Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Boston

Somerville decorates to the nines with some of the best Christmas light displays and holiday lights in Greater Boston! Photo by Andrew Malone/CC BY 2.0
Somerville decorates to the nines with some of the best Christmas light displays and holiday lights in Greater Boston! Photo by Andrew Malone/CC BY 2.0
11/17/23 - By Kelley Heyworth

Some families in Boston create spectacular neighborhood Christmas light displays and holiday lights. Some of us leave the lights (and the glory) to the neighbors. Next time you have a free evening, pack some hot chocolate in a thermos, buckle up the kids, and visit these joyful dwellings. Between the beautiful lights and the charities that many of these families support with their efforts, It's sure to inspire holiday spirit—and maybe some ideas for your own house!

For more Christmas lights around Boston and the 'burbs, see our guide to the Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows. For more ideas for making merry, see our Boston Holiday Fun Guide.

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Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Boston

1. Robinson Street – Somerville

The annual Illuminations Tour along Robinson Road and connecting streets is back in full swing this year! On December 8, the Somerville Arts Council will release its map of the houses that shine the brightest, so pack up the car and take a tour yourself. Join in the festivities by participating in city-wide caroling or taking part in the community lantern project.

2. Meadowview Road – Readville/Hyde Park

This house shines with flashing Christmas lights, and the yard is bedecked with lit-up trees and characters (including Mickey). Check back for the official kick-off day!

3. Adams Street – Dorchester

On Adams Street near Victory Road, the Nguyen family's annual show includes neon lighting, more than 20,000 lights, and a handcrafted manger.

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights North of Boston

4. 2nd Avenue – Middleton

The Stickney House hosts an annual Christmas Light Extravaganza, special for the lights strung up the dozens of trees on the forested, hillside property. There's twinkly reindeer, illuminated snowmen and Santas, and more. The lights will be lit from Thanksgiving through New Years Day.

5. Linebrook Road – Ipswich

Down the road from Marini Farm, the Galicki family has been lighting up their property for years with glittery snowmen, giant ornaments, and more "cozy winter"-themed decor. There's candy cane-lined driveway, the Grinch, nutcrackers, and more.

Photo of holiday light show on Greater Boston home.
Many houses in the Lynn Fells Parkway area are decked out in lights. Photo by Anthony92931 via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

6. Lynn Fells Parkway – Saugus

Residents along Lynn Fells Parkway have been lighting up their lawns for the past half-century, and the illuminated extravaganza seems to shine brighter every year. Many Boston families, especially north of town, make an annual drive on the Parkway between Melrose to Route 1 to see the show. There are reindeers, candy canes, rooftop displays, and more to see.

7. Tobey Lane – Andover

The Dunne Light Show offers red and green lights flashing in time to favorite Christmas tunes, from The Nutcracker to the Griswold's Christmas Vacation theme song. Tune into 87.9 and bring donations for the Lawrence YMCA Food Pantry.

8. Railroad Avenue – Beverly

Look for projected Christmas scenes, Mickey and Minnie, and an illuminated fence, among other twinkling details, at Railroad and Hardy Street. Beverly shines brightly on McKay Street and Cornell Road too.

Image of house with spectacular light display - Best neighborhood Christmas light displays
The Lossmans in Billerica host a truly spectacular lights show. Photo courtesy of the Lights in Lossmans/Facebook

9. Biscayne Drive – Billerica

The lights at Lossman House stretch widely across the street-front property. The display includes charming details, like a miniature Christmas tree village. Check out their Facebook page for updates on Santa visits. This holiday season the light show will be collecting donations for the Marcus family. 

10. Bainbridge Street – Malden

​The same family that has been spooking locals out with scary Halloween decor in recent years is perhaps even better known for their holiday light displays. Look for a lot of lights in traditional white, red, and green, as well as illuminated wreaths, snowmen, and Santa.Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Boston

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights South of Boston

11. Buckingham Road – Milton

No silent night here. Animatronic penguins named Rollie and Dan "lip sync" holiday tunes at the Schmidt home, and it's not rare to see a child dancing along outside. There's also Santa, white lights mimicking snow, and other wonders at the property, which is decked out early and often each day through the holiday season.

12. Lilah Lane – Pembroke

Tune your radio for music to go along with a drive to see several inflated figurines and layered strands of twinkly lights in this spacious suburban yard. The neighborhood lights display are set to music at 93.1FM. Owners collect donations for local organizations each year.

13. Furlong Circle – Lakeville

Some homes shine with old-fashioned glitz, but others, like this gem in Lakeville, take holiday lighting into the 21st century. Owners of the Crazy Tech Christmas display have special software to create a light show that stretches across the family's large lawn, with strobe effects and music transmitted to 87.9 FM station. They have even set up a webpage for visitors to let you know if the lights are fully on and functioning.

Spectacular Neighborhood Holiday Lights West of Boston

14. Bonvini Drive – Framingham

This lovely suburban house lined with sparkly lights features rows and rows of towering, red- and green-lit trees, too. Tune in to 88.1 to listen to holiday music that accompanies the computer-controlled light show.

15. Orchard Lane– Topsfield

When the Arthur Street light display retired this year, they donated all of their lights to Orchard Lane. This year the light display has doubled in size to display over 100,000 lights! The lights switch on for this walk-through show on November 24 at 6:30pm, rain date November 25. This year they will be collecting donations for the Boston Children's Hospital.

Photo of decorated houses - Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays in Boston
These holiday light displays in Boston will make things merry and so very bright! Photo by Kelley Heyworth for Mommy Poppins

16. Pleasant Street – Belmont

For years, neighboring families living at the intersection of Pleasant and Munroe in Belmont have had a friendly competition of Christmas displays. It's fun to take the kids and have them decide which they like best. The 400 block of Pleasant Street is where you can take in the bright lights. In the past, Number 441 shined in the evergreen tree department; number 429 had the most fun figurines. 

Updated December 2022, November 2023

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