Boston's Best Family-Friendly Holiday Events
Holidays are about making memories and there are plenty of opportunities to do so in and around the city of Boston. There is a great variety of family fun things to do; from light shows and concerts to shopping adventures and theater shows, events abound during the holidays. Choosing when, where and what to do with the family leading up to the holidays is a fun decision because there is so much from which to choose. This is a sampling of the family-friendly holiday events in Boston this holiday season.
Boston Common Holiday Tree Lighting
147 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 635-4505
www.bostonfrogpond.com
Date: Dec. 1, 2016 at 5 - 6 p.m.
Boston has held an annual holiday tree lighting on Boston Common since 1940. The city's official Christmas tree, a gift from the people of Nova Scotia, and many trees scattered throughout Boston Common are lit to begin the season. The Skating Club of Boston performs a free figure skating show on Boston Common's Frog Pond, a shallow skating pond nestled within the public park.
SoWa Holiday Market
Benjamin Franklin Institute
41 Berkeley St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-4630
www.sowaholidaymarket.net
Dates: Dec.10 - 11, 2016
SoWa, meaning South of Washington, is an art haven in Boston that hosts a weekend Holiday Market. The space is filled with local designer clothes, eclectic jewelry, fun accessories and a myriad of gift items including handbags, pottery, stationery and cozy re-purposed wool accessories. Think about a discarded sweater transformed into a warm pair of mittens. The Holiday Market is held in the historic building that houses the Benjamin Franklin Technical Institute in the heart of the city.
ZooLights
Stone Zoo
149 Pond St.
Stoneham, MA 02180
(617) 541-5466
www.zoonewengland.org/stone-zoo
Dates: Nov. 25 - Jan.1, 2016 at 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The Stone Zoo hosts ZooLights, a winter oasis of fun. The zoo's paths are lined with twinkling lights and offer a new perspective of the Yukon Creek, where bald eagles, Canadian lynx, arctic foxes and reindeer reside. After a stroll through the Yukon Creek, there are photo opportunities with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the reindeer. The Carousel, Jungle Fun, Safari Jeep and Turbo Tub rides add to the evening's fun. Each ride is $3 or a 4-ride combo package can be purchased for $10.
Related: Boston's Best Free Holiday Events
Boston Pops
Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
(617) 266-1492
www.bso.org
Dates: Dec. 2 - Dec. 31, 2016 at various times.
The Boston Pops holiday show is a family fun event, which features favorite holiday music selections, a traditional sing-a-long and a lively visit from Santa. They offer special family concerts that cater to children. They are a little shorter, offer more kid-friendly music and an opportunity to visit with Santa after the show. Many families have made a visit to Holiday Pops an annual tradition.
The Nutcracker
Boston Opera House
539 Washington St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
www.bostonballet.org
Dates: Through Dec. 31, 2016 at various times.
The Boston Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the historic Boston Opera House to the delight of the eager audiences. Tchaikovsky's music comes to life as the toy soldiers bravely march across the stage and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy mesmerizes the crowd. This classic show is a popular holiday tradition in Boston.
