Boston Neighbor · Holiday 2026
The Holiday Desk
Look-it-up guides for the part of the holidays that is logistics: who ships by when, what is open, how the T runs, where to give and where to go. Every entry links to the page it came from, and dates that pass fade out on their own.
Coming up
- USPS Operation Santa letter adoption opensWhere to Give North of Boston 2026
- Malden senior Thanksgiving meal delivery request dueFree Holiday Meals and Help Around Boston 2026
- Cambridge Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, 8 am to 4 pmFree Holiday Meals and Help Around Boston 2026
- Herrick Tree Farm opensChristmas Tree Farms Near Boston 2026
- Houde's Tree Farm opensChristmas Tree Farms Near Boston 2026
- Feaster Five (Andover) fees go up on Nov 23Thanksgiving Turkey Trots Near Boston 2026
- McKay's Christmas Trees open in Brighton and AshlandChristmas Tree Farms Near Boston 2026
- North Reading Turkey Trot online registration endsThanksgiving Turkey Trots Near Boston 2026
- Lowell Thanksgiving food distribution volunteer shiftWhere to Give North of Boston 2026
Plan a night out
Shows, races, lightings and places to go, with dates and prices.
- NewChristmas Tree Farms Near Boston 2026Cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas tree farms north and west of Boston: 2026 opening dates, hours, prices, saws, baling and dog rules.
- NewHanukkah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Events 2026Hanukkah starts Fri, Dec 4. Menorah lightings north of Boston by town, plus where Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day events post.
- NewNutcracker and Holiday Shows Near Boston 2026Nutcrackers, Holiday Pops, Messiah, Revels and holiday plays near Boston in 2026, with dates, venues, ticket links, sensory-friendly shows and discounts.
- NewThanksgiving Turkey Trots Near Boston 2026Thanksgiving morning races in Boston and north of it: start times, fees, sign-up deadlines, race-day registration and bib pickup for each.
- Tree lighting ceremonies, 2026Dates, times and towns
- Holiday markets around Greater BostonDates, hours and admission
- Free holiday things to doNothing to buy
- Holiday train rides near BostonWith kids
- Salem in DecemberA town for the month
- Christmas Day trip to PortsmouthOut of town
- Christmas Day trip to NewportOut of town
- The printable December planOne page, by date
Handle the logistics
Deadlines, trash, shipping and trees: what to do by when.
- NewHoliday Shipping Deadlines 2026: USPS, UPS, FedExLast day to ship for Christmas with USPS, UPS and FedEx, plus military and international dates and the days no carrier delivers.
- Holiday trash and recycling delaysTown by town
- Christmas tree pickup by townJanuary curbside dates
- Thanksgiving pie ordersOrder deadlines
- Thanksgiving dinner to goPickup and prices
Give back
Where to donate, volunteer and find help.
- NewFree Holiday Meals and Help Around Boston 2026Free Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, turkey boxes, coats and help lines for neighbours in Boston and the towns north of it.
- NewWhere to Give North of Boston 2026Where to give toys, coats, food and time in Boston and north of it this season, with what each place needs and the last day to give.
- Winter heating helpFuel assistance and shutoff rules
Get through the week itself
What is open, how the T runs and where you can park.
- NewGetting Around Boston Over the Holidays 2026MBTA holiday service, $10 Commuter Rail passes, Logan Express and parking, and free meter days for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
- NewWhat's Open on Holidays in Massachusetts, 2026Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day: what is open or closed, from groceries and pharmacies to mail, courts and liquor rules.
- December vacation week with kidsWhat is closed which day
Also on the site: this weekend's events, local notices and the printable December plan.
