy fun activities, dancing and a DJ spinning fun Christmas music for kids. A lunch buffet will be served, with kid-friendly options. Kids will also receive goodie bags and can get their picture taken with Santa.

12pm-2pm

Amanda Banta said:  A diverse cast of 150 performers, including professional ballet dancers, puts a colorful modern twist on a classic with Urban Nutcracker, which combines a variety of dance styles including classic ballet, hip hop, swing and jazz. Urban Nutcracker takes the audience to well-loved sites of the city as it tells the tale of its heroine, Ruby, and her Nutcracker.

Carly Follett said:  Take self-guided Illumination Tour around Somerville to see how serious town residents take their Christmas decorations. See the website for the digital map of participating homes.