New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 in Boston is bursting with New Year activities, day and night! First Night Boston photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.
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New Year's Eve in Boston brings some magical and fun celebrations for kids, in the day and at night. Copley Square Ice sculpture photo by Bob P.B. via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
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The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
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Holiday Sing-Along with Phil Berman & Sarah Nolan. Photo courtesy of the event.
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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Boston

Make the season bright with best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Boston! Naumkeag Winterlights photo by Stephanie Zollshan Photography, courtesy of The Trustees of Reservations
Make the season bright with best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Boston! Naumkeag Winterlights photo by Stephanie Zollshan Photography, courtesy of The Trustees of Reservations
11/24/24 - By N Ferreira

The best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Boston are here for 2024! While Boston families may favor different holiday traditions, everyone can rejoice in the magic of holiday lights. And boy, has the magic of Christmas lights returned in style. The Festival of Trees at Elm Bank lights up the trees in Wellesley. Winterlights brightens the skies over Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex. Even the animals are taking part in the festivities at Stone Zoo in Stoneham and the Southwick Zoo in Mendon.

Enjoy this season and the magic of lights with your family at one of these holiday light shows (maybe even bring a cup of cocoa for the road). There are more amazing displays with Spectacular Neighborhood Holiday Lights and Christmas Lights in Boston. For more holiday and Christmas activities, plan ahead with our Holidays and Christmas Activities Guide for Boston Kids.

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The Stone Zoo's holiday light displays are a Boston treasure. Photo courtesy of the Stone Zoo
The Stone Zoo's holiday light displays are a Boston treasure. Photo courtesy of the Stone Zoo

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows - Around Boston

ZooLights at Stone Zoo

Stoneham
November 15, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Enjoy a one-way stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to black bears, bald eagle, Canada lynx, reindeer, and arctic foxes. This year, several illuminated large-scale lantern displays will light up your winter's night. READ MORE

2024 Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park

Boston — FREE
Monday, November 25, 2024
Witness the wonder of the 21st annual holiday lighting of the signature trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End. The historic waterfront will be transformed into a stunning holiday display when the park’s 260 feet of trellis are illuminated with 50,000 blue lights. READ MORE

16th Annual Festival of Trees at Elm Bank

Wellesley
Thursdays - November 29 - December 29, 2024
Families are invited to the Garden at Elm Bank this holiday season to experience a festive wonderland! The illuminated walking path leads through lighted gardens, a captivating train display, and enchanting historic trees. READ MORE

2024 Lighting of the Ship in Martin’s Park

Boston— FREE
Saturday, November 30, 2024
A special children’s celebration will be held at the Smith Family Waterfront, and the ship will be lit for the third annual holiday in Martin’s Park. Martin’s Park will be transformed into a magical holiday display when the ship, surrounding beach fencing, and pedestrian bridge are illuminated with over 1,500 feet of blue and white tube lights. READ MORE
Christmas Festival of Lights at La Salette. Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Christmas Festival of Lights at La Salette. Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows - Greater Boston

Edaville: Christmas Festival of Lights

Carver
November 8 -December 29, 2024
New England’s most memorable holiday tradition, The Christmas Festival of Lights, brings back the magic this holiday season with steam trains, Christmas lights, Santa, and vintage amusement rides. READ MORE

Southwick Zoo Winter Wonderland

Mendon
November 21 - December 29, 2024
This year’s Winter Wonderland guests will enjoy two events in one. Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination will feature a ride through an enchanted forest on Santa's train. READ MORE

Christmas Festival of Lights at La Salette

Attleborough — FREE
Daily November 23, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Celebrate La Salette Shrine Light's 72nd year. The lights have been shining brightly each year at Christmastime since 1953. See over 2,000 manger scenes from around the world illuminated by 400,000 lights and more. READ MORE

Winterlights - Naumkeag

Stockbridge, North Andover, and Canton
November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Enjoy a magical outdoor experience and get in the holiday spirit and take a stroll through thousands of shimmering holiday lights. Food and refreshments will also be available. READ MORE

Winter Lights on Cape Ann

Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex— FREE
November 30, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Pack up the car and enjoy the annual Winter Lights Celebration on Cape Ann. Local businesses throughout Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex are getting into the festive spirit by decorating their establishments with twinkling lights and/or creative window displays.  READ MORE

Night Lights: Color Cascade at New England Botanic Garden

Boylston
November 30, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Visitors to the New England Botanic Garden can experience the magic of the season with a breathtaking winter light display, unmatched in the region. This year’s event, Night Lights: Color Cascade, offers a one-of-a-kind winter experience, guiding guests through a dazzling journey of glowing lights in every imaginable color. READ MORE
See the spectacular holiday lights at NightWoods this Christmas. NightWoods photo courtesy of edithwharton.org
See the spectacular holiday lights at NightWoods this Christmas. NightWoods photo courtesy of edithwharton.org

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows Worth the Drive

NightWood

Lenox
November 22, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Enjoy the fifth year of an ethereal winter landscape inspired by The Mount’s unique architecture and history. NightWood combines music, lighting, and theatrical elements to create seven unique scenes that evoke feelings of wonder, mystery, and magic. READ MORE

Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, NH
November 28, 2024 - January 5, 2025
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is trading in the checkered flags for more than 3.5 million twinkly LED lights for their 11th annual Gift of Lights. Passengers will cruise through 2.5 miles of lights at this drive-thru experience, including the Tunnel of Lights. READ MORE

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