December is a big month for family weekend celebrations in and around Boston.
We have attended the first lights show at Boston Common this year – the Trees at Faneuil Hall, Seaport, Macy’s and Copley Square are also all lit up to enjoy throughout the month.
Hanukkah starts on December 2nd this year and on the fourth night, December 5th, Museum of Fine Arts Boston offers a Festival of Lights celebration with music, art and family activities starting at 4:30 pm with community candle lighting at 6:30pm. Check full program here. (Museum is open until 10pm on Wednesdays with “pay what you can” entrance policy).
The MFA will also host its customary December school vacation week activities December 26-December 31, 2018. This year’s programs is themed to New Year’s celebrations around the world. Check the schedule here.
The Nutcracker at the Boston Ballet (Boston Opera House, November 29- December 30).
The audience also gave a very special standing welcome to the newly-appointed Music Director Mischa Santora who led the Boston Ballet Orchestra for the first time in his new role.
*FUN FACT: Nissinen’s Nutcracker marks the first time Boston Ballet built a production entirely from “scratch” – or rather sketches by designer Robert Perdziola- by craftsmen from all over the United States?
(Last year we attended media Dress Rehearsal and witnessed a creative process (Read our report here).
There is a special Student Night (December 6) and Corporate Night (December 12). For all details and casting info visit Boston Ballet’s website.
There are several other versions of the Nutcracker happening in Boston, including the Urban Nutcracker (December 20-30, Shubert Thearter).
New This Year: Boston Pops Children’s Chorus!
Each December Beloved Boston Pops Orchestra performs special family-friendly Kids Matinees holidays concerts with musical story-telling, sing-alongs and post-concert photo opportunities. Here is our newly updated report from our Boston Pops Kids Matinee (remaining performance days in December 2018: December 15, 16,18, 22, 23 and 24th).
This year, the weekend of December 29-30 at the Symphony will be devoted to Home Alone in Concert.
The Gardens Aglow celebrations at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich is a good reason to visit Cape Cod in the winter. On December weekends (check the link above for exact dates and times) the holiday lights transform this largest Southern New England garden into winter wonderland with the distinct New England “heritage” flair.
We visited on the opening weekend last year and saw a model train passing through the Cape Cod Canal in the special exhibit gallery, admired traditional holiday table designs by local artists, climbed the antique car in the permanent exhibit hall, and of course rode the historical carousel until closing time. For details and tickets, check the website.
You can also enjoy magically lit up winter gardens at several historical estates in the care of Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. This year to extend the season they are starting a new December holiday lights tradition at Naumkeag in Stockbridge and Stevens Coolidge Place in North Andover). All of the details are at thetrustees.org/winterlights.
Blinking at Faneuil Hall- EVERY NIGHT (NOVEMBER 28-JANUARY 1) FREE FUN!
Holiday musical lights show Blink! will light up the Faneuil Hall Marketplace for five weeks (November 28 through January 1). The largest tree in the northeast will have its lights synchronized to music – every night- every half-hour from 4:30 to 10pm! There will also be special holiday weekend performances at Faneuil Hall- All details here.
Frog Pond Skating at Boston Common is officially open!
When you come to America’s oldest public park during the holidays, be sure to stop at the famous Frog Pond for some skating lessons or just to watch from the boards. Check the website for schedule, rentals, and lessons (currently open!).
For families interested in learning about historical Christmas, the Sturbridge Village (about an hour drive west of Boston) presents Christmas by Candlelight celebrations on weekends, November 30- through December 23.
Three of the famous gilded age mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, invite you to tour and admire holiday music and decorations. The three houses – Breakers, The Elms and the Marble House (all are National Historic Landmarks) will be open daily for tours from November 17 through January 1, 2019. Here is the link for tickets and schedules.
ZooLight holiday stroll in Stoneham Zoo (Stoneham, MA) promises a winter wonderland of trees and lights November 23-December 31.
Edaville Railroad in Carver, MA, offers Christmas-lit train rides during its Festival of Lights (through through December 31). Trains run on an hourly schedule.
While a ski weekend with friends and family is always fun skiing day trip within 1-3 hour drive from Boston is a possibility. In the past winters, we enjoyed day trips to Loon and Gunstock Mountains in New Hampshire, and to the Wachusett and a “very” local Blue Hill reservation in Massachusetts (check snow conditions first, of course).
There is so much to do in and around Boston during the holidays, but if you get the cabin-fever over long holiday weekend and yearn go on a road trip, here is our Eastern Townships of Quebec winter weekend ideas; and several holiday ideas in New York City.
In my family, we traditionally spend the New Year’s night at home. For families who like to ring the New Year on the town, the First Night/Day Boston on December 31, 2018- January 1, 2019 continues to be free and open for all and will feature fireworks and special cultural performances and celebrations throughout the city. The detailed schedule is on this website.
It really looks like Boston is pulling out all the stops for the holiday season. Great round up article!
This is a great round up of holiday festivities in Boston. I have been to zoolights and other similar events in other cities, I need to check out Boston one year! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Great ideas for things to do for visiting Boston, a city I visited years ago and would love to return. Have pinned this for future reference. Thanks for sharing!
There is so much happening for the holidays! We always used to go and see the Nutcracker when we were kids and even though I’ve not managed to take my children yet (it’s never been performed in any of the places we’ve lived) I hope I can one day.
Great List! Boston will a good option to set up a vacation for this coming Christmass holiday. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Oh, my goodness you have SO much going on during the holiday season. I wish my town was more festive!
Ooh – I’m intrigued by the Rudolph musical! You really have a wealth of cultural excitement at your fingertips there. I don’t ofen choose puppetry over other art forms, but Hansel and Gretel sounds magical. As does skating on the pond. Thanks for sharing with #CulturedKids!
Such a great list! Haven´t been to Boston yet, but I love The Nutcracker Ballet and Tchaikovsky´s music (seen it in Moscow – was incredible).My daughter would also enjoy Rudolph the Musical. The winter hut looks lovely – must be such a cozy experience.
I can only imagine how charming Boston may be at this time of year, Victoria. I kind of miss the snow and cold weather around Christmas. The Gardens Aglow look very similar to the Enchanted Forest of Light event we have in California. Have a Merry Christmas!
Hello Victoria, winter celebration is a great memory for us. December month is about lighting and music and early start new year. This post is really full of fun and enjoy with music. I love this post. Thanks and keep sharing.