(Photo credit: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/ultimate-guide-christmas-boston)
Boston is a fun place to be any time of year, but especially at Christmas-time, when the sparkling Christmas trees and festive lights illuminating streets and storefronts bring cheer to even the scroogiest Bostonian. The city buzzes with music, holiday shoppers fill the sidewalks and stores and best of all, special holiday events start filling people’s calendars. To make sure you capture the allure of Boston during the holiday season, and to avoid missing out on tickets or double booking yourself, it’s important to start planning your event schedule as early as possible. Here are our recommendations for the best activities to participate in this year:
Lighted Christmas Trees - By late November and early December beautifully lit christmas trees begin to pop up all over the city. You can find two of the biggest trees in Boston Common and Faneuil Hall, which is also the site of the Blink! holiday lights and music show which is free and runs 12 times between 4:30-10pm. Here is a list of tree lightings taking place in November, and here is one for December.
Ice skating on the common - If you're planning to head to Boston Common to see the glorious Christmas Tree, make sure to pack your ice skates for the outdoor rink, which opens in mid-November.
Menorah lighting - Also in Boston Common you'll find public Menorah lighting each night through Hanukah (December 24th - January 1st).
The Nutcracker - Performed by Boston Ballet at Symphony Hall from November 25th-December 31st.
Holiday Pops - Performed by Boston Symphony Orchestra from November 30th-December 31st.
Holiday shopping - You'll find unique shopping experiences in some of Boston's most charming neighborhoods. Make sure to check out Newbury Street and the Prudential Center in Back Bay, Charles Street on Beacon Hill, Salem Street in the North End, Washington Street in Downtown Crossing and Harvard Square in Cambridge.
Santa - In many of Boston's popular shopping areas you'll have the chance to visit with Santa, which is a nice way to break up a day of shopping with the kids.
Santa Speedo Run- On Saturday, December 10th, hundreds of scantily clad runners will hit the streets for a run that raises money for The Play Ball Foundation, "which provides Boston middle school students with a chance to play, and build friendships and character through the lessons of sports - teamwork, communication and discipline." It's a fun, unique holiday event for both runners and their audience
First Night - Boston's signature New Year's Eve event includes a fireworks show over Boston Harbor, a huge Celebrate Boston Parade down Boylston Street, musical performance, ice sculptures and fun activities for the whole family.
These are just a few of our favorites, but there's no shortage of festive, entertaining things to see and do in Boston during the holiday season. For more advice on activities in your neighborhood, contact one of our agents, all of whom live in the city and surrounding area.
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