Photo of Faneuil Hall / Quincy Marketplace by Zai Scratch (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Winter can sometimes be a depressing time for some, especially if you’re in a city that can get quite cold, like Boston. However, the city of Boston comes alive with cheer during the holiday season. There are tons of cool things to check out in Boston to lift your spirits and fill your heart with holiday cheer. All across the city, and its numerous suburbs, are places to visit and things to do that will surely get you into the spirit of Christmas. Here are a couple of things to do and places to visit to get yourself into that holiday spirit.
1. Visit The Boston Common
The Boston Common is a central public park in downtown Boston. The park dates back to 1634, which makes it the oldest park in the entire country. The park is a very popular for people to enjoy a nice stroll at any time of the year. However, around the holidays, it’s been given a serious face lift. The Christmas tree is lit up with lights and string lights are strewn throughout the park. This makes it a hit for an after-dark walk. In addition to the park, there is also a skating rink at the Common. This rink is called the Frog Pond and features everyone from first time skaters to seasoned pros. The rink also features a snack bar and hot chocolate for those who don’t want to skate. Whether it is the day or the night, this is one of the premier locations in Boston to get yourself in the Christmas spirit.
2. Check Out A Show
While there are a lot of great outdoor activities to get you in the winter spirit, sometimes, the weather doesn’t always agree with your plans. If a day is particularly gloomy, why not check out one of the many great holiday performances in Boston. A Christmas staple, The Nutcracker is put on by the Boston Ballet and is one of the best renditions you will see in the country. However, if you are after seeing something truly unique to Boston, you should check out Holiday Pops. Holiday Pops is a performance put on by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They perform holiday classics as well as new and original pieces too. If you have children, consider checking out the matinee as it features sing-alongs and even a visit with Santa!
3. Participate in/Watch The Santa Speedo Run
Whether you are going to participate or just watch the event, this is definitely one of the more “out there” ways to get in the holiday spirit. The Santa Speedo Run is an event in which participants jog a mile through the ice cold streets of Boston for charity. Did we mention they do it in their underwear? That’s right, up to 700 people participate in this run in nothing but their skivvies. The event raises money for the Play Ball Foundation, which funds sports in Boston schools. Since 2000, the event has raised nearly $2 million. You would be hard-pressed to find something as entertaining as this to do on a Saturday afternoon. This takes place on December 10th at 1 pm at the corner of Gloucester St. and Boylston St.
4. Visit The Faneuil Hall Marketplace
This is a very popular place for tourists and locals alike to check out, especially around the holiday season. The Faneuil Hall doubles as a marketplace on the ground floor and the upstairs features a meeting fall. Though, around Christmastime it’s known for Blink!. Blink! is a light and sound show that takes place at the hall. More than 350,000 LEDs blanket the hall and create a very impressive show. Alongside this performance is the largest Christmas tree in all of Boston. In fact, the tree is so big that it is actually about 20 feet bigger than the world famous Rockefeller tree.
5. Take The Illuminations Tour
All in all, there are probably thousands of homes in Boston that go all out in terms of their Christmas decorations. However, if you want to get the most bang for your buck, head over to Somerville, which is just northwest of Boston. This community goes above and beyond when decorating their homes and yards. While you can drive through the neighborhood yourself anytime, the Arts Council of Somerville puts on an event one night a year. That event is the Illuminations tour. This tour is a 45-minute trolley ride through the neighborhood that comes complete with hot chocolate and only costs $10. It takes place on December 17 from 4:30 – 10 pm.
6. Check Out The Harvard Square Holiday Fairs
The Harvard Square Holiday Fair is not only a catchy name, but also one of the oldest fairs in Boston. This fair features a ton of cool crafts and gift items both from locals and those who travel to various fairs around the country. These items are original and affordable, and come from the hearts of the craftspeople who make them. Ditch the conventional mall shopping and come here to get some of your Christmas gifts instead. The fair operates on three different occasions in December: 10th-11th, 16th-18th, and 21st to 24th
7. Visit The City Hall Plaza
This is a relatively new thing to do in Boston around Christmas, but it is sure to attract a lot of visitors. Not only will there be a skating rink there, but the entire area will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be food, drinks, a market, and more. Going forward, this is sure to be a staple to everyone’s Christmas plans in Boston.
8. Check Out The Eat Boutique Holiday Market
If you’re on the hunt for some delicious food and recipes, look no further than the Eat Boutique Holiday Market. This is a month-long market that runs through December 20th. Here you can buy food, kitchen tools, recipe books, beauty products, and more. More than 70 different vendors from around the area populate the market and there is a ton of variety in the type of things you can get here.
