Christmas lights are one of the essential holiday experiences in Boston. The beautiful illumination in the city's parks and gardens as well as LED-decorated trees at the Boston Common and Faneuil Hall (Boston Quincy Market) attract hundreds of thousands of visitors and create a festive mood for the holidays.
ZooLights at the Stone Zoo (November 17, 2023–January 7, 2024, closed Nov. 23 and Dec. 25)
ZooLights at the Stone Zoo, about a 20-minute drive from Boston, attract many little Bostonians, as the park is transformed into a fairy-tale. By the entrance to the Stone Zoo, visitors can see Yukon Creek with bald eagles, Canadian lynx, arctic fox, and reindeer while enjoying the holiday lights. After a photo opp with a reindeer; children can visit Santa in his castle, wander the alleys under twinkling LEDs, and take a carousel ride.
Blink! at Faneuil Hall (canceled in 2023)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace in the heart of Boston hosts the largest Christmas tree in the Northeast. A majestic 26-m (85-ft) fir tree is adorned with hundreds of sparkling lights perfectly synchronized to music. Visitors can enjoy various shows, performances, and other entertainment. The light show features over 350,000 LED lights leaving thousands of spectators in awe.
Other illuminated areas across Boston
Boston Common, the Frog Pond Skating Spectacular and the Public Garden are among the city's best-decorated areas. Don't forget to check out a colorful illumination of 31 Nights of Light at the Prudential Tower, which changes every day. If you don't mind driving to other areas of Massachusetts, there are several other holiday light displays worth checking out.
