Holiday Tree Lightings in Greater Boston

Posted by Ranessa Doucet

Published November 15, 2024

Updated June 4, 2025

Share Article to

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. This helps support our small business and allows us to continue sharing helpful resources. Read our disclaimer.

The holiday season is upon us, and the sparkling lights of Christmas will soon be aglow! Christmas tree lightings are happening all across our beautiful city, so bundle up the family and celebrate the holiday spirit!

Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park

Monday, November 25
Boston

The blue lights on the trellis will be turned on to illuminate the park throughout the winter. This lighting celebration will include a holiday sing-along and a visit from Santa. Be sure to bundle up and enjoy the cookies, hot chocolate, and clam chowder.

View of Christopher Columbus Park in Boston during the Christmas holidays — iStock Photo

Quincy Market Tree Lighting

Tuesday, November 26
Boston

This year’s tree lighting at Quincy Market will feature family-friendly activities, festive treats, guest appearances, and a spectacular roster of performances. Don’t miss this merry celebration!

Quincy Tree Lighting

Friday, November 29
Quincy

Quincy’s annual kick-off to the holiday season begins at Hancock Adams Common. There will be stilt walkers, jugglers, a fire show, carolers, costumed characters, a sing-along, free popcorn, apple cider donuts, candy canes, and hot chocolate. The evening will culminate with the tree lighting and a visit from Santa. A Menorah will also be on display.

Large outdoor Christmas tree covered in colorful lights. Building in the background with columns and Chritsmas wreaths on each window. Blue, cloudy night sky above. — Tree Lighting in Quincy, MA

Martin’s Park Ship Lighting

Saturday, November 30
Boston

Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere at this fun-filled evening of holiday cheer. There will be hot chocolate, a visit from Betty the Yeti, live entertainment, and excitement as Santa and the Grinch arrive by boat. End the evening with a mesmerizing display of lights as the play ship is illuminated for the holiday season.

Large wooded play ship covered in Christmas lights. A crowd of kids and adults are on and around the ship. — Holiday Ship Lighting at Martin’s Park

The Charles Hotel Annual Tree Lighting

Saturday, November 30
Cambridge

The Charles’s upper-level courtyard is transformed into a holiday wonderland for the annual tree lighting. Hot chocolate, cider, and delicious treats will be offered, along with a children’s craft project and storytime. The countdown to the tree lighting will include a visit from Santa. Following the tree lighting, enjoy excerpts from José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker.” The Cambridge Fire Department will also be onsite to collect new, unwrapped toys for their Toys for Tots drive and will have a fire truck available to explore.

Newburyport Santa Parade and Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 1
Newburyport

At this annual Newburyport tradition, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in the most fitting way for this seaport town: by US Coast Guard boat! They will dock at the boardwalk and join the parade through downtown Newburyport. After the parade, the Christmas tree lighting will commence in Market Square.

Boston Common Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 5
Boston

Boston’s holiday season kick-off includes lighting the City of Boston’s official Christmas tree. Trees throughout Boston Common and the Public Garden will also light up in sequence. After the tree lighting, Mayor Wu will join Santa Claus and Rudolph onstage. Immediately following the celebration on the Boston Common, the mayor, the Friends of the Public Garden, and the Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall will flip the switch to light up Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

Boston's official Christmas Tree on Boston Common (holiday tree lightings Boston) — iStock Photo

Light Up Seaport

Friday, December 6
Boston

Head to the Seaport District for this tree lighting event featuring Botson’s largest holiday tree. This fun-filled event includes holiday tunes, a celebrity meet and greet with Betty the Yeti at “Betty’s Blizzard Bluff” in The Superette Courtyard, and so much more.

A large crowd of people outside at night with a large lit-up Christmas tree in the background, along with tall buildings with lights on inside. — Credit: Boston Seaport by WS, Photographer Lindsay Ahern

Framingham Tree Lighting

Friday, December 6
Framingham

This annual tree lighting ceremony will include free digital pictures, hot chocolate and treats, music, a story walk, free books, and more! All are welcome to watch Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in grand style atop a Framingham fire engine before lighting the tree.

Plymouth Tree Lighting

Friday, December 6
Plymouth

Join Santa at Plymouth’s annual event, which is part of the Christmas in Historic Plymouth Celebration. This evening event is fun for the whole family and includes a Christmas parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree on the Town Hall Green.

Trellis covered in multi-colored Christmas lights — Brewster Gardens, photo cred Denise Maccaferri

Bedford Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 7
Bedford

Bedford’s tree lighting celebration will include a winter walkabout, a visit from Santa, and more.

Roxbury Holiday Gift Distribution and Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 7
Roxbury

Get into the spirit with the annual gift distribution, followed by the tree lighting ceremony. This festive event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. *Children must register in advance to receive a gift

Billerica Winter Festival and Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 7
Billerica

This winter festival features games, activities, free hot chocolate, food, crafts, and a sing-along. Todd Angilly, the Boston Bruins national anthem singer, will perform some of his favorite Christmas songs. The tree lighting will follow a visit from Santa.

Easter Egg Hunts and Activities in Greater Boston

Trees Blooming in The Public Garden in Boston. Pond in the background. (things to do in Boston this spring)

20 Things To Do In and Around Boston This Spring

The Best Baby Stores in Boston!

Boston’s Best Cupcakes! 10 Boston-Area Bakeries to Visit

Ranessa Doucet

Ranessa is a Boston native who grew up in Charlestown and never gets tired of exploring the city. She now lives north of Boston with her husband, two kids, and two mischievous pugs. Ranessa earned her master’s degree in elementary education and licensure in early childhood education. She currently works as an academic interventionist and freelance writer. Ranessa loves writing about parenting tweens, exploring New England, health, and self-care. When not writing or reading, you can find her watching reality TV, eating chocolate, attending her kids’ sporting events, and dreaming about the beach.