Family Guide To The Best Holiday Light Displays And Activities In Boston

Here in the Greater Boston Area, we have our choice of beautiful holiday light displays, many of which also offer other family activities in addition to seeing the lights. Here are four family-friendly holiday light displays and activities worthy of the drive. - By Jodi Grundig

Zoolights

Hours: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. daily
Cost: $5 on Weekdays, $6 on Weekends.  Under 2 Free

Zoolights, the popular winter wonderland attraction at the Stone Zoo, is open now through January 1, 2012. Thousands of visitors each year visit the Stone Zoo after dark to see the thousands of twinkling lights, as well as Yukon Creek which includes lights and is home to bald eagles, porcupines, lynx, a gray fox and reindeer. Santa is available for photos through December 23.

Christmas Festival of Lights

Weeknights: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Weekends: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Cost: $18 adults and kids (Ages 2-64)

After a summer of speculation, Boston-area families are thrilled that the popular Edaville USA is back open. They will be operating their annual Christmas Festival of Lights daily now through January 1, 2012. Wander through the Christmas park, ride in a warm and dry train, enjoy the amusement rides, and visit with Santa Claus. It's a great holiday event for the entire family.

Christmas at the Shrine

Daily: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Cost: Free (donations are welcomed)

Featuring 350,000 lights illuminating over 10 acres, the 58^th annual Christmas at the Shrine runs through January 1, 2012. Plan your visit for a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and you can take a Christmas Hayride or a Christmas Trolley through the light displays (additional fee). If you are visiting with younger children, visit Tuesdays through Sundays when the Christmas Carousel is open.

Cost: Free

Families local to Newton love the light display at Coletti-Magni Park in Nonantum. It includes a huge, iconic Santa Claus, as well as many beautiful lights.

Boston's Official Holiday Tree

(Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles, Park and Boylston Streets)
Cost: Free
website

Visit Boston's official holiday tree, located in the Boston Common. Each year, the city and people of Boston receive a tree from Nova Scotia as a special thank you for their relief efforts following the 1917 explosion of a ship in Halifax Harbor. The common looks absolutely beautiful.

And don't forget to check out our must-do holiday events for kids around Boston.

Jodi Grundig is editor and publisher of Family-Friendly Boston, Family Travel Magazine, and Mom's Favorite Stuff.