Boston Holiday Events & Shows 2026
Your guide to the best holiday shows, concerts and festivities in Greater Boston
From the twinkling lights, festive concerts, shows, & celebrations taking place throughout the city, Boston really comes alive during the holidays. Here's a roundup of many Boston-area cherished holiday traditions and festivities.
Below is a growing list of holiday shows and events taking place in 2026.
Holiday Performances
- Boston Pops Holiday Pops!
- Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze
- Urban Nutcracker
- A Christmas Carol
- It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
- The MidWinter Revels
- Black Nativity
- Holiday Feast
- Commonwealth Ballet's The Nutcracker
Holiday Lightings and Events
- Boston Common Tree Lighting Spectacular
- Copley Square Tree Lighting
- Boston Christmas Tubas
- Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings
- Holiday Light Displays Guide
- Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo
- Winter Lights at Naumkeag...
Seasonal Fun
- Visits with Santa
- Ice Skating Rinks
- Jordan's Enchanted Village
- Zoolights at Stone Zoo
- Snowport: Boston Seaport's Holiday Wonderland
And so much more!! Below we have highlighted many of our favorite things to do in Boston in December. We are so glad to see so many of them have returned.
Boston Pops - Holiday Pops!
December 3 - 24, 2026
Take part in one of Boston's most beloved traditions - a Holiday Pops concert performed at historic Symphony Hall. This year your family and friends can enjoy a matinee or evening concert , and enjoy the glorious holiday sounds of the BSO.
Kids' Matinees are 12/6, 12/12, 12/13, 12/19, and 12/20 at 11:00am
Families have also enjoyed a series of holiday pops kids matinee performances. These special family concerts include a children's sing-along and photos with Santa. For those seated at the floor tables, there are special kid-friendly menu options along with holiday treats. We hope to be able to get back to memorable experiences like this very soon.
Sensory Friendly concert is 12/5 at 10:30am.
Back by popular demand, the BSO also performs a sensory friendly holiday pops concert; a 60-minute version of the show includes lower volume and lighting levels, relaxed house rules, designated support spaces, and Autism therapist volunteers on site.
photo courtesy of BSO
The Nutcracker - Boston
November 27 - December 31, 2026
Performances of The Nutcracker abound this holiday season with local favorites like Jose Mateo, New England’s longest running interpretation of The Nutcracker ballet, Boston Ballet and Commonwealth Ballet's Nutcracker show, renowned for its intimacy, humor, musicality and exciting dancing..
Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet
In each delightful version of The Nutcracker, a young heroine, Clara, journeys through a magical world of imagination filled with dazzling characters such as a Dancing Bear, an enchanting Snow Queen, and of course, the heroic Nutcracker Prince.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze - Boston
November 26 - December 14, 2025
Cirque Dreams Holidaze – returns to Boston's Boch Center Wang Theatre for another exciting holiday show that dazzles with a brilliantly breathtaking holiday spectacular for the entire family.
As the original cirque holiday theatrical event, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around awe-inspiring contemporary circus arts. Guests of all ages will be on the edge of their seats as a cast of holiday characters come to life, captivating audiences while defying gravity.
photo courtesy of Boch Center
Urban Nutcracker - Boston
December 12-20, 2026
Anchored by classical ballet, the Urban Nutcracker performance also includes a broad range of dance forms such as tap, hip hop, flamenco, and jazz, accompanied throughout the performance by a small live orchestra.
A Christmas Carol - Beverly
December 3 - December 23, 2026
The ghosts of Christmas past, present & future come to life in this intimate retelling of the Charles Dickens classic. Delight in puppetry, live music, dancing and the intimate storytelling in the tradition of A Christmas Carol. All the trappings – sights, sounds, and scents – of the holiday fill the theater with magic at North Shore Music Theatre.
photo courtesy of North Shore Music Theatre
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Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' - Boston
December 11 - 20, 2026
Journey back to Victorian England and experience Dickens’ heart-warming classic story brought to life! Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CommShakes) brings a dazzling new production of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' to Boston’s Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre for audiences of all ages.
Black Nativity - Boston
December 5 – 21, 2025
Black Nativity is a celebration that tells the original story of the Nativity in scripture, verse, music, and dance. Based on the Gospel of St. Luke, combined with the poetry of Langston Hughes, this song-play touches a special chord in the hearts of all.
photo courtesy of Black Nativity
It's a Wonderful LIfe: A Live Radio Play
November 27 – December 20, 2026
On Christmas Eve, 1946, a group of actors gathers in a Manhattan radio studio to bring a familiar story to life. Through voices, music, and a bit of theatrical magic, they transport us to Bedford Falls and into the life of George Bailey, a man who has spent years putting his own dreams aside to lift up everyone around him.
In It's a Wonderful Life, when George reaches his lowest point, a guardian angel shows him what the world would have been like if he had never been born. Through humor, heart, and holiday spirit, this joyful production celebrates the power of community, the impact of one life on so many, and the timeless magic of love, sacrifice, and second chances.
Holiday Feast
December TBD for 2026
Holiday episodes from four classic Black sitcoms of the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s – performed live – comprise a hilarious night of seasonal delights as Front Porch Arts Collective serves up its “Holiday Feast” program.
A starry roster of Boston actors do staged readings of Christmastime scripts from the sitcoms 227, Sanford & Son, Sister, Sister and black-ish. Front Porch Associate Artistic Director Pascale Florestal directs. 
The Midwinter Revels: American Crossroads
December 12 -28, 2026
A holiday tradition for nearly five decades, The Midwinter Revels is a joyful theatrical celebration of the winter solstice that travels the world each year showcasing cultural traditions including music, dance, folktales and rituals. Purchase Tickets here.
photo credit: Greater Boston Stage Co.
Boston Common Tree Lighting - Boston
December 3, 2026
The heart of the city becomes illuminated with seasonal cheer at Boston’s Official Holiday Tree Lighting. Holiday lights throughout the Public Garden and Common will light up just before 8 p.m., and a fireworks display will close the festivities a the Boston Common Tree Lighting.
photo credit Boston.gov
Boston's Enchanted Trolley Tour*
December 5 - 6, 2026 (Awaiting Confirmation)
The annual Mayor's Enchanted Trolley Tour is a festive tradition of lighting holiday trees while bringing holiday spirit to children across Boston. The includes visits with Santa, holiday performances, tree lightings and more.
Photo courtesy of The City of Boston
Boston Christmas Tubas at Downtown Crossing
November 28, 2026 at 12:30pm.
Get in the holiday spirit! Boston Tuba Christmas is making a stop in Downtown Boston. Experience lots of local tuba players playing your favorite holiday tunes! Concert starts at 12:00 noon, with a brief rehearsal at 10:00am.
Downtown Crossing welcomes participants from around New England ranging in ages from 8 to 85. Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages, from specific geographic areas, gather to pay respect to Harvey G. Phillips and William J. Bell, and all the great artists/teachers who represent their heritage.
photo courtesy of BID
Zoolights at Stone Zoo - Stoneham
November 20, 2026 - January 3, 2027
This year's Zoolights at Stone Zoo will take visitors on a one-way stroll through the Zoo, along tree-lined paths lit by twinkling lights. Spanning the 26 acres of Stone Zoo, visitors will walk through the beautifully lit Yukon Creek and see black bears, a bald eagle, Canada lynx, arctic foxes, and even reindeer!
photo courtesy of Stone Zoo
Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo - Milford
November 20, 2026 - January 23, 2027
Take a magical journey through Winter Wonderland at Southwick’s Zoo with friends and family to view spectacular holiday lights and handcrafted displays.
This beloved festive tradition, perfect for family and friends, is set to shine brighter than ever before, featuring over 4 million illuminated lights and dazzling displays that will transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland.
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Enchanted Village - Avon
November 13, 2026 - January 1, 2027
Enjoy Boston's historic Enchanted Village, now on view at Jordan's Furniture in Avon. Jordan’s Furniture purchased the surviving pieces of the Enchanted Village at auction and restored the vintage collection to its former glory. The Village is open for all to enjoy during the holiday season.
Visits with Santa
Santa will be visiting many area malls and towns for festive holiday tree lightings and parades. Some of our favorite Santa events include the annual Gloucester Santa Parade & Tree Lighting, Rockport's exciting holiday event where Santa arrives on a lobster boat at at Rockport’s wharf and rides across Sandy Bay for the tree lighting. Search our events calendar for "Santa" to find where you can visit with him this year.
Boston First Night
December 31, 2026
First Night in Boston is a city-wide New Year's Eve celebration that is free and open to the public. For over 40 years, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, ice sculptures, light shows, the wonders of the season and the beginning of a new year.
Highlights include the People’s Procession at 6:00 PM, the Frog Pond Skating Spectacular, and the Family Fireworks Display at 7:00pm on Boston Common.
To ring in the New Year, stick around for until midnight for the signature Copley Countdown pyrotechnics and light show in Copley Square. 
Photo credit: Boston USA
Ice Skating Rinks
Frog Pond Ice Skating - A hopping spot for ice-skating is Frog Pond on the Boston Common. Frog Pond has its own ice-making system. It also offers skate rentals and hot cocoa at the Pond Cottage.
Just across the river in Cambridge, Kendall Square boast another terrific outdoor ice rink that is open to the community for skating. Don't miss the annual Kendall Square Holiday Ice Show - another annual favorite.
Photo courtesy of Kendall Square Community Ice Rink
Winter Skate at Patriot Place 2026
Winter Skate at Patriot Place, is back for another season with a new and improved concept in Lot 12B in the South Marketplace. A fun and affordable activity for parents with children, and a perfect remedy for cabin fever, Winter Skate can also a romantic addition to a dinner date at Patriot Place.
Ice Skating season generally starts in mid to late November and runs through February.
photo courtesy of Patriot Place
Snowport Holiday Wonderland & Outdoor Game Center - Boston
November 6 - December 29, 2026 (Awaiting Confirmation)
Seaport’s highly popular interactive winter wonderland, SNOWPORT, returns. In its third year, SNOWPORT offers outdoor play for all ages: iceless curling, light-up Bocce, and large-scale versions of classic games such as Battleship, Jenga, KanJam, and more.
The North End Curling Club will also provide complimentary Learn to Curl classes on select Saturdays from 2pm – 4pm (Curling lane reservations can be booked in advance).
Seaport’s vintage Silver Queen gondola cabin, which hails from Aspen, Colorado, will sit adjacent to a second Guest Services Gondola, staffed with SNOWPORT ambassadors who are on-hand to assist with activities.
A new European style open air holiday market opens November 19, featuring 60+ vendors, a 10,000 square foot dining area featuring a festive menu by Tuscan Kitchen and Breezy Hill Orchard, a Winter Wish Wall and more.
SNOWPORT will be open seven days a week, Monday-Thursday, 3pm – 8pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am – 8pm, and Sunday, 11am – 7pm.
photo credit Lyndsay Ahern
Looking for more December events in Boston? Check out our handy guides to winter fun, holiday lights and holiday performances.
Traditional winter activities like Ice Skating and Skiing Near Boston are also popular for families. And for more ideas about fun things to do in Boston anytime of year, we have oodles of options for you to explore.
Don't forget to visit our Boston Events Calendar for more great ideas on fun things to do with kids in Greater Boston all year long.
More Ideas for Winter Family Fun!
Winter in Boston brings with it a mix of outdoor adventures and cozy indoor activities perfect for families. Whether you're looking to hit the slopes, explore museums, or enjoy holiday events, BostonCentral has compiled the ultimate winter guide for things to do in Boston to help you and your family make the most of the season.
From snow-filled fun to festive performances, check out our curated list of Boston’s best winter activities!
Stacey Sao has been discovering and sharing the best things to do in Boston for more than 25 years. From hidden gems to iconic attractions, she writes about her experiences so you can explore the city with insider tips, helpful guides, and first-hand insights.
About the Author
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Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral, for over 25 years — discovering and sharing the best places to explore in Greater Boston and beyond.