When we think about Winter, our minds are instantly picturing Christmas lights, snowflakes gently falling from the sky, and chilling temperatures. Boston has all these things plus so much more!
This holiday season is all about spending time with your loved ones and celebrating life. Luckily, Boston offers many options to help create amazing memories and have a lot of fun!
Take a look at Kid City Guide’s top picks for 2022 holiday events in and around Boston:
Winter Wonderland celebrates the holiday season with a spectacular lighting showcase.
This year, Winter Wonderland comes together with the Festival of Illumination, creating an extraordinary and memorable holiday experience for guests of all ages.
Families will be immersed in the breathtaking world of over a million dazzling holiday lights and enchanting festival lanterns, showcasing fairytales, legends, and myths through the incredible handcrafted displays.
Location:
Southwicks Zoo
DATES:
November 12- December 31
Kids will enjoy a visit with Mt. Crumpit’s most famous resident, the Grinchiest of Grinchy beings, the Grinch himself, snap a few photos, and explore a winter wonderland of holiday spirit!
Location:
Springfield Museums
DATES:
Saturdays and Sundays in November and December | 11 AM- 3 PM
During ZooLights, families will get to enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights spanning Stone Zoo’s 26 acres.
This year, several illuminated large-scale animal lantern displays will light up your winter’s night!
Location:
Stone Zoo
DATES:
November 18 – January 8 (Closed 11/24 & 12/25), 4 PM- 9:30 PM
During this awesome event at the Discovery Museum, kids will make one-of-a-kind lanterns and light up the afternoon with a lantern procession through Discovery Woods!
Location:
Discovery Museum
DATES:
November 18 | 2 PM- 4 PM
Magic of Lights is a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience for the whole family!
See more than a mile of spectacular light displays that bring to life your favorite holiday scenes and characters. Don’t miss the larger-than-life sparkling Christmas Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and the life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas!
Location:
GILLETTE STADIUM
DATES:
November 18th – December 31st | 5 PM- 10 PM
Kids will get to Meet The Grinch, play with Giant Bubbles with Mr. Vinny, enjoy the How the Grinch Stole Christmas Cartoon, and ongoing Activities such as Flour to Fables, Aesop’s Fables Ornaments, How Do Animals Stay Warm?, Live Animal Demonstration, and more!
Location:
Springfield Museums
DATES:
November 25, 10 AM- 5 PM
This year, the spectacular architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds of the Quadrangle will sparkle and shimmer against a dazzling outdoor lighting display.
This festive holiday celebration features train rides; appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch; hot cocoa, cider, and cookies; and visits the Grinch’s Grotto and the gingerbread exhibition Flour to Fables.
Location:
Springfield Museums
DATES:
November 25, 5 PM- 7 PM
Families will not want to miss the blue lights on the trellis being turned on the Monday before Thanksgiving as they have been since 2003!
Entertainment includes holiday sing-alongs and a visit from Santa Claus! Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and clam chowder.
Location:
Christopher Columbus Park
DATES:
November 21, 5 PM
Witness three beautiful garden properties sparkle with thousands of shimmering, artfully designed holiday lights.
Bring the whole family for a magical, fun, and safe outdoor experience – with food, refreshments, and more.
Location:
Naumkeag House & Gardens
DATES:
November 25, 2022 – January 7, 2023 | Wednesdays – Sundays | Closed December 24 & 25
This is New England’s favorite holiday tradition! Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker mesmerizes audiences of all ages with its beloved characters, swoon-worthy sets, and unparalleled choreography.
Location:
Citizens Bank Opera House
DATES:
November 25–December 31 | Hours vary per day.
The youngest visitors will enjoy a special day designed just for them!
Gain exclusive access to the Museums and enjoy hands-on activities, interactive gallery games, crafts, museum exploration, and much more with your students!
Location:
Springfield Museums
DATES:
ODecember 5, 9:30 AM- 10:30 AM
This free event will feature appearances by Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer along with musical performances.
Location:
COPLEY SQUARE
DATES:
November 28, 5 PM- 6 PM
This is the 51st year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917, explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor.
Within 24 hours of the disaster, a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel was making its way from Boston to Nova Scotia.
Location:
Boston Common
DATES:
December 1, 6 PM
The Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley Tour will continue the festive tradition of lighting holiday trees while bringing holiday spirit to children across Boston.
The event includes visits with Santa, tree lighting, and more, and it’s sponsored by Bank of America.
Location:
Downtown Boston
DATES:
Starts on December 3 and ends on December 5.
Santa will arrive at T-Wharf on Rockport Harbor following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay!
Then Santa will ascend the platform with Mrs. Claus to greet the crowd and kick off the Tree Lighting festivities before they climb onto the fire truck to begin their return journey to the North Pole.
Location:
Downtown Rockport
DATES:
December 3, 12:30- 5 PM
Urban Nutcracker puts a modern spin on the 19th Century fairy tale and transports the audience to an enchanted world, not unlike their own. Say hello to Clarice & friends…you’ve entered the world of the Urban Nutcracker.
This is how classic ballet, urban tap, hip hop, swing, flamenco, step, and jazz blend into something special.
Location:
Shubert Theatre
DATES:
Dec 17, Saturday 2 PM | December 17, Saturday 7 PM | December 18, Sunday 1 PM | December 18, Sunday 5:30 PM | December 21, Wednesday 7 PM | December 22, Thursday 7 PM | December 23, Friday 7 PM
JOIN THE MAGICAL ADVENTURE!
Discover the hero inside us all at Disney On Ice when your favorite Disney stories come to life through world-class ice skating.
Location:
Agganis Arena
DATES:
Dec 22 2022 – Jan 2, 2023
Since 1975, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, the wonders of the season, and the beginning of a new year.
In keeping with this fantastic Boston tradition, the First Night celebration will open 2023 with an array of performances.
Location:
First Night Boston c/o Conventures, Inc
DATES:
December 31
