10 Massachusetts winter
and holiday events.
A 50-foot tree at Faneuil Hall, an 1830s village lit by candlelight, and Norman Rockwell's Stockbridge painting recreated live on Main Street. Boston to the Berkshires, this is what we'd put on the calendar.
All 10, at a glance.
| Event | Where | Typical timing | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faneuil Hall Marketplace tree lighting | Boston | Late November | Free |
| Boston Common Christmas tree lighting | Boston | Thu, Dec 3, 6–8pm | Free |
| ZooLights | Stone Zoo, Stoneham | Nov 20–Jan 3 | Paid admission |
| SoWa Winter Festival | South End, Boston | Nov 20–Dec 27 | $10, 12 & under free |
| Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas | Stockbridge (Berkshires) | Dec 5–6 | Street scene free; some events ticketed |
| Christmas by Candlelight | Old Sturbridge Village | Fri–Sun, Nov 27–Dec 27 | Paid admission |
| Christmas in Salem | Salem | Dec 4–6 | Ticketed house tour; $40–45 in 2025 |
| Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker | Citizens Bank Opera House, Boston | Nov 27–Dec 31 | Paid tickets |
| Midwinter Revels | Sanders Theatre, Cambridge | Dec 11–28 | Paid tickets |
| First Night Boston | Boston Common, Copley Square and more | Dec 31 | Free |
Dates checked against each event's own site on October 1, 2026. Faneuil Hall and First Night had not posted 2026 details yet, so those rows show last season's pattern.
Our top three for young kids.
The Faneuil Hall Marketplace tree lighting is the easiest: free, walkable, stroller-friendly, and a genuine kickoff to the Boston season. ZooLights at Stone Zoo is a good shorter alternative to a big city event, a walk-through light trail sized for young attention spans. First Night Boston is worth it even with young kids: the family fireworks over Boston Common run early enough (around 7pm) that nobody has to stay up until midnight to see them.
What families ask us.
What is the best Boston-area holiday event for young kids?
The Faneuil Hall Marketplace tree lighting, which stays free and walkable in a stroller-friendly downtown setting. ZooLights at Stone Zoo is a close second, a shorter walk-through light trail than some of the bigger regional displays.
Is the Boston Common tree lighting still happening?
Yes. The 2026 lighting is Thursday, December 3, from 6 to 8pm on Boston Common, free, with a tree sent from Nova Scotia. Boston.gov posts the full program.
What is Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village?
An 1830s living-history village lit by candlelight through the holiday season, with costumed interpreters and horse-drawn carryall rides. In 2026 it runs Friday through Sunday evenings from November 27 to December 27, closed Christmas Day.
Are these Massachusetts holiday events free?
The tree lightings (Faneuil Hall, Boston Common) and First Night Boston are free. ZooLights, Christmas by Candlelight, the SoWa Winter Festival, and Boston Ballet's Nutcracker all charge admission.