Monday, November 9 · Greater Boston · Week 46

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Things to Do · Updated November 10

Holiday Lights Around Boston, 2026

37 places have put a 2026 date on their own page: 5 drive‑through shows, 10 garden, zoo and estate walks, and 22 tree lightings, strolls and parades. The season runs from Nov 20 to Jan 3, 2027.

Three things stand out this year. Copley Square’s tree lighting on Nov 30 doubles as the reopening of the renovated park. Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is in its 16th season, and the Seaport’s tree lighting on Dec 4 is its tenth. Fiesta Shows runs three drive‑through displays, in Methuen, Lancaster and Marshfield, on the same schedule of nights.

10 entries are free. For the rest, the cost and the ticket rules are listed on each card: most walk-throughs sell timed tickets online, and several charge more at the gate. Dates, hours and prices were read from each organizer’s page on November 10; confirm before you go, because schedules and weather can change them. Looking for something free to do the same week? See free holiday things to do in Boston.

This weekend and next

Everything with a date from today through Sun, Nov 22, soonest first.

  1. ZooLights at Stone ZooStoneham · Stroll on zoo paths
  2. Night Lights at New England Botanic GardenBoylston · Walk‑through
  3. Christmas Festival of Lights at La SaletteAttleboro · Free
  4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace Tree LightingBoston · Ceremony
  5. Sparkling Lights at The BreakersNewport · Walk‑through

Drive-through displays (5)

You stay in the car. Tickets are sold by the vehicle, usually online and ahead of the night you pick.

Drive-through · Through Jan 3, 2027 · 80 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Bright Nights at Forest Park

Springfield · $30 per car plus a $2 ticket fee through Dec 27

A drive-through display inside Springfield’s Forest Park, ticketed by the carload and sold ahead online.

Dates
Nov 25 to Jan 3 (closed Nov 30 and Dec 1)
Hours
Mon to Thu and Sun 5 to 9 pm; Fri, Sat and holidays 5 to 10 pm
Price
$30 per car plus a $2 ticket fee through Dec 27; $20 per car plus the fee Dec 28 to Jan 3
Booking
Required: tickets are sold in advance online
Where
Forest Park

Organizer’s page ↗

Drive-through · Through Jan 3, 2027 · 72 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Gift of Lights

Loudon, NH · $35 per car

A 2.5-mile drive-through show at the speedway in its 16th season; part of admissions goes to Speedway Children’s Charities NH.

Dates
Nov 26 to Jan 3 (39 nights)
Hours
Gates open 4:30 pm; closes 9 pm Sun to Thu, 10 pm Fri, Sat and Dec 20 to 24; Dec 13 runs 6:30 to 9 pm
Price
$35 per car; $60 per bus, limousine or RV
Booking
Tickets online, valid any open night and time; also sold at the entrance
Where
New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 1122 NH‑106

Organizer’s page ↗

Drive-through · Through Dec 30 · 32 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Lancaster Celebration of Lights

Lancaster · Per car online: $22.99 weekdays, $26.99 weekends and holidays

The same Fiesta Shows production on a different fairground, with a mile-plus route and more than a million LEDs, sold by the carload.

Dates
Nov 27 to 29, Dec 2 to 6 and Dec 9 to 30
Hours
Opens at 5 pm; hourly entry sessions from 5 to 9 pm, last admission 8:15 pm
Price
Per car online: $22.99 weekdays, $26.99 weekends and holidays (gate $30 and $35); Flex Pass $30 per car
Booking
Tickets per car online (recommended); gate tickets only if not sold out online
Where
Bolton Fair grounds, 318 Seven Bridge Rd

Organizer’s page ↗

Drive-through · Through Dec 30 · 26 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights

Methuen · Per car online: $22.99 weekdays, $26.99 weekends and holidays

Over a mile of roadway lined with more than a million LED lights, including a tunnel of lights, driven from your own car.

Dates
Nov 27 to 29, Dec 2 to 6 and Dec 9 to 30
Hours
Opens at 5 pm; hourly entry sessions from 5 to 9 pm, last admission 8:15 pm
Price
Per car online: $22.99 weekdays, $26.99 weekends and holidays (gate $30 and $35); Flex Pass $30 per car
Booking
Tickets per car online (recommended); gate tickets only if not sold out online
Where
Mann Orchards Riverside Farm, 445 Merrimack St

Organizer’s page ↗

Drive-through · Through Dec 30 · 26 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

South Shore Celebration of Lights

Marshfield · Per car online: $22.99 weekdays, $26.99 weekends and holidays

South of Boston, the fairgrounds route adds a 300-foot light tunnel and animatronic scenes; guests stay in their vehicles.

Dates
Nov 27 to 29, Dec 2 to 6 and Dec 9 to 30
Hours
Opens at 5 pm; hourly entry sessions from 5 to 9 pm, last admission 8:15 pm
Price
Per car online: $22.99 weekdays, $26.99 weekends and holidays (gate $30 and $35); Flex Pass $30 per car
Booking
Tickets per car online (recommended); gate tickets only if not sold out online
Where
Marshfield Fairgrounds, 140 Main St

Organizer’s page ↗

Walk-through gardens, zoos and estates (5)

Ticketed evenings on the grounds, all within about 40 miles of downtown Boston.

Stroll on zoo paths · Through Jan 3, 2027

ZooLights at Stone Zoo

Stoneham · Plan-ahead pricing: the earlier you buy online, the lower the price

The zoo’s tree-lined paths lit with thousands of lights, one way around, with Santa visits on set nights and a hot chocolate with the reindeer option.

Dates
Nov 20 to Jan 3 (closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25)
Hours
4 to 9:30 pm; last entry 8:30 pm
Price
Plan-ahead pricing: the earlier you buy online, the lower the price; gate prices are highest; under 2 free; MA EBT/WIC $10 per ticket (up to four); Santa visit $5
Booking
Date and time chosen online (at least a day ahead recommended); gate tickets if available
Where
Stone Zoo

Organizer’s page ↗ · Stoneham town guide

Walk-through · Through Jan 3, 2027

Christmas Festival of Lights at La Salette

Attleboro · Free

More than a million lights across the shrine grounds, free to walk through every night of the run.

Dates
Nov 21 to Jan 3, every night including Christmas
Hours
5 to 9 pm
Price
Free; free-will donations welcome
Booking
Not needed
Where
National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette

Organizer’s page ↗

Walk-through · Through Jan 3, 2027

Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden

Boylston · Standard / peak dates: adults $26 / $29, seniors 65+ $23 / $26

About half a million lights along the garden’s winding paths.

Dates
Nov 21 to Jan 3
Hours
4 to 10 pm daily
Price
Standard / peak dates: adults $26 / $29, seniors 65+ $23 / $26, children 4 to 12 $16 / $19; 3 and under free but need a ticket
Booking
Reserve tickets online or by phone
Where
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, 11 French Dr

Organizer’s page ↗

Edaville Winter Wonderland, CarverPhoto: NearEMPTiness / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Theme park evenings · Through Dec 27

Edaville Winter Wonderland

Carver · General admission $38 including fees, under 2 free

A holiday-season theme park with a holiday train, light displays, skating, carriage rides and Santa visits, with a different themed weekend each week.

Dates
Weekends, Nov 27 to Dec 27 (closed Dec 25)
Hours
Fri 4 to 9 pm, Sat 2 to 9 pm, Sun 3 to 7:30 pm
Price
General admission $38 including fees, under 2 free; First-Class Pajama Express $68
Booking
Buy online ahead (strongly recommended); very few tickets at the gate
Where
Edaville Family Theme Park, 5 Pine St

Organizer’s page ↗

Walk-through · Through Jan 2, 2027

Winterlights at the Bradley Estate

Canton · Nonmember adults $32

The Trustees light the grounds of the Bradley Estate for the winter, with advance timed tickets only.

Dates
Nov 27 to Jan 2: Wed to Sun, plus Dec 21, 22, 28 and 29 (closed Dec 24 and 25)
Hours
4:30 to 9 pm
Price
Nonmember adults $32 ($25 on Value Nights), children 3 to 15 $15 (free Dec 28 to Jan 2); members less; 2 and under free
Booking
Required: timed tickets only
Where
Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468B Washington St

Organizer’s page ↗

Town tree lightings and strolls (17)

Mostly free, mostly one evening, and mostly on the same few weekends around Thanksgiving and early December.

Ceremony

Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting

Boston · Free

The 24th annual lighting of the waterfront park’s trellis, with music, Santa and Rudolph, and eggnog, hot chocolate, cookies and clam chowder.

Dates
Monday, Nov 23
Hours
5 to 6 pm
Price
Free
Booking
Not stated
Where
Christopher Columbus Park, 110 Atlantic Ave

Organizer’s page ↗

Ceremony

Martin’s Park Ship Lighting

Boston · Free

A children’s celebration in its fifth year lights the ship at Martin’s Park; Santa arrives by boat, with live music and crafts.

Dates
Saturday, Nov 28
Hours
5 to 6 pm
Price
Free
Booking
Not stated
Where
Martin’s Park, 64 Sleeper St

Organizer’s page ↗

Stroll

Nashua Winter Stroll

Nashua, NH · No admission listed

Downtown Nashua closes Main Street for a street festival with a 25-foot tree lighting at the Riverfront Pavilion and free shuttles 4 to 9:30 pm.

Dates
Saturday, Nov 28
Hours
5 to 9 pm; Main Street closed 2 to 11 pm
Price
No admission listed
Booking
Not needed
Where
Main St and Riverfront Pavilion, Renaissance Park

Organizer’s page ↗

Ceremony

North Reading Tree Lighting Celebration

North Reading · Free

The chamber’s 21st annual afternoon of trolley rides, a petting zoo, hayrides, hot chocolate and Damon Tavern tours leads up to the lighting.

Dates
Sunday, Nov 29
Hours
2 to 4:30 pm
Price
Free to the community
Booking
Not needed
Where
North Reading Town Common

Organizer’s page ↗

The Port of Wonder, NewburyportPhoto: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Stroll · Through Dec 25

The Port of Wonder

Newburyport · Not stated

The Greater Newburyport Chamber’s month-long downtown holiday celebration begins with the lighting of the Market Square Christmas tree; the lighting date is not posted yet.

Dates
Nov 30 to Dec 25, per the chamber’s announcement
Hours
Not posted
Price
Not stated
Booking
Not stated
Where
Downtown: State, Inn, Pleasant and Water Streets and Market Square

Organizer’s page ↗

Ceremony

Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting

Boston · Free

The Back Bay mall’s trees are lit just after the Common ceremony, hosted by the City and the Friends of the Public Garden.

Dates
Thursday, Dec 3
Hours
About 8 pm, right after the Boston Common ceremony
Price
Free
Booking
Not stated
Where
Commonwealth Avenue Mall, near 15 Commonwealth Ave

Organizer’s page ↗

Stroll

Hingham Christmas in the Square

Hingham · Not stated

Downtown Hingham’s evening with Santa, food trucks, an ice sculpture, hot cocoa, a holiday movie and live performances, with shops open late.

Dates
Friday, Dec 4
Hours
5 to 8 pm; Santa arrives on a fire truck at 6:30 pm
Price
Not stated
Booking
Not stated
Where
Hingham Square, downtown

Organizer’s page ↗

Ceremony

Light Up Seaport

Boston · Not stated

The tenth annual Seaport tree lighting, with a 52-foot tree strung with more than 10,000 lights.

Dates
Friday, Dec 4
Hours
Start time not yet posted
Price
Not stated; the page has an RSVP button
Booking
RSVP button on the page
Where
Seaport Common, along Seaport Blvd

Organizer’s page ↗

Ceremony

Manchester Friendship Tree Lighting

Manchester-by-the-Sea · Not stated

The Manchester Woman’s Club presents an outdoor concert by local student musicians on the Town Green, then lights the Friendship Tree.

Dates
Sunday, Dec 6
Hours
Concert at 3 pm; tree lit at 3:30 pm
Price
Not stated
Booking
Not stated
Where
Town Green

Organizer’s page ↗

Ceremony

Framingham Tree Lighting Ceremony

Framingham · Not stated

The city lists its 35th annual ceremony as a save-the-date; the page gives no time or place yet.

Dates
Friday, Dec 11
Hours
Not posted
Price
Not stated
Booking
Not stated
Where
City of Framingham (venue not posted)

Organizer’s page ↗

Light shows worth the drive (10)

More than 40 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line, so plan for a longer trip. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving time.

Sparkling Lights at The Breakers, NewportPhoto: CopperDoodle / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Walk-through · Through Dec 27 · 63 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Sparkling Lights at The Breakers

Newport, RI · Adults $45, ages 6 to 12 $18

A half-mile path through the mansion’s 13-acre grounds lit with hundreds of thousands of lights; admission includes a tour of the decorated interior.

Dates
20 evenings: Nov 21, 22, 27 to 29; Dec 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 18, 20 to 23, 26 and 27
Hours
4 to 8 pm; timed entry every half hour from 4 to 6 pm
Price
Adults $45, ages 6 to 12 $18; members $30 / $18; under 6 free
Booking
Required: timed entry
Where
The Breakers, 44 Ochre Point Ave

Organizer’s page ↗

Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village, SturbridgePhoto: Wgmleslie at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5

Walk-through · Through Dec 27 · 57 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village

Sturbridge · Non-members online $34 adult / $16 youth through Nov 26

An evening at the decorated living-history village with live music, horse-drawn rides, craft demonstrations and a Christmas Tree Trail, this year with Swedish traditions.

Dates
17 days: Nov 27 to 29, Dec 4 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 20, 23, 26 and 27
Hours
2 to 8 pm; Thursdays Dec 10 and 17 run 4 to 8 pm
Price
Non-members online $34 adult / $16 youth through Nov 26, then $36 / $18 (door $40 / $20, Saturday adult $45); 3 and under free; Thursdays $12
Booking
Tickets sold online
Where
Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd

Organizer’s page ↗

Walk-through · Through Dec 27 · 51 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Gardens Aglow

Sandwich · Non-members: adults $30, youth 3 to 17 $20

Light displays and seasonal decor on the museum grounds, with a Santa visit, a carousel ride, marshmallow roasting and a reindeer scavenger hunt.

Dates
25 nights: Nov 27 to 29, Dec 2 to 6, 8 to 13, 15 to 23, 26 and 27
Hours
4:30 to 8:30 pm; last entry 8 pm
Price
Non-members: adults $30, youth 3 to 17 $20; 2 and under free with a reservation
Booking
Required: timed entry
Where
Heritage Museums & Gardens, 67 Grove St

Organizer’s page ↗

Walk-through · Through Jan 3, 2027 · 44 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Providence, RI · Adults $15, children 2 to 12 $13, 1 and under free

More than 3.5 million lights spread over 40 acres of the zoo, with s’mores, hot chocolate and Santa visits.

Dates
Nov 27 to Jan 3 (closed Dec 24 and 25)
Hours
5 to 9:30 pm; final admission 9 pm
Price
Adults $15, children 2 to 12 $13, 1 and under free; $5 off on Tuesdays; zoo members $2 off adults, $1 off children
Booking
Required: tickets online
Where
Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave

Organizer’s page ↗

Ceremony · 50 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree

Provincetown · Not stated

The Chamber lights the Fisherman’s Christmas Tree, built from lobster pots, with carols at the foot of MacMillan Pier.

Dates
Saturday, Nov 28
Hours
5 to 6 pm
Price
Not stated
Booking
Not stated
Where
Foot of MacMillan Pier, by the Chamber visitor center

Organizer’s page ↗

Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude, KennebunkportPhoto: Messerjdx / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Stroll · Through Dec 13 · 75 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude

Kennebunkport, ME · Santa’s lobster-boat arrival and the Hat Parade are listed free

An eleven-day village festival with Dock Square tree lightings on two Fridays, a Hat Parade, Santa arriving by lobster boat and fireworks over the cove on Dec 11.

Dates
Dec 3 to 13; Dock Square tree lightings Dec 4 and 11
Hours
Varies by event; Dock Square: caroling 5:30 pm, tree lit 6 pm
Price
Santa’s lobster-boat arrival and the Hat Parade are listed free (the parade needs pre-registration to march); no price listed for the tree lightings or fireworks
Booking
Not stated
Where
Dock Square and nearby villages

Organizer’s page ↗

Stroll · Through Dec 6 · 58 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Wickford Village Festival of Lights

North Kingstown, RI · Free events

The Wickford Village Association’s 41st annual festival fills the historic village for four days in early December.

Dates
Dec 3 to 6
Hours
Dec 3 tree lighting 6 pm; Dec 4 Santa by boat 5:30 pm, hayrides 6 to 8 pm; Dec 5 and 6 about 11 am to 4 pm
Price
Free events; horse-drawn hayrides $3 per person (cash or Venmo)
Booking
Not needed
Where
Historic Wickford Village

Organizer’s page ↗

Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke, PortsmouthPhoto: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Walk-through · Through Dec 20 · 52 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke

Portsmouth, NH · Fri and Sun adults $35, children 3 to 17 $17.50

A self-guided evening on the candle-lit historic campus, with decorated period houses, costumed interpreters, carolers and warm cider.

Dates
Dec 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20
Hours
Arrival windows: Fri 5:30 to 6:30 pm, Sat 4:30 to 6:29 pm, Sun 2 to 3:59 pm; ends 8:30 pm Fri and Sat, 6:30 pm Sun
Price
Fri and Sun adults $35, children 3 to 17 $17.50; Sat adults $38, children $19; under 3 free
Booking
Ticket needed for every guest, including under 3; buying ahead strongly recommended
Where
Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St

Organizer’s page ↗

Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade, PortsmouthPhoto: Domenico Convertini / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Parade · 52 miles from downtown Boston in a straight line

Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade

Portsmouth, NH · Free

The mayor and city council light the Market Square tree, then an illuminated parade comes down Islington Street.

Dates
Saturday, Dec 5
Hours
5 to 7 pm; tree lit 5 to 5:30 pm; parade starts 6 pm
Price
Free and open to all
Booking
Not needed
Where
Market Square and Islington St

Organizer’s page ↗

Not announced yet

These lightings and strolls have no 2026 date on their organizer’s page yet, so they are not in the guide above. Each name links to the organizer.

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