People ice-skating at night, surrounded by illuminated trees.

Where to see holidays lights in Boston

Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston Common, the Public Garden, Seaport Common, and elsewhere—yuletide cheer by the bulbful

By Tom Acitelli@tomacitelli Dec 9, 2019, 12:20pm EST

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By Tom Acitelli@tomacitelli Dec 9, 2019, 12:20pm EST

Boston Globe via Getty Images

Given that darkness blankets Boston around 4:30 every afternoon during the winter, the city provides plenty of time for taking in big Griswoldian holiday light displays.

These are the 10 best public options. Most are easily reachable via mass transit, if not on foot from much of downtown.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall

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Always worth a stroll, the 1.3-mile, 32-acre ribbon through Back Bay also hosts some delightful illumination during much of the winter.

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484 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116

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People running in a clump through the night between two lines of a lighted-up trees.

Copley Square

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One of Boston’s most vibrant areas, with the main Boston Public Library branch and the historic Trinity Church on its edges, Copley Square features a large lighted tree this time of year and other decorations.

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Copley Square, Boston, MA 02116

A guy in a Santa Claus suit ringing a bell on a stage as a Christmas tree nearby lights up.

Boston Public Garden

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America’s oldest public botanical garden includes several illuminated evergreens during the winter as well as lights along its Lagoon Bridge.

4 Charles St, Boston, MA 02116

(617) 635-4505

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A person walking between two rows of illuminated bushes at night in a public park in a city.

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The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston

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The hotel’s cavernous lobby features upside-down lighted Christmas trees this time of year.

215 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114

(617) 224-4000

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A post shared by Liberty Hotel Boston (@liberty_hotel) on Dec 2, 2019 at 9:17am PST

Boston Common

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America’s oldest public park is home to Boston’s official tree during the holiday season, and also has an abundance of illumination—never mind a skating rink on the Frog Pond and plenty of T access via Park Street Station.

139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 635-4505

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Downtown Crossing

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Holiday themes understandably drench the district best known for its shopping. But pay particularly close attention to the Macy’s tree on the Summer Street side of the store as well as the famed retailer’s window dressings.

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Downtown Crossing, Boston, MA

A lighted-up Christmas tree mounted on the side of a building, and people are taking pictures of the tree.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

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The busy, busy tourism spot with a long history includes the tallest Christmas tree in New England and thereby a ton of illumination.

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4 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109

(617) 523-1300

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A large Christmas tree in a public square, and the tree has not been decorated, and there is a lone person with an umbrella looking at it.

Christopher Columbus Park

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One of the Boston waterfront’s top attractions and an integral part of the North End, this park’s trellis also features some of the most beautiful lights of the season.

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Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110

(617) 635-7275

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A trellis entwined with bright lights, and people are walking under the trellis.

Rose Kennedy Greenway

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The 1.5-mile linear park hosts its annual Winter Lights. The Greenway’s carousel is also open every day except Christmas from December 20 to January 1.

Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110

(617) 292-0020

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