Boston Buzz: Festive Christmas Activities in Boston

Top: Loft (last year, similar here) Pants: J.Crew Factory Shoes: Sam Edelman Purse: Gucci   See original post here

I absolutely love the holiday season in Boston! The wreaths hung on brownstone doors, the many tree lighting and of course beautiful tunes of the Boston Pops. If you are one of my many readers that lives in Boston or the area, today I’m sharing a list of festive activities to celebrate Christmas in our city. From free events to Christmas shows that would make a great gift, doing just one of these things is sure to get even the biggest grinch in the Christmas spirit. I’ll be going to as many as I can… and maybe that’s why my husband calls me Buddy the Elf 🙂

Holiday Shows or Performances (Would make a great gift for someone special!)

Boston Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops– Shows run from December 5th to December 24th. A holiday tradition in Boston, MJD and I try to go every year. Tickets range from $33 to $160.

Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker– Running from November 24th to December 31st, the Nutcracker is obviously another traditional holiday show. Showing in the stunning Boston Opera House.

Elf The Musical– As soon as I saw this show was visiting this year, I knew we had to go! The musical based on the movie we all love is playing at the Wang (aka the Boch Center) from November 28th to December 10th.

Festive Outdoor Activities

Blink Music & Light Show at Faneuil Hall– A synchronized music and light show that takes place every day starting at 4 PM on the every half hour through January 1st.

Ice Skating at Boston Common’s Frog Pond– The skating rink at Boston Common is officially open and is a great low-cost activity to celebrate the season.

Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll– One of my favorite holiday events each year- strolling Beacon Hill complete with carolers, the adorable decorations we all know and love in Beacon Hill and shops passing out festive cocktails. It is a great way to get some shopping in. Oh and there is a tree lighting on Charles Street as well! The stroll is December 7th this year.

Boston Winter Skating Path & Holiday Market– City Hall Plaza is being transformed into a winter wonderland for the second year with an amazing ice skating path and a great holiday market for shopping local vendors. I am hoping to convince MJD to go ice skating there this year 🙂

SoWa Winter Festival– If you’ve been to the SoWa market before, their holiday version is super festive and just as fun with lots of local vendors, food trucks, musicians. The market runs December 2nd and December 3rd starting at 11 AM.

Cozy Indoor Holiday Activities

Hot Cocoa Bar at the Ritz Carlton– On Saturdays in December, sip hot cocoa at the Ritz Carlton Boston next to a roaring fireplace and with an assortment of sweet treats and pastries. I had the chance to preview this a few weeks ago and it would be such a fun afternoon with family (it is kid friendly!) or with girlfriends for some spiked hot cocoa. Also a great way to warm up after skating at the Frog Pond near by 🙂

Holiday Tea at the Boston Public Library Courtyard– One of my favorite mother-daughter experiences I’ve ever had in Boston (attending afternoon tea at the BPL- see more here), the special holiday edition of tea begins on November 24th running through December 30th.

Fireside Cocktails at Bastille– Bastille’s ski chalet inspired bar is super cozy all winter long, but especially during December. Grab a cocktail with your honey on Friday, Saturday or Sunday night starting at 9 PM.

If you live in Boston, what’s your favorite holiday activity in the city? If you don’t live here, tell me what your city does special to celebrate the holidays in the comments!

xoxo, Jenna

Photography by Stephanie Krist