Head to these prime locations to witness spectacular yuletide displays
Boston Public Market: This year-round, indoor farmers market located at the Haymarket MBTA station kicks off the holiday season with its ticketed Light Up the Night celebration on November 21 from 7–10 p.m. Along with the illumination of the market’s stunning light display, patrons can savor seasonal adult beverages, food, music, craft-making and late-night shopping.
Christopher Columbus Park (pictured): The iconic trellises at this North End oasis are lit up with distinctive blue lights beginning November 25, when a gathering takes place that includes cookies, hot cocoa, clam chowder and a red-and-white-adorned visitor from the North Pole.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace: This trendsetting, historic shopping and dining destination gets the holiday season in high gear on November 26 from 2–7 p.m. with its tree lighting shindig, which includes seasonal treats like hot cocoa, face painting, special performances and guest appearances (perhaps by a jolly old elf?).
Martin’s Park: Located next to the Boston Children’s Museum, one of the newer parks in the Hub is the site of the recent tradition known as the Lighting of the Ship, which takes place November 30 at 4 p.m. Witness as the ship play set at the playground, along with the rest of the area, is set alight with blue and white bulbs as families enjoy a cappella renditions of holiday classics from Ball in the House, hot chocolate and visits from both Santa Claus (who arrives by boat!) and Seaport mascot Betty the Yeti.
Boston Common: Join Mayor Michelle Wu and special guests from Nova Scotia, the Canadian province that annually donates the City of Boston’s official tree, as they light up America’s oldest public park on December 5. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. and last until the switch is flipped—with help from Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer—at 8 p.m. Expect entertainment, giveaways and refreshments, as well as the illumination of the lights on the nearby Commonwealth Avenue Mall once the Common ceremony concludes.
