Each year when winter rolls around, businesses and residents spice up their space with twinkling lights and lighted displays. Some holiday lights in Massachusetts can be viewed by the inside of your heated car, while some you can stroll outside with your hot chocolate in hand. Check out the list below of places to see holiday lights in Boston and around Massachusetts.
Boston
Columbus Park Trellis Lighting, Nov 20, 6pm
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Boston
Watch the 50,000 glowing blue and white LED lights light up along the 260-foot trellis and 14 nearby trees on at 5 pm transforming the waterfront park into a magical light garden through the holiday season. Free.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace Tree Lighting, Nov 21, 4pm
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com
The tree lighting at Faneuil Hall serves as an iconic kickoff to the holiday season. Santa will be there to celebrate the lighting of the beautiful tree. Free.
Winter Lights
Rose Kennedy Greenway
Check out the series of lighting displays and art that will instantly give you holiday cheer. It adds warmth and happiness to a cold and dark part of the year. The trees are lit from the North End to Chinatown. Free.
Martin’s Park: Annual Ship Lighting, Nov 25, 4 pm
64 Sleeper Street
Featuring Santa, hot chocolate, caroling and holiday fun, this celebration is high on every kids list. The wooden play ship is illuminated with blue and white lights for the holiday season. Free.
Boston Common Tree Lighting and Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting, Nov. 30, 8 pm
Commonwealth Avenue Mall
Be a part of the lighting up of this beautiful holiday light display as the lights and tree are turned on. Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate to warm up those little hands! Free.
Light Up The Seaport, Dec 1, 5pm
Seaport Common
Gather on Seaport Common (85 Northern Ave) for live music, treats from nearby restaurants, and various giveaways, and then see the Christmas tree lighting. Free.
Seaport Menorah Lighting, Dec 10, 6pm
Seaport Common
Join Chabad of Downtown Boston at One Seaport as they light up a 9-foot-tall Menorah as part of the city’s annual Menorah lightings. Free.
Boylston
Night Lights: Starry Skies – Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Nov. 24 – Dec 31, 4 – 10pm Daily
11 French Drive, 508-869-6111
Celebrate the season with thousands of lights, new experiences, and enchanting landscapes. Explore patterns in nature with mesmerizing displays. Enjoy s’mores, seasonal drinks, and fun photo opportunities while creating memories for the whole family. Adult tickets start at $25, Children (4-12) tickets start at $15. Children 3 and under free.
Canton, Stockbridge and North Andover
The Trustees Winterlights, Nov. 24 – Dec. 31, Weds. – Sun. 4:30 – 8:30 pm
thetrustees.org/program/winterlights
Beginning in November and running through the end of December, the gardens at Bradley Estate, Naumkeag and The Stevens Coolidge Place will be illuminated with thousands of shimmering holiday lights and designed light installations. All properties will offer accompanying events with special guests, live music and more, enabling visitors to return throughout the season and enjoy a variety of new experiences in the illuminated gardens each weekend. Visit website for ticket information.
Carver
Festival of Lights at Edaville USA, Nov 9 – Dec. 31
7 Eda Ave, 877-332-8455
Experience one of New England’sOldest Christmas Traditions. Steam trains, 250,000+ Christmas lights, food, local businesses and crafters, Santa, vintage amusement rides, and more. Tickets are $12.95 and up. Visit website for ticket information and times.
Hyannis
Enchanted Village at the Cape Codder Resort, Early Dec.
1225 Lyannough Road, 508-771-3000
Walk through the old fashioned Enchanted Village through the courtyard of the Cape Codder. Throughout your walk you will see thousands of lights, a Giving Tree, festive Animations, light sculptures, and more! After your enchanted walk, enjoy roasting marshmallows with the kids as you listen to the carolers. Free.
Springfield
Bright Nights at Forest Park, Nov 22 – Jan. 1, 2024
300 Summer Ave, 413-733-3800
From the comfort and warmth of your car, enjoy three miles of lighting displays with this premier holiday lighting experience. They open up around the end of November and stay open until the beginning of January. Tickets are $25 per car. Visit website for ticket information and times.
Stoneham
ZooLights at Stone Zoo, Nov 17 – Jan. 7, 2024, 4 – 9:30pm
149 Pond Street, 781-438-5100
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. This year’s event promises to enchant visitors of all ages with more twinkling lights and festive cheer. Tickets start at $14.95. Visit website for ticket information and times.
Worcester
Worcester Festival of Lights Opening Event, Dec. 1, 4:30 – 9 pm
455 Main Street
Enjoy the annual tree lighting and a night full of holiday cheer. Enjoy the many lights while you show off your ice skating skills at the official opening of the rink on the Worcester Common Oval. The event will feature live music, food trucks, ice skating, street performers, lighting features and more! Free.
Holiday Lights in Neighborhoods
Braintree
Messina Woods Drive
Take a drive down Messina Woods Drive and check out the display of synchronized holiday lights. This street features more than 25,000 holiday lights across multiple houses and more than 160 channels of computer controlled animation. You will not leave this street without being lit up with holiday spirit.
Dorchester
Adams Street, just north of Victory Road
This street has been known for its LED “fireworks.” Take a drive down Adams Street and see the animated snow, hovering angels, the decorated trees and more.
Newton
Emerson Street
Take a stroll down Emerson Street to see one family’s holiday lights tradition that has been going on for four decades.
Saugus
Lynn Fells Parkway near Forest Street
Listen to holiday music as you drive by light displays and holiday decor!
Somerville
Somerville Illuminations Holiday Lights Tour, Dec. 8, 6 pm
somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminationstour
Considered one of the best neighborhood lights and decorations festival in the Bay State, check out this self-guided tour that starts at the Somerville High School and goes west to view the lights. You can purchase a map featuring the brightest holiday displays from the City of Somerville.
Tewksbury
Rockvale Road off Shawsheen Street
Most of the houses on this street are beautifully lit up with elaborate light displays, including giant glittery penguins, towering figures of Disney characters and even illuminated reindeer!
Do you want more great holiday experiences? Click here to check out Polar Express Train experiences around Massachusetts and New England