Home Vida L I G H T IT UP – Holiday TIME FINE

L I G H T IT UP – Holiday TIME FINE

by Komal Patel
Boston Christmas Tree Lighting

Gahhhhhh. Can you believe that December is in just a few days! Where the hell did this year go?!

Have you put up your tree yet? J and I like to wait until after December 1st has hit. It helps us get into the spirit.

None of this Christmas tree up at Thanksgiving shit for us. Christmas is in DECEMBER after all.

Anyways.

Although I am not religious, Christmas time – or should I say the holiday season, is one of my favorite times of year, especially now that I have moved back to Boston.

It just didn’t feel like Christmas in San Diego with the warm weather and sunshine.

There is something about the cold against my cheeks, a cup of warm cocoa and lights illuminating against the dark night sky that just GETS ME.

I cannot wait until the city lights up with red and green and there are wreaths and holly everywhere!

There are so many events going on in Massachusetts it’s hard to track them all. J and I really want to attend some type of lighting.

If you live in MA I have you covered for all the lighting/holiday events below. OR if you live in the New England area perhaps make a quick trip here to attend also!


Methuen Festival of Trees (Methuen)

The Festival of Trees has been a marvel of the Merrimack Valley for over two decades. Featuring over 240 trees, wreaths, and displays you could win, this family celebration has something for everyone.

November 18–December 2,Weekdays 5-9 p.m. Weekends 10am- 9 p.m.

Edaville Festival of Lights (Carver)

Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is one of the most-loved festivals of its kind, with generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax in warm, dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides, Thomas Land rides, and a visit with Santa. Enjoy a meal or seasonal treats while roaming Edaville’s sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds, featuring thousands of Christmas displays.

November 18–January 1, 4pm to 8pm

Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Festival of Trees (Wellesley)

The Festival of Trees, displayed in the Hunnewell Carriage House, offers beautifully decorated holiday trees that are donated and decorated by local businesses, garden clubs, and individuals. Visitors “vote” with their raffle tickets, in hopes of being the tree winner at the end of the festival. Visitors can enjoy the decorated buildings and grounds at Elm Bank with a stroll or a horse-drawn wagon ride. For the young at heart, there is a pajama story time, Santa visits, and kids’ craft workshops.

November 24–December 10, times vary

ZooLights at Stone Zoo (Stoneham)

 ZooLights promises to dazzle visitors of all ages this holiday season. Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to bald eagles, Canada lynx, reindeer, and arctic foxes. Plus, meet Stone Zoo’s reindeer up close during nightly photo opportunities.

November 24–December 3, 5–9 p.m.

First Light Brookline (Brookline)

 First Light started 18 years ago in Brookline’s Washington Square, when several businesses came together to spread holiday cheer by hanging snowflakes in their storefront windows. These glowing flakes illuminated the square, signaling the start of the holiday season. Over the years, First Light has grown into the town’s annual winter festival, showcasing the talents of local artists, musicians, and performers at businesses and other venues throughout Brookline.

November 30, 5–8 p.m.

Frog Pond Skating Spectacular and Tree Lighting (Boston)

Join the Skating Club of Boston at the Boston Common Frog Pond for a free world-class figure skating ice show featuring national and international figure skaters, synchronized skating, and Theatre On Ice teams. Following the show, join Mayor Marty Walsh for the Boston Common tree lighting ceremony.

November 30, 5–6 p.m.

Downtown Haverhill Christmas Stroll (Haverhill)

This year’s event will start with a holiday hat parade. Businesses will host activities, including face painting, cookie decorating, and a visit to Santa’s workshop. The event will also include an opportunity to step into a life-size snow globe, a photo-op with some minions, and a holiday train ride! To promote the spirit of the season, wandering carolers and a saxophone quartet will perform holiday songs and music. And, of course, Santa will be on hand to light the Christmas tree!

December 2, 2–6 p.m.

The North End

Celebrity Christmas Carolers—including Mix 104.1’s Kennedy Elsey, Rich DiMare, and Louie Bello—will entertain as the tree lights up at 6 p.m. Afterwards, enjoy the North End’s decorations as you wander the Holiday Stroll. Nineteen shops, boutiques, galleries, pop-ups, and more will be open for shopping and snacking in this holiday celebration of the historic North End.

Friday, December 1, 6-11 p.m., corner of Cross Street and Hanover Street, Boston

Mayor’s 2017 Enchanted Trolley Tour

If you’re really ready to dive into the holiday season, tour Boston with Mayor Walsh’s Enchanted Trolley. Over the weekend, the trolley will stop at 16 different locations around the Greater Boston area, arriving at holiday performances, tree lightings, and visits with Santa along the way. “Our holiday trolley tour and tree lightings provide some of the best family memories of the year, building community spirit throughout Boston and bringing a little extra joy to residents during the holiday season,” said Mayor Walsh in a press release. The poster listing the full schedule of trolley stops can be found on Boston’s website.

December 1-3, times & locations vary

Somerville

Music will entertain guests just before the tree lighting. Afterwards, children can meet Santa at the Somerville High School and even receive an early gift from Old Saint Nick. Refreshments will be available.

Thursday, December 7, 5:30 p.m., City Hall Concourse, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville.

Beacon Hill

Charles Street will close so that guests can wander the quintessential Beacon Hill neighborhood, enjoying refreshments, shopping, and horse and buggy rides. Victorian Carolers and a strolling brass quintet will provide holiday cheer throughout the evening, and at 7 p.m., Santa will light the tree at the corner of Charles and Mount Vernon Streets.

Thursday, December 7, 6-9 p.m., Charles Street, Boston


Schedules courtesy of City Moms Blog & Boston Magazine  

xx

K

Sweet and Masala 

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15 comments

Renee A November 29, 2017 - 12:44 pm

Thank you for this! I didn’t know you live in Boston; I live about 25 minutes from the city!

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Komal Patel November 29, 2017 - 3:05 pm

omg really?! Where at? yay! well I hope this was helpful for you!

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Iriediva November 29, 2017 - 1:33 pm

Even though I’m from Jamaica I do love a cold Christmas too! It’s so magical when the whole place is lot up ???? ????

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Komal Patel November 29, 2017 - 3:04 pm

Right! Something about a white Christmas that is so magical!

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Paired with Prosecco November 29, 2017 - 3:26 pm

Love this post!! Thanks so much for sharing! Wishing you a happy holiday!

Reply
Courtney Bentley November 29, 2017 - 8:51 pm

Thank you for all of these tips!
Courtney Bentley || http://www.courtneyvioletbentley.com

Reply
Jaimi November 29, 2017 - 10:26 pm

We wait until December too for the tree to go up – although we did put up a snowman garden decoration to surprise our daughter today haha.

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Komal Patel November 30, 2017 - 1:39 pm

That is so sweet!

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Shruthi Rajashekar December 1, 2017 - 12:13 am

Wow can you do one of these for Austin please haha! This is amazing! I love this time of the year <3

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Komal Patel December 1, 2017 - 8:14 pm

Hahaha yes. On it!

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Jennifer Quattrucci December 1, 2017 - 12:24 am

I absolutely agree and we wait until December to put up our tree and all the decorations. It’s true Christmas in New England is extra fun and I always like to visit the North End and we also love Beacon Hill and Zoolights. Thank you so much for all the recommendations and this lovely post!

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Komal Patel December 1, 2017 - 8:14 pm

What is zoolights?! Never heard of it!

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Christine Kong December 2, 2017 - 4:32 am

I totally get your point about the Christmas tree. I put ours up the weekend after Thanksgiving. I wanted to get it up so we can make it last. How fun that there are so many holiday activities going on there. I wish I could visit and do some of these things too! Thanks for sharing! xoxo, Christine

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Thomas Falkenstedt December 3, 2017 - 4:38 pm

Despite living Upstate NY for quite some time in my teens I never visited Boston and it is hence on my list. I would love to visit it during Christmas to see all these beautiful lights. As for Christmas trees, we go by the same rule. Or actually almost the same rule. The first Sunday in December every year. 🙂
Thomas xx

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Aimara December 4, 2017 - 3:07 pm

I love the Holiday season! Here in Chicago is beautiful too!
Would love to visit Boston during this time of the year 🙂
XO
Aimara
http://www.waysofstyle.com

Reply

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