The events posted on this website are free and/or sponsored by non-profit organizations and agencies. If you are interested in publishing an event, please contact our Public Relations department below:
Phone: 617-725-0878
Email: printern@whdh.com
December Events
SoWa Winter Festival
Date: December 1st – 22nd, Saturdays/Sundays
Time: 11:00am– 4:00pm
Location: 450 Harrison Avenue, Boston
Link: https://www.sowaartists.com/events
Join the artists of SoWa Artists Guild on Saturdays and Sundays at the SoWa Artists Guild Winter Festival! Studios at 450 Harrison Avenue in Boston’s South End neighborhood will be open to the public. Long recognized as the most exciting art district north of Manhattan, member artists will have on view and available for purchase original paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and other works. Celebrate the creativity of these talented artists and shop directly from them!
Boston Common Tree Lighting
Date: December 5th
Time: 6:00pm– 8:00pm
Location: 139 Tremont Street, Boston
Link: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/boston-common-tree-lighting
Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia will host Boston’s signature holiday celebration, the 82nd annual Boston Common Tree Lighting. The official holiday season kick-off in Boston includes the lighting of the City of Boston’s official Christmas tree and trees throughout Boston Common and the Public Garden. The holiday lights throughout both parks will light up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when Mayor Wu is joined onstage by Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. A sampling village will feature a photo-op, giveaways, and refreshments from several companies while supplies last.
Carolers & Cocoa
Date: December 6th-20th, Fridays
Time: 4:00pm– 6:00pm
Location: Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston
Link: https://www.prudentialcenter.com/experiences/events/carolers-cocoa-2/
What are two must-have ingredients to create holiday cheer? You’re right — caroling and cocoa. Find that unbeatable combination at Prudential Center this December! Just as the weekend arrives, get in the spirit with a cup of hot cocoa and a holiday a cappella quartet by Songful Artists. The carolers are all professional New York City and Boston-based singers with a full repertoire of winter and holiday songs, drawing from the spirit of the season. Carolers and cocoa will be located in Boylston Arcade adjacent to Aritzia.
SoWa First Friday
Date: December 6th
Time: 5:00pm– 9:00pm
Location: 450 Harrison Avenue, Boston
Link: https://www.sowaartists.com/events
On the first Friday of every month, over 80 artists open their studio doors for this monthly New England art event. Make it a night out in the vibrant South End community.
Light Up Seaport
Date: December 6th
Time: 5:00pm– 9:00pm
Location: Seaport Common, 85 Northern Ave, Boston
Link: https://www.bostonseaport.xyz/event/light-up-seaport
Get ready to get your holly jolly on. Celebrate the season in Seaport with holiday tunes, a celeb appearance by Betty the Yeti, and more!
A Litter Mischief: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Musical
Date: December 8th
Time: 4:00pm
Location: Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston
Link: https://www.berklee.edu/BPC/events/a-little-mischief-a-midsummer-nights-dream-musical
The Theater for Young Audiences Ensemble will present an original musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, written and directed by Berklee Theater Arts Collaborative Artistic Director Rene Pfister. The production is orchestrated by Berklee musical theater students and features a ten-piece band, as well as a cast of 26 musical theater performers.
Great Decisions with Dr. Emily Reichert – Climate Technology
Date: December 11th
Time: 6:00pm– 7:30pm
Location: Boston Public Library, Rabb Hall, 700 Boylston Street, Boston
Will the United States and other powerful countries approach current and future climate initiatives with an increased commitment to nationalism? Or could a growing spirit of international accord develop to confront the “common enemy” of climate change? Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of MassCEC and former CEO of Greentown Labs. This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants in the Newsfeed Café.
Newton Children’s Book Festival
Date: December 14th
Time: 10:00am– 2:00pm
Location: New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newtonville
Link: https://newtonchildrensbookfest.com/
Meet 60+ children’s book authors and illustrators at the inaugural Newton Children’s Book Festival at the New Art Center in Newtonville, MA. The Newton Children’s Book Festival is organized by local authors and literacy advocates from Newton, Massachusetts who are passionate about inspiring young readers and celebrating the joy of storytelling in our community. Authors and illustrators are available to sign books.
28th Annual Ciclismo Classico Jingle Ride
Date: December 15th
Time: 10:00am– 2:00pm
Location: Kickstand Café, 594 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington
Come join the Ciclismo Classico Jingle Ride, one of the longest-running Boston holiday sporting events and certainly one of the most colorful. What started as a simple and fun idea to bring some cycling magic to the holidays has evolved into an annual event that many come to year after year. The 18.5-mile ride (round-trip) follows the Minuteman Bikeway and then rolls thru Harvard Square, the Esplanade, Boston Common, Downtown Crossing, Faneuil Hall, and down Newbury Street. The group makes occasional stops to sing carols for passersby and enjoys bringing some unexpected holiday cheer to all who witness the group. For those who love a parade, love to sing, or get a kick out of wearing antlers or a holiday costume, the Jingle Ride is a must for your holiday calendar.
Teen Makers Market
Date: December 15th
Time: 1:00pm– 5:00pm
Location: Time Out Market Boston, 401 Park Drive, Boston
Link: https://www.timeoutmarket.com/boston/event/teen-makers-holiday-market/
Come do some holiday shopping at a Teen Makers Market, a teen-organized event that showcases and shares the handiwork of local teens. Booths will have ceramics, handmade cards, jewelry, crocheted goods, books, bags and more for sale. At the event, there will also be a bin for donations of new or gently used toys, books, clothes, shoes and other supplies for Cradles to Crayons — a wonderful organization that provides essentials to local kids in need. Come support your local teenage artists and also help out others in the community!
First Night Boston
Date: December 31st
Time: 12:00pm– Midnight
Location: City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square, Boston
Link: https://www.timeoutmarket.com/boston/event/teen-makers-holiday-market/
First Night Boston welcomes 2025 with a huge New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks – the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve party! First Night festivities include bedtime-friendly (for those with young children) fireworks over Boston Common at 7pm, spectacular fireworks over Boston Harbor launched across from the North End Waterfront and Seaport at midnight plus a dramatic pyrotechnic show at midnight in Copley Square. In addition, you can also enjoy lots of other family-friendly activities, the traditional People’s Procession parade from Copley Square to the Boston Common, live musical performances, a special ice skating show on the rink at Frog Pond on the Common, and fantastic ice sculptures along the waterfront by renowned artists.