Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready. From local markets to holiday performances and festivals, Boston thrives in the wintertime.
Gather your family and friends to celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 50 winter events.
Holiday Markets
Snowport | Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Dec. 31 | Hours vary | 65 Northern Ave. | Free to attend | The Seaport has once again transformed into a winter wonderland with ~120 small business vendors, craft beverages, and tasty food from Tuscan Kitchen.
Fenway Flea Winter Market | Saturday, Nov. 19-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 12-5 p.m. | Time Out Market, 401 Park Dr. | Free to attend | The pop-up Fenway market returns on winter weekends with vintage clothing, artisanal goods, and plenty of gifts.
SoWa Winter Festival | Friday, Nov. 25-Sunday, Dec. 11 | Times vary | SoWa Power Station, 550 Harrison Ave. | $10 | Grab your ticket at the door (no advance reservations are available) to enjoy live music and specialty cocktails while you shop at the indoor South End venue.
Small Business Saturday Holiday Market | Saturday, Nov. 26 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Warehouse XI, 11 Sanborn Ct., Somerville | Free to attend | The Union Square pop-up market will celebrate Small Business Saturday just steps from the Green Line.
Harpoon Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 12-5 p.m. | Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave. | Free to attend | Grab a draft and browse gifts from 15 local makers at the Seaport brewery.
Christmas Fair | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Gordon Chapel, Old South Church, 645 Boylston St. | Free to attend | Browse pottery, knits, and jewelry from 30 New England-based artists.
Winter Market | Saturday, Dec. 3-Sunday, Dec. 4 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | South Plaza, 350 Kendall St., Cambridge | Free to attend | The Cambridge winter wonderland will offer lots of local crafts and goodies.
Boston Women’s Holiday Market | Sunday, Dec. 4 | 12-5 p.m. | The Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave. | Free to attend | Shop more than 30 businesses at Garage B and utilize the gift wrapping station.
The Somerville Flea | Sunday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 18 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville | Free to attend | Shop vintage and artisan goods at this market for the 10th year.
High Street Place Holiday Market | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 4-8 p.m. | High Street Place Food Hall, 100 High St. | Free to attend | Visit the downtown food hall, enter a raffle giveaway, and hit the champagne vending machine after you shop.
The Fenway Holiday Markets | Friday, Dec. 9-Saturday, Dec. 10 | Hours vary | The Fenway, 1400 Boylston St. | Free to attend | Browse vendors at The Station on Friday, and shop the indoor Time Out Market on Saturday.
Harvard Square Holiday Fair | Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 11, and Friday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 18 | Hours vary | 33 Dunster St., Cambridge | Free to attend | Shop original and affordable gifts at the high-energy Cambridge marketplace.
ICA Harbor Market | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Dr. | Free to attend | Shop handmade goods, discover talented artisans, and catch performances by the acoustic duo Bookmatch.
Makers Market | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Highway, Everett | Free to attend | The Boston Women’s Market will be on hand with 15 local makers — plus, special brewery holiday bundles will be available.
Light Displays
Magic of Lights | Friday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 5-10 p.m. | Gillette Stadium, 1 Patriot Pl., Foxborough | $23+ | Experience a drive-through lights experience about 30 miles from Boston.
ZooLights | Friday, Nov. 18-Sunday, Jan. 8 | 4-9:30 p.m. | Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham | $12.95 for non-members | View illuminated large-scale animal lantern displays and stroll through the festively decorated Yukon Creek.
Holiday Lights Spectacular | Friday, Nov. 25-Sunday, Jan. 1 | 5-9:30 p.m. | Roger Williams Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, Rhode Island | $10-12 | Take a drive down to Providence to see more than 3.5 million illuminated lights.
Holiday Trellis Lighting | Monday, Nov. 21 | 5 p.m. | Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Atlantic Avenue | Free | Catch the iconic blue lights with cookies, hot chocolate, and clam chowder.
Martin’s Park Ship Lighting | Saturday, Nov. 26 | 4-6 p.m. | Martin’s Park, 64 Sleeper St. | Free | We hear Santa will be arriving by boat and Betty The Yeti will make a special appearance inside the Seaport park.
Copley Tree Lighting | Monday, Nov. 28 | 5-6 p.m. | Copley Square, 560 Boylston St. | Free | Expect appearances from Santa Claus and Rudolph, plus musical performances from the Boston Children’s Chorus and Boston Pops Esplanade Brass Ensemble.
Boston Common Tree Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 6 p.m. | Boston Common Visitor Center, 139 Tremont St. | Free | Check out the city’s 51st annual tree, which traveled to Boston all the way from Nova Scotia.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 8 p.m. | 15 Commonwealth Ave. | Free | See the historic Back Bay avenue light up right after the Boston Common event.
Charlesgate Lights | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 8 p.m. | Charlesgate Park, Commonwealth Avenue between Charlesgate East and Charlesgate West | Free | The Emerald Necklace Conservancy will light 10 Japanese zelkova trees at the park.
Light Up Seaport | Friday, Dec. 2 | 5-9 p.m. | Seaport Common, 85 Northern Ave. | Free | Watch the Seaport area glow up, and stay tuned for details on the other neighborhood festivities.
Holiday Performances
Holiday Pops | Thursday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave. | $22+ | View the holiday performance from Boston Symphony Orchestra’s beloved group and conductor Keith Lockhart.
The Nutcracker | Friday, Nov. 25-Saturday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | Boston Ballet, 19 Clarendon St. | $39+ | Witness the dance of the Sugar Plum fairy and swoon-worthy sets.
Cirque du Soleil: ‘Twas The Night Before | Friday, Nov. 25-Sunday, Dec. 11 | Times vary | Wang Theatre, Boch Center, 270 Tremont St. | $45+ | Enjoy a clever spin on the classic Christmas tale with Cirque du Soleil’s first Christmas production in New England.
A Christmas Carol | Thursday, Dec. 1-Friday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | North Shore Music Theatre, 54 Dunham Rd., Beverly | $20 | Don’t be a Scrooge — head to the North Shore to see this award-winning production.
Jingle Ball | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 6 p.m. | TD Garden | $122.50+ | Jack Harlow, Demi Lovato, and the Backstreet Boys are all part of the holiday lineup.
Disney on Ice | Wednesday, Feb. 22-Sunday, Feb. 26 | Times vary | TD Garden | $30.50+ | See your favorite characters from “Frozen” and “Encanto” glide along the ice.
Holiday Parties, Festivals, and Events
Christmas Festival of Lights | Thursday, Nov. 10-Sunday, Jan. 1 | Times vary | Edaville Family Theme Park, 5 Pine St., Carver | $12 | All aboard this festival with railroads, amusement rides, and a European-style Christmas market.
The Enchanted Village | Friday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Jan. 1 | Times vary | Jordan’s Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr., Avon | Free to attend | Head about 20 miles south of Boston to experience this historic Christmas village.
Historic Holiday Stroll | Friday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Boston Common Visitor Information Center, 139 Tremont St. | $10-20 | Walk the Freedom Trail to learn how Boston’s traditions evolved — the tour is led by guides wearing 19th century Dickensian costumes.
Christmas by Candlelight | Friday, Nov. 25-Friday, Dec. 30 | 2-8 p.m. | Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge | $28.80 for members, $32 for non-members | Explore the decorated village, watch a lighting ceremony, and stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and Christmas Wish Bridge.
Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise | Thursday, Dec. 1-Friday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | 60 Rowes Wharf | $35-53 | Cozy up with hot cocoa and treats on a luxury yacht decked out in holiday decor.
Boston Jolly Jaunt 5K | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 8-11 a.m. | Boston Common | $35-40 | Register for a fun 5K run to benefit local Special Olympics athletes.
Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley Tour | Saturday, Dec. 3-Sunday, Dec. 4 | Hours vary | Locations vary | Free | Enjoy visits with Santa, tree lighting events, and more on the Mayor’s festive tour throughout each of Boston’s neighborhoods.
Ice Sculpture Stroll | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Somerville | Free to attend | Use a handy dandy holiday map to locate nine ice sculptures, with plenty of prizes and surprises along the way.
Jingle Bell Run | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Baystate Brewing Company, 112 Harding St., Worcester | $30+ | Jingle with family and friends at the Arthritis Foundation run.
Christmas Tea with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 17-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. | The Inn at Hastings Park, 2027 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington | $85 for adults, $60 for kids | Sip some tea, decorate gingerbread cookies, and write letters to the North Pole with Santa.
NYE and Other Winter Events
First Night Boston | Saturday, Dec. 31-Sunday, Jan. 1 | 12 p.m.-12 a.m. | Copley Square Park, 560 Boylston St. | Free to attend | Boston’s biggest New Year’s Eve tradition will return for the 48th year — performance details are coming soon.
Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 1-5 p.m. | Boston Harborwalk | Free | Wind your way down the trail of interactive ice sculptures, all the way from Charlestown to the Seaport.
First Fridays: Winter Whateverland | Friday, Dec. 2 | 5-9:30 p.m. | Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Dr. | Free for members, $25 for non-members | Don’t miss the Seaport holiday blowout featuring art, performance, and music from 15 Massachusetts-based artists of color — tickets will be $30 at the door.
Winter Solstice Lantern Walk | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield | $12 for members, $14 for non-members | Celebrate the shortest day of the year with a candlelit nighttime walk on the trails.
Boston New Year’s Eve Party | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Music City Queen Boston Riverboat, 60 Rowes Wharf | $95+ | It’ll be a throwback to the roaring 20s on this party cruise.
Boston Harbor New Year’s Eve Cruise | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | 60 Rowes Wharf | $175 | Ring in the New Year aboard Northern Lights and dance along to top hits from the band Frankalanka and the Funks.
2023 NHL Winter Classic | Monday, Jan. 2 | 2 p.m. | Fenway Park | $365+ | The Bruins will play the Pittsburgh Penguins during the fifth NHL regular-season outdoor game.
Frozen Fenway | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. | Fenway Park | $65+ | College hockey will return to America’s oldest baseball park with a women’s and men’s doubleheader.
