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Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston Common, the Public Garden, Seaport Common, and elsewhere—yuletide cheer by the bulbful
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.
Read MoreAlways 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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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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America’s oldest public botanical garden includes several illuminated evergreens during the winter as well as lights along its Lagoon Bridge.
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The hotel’s cavernous lobby features upside-down lighted Christmas trees this time of year.
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.
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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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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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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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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.
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A sizable tree with plenty of lighting illumines this area—as do the surrounding buildings and other hanging lights.
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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.
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.
America’s oldest public botanical garden includes several illuminated evergreens during the winter as well as lights along its Lagoon Bridge.
The hotel’s cavernous lobby features upside-down lighted Christmas trees this time of year.
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.
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.
The busy, busy tourism spot with a long history includes the tallest Christmas tree in New England and thereby a ton of illumination.
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.
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.
A sizable tree with plenty of lighting illumines this area—as do the surrounding buildings and other hanging lights.
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