Lifestyle of a Fashionista

11/15/24

Holiday tree lightings, strolls, and markets: Oh my! ‘Tis the season to schedule your holiday events.

You can plan a trip or visit a local spot.

Plan a trip

From Afar: 8 U.S. Cities Where You Can Get in the Holiday Spirit

New York City has a Massachusetts tree: Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to be cut from Massachusetts for 2024 lighting. The “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” tree lighting will be broadcast live on Dec. 4, and the tree will be on display through mid-January.

Holiday Lights

In Massachusetts:

Holiday Lighting Ceremonies in Boston

2024 Annual Holiday Trellis Lighting Ceremony. On Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, the blue lights on the trellis will be turned to light up the park through the winter!! The lighting celebration includes holiday sing-alongs and a visit from Santa Claus! Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and clam chowder. Bundle up and be part of the fun!

Boston Common Tree Lighting. The City of Boston and guests from the Province of Nova Scotia will celebrate the 83^rd Annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common on Thursday, December 5. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Boston Common, adjacent to the Visitor’s Information Center at 139 Tremont Street. Surrounding holiday lights: Eight blocks of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall glow gold thanks to thousands of fairy lights arranged by a team of volunteers. Pair the visit with a walk through the Garden and Commons for the ultimate holiday walk!

Faneuil Hall tree lighting ceremony: The 32-foot Norway Spruce hailing from Cortlandt, NY arrives in the city on November 12. It will be adorned with lights, garland, ornaments, ribbons and more in its new home between historic Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. On Tuesday, November 26 at 6 PM Santa himself will “just flip the switch” and turn us all over from fall mode to holiday mode! The free event begins at 3 PM with a series of special guests and performances.

Somerville Illuminations Month The houses along Somerville’s yearly Illuminations Tour, a a month-long tour through neighborhood streets, are unapologetically gaudy, from the tips of their neon snowflakes to the toes of their giant inflatable Grinches. You’ll pass rows and rows of glimmering houses, some of which have been faithfully decorated for each Illuminations Tour for years. The map of the tour is available online, so you can create the magic for yourself from the comfort of the family van.

NIGHT LIGHTS: Immerse yourself in the magic of the season at New England Botanic Garden with a breathtaking winter light display that is unmatched in the region. This year, prepare to be amazed by Night Lights, where you will embark on a spellbinding journey through a mesmerizing array of radiant, glowing lights in every imaginable color. November 23, 2024 through January 5, 2025 | 4–10PM Daily 

Trustees’ Winterlights: The Trustees have again decked the halls of a few of their historical properties: Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Steven-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover, as well as Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton. Each site will be ablaze with hundreds of thousands of LEDs, but the lights will cater to the unique delights of each site.

Bright Nights at Forest Park: Travel through a dazzling wonderland of over 750,00 lights at Bright Nights at Forest Park. This three-mile drive-thru spectacular features festive scenes, iconic characters, and peaceful gardens, all illuminated for a joyous holiday experience.

ZooLights at Stone Zoo: November 15 – January 5, 4:00 – 9:30 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day), Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights spanning Stone Zoo’s 26 acres. Take a sparkling stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to black bears, Canada lynx, reindeer and more. 

Red Apple Farm Winter Lights: where over 200,000 twinkling lights transform the orchard into a dazzling winter wonderland. Open select evenings from Thanksgiving to Christmas, it’s a festive escape for all ages, creating unforgettable nights under the glow of holiday lights.

In New England:

Kennebunkport, ME (Voted the #2 Christmas Town in America by HGTV): Christmas Prelude: The quintessential New England winter day trip for those seeking a holiday experience akin to the movies! The official tree lighting at Dock Square is on December 1, but the town will stay jolly and bright well into the New Year! Two official lightings: Friday, December 5 at 5:30 PM at Dock Square and 7:30 PM Lobster trap lighting Cape Porpoise Square. 43rd Annual Christmas Prelude takes place December 5th – December 15th, 2024.

Newport, RI: Sparkling Lights at The Breakers. You’ll stroll along a half-mile-long path glittering with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights while music fills the winter air. See illuminated displays and sparkling surprises along the way. Tour the opulent interior of The Breakers decorated in holiday splendor. Enjoy holiday treats and adult beverages for purchase at the back terrace and The Breakers Welcome Center.

20 Classic Holiday Happenings In + Around Newport

Holiday Markets

From The Boston Calendar: The 25 Best Holiday and Christmas Markets in Boston 2024

Boston’s Winter Holiday & Christmas Markets 2024

Snowport: The Holiday Market is open November 8 – December 29. Light Up Seaport, on Friday, December 6th, and Menorah Lighting, on Sunday, December 29th. See the full schedule.

SoWa Winter Festival 2024: Dates: November 29 – December 22, 2024

Strolls

 Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting 2024: Thursday, Dec 05, 2024 6:00p -9:00p

 Open Newbury Street Winter 2024: Holiday Edition: Newbury Street will be car-free from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on December 1 and December 8. The route will be the same as the summer Open Newbury series, with Newbury Street closed to cars from Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue. There will be family-friendly activities, pop-up parklets, brand activations, and much more. In case of inclement weather, a makeup date will be held on December 15.

 North End Holiday Stroll: the 17th Annual North End Holiday Shop & Stroll will take place on Friday, December 13th, 2024 5pm-9pm in Boston’s North End.