Boston around the holidays is a magical place to spend time with family and make some unforgettable memories. From holiday shows and markets to twinkling lights and decorations everywhere and an array of fantastic family-friendly activities, those giddy and joyful holiday feels are just around the corner!
Continue on to learn more about our favorite holiday activities for you and your family just minutes away from our ideally located Seaport hotel.
Family-Friendly Holiday Activities in Boston
Dazzling Light Shows
The city is always glowing with light, but its glow is even more extravagant and spectacular during the holiday season. With tree lighting ceremonies in every neighborhood, and twinkling lights adorning every park and street corner, there’s no shortage of dazzling lights to be seen around the city.
-
Columbus Park Trellis
During this spectacular display, the Mayor turns on the 50,000 glowing blue and white LED bulbs along the 260-foot trellis and 14 nearby trees in Christopher Columbus Park (110 Atlantic Ave)—a mere 10 minutes from our Seaport hotel. Transforming the waterfront park into a magical light garden through the holiday season. This year, the family-friendly ceremony will have music, entertainment, and refreshments, plus the opportunity to join in singing classic holiday hits before the lighting ceremony.
-
Faneuil Marketplace
For those families who really want to be dazzled during their Boston getaway, check out the grandest light show in town, Blink!, at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This light show consists of 350,000 golden LED bulbs adorning the huge trees throughout the market area and music from the Boston Pops’ Holiday Pops concert.
-
Boston Common Holiday Tree Lighting
The Mayor, accompanied by Santa and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will light the sum 7,000 bulbs at 7:55 pm, followed by lights on 80+ other trees throughout the Common and the Public Garden, officially ringing in the start of the holiday season!
Local groups will provide refreshments, music, and entertainment.
Holiday Markets
Our annual holiday markets are a great place to find good fun for the whole family! Our markets have it all, from delicious treats and warm cider and hot cocoa to great artisanal shopping to fun games and workshops!
-
SoWa Winter Festival & Holiday Market
Enjoy hot mulled wine, Bailey’s hot cocoa, and plenty of tasty food during this highly anticipated market. At the same time, you explore SoWa’s festive winter shopping village – it’s the biggest Holiday Market in Boston this year.
From live ice sculpting along Thayer Street to holiday DIY workshops at nearby shops to the over 130 vendors, galleries, artist studios, and boutiques that turn out for this event, it’s the perfect way to get all your holiday shopping done in one place while enjoying a festive family-friendly event.
Dates/Hours: December 6, 6 pm – 10 pm, Dec 7, 10 am – 8 pm, and Dec 8, 10 am – 6 pm. This event also features free admission and takes place along 460 and 500 Harrison Ave, in Boston’s South End. For more info, visit the SoWa website.
-
Snowport
Seaport’s popular European-style Winter Holiday Market at Snowport returns from November 19 through January 2 to light up the holiday season with shopping, fun activities, food, and beverages.
The market will feature 100+ small businesses selling art, jewelry, home goods, apparel, and other gifts and crafts. In addition, seasonal treats such as hot chocolate, freshly-made waffles, craft beer, and more will also be available.
Not to mention, the Snowport Holiday Wonderland & Outdoor Game Center will also be open this season for some extreme fun! Snowport features fun outdoor play options for all ages: including iceless curling, light-up Bocce, and large-scale versions of classic games such as Battleship, Jenga, KanJam, and more.
Dates/Hours: November 19 – January 2. This event also features free admission and takes place at 21 Dry Dock Ave in Boston’s Seaport District.
-
Christmas Craft Fair at Old South Church
Lovers of finely crafted beeswax candles, turned wood, and sparkling blown glass know to arrive early at Old South Church’s Christmas Fair, where 30 New England artists and artisans will offer some of their finest work on one day only.
After you leave the market, plenty more fantastic shopping opportunities await you along Newbury and Boston Streets.
Dates/Hours: December 7, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. This event features free admission and is located at Gordon Chapel in Old South Church, 645 Boston Street (corner of Dartmouth and Boston) at Copley Square in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.
Stay the Night at Seaport
Our Hampton Inn Hotel is perfect for an overnight stay, while our Homewood Suites in the same building are perfect for families looking for apartment-style living. When you arrive at our hotel, you’ll be greeted by our new, custom-designed sculpture titled Arrival. This beautiful and unique work of art will welcome you into our space while paying homage to the area’s maritime roots and the flourishing creative community that makes the Seaport District so special. Stay at our Seaport Hotel to enjoy your holiday getaway to the lively and magical city of Boston!
Ready to book your stay at our new Seaport hotel? Book now!
Book Now
Endless adventures by land or sea await you at the Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Seaport. Book an elevated room or an apartment-style suite today!
Plan an Event
From corporate meetings to weddings and beyond, let us be the destination for your next event.
