Be Amazed by the Lights
Beginning in November and running through the beginning of January, Faneuil Hall is transformed into a winter wonderland. Blink! is an incredible light and sound show featuring over 350,000 LED lights that illuminate the Boston Skyline. The Holiday Pops adds in the musical magic with performances nightly as the lights that encompass the famous open marketplace seemingly dance to the music. Nightly shows run every half hour and are open to spectators of all ages.
Celebrate the Holidays
To help commemorate the start of the holiday season, Boston’s mayor hosts the annual tree lighting ceremony in Boston Common. Join in the festivities as the mayor officially flips the switch, turning on the lights on the tree that is given as a gift to the city each year from Nova Scotia. The beauty of the season comes to life as the special tree is illuminated as well other trees throughout the Common and Boston Garden. The event is scheduled for the first Thursday in December. There is also be a special ice skating show at Frog Pond prior to the lighting ceremony.
Break Out Your Inner Figure Skater
One of Boston’s most well loved spots for ice-skating, Frog Pond in Boston Common is a must-do winter activity. Adults and children of all ages can strap on their ice skates and enjoy the exhilaration of this popular winter sport. Guests can rent ice skates and seasonal passes are available for purchase. Public skating, skating lessons and several special events and programs are available throughout the winter, including a world-class figure skating ice show. The Frog Pond Café offers a place to warm up with snacks, sandwiches and soups as well as hot and cold beverages.
Party Into the New Year
Yearly on December 31, venture out into some of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods for an annual celebration of the New Year. First Night draws a crowd, spread out among numerous indoor and outdoor locations throughout the city of Boston. Artists, musicians and performers round out this day-long event. There are also extravagant ice sculptures, fireworks, entertainers and a family festival in the Copley Square area. All First Night events are free and open to the public.
Root for the Home Team
December is an exciting month for sports fans. From ice hockey with the Bruins to basketball with the Celtics and football with the Patriots, cheering can be heard throughout the city of Boston. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, everyone can join in the excitement of a win. You can catch hockey and basketball at TD Garden; the pig skin is thrown around in Gillette Stadium.
Beat the Cold
Boston winters can be pretty brutal with snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Don’t let the elements ruin your vacation through; there are still plenty of things to do around the city. Some of the best sites are indoor museums, and Boston has plenty of them. Make a stop at the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the largest in the United States, for collections ranging from prints and drawings to jewelry. The New England Aquarium is a great option for animal lovers. Check out loggerhead turtles, green anacondas, African penguins and more. And for the curious ones, there’s the Museum of Science. The museum features various temporary exhibits throughout the year, accompanied by permanent exhibits dedicated to birds, fossils and dinosaurs, world maps, natural mysteries and many other intriguing topics.
