Boston Holiday Tree Lightings

Boston transforms into a winter wonderland every  holiday season and  positively  sparkles with lights. To  help get you in the Yuletide spirit,  here’s a guide to Boston’s  holiday lightings  All holiday lightings are free, but remember they take place outside- and this is Boston- so dress warmly!

• Newbury Street Holiday Lighting,  (Map) Tuesday, November 17, dusk.  Ring in the holiday shopping season in style on Boston’s most exclusive retail destination.
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace Lighting , (Map) Saturday, November 21, 5:30PM. There will be holiday entertainment throughout the day  from 11 AM-6:30 PM
• Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting , 110 Atlantic Ave., Boston (Map), Monday, November 23, 5:30 PM.  This waterfront park is the gateway to the North End, Boston’s Italian neighborhood. The trellised walkway is strung with 50,000 lights during the holidays and is a lovely sight.  Holiday music, cookies and hot chocolate will make you feel warm and cozy inside.
• Macy’s Christmas Tree Lighting, (Map),Friday November 27, 5 PM-6PM Macy’s officially lights its 50 foot tree on its flagship New England store. Boston Ballet characters form the Nutcracker will make an appearance too.
• Boston’s Official Tree Lighting on Boston Common (Map), Thursday, December 3, 6:30 PM. Mayor Menino and Santa will throw the switch on Boston’s official Christmas Tree, donated by the people of Nova Scotia in gratitude for Boston’s gift of supplies  following an explosion in Halifax Harbor in 1917.R&B singer Brian McNight will perform and there will be refreshments form Hood Ice cream, Dunkin Donuts, Cabot Creamery, Nantucket Nectars, and Snapple beverages. Fifty smaller trees are lit on Boston Common on this night too.
• Boston’s Menorah Lighting on Boston Common (Map),  Friday, December 11-December 18, dusk.  Each evening a candle is lit on Boston’s official Menorah to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Image Credit: Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau