Holiday Lights Around the City

There’s a wealth of things to see in Boston over the holidays. Our historic architecture and charming streets are the perfect backdrop for the variety of Christmas lights. Add our usual December snowfall, and the city inspires memories that blend nostalgia with the magic of the season.

As one of the finest hotels near Boston Common, Boston Park Plaza is an ideal place to begin exploring the holiday lights. Enjoy a seasonal drink in our lobby, surrounded by an array of festive decorations that celebrate this special time of year.

Steps away from Boston Park Plaza is Boston Common and the city’s largest and most celebrated Christmas tree. Since 1941, the city has lit a tree and since 1971, it’s been given to the people of Boston from the people of Nova Scotia, Canada. The tree is a symbol of the province’s enduring thanks for Boston’s help during the 1917 Halifax Explosion. During World War I, a cargo ship carrying high explosives destined for the war effort in France collided with another ship in Halifax’s harbor, destroying much of the city in the largest manmade explosion in the world at the time. Hearing of the disaster by telegraph, the people of Boston organized a relief train, filled with food, water, medical supplies and much-needed medical staff. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the explosion, a plaque was placed near the site of the tree to commemorate the long-standing friendship between the people of Halifax and Boston. The stunning tree remains lit throughout the holidays and is a beacon for those who love the beauty of the season.

Nearby, Commonwealth Avenue is renowned for its shopping and distinctive architecture. Each year, elegant, white lights illuminate the trees along the Mall and create a festive feeling for those shopping, enjoying a hot beverage at one of the cafés or restaurants, or simply taking in the sights.

If you’re looking to blend holiday shopping with decorations and music, visit Faneuil Hall. It’s home to Blink!, a free, innovative and captivating light show. More than 600,000 LED lights are timed to the music of the Holiday Pops. In the center of the remarkable display is an 85-foot fir tree, the tallest in the Northeast. Discover the Marketplace’s range of unique shops and take in the seven-minute show that runs five times throughout each evening, until January 1, 2019.

Boston is especially festive during the holidays. Capture the spirit of the season and the magic of childlike wonder that it inspires by exploring the lights and decorations. To discover all the city has to offer, speak with one of our Concierges to plan an evening of memory-making holiday fun.