Boston Welcomes The 2023 Holiday Season With Several Tree Lighting Ceremonies

Boston is known for many things: its role in the founding of our nation, amazing New England seafood, championship sports teams, and so much more. Boston also has a long history of festive community celebrations held annually, during the months of November and December throughout the city.

The annual lighting of the trellis at Columbus Park will take place on November 20 at 5 pm when Mayor Michelle Wu turns on 50,000 glowing blue and white lights along Columbus Park’s 260-foot trellis. The lights remain on until mid-April, so if you miss the party you can still come and stroll under the sparkling trellis. If you've got kids in tow, Santa and Rudolph will be available to hear their Christmas wish list. Kids and adults can also enjoy delectable treats like eggnog, Drake’s cakes, and clam chowder. This waterfront celebration takes place at 110 Atlantic Ave.

Just a 10-minute walk from our waterfront hotel, Faneuil Hall’s annual tree-lighting soiree is slated to start at 4 pm, November 21. Santa will be on hand to illuminate the tree at 6 pm. Northeastern University’s Pitch, Please! will provide an a capella performance, as Ben and Jerry’s treats partygoers with free samples of ice cream and hot cocoa. Miss Massachusetts will be making an appearance and performers from the North End Music and Performing Arts Center will provide even more entertainment! This year’s tree is located in front of the Quincy Market building at 206 South Market Street.

The Boston Common’s annual tree-lighting is slated for Thursday, November 30, starting at 6 pm. Festooned with 7,000 lights, and accompanied by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the tree is a traditional yearly gift from Nova Scotia.  At 7:55pm the switch flips to illuminate the tree in the early seasonal darkness, followed by more than 80 other nearby trees, topped off by an 8 pm fireworks display. Mayor Wu will make an appearance along with Santa and Rudolph. Located near the Visitors Information Center, 139 Tremont Street. 

When you leave the Common, the party’s not over yet! Stroll on over to the Boston Public Garden where tree-lighting festivities commence around 8 pm on November 30.  Every year brilliant white lights illuminate the bridge over the Lagoon and through the meticulously pruned topiaries of this masterfully plotted formal garden, creating a breath-taking winter wonderland. More Boston area tree lighting ceremonies can be found here.

Witness the transformation as Seaport becomes Snowport with Light Up Seaport 2023 on December 1. The event runs from 5 to 9 pm and features performances by the Boston Children’s Chorus, Miranda Rae, Coral Moons, and more. Sip, shop, and stroll as you experience all this unique neighborhood has to offer. The kids can meet Betty the Yeti as she makes her CeleBetty appearance for the 2023 holiday season. Snowport’s tree-lighting is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Book a room now at Battery Wharf Hotel Boston Waterfront if you’d like to be conveniently proximate to all of the above festivities!