Christmas
in Boston
Christmas, the most celebrated of all the holidays
and a special time for family and friends. Here you'll find a Christmas events
calendar designed for both Boston residents and holiday visitors alike.
To add a Boston event or any information, or to simply request information on a
particular event, please contact the
Things to do on Christmas Day
Christmas is a very special day of family gatherings and events, so museums,
historic sites, shops and most restaurants are closed. Some trolley tour
companies offer a narrated
sightseeing tour of Boston.
Boston is a walking city - it is after all America's Walking City. So, walk the
Freedom Trail, to view
these sites and take good photographs, because the only historic site open is
the U.S.S. Constitution
from 9:30am - 3:50pm. The Freedom Trail begins at the Information Center on
Boston Common (The Center is closed on Christmas Day.) Follow the red line on
the side walk - connecting the 16 sites. The
Freedom Trail is 2 1/2
miles long and takes about 3 hours to walk it. The Trail ends at the
U.S.S. Constitution in
the Charlestown NavyYard.
Another suggestion is to take a stroll along beautiful Newbury St. and also
along historic Commonwealth Ave. starting at the corners of Arlington St. and
Newbury St. at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Newbury St. has been called The Rodeo
Drive of Boston. Walking Along Newbury St. is great for window shopping along
the many unique shops and galleries found along this street. ( Note each of the
streets are in alphabetical order and each one is named after Dukes of England.)
Follow Newbury St. to Massachusetts Ave. and take a right and another right onto
Commonwealth Ave. While strolling along take note of the diverse architecture of
each of the buildings which were all private residences at the turn of the
century, most are now apartments buildings or condominiums. Commonwealth Ave.
can be compared to a Parisian Boulevard with an interesting Mall down the
middle.
For those interested in Antique Shops check out the windows in the shops along
Charles St. and then take a brisk walk on the
Esplanade alongside the
Charles River.
Check out the beautiful lights display on the Common. Beacon Hill nearby is a
wonderful neighborhood to stroll around ( especially Louisburg Sq. and Acorn
St.) Look at the beautiful Christmas decorations in these Victorian Townhouses.
Here are some suggestions to see Christmas Trees and Decorations: The Boston
Common; Faneuil Hall Market
Place; Downtown Crossing; Charles Hotel at
Harvard Square, Cambridge.
November 5 - 7
Christmas Festival & Gingerbread House Competition
Description: returns for
the 18th year. Meet the artisans, have a custom piece made, browse thousands of
unique products, pick-up spectacular holiday decorations, sample mouth-watering
foods to serve at home and have the most fun while completing your holiday
shopping list. In addition, you'll be amazed by the confectionary masterpieces
in the Gingerbread House competition.
Location:
World Trade Center
Time: Fri 12pm - 7pm, Sat 10am - 7pm, Sun 10am - 5pm
Cost: Adults $10; Seniors $8; Kids under 14 FREE
November 20 -21
Faneuil Hall Marketplace - Holiday Stroll
Description: Come to
Faneuil Hall Marketplace and enjoy the 2nd Annual Holiday Stroll. All
proceeds raised from the sale of passports go to participating non-profit
organizations and The Children's Hospital
Location: Faneuil
Hall
Time: 11am-6pm
Cost: $6
November 24 -
December 17
Charity Toy Drive
Description: The Shops at
Prudential Center will be holding a holiday toy drive to benefit The Temporary
Home for Women and Children. New and unused toys may be dropped off at the
Customer Service Desk in Center Court during normal business hours.
Location: The Shops at Prudential Center
Time: During business hours
Cost: N/A
November 26
Downtown Crossing Christmas Filene's Tree Lighting & Bell Ringing
Description: A marvel of
light of sound...this annual event really rings in the holiday spirit.
Location: Downtown Crossing Association, 59 Temple Place, Boston
Time: 5pm - 6pm
Cost: FREE
November 26 - 28
Christmas Magic Crafts & Chocolate Festival
Description: The 34th
Annual Christmas Crafts Show, a wonderfully festive Boston tradition, features
top-quality items, handcrafted in America. More than 300 exhibits &
demonstrations. Buy directly from the best artisans & crafts people.
Location: Bayside Expo & Conference Center, 200 Mt. Vernon St.,
Boston
Time: Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm
Cost: $8
November 26 -
December 30
Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker
Description: beloved
holiday tradition. With bravura dancing, gorgeous music, lavish sets and
costumes, it's a fairy-tale dream come true. Let Clara, the Mouse King and the
Sugar Plum Fairy sweep you away to their enchanted world.
Location:
Colonial Theatre
Time: Varies by performance
Cost: Varies by performance
November 26 through
December 24
Back Bay Holiday Market
Description: The Shops at
Prudential Center is proud to host the 2nd annual Back Bay Holiday Market.
Designed in the tradition of the Northern European Christkindlemarket, familiar
in cities from New York to Munich, the Back Bay Holiday Market creates an
elegant holiday atmosphere with rows of neat booths that forms a festive holiday
"village". The former Star Market space located at our Boylston Street entrance
will be turned into this festive marketplace with approximately 35 vendors
selling a broad range of quality, unusual gifts with a strong cultural flair.
Location: Former Star Market space directly off of Boylston St.
entrance
Time: Mon - Sat 10am - 9pm, Sun 11am - 6pm
Cost: FREE
November 28
Quincy Christmas Parade
Description: An annual
event, the 53rd holiday parade marches through the streets of Quincy bringing
holiday cheer and SANTA! The parade features dozens of bands, floats, clowns,
antique autos and entertainment along the 3-mile route.
Location: Hancock St., Quincy
Time: 12:30pm
Cost: FREE
December 1
Holiday Stroll
Description:
The 11th Annual Holiday Stroll is a sparkling,
fun-filled event for all. Beyond marvelous shopping on Newbury Street, you can
window shop, listen to holiday music, create paper snowflakes, take pictures
with Santa on a Harley-Davidson, decorate cookies, and listen to holiday
stories!
Location: Newberry St., Boston
Time: 5pm - 9pm
Cost: Free
December 1 - 5
Holiday Festival of Lights
Description: Start a new
family tradition, or continue an old one, by visiting Edaville USA for their
annual Holiday Festival of Lights. Walk down the main concourse, decorated with
millions of holiday lights, and take a 35-minute train ride that winds its way
through forests, past lakes and over cranberry bogs, where animated displays
capture the imagination of young and old alike.
Location: Edaville USA Railroad
Time: 4pm-10pm
Cost: Adults $16; Seniors/Children 3-12 $14; Children under
three FREE
December 1 - 4
Christmas from Dublin
Description: Kick off the
holidays with a genuine Irish Christmas!
Location: Cutler Majestic Theater at Emerson College
Time: 7pm
Cost: $20-$65
December 1 - 12
Art/Stop
Description:
The Family Trees exhibit also offers an arts and crafts corner with different
activities each week.
Location: Concord Museum
Time: 2pm-4pm
Cost: Free with Museum admission
December 1 - 26
The Nutcracker
Description: The season's
classic.
Location: Jose Mateo's Ballet Theatre
Time: Thu 7:30pm; Fri 7:30pm; Sat 2pm, 7:30pm; Sun 2pm, 6pm
Cost: $15-$35
December 1 - January
1
Enchanted Village
Description: Visit a 1900's
snow-covered New England village.
Location: Hynes Convention Center
Time: Mon-Sun 10am-7pm; Christmas Eve 10am-5pm;
Cost: Ages six and up $1
December 1 - 30
Zoolights
Description: The Zoo and
the animals dress up for this festive occasion. Take a picture with Santa in his
castle and walk through this winter wonderland.
Location: The Stone Zoo
Time: 5pm-9pm
Cost: Adults $4; Children 2-15 $3; Children under two FREE
December 1 - January
9
Holiday Table
Description: Mrs. Gardner's
Victorian china, silver and stemware is on exhibit to give a glimpse of the
holiday table customs of that long gone era. Watch the display of festive
holiday plants and flowers.
Location: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Time: Museum hours
Cost: Free with museum admission
December 1 - January
2
Family Trees: Generations of Storytelling
Description:
Year after year, Concord presents over 40 trees dressed for the occasion.
Stories are read to the delight of young and old alike.
Location: Concord Museum
Time: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sun 12n-5pm
Cost: Adults $12.50; Seniors $9; Children 4-18 $6.50.
December 2 - 31
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Description: Enjoy a host
of unforgettable thrills, including the all-time classic "Parade of the Wooden
Soldiers" and the awe-inspiring "Living Nativity," as well as the Rockettes'
all-new tap-dancing showstopper "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Join Santa Claus
and a cast of 50 and celebrate a memorable first Christmas in Boston! Children
of all ages will be enchanted by live holiday entertainment as teddy bears
dance, wooden soldiers come to life, snowmen shimmy, reindeer fly, elves rap,
and the Radio City Rockettes perform their fancy footwork and eye-high kicks.
Location: Wang Center
Time: Varies
Cost: $18.50-$74.50
December 2 - 23
A Christmas Carol
Description: A
spirit-filled adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story.
Location: Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main Street, Stoneham
Time: Wed, Thu 7:30pm; Fri 8pm; Sat 4pm & 8pm; Sun 1pm & 8pm
Cost: Adults $32; Seniors $27; Students $16
December 2
Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting 2004
Description: See the
beautiful 46-foot white spruce tree before it's lit ! Then watch Boston become
illuminated with seasonal cheer as Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the Boston Parks &
Recreation Dept. host the 64th Annual Tree Lighting celebration. Be there for
the lights, festivities, and simply great family fun! Let the excitement begin.
Location: Boston Common, Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue
Mall, Boston
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Cost: FREE
December 2 - 5
Crafts at the Castle
Description: Crafts at the
Castle is the annual benefit event for the non-profit agency Family Service of
Greater Boston – and Boston’s holiday gem! Every year close to 10,000 art lovers
and collectors flock to the Park Plaza Castle in downtown Boston and see and
purchase the finest contemporary craft and design. Don’t miss our 19th year of
Crafts at the Castle in 2004!
Location: The Castle at Park Plaza, Arlington St. & Columbus Ave.,
Boston
Time: Fri - Sat 10am - 8pm, Sun 10am - 5pm
Cost: Adults $15; Seniors (65+) $12; Children under 12 are free.
Preview Gala: Thu, December 2 5:30pm - 9:30pm
December 3
A European Christmas
Learn the different ways Europeans celebrate Christmas in their own countries.
Location: Church of the Advent, 30 Brimmer Street, Boston
Time: 8:00 PM-10:00 PM
FREE
December 4 - 5
Harvard Square - Sparklefest
Description: An annual
treat, the holiday shines all around the Square. Harvard Square, Cambridge
SPARKLEFEST encompasses three weekends of Holiday festivities throughout
December in Harvard Square - highlighted by Santa sailing down the Charles River
to kick off the Harvard Square Holiday Stroll and Holiday Lighting. Each weekend
features holiday fairs, craft festivals, book readings, special events in the
restaurants and shops, and free events for children.
Location:
Harvard Square
More to come
December 4 - 5
Winterlights
Description: There's
holiday excitement throughout this two-day festival. Enjoy the roving carolers
and bell ringers, cookie decorating for children, special retail events, various
performances and SANTA !
Location: Shops at Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston
More to come.
December 10 - 11
Fort Point Artists Holiday Sale
Description: The Fort Point
Arts Community Inc. represents the largest concentration of visual artists in
New England. Their 4th Annual Holiday Sale allows you to view and purchase
one-of-a-kind works for gift-giving!
Location: Fort Point Arts Community Inc, 300 Summer St., Boston
Time: During business hours
Cost: FREE
December 10 - 12, 16
- 19, 21 - 23, 26 - 28
2004 Christmas Revels
Description:
A holiday tradition since 1971, The Christmas Revels returns to Harvard
University’s Sanders Theatre December 10 - 28 for 18 performances of music,
dance and rituals in celebration of the winter solstice. Tickets are now on
sale.
Audience and cast lines blur at a Revels, so bring your best voices! We’ll sing
carols and rounds together. And, at the end of Act I, “The Lord of the Dance,”
Revels’ own ritual, we’ll have you singing and dancing through the aisles! Along
the way, there’ll be high art and low, including the magical folk tale “La
Chasse Galerie” (“The Flying Canoe”) and the recitation of Susan Cooper’s
classic poem, The Shortest Day, Revels trademarks all.
Location: Sanders Theatre is located on the corner of Kirkland and
Quincy Streets in Cambridge. Take the T to The Christmas Revels! Sanders Theatre
is just a five-minute walk from the Harvard Square T stop on the Red Line.
Time: Dec.
10 8pm
Dec. 11 3pm and 8pm
Dec. 12 *1pm and 5pm *1pm ASL Interpreted
Dec. 16 7:30pm
Dec. 17 8pm
Dec. 18 3pm and 8pm
Dec. 19 1pm and 5pm
Dec. 21 7:30pm
Dec. 22 7:30pm
Dec. 23 7:30pm
Dec. 26 1pm and 5pm
Dec. 27 7:30pm
Dec. 28 3pm
Cost:
Adults: $20, $32, $42. Children under 12: $12, $22, $32
Dates and events subject to change without notice.
Use Boston kids and make Boston fun for the kids...and you!
