THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE, AND BOSTON WILL SOON BE AGLOW.
There's nothing quite like the holiday season in Boston! From holiday markets and igloo dining to outdoor ice skating rinks and annual performances, the Greater Boston area truly is your Hub for experiencing the season's magic. Yet, if you ask us, one activity takes the cake (or should we say cookies) when it comes to immersing yourself in Boston's holiday experience - holiday lighting ceremonies!
In Boston, we don't just stop at tree lightings. From ships to festively festooned landmarks and entire neighborhoods, you'll discover that we're pretty serious about our holiday lighting ceremonies. With so many lighting ceremonies happening this year, the only question now is what ones to attend. Here's our suggestion: All of them!
Read on for our list of must-see lighting ceremonies in Boston for 2023!
2023 ANNUAL TRELLIS LIGHTING
Where: Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
When: TBD
The illuminated Christopher Columbus Park trellis has been named one of the "Most Romantic Places in Boston." And for good reason! Don't miss out on being one of the first of 2023 to stroll through this shining pass-through after it dons its wintry blue lights!
FANEUIL HALL TREE LIGHTING
Where: Faneuil Hall Marketplace
When: TBD
The Christmas Tree at Faneuil Hall Marketplace and its accompanying tree lighting ceremony return for 2023! Featuring a 30-foot Norway Spruce, the tree will be adorned with lights, garland, ornaments, ribbons and more in its new home between historic Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.
Santa RSVPd to this holiday lighting, so this is your chance to tell him what you want for Christmas!
MARTIN’S PARK: 3RD ANNUAL SHIP LIGHTING
Where: 64 Sleeper Street
When: TBD
Boston's newest holiday tradition is a must-visit if you have kids. Experience a special children's celebration featuring hot cocoa provided by Tuscan Kitchen, caroling and holiday fun of all kinds as the wooden play ship at Martin's Park is illuminated with blue and white lights. Be on the lookout because we heard Santa and Betty The Yeti will be in attendance this year!
Copley Square Tree Lighting
Where: Copley Square
When: TBD
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and The Friends of Copley Square welcome the holidays with the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting on the last Monday in November. The celebration feature appearances by Santa and Rudolph and musical performances by vocalist and bands from around Boston. After the event, make sure to enjoy cookies and pictures with Santa in the Fairmont Copley Plaza.
Boston's Official 2023 Christmas Tree
Where: Boston Common
When: TBD
Boston's official 2023 Christmas tree comes all the way from Nova Scotia! After it's in its new home, the tree will be lit in early December, as the city of Boston's Official Tree Lighting is celebrated on Boston Common. This year marks the 52nd time a tree has been donated and commemorates 104 years of friendship between Nova Scotia and the people of Boston. The lights are set to sparkle around 7:55 pm, followed by the lighting of nearly 80 other trees throughout the Boston Common and Public Garden.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting
Where: Commonwealth Avenue Mall
When: TBD
The Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting will immediately follow the Boston Common Tree Lighting. The city will hit the switch and celebrate the lighting of trees up and down Commonwealth Avenue! Enjoy this festive stroll illuminated by hundreds of lights. Chances are, you'll want to make this picturesque stroll more than once this holiday season!
Light Up Seaport
Where: Seaport Common
When: TBD
Remember when we said we light up entire neighborhoods? This is what we meant! Make sure to join us as Seaport celebrates the holiday season with Light Up Seaport in early December, featuring holiday tunes, a celeb appearance by Betty the Yeti, and more. Don't forget to stop by Snowport before the tree lighting!
The Boston Menorah Lighting
Where: Copley Square
When: TBD
Join Chabad of Boston in Copley Square for the annual menorah lightings and be part of this global celebration of Menorah Light.
