Boston-Area Tree Lightings 2026: Dates and Details

Faneuil Hall lights its tree first, on Saturday, November 21; most others fall in the weeks after Thanksgiving. Every ceremony below has a date on its official page. Several towns have not announced theirs yet; check the town or chamber site closer to December.

The first confirmed lighting is Saturday, November 21: Faneuil Hall Marketplace Annual Holiday Tree Lighting.Official event page, checked November 9, 2026

The dates at a glance

1. Saturday, November 21: Faneuil Hall Marketplace Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Downtown Boston
2. Friday, November 27: Santa's Arrival and Holiday Tree Lighting, Salem
3. Saturday, November 28: Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree, Provincetown
4. Sunday, November 29: 23rd Annual Tree Lighting on the Town Common, Stoneham
5. Monday, November 30: Copley Square Tree Lighting and Park Reopening, Back Bay, Boston
6. Thursday, December 3: Boston Common Tree Lighting, Boston
7. Sunday, December 6: Manchester Friendship Tree Lighting and Seasonal Concert, Manchester-by-the-Sea
8. Friday, December 11: 35th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Framingham

Details for each ceremony

Faneuil Hall Marketplace Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Downtown Boston · Nov 21 · 2-6 pm program window · Free

Marketplace's big holiday tree lighting with an afternoon stage program. Official page ↗

Santa's Arrival and Holiday Tree Lighting

Salem · Nov 27 · Arrive by 5:45 pm; Santa arrives at 6 pm · Free

Salem lights its holiday tree and welcomes Santa to open the Holiday Happenings season. Official page ↗

Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree

Provincetown · Nov 28 · 5:00-6:00 pm · Not stated on chamber page

A tree built from lobster traps is lit at the foot of MacMillan Pier. Official page ↗

23rd Annual Tree Lighting on the Town Common

Stoneham · Nov 29 · 3:00-5:00 pm · Free

Music, caroling, holiday characters and kids' crafts, ending with the lighting of the Common's holiday tree. Official page ↗

Copley Square Tree Lighting and Park Reopening

Back Bay, Boston · Nov 30 · 5-6 pm · Free

Tree lighting plus a guided tour of the renovated park, crafts, Santa and Rudolph, and choir performances; cookies and Santa photos after at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. Official page ↗

Boston Common Tree Lighting

Boston · Dec 3 · 6-8 pm · Free

City's signature tree lighting with the Nova Scotia tree, hosted by Mayor Wu and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston; the Commonwealth Ave Mall lights follow. Official page ↗

Manchester Friendship Tree Lighting and Seasonal Concert

Manchester-by-the-Sea · Dec 6 · Concert 3 pm; lighting 3:30 pm · Price not listed

Manchester-Essex Regional music students perform on the Town Green, then the Friendship Tree is lit. Official page ↗

35th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Framingham · Dec 11 · Time to be announced · Price TBA (no admission fee stated)

The city's annual downtown tree lighting, listed by the city as a save-the-date. Official page ↗

Planning your evening

• Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree: Other Provincetown listings mention a Dec 4 Holly Folly tree lighting; confirm which you want.
• 23rd Annual Tree Lighting on the Town Common: Hosted by the Stoneham Chamber; dress warmly, it runs 3-5 pm into dusk.
• Copley Square Tree Lighting and Park Reopening: Copley T stop is steps away.
• Manchester Friendship Tree Lighting and Seasonal Concert: Dress warm; it is a short outdoor program in the village center.
• 35th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: Call the Mayor's Office at (508) 532-5401 or check the city page for the time and location.

For the week ahead, see this weekend's confirmed events. Stoneham and Salem have their own town guides with winter rules and trash notices, and the town list has the rest. For drive-through displays and garden and zoo walks, see Holiday Lights Around Boston, 2026.