The holiday season is upon us. If you are looking to see festive light displays in the city, check out some of these great spots.

Holiday Lights on Boston Common

This is the official city tree lighting. With Mayor Michelle Wu preparing to light the tree on Thursday, Dec. 4, the official Christmas tree will be lit at 7:55 p.m., at the close of a celebration that starts at 6 p.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5 at 7 p.m.

Fun fact: the tree is from Nova Scotia. This is the 54th year that the Canadian province has donated a tree to the city as a token of the 108-year-old friendship with the people of Boston.

boston.gov/calendar/boston-common-tree-lighting

Commonwealth Avenue Mall Holiday Lights

Known as one of the biggest annual Christmas lights installations in the city, this special lighting will happen after the Boston Tree Lighting ceremony at 8 p.m on Thursday, Dec. 4. Community members are encouraged to join the City of Boston and the Friends of the Public Garden for this occasion.

Fun fact: the legendary light display happened thanks to the all-volunteer Committee to Light the mall. In 2022, the committee joined with the Friends of the Public Garden, creating a new Commonwealth Avenue Mall Enhancement Committee. The partnership helps to raise the funds to keep the tradition going year after year, along with continuing the care of the park.

boston.gov/calendar/2025-lighting-commonwealthavenue-mall

St. Mark Christmas Tree Blessing & Lighting

Join St. Mark Church in Dorchester to celebrate the season on Friday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate the parish’s Christmas tree lighting. The event will feature the church blessing and a warm cup of cocoa. It will be held at St. Mark Plaza, at 1725 Dorchester Ave.

saintmarkdorchester.org

Holiday Drone Show on The Common

Every Saturday through Dec. 20, you can return to Boston Common for an amazing night of light and music. Presented by Meet Boston and the City of Boston, the event will showcase spectacular drone displays at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

meetboston.com/event/holiday-drone-show-on-thecommon/87966

Prudential Center’s 31 Nights of Light

In its 17th year, the Prudential Center will celebrate 31 Nights of Light to put a figurative spotlight on participating nonprofit organizations. For the month of December, you can check out the lights on the top of the Prudential Tower. It will be lit a different color in support of that night’s partner (which includes 28 local nonprofits and three holidays). When New Year’s Eve comes, the tower will have been lit up 31 times.

prudentialcenter.com/experiences/events/31-nights-of-light/

Light Up Seaport

This event is another place to see some beautiful lights for the holiday season. On Friday, Dec. 5, you can look at the lights, listen to Christmas songs, visit the Snowport Holiday Market and see Betty the Yeti. The biggest tree in the city will be there, and it will be lit at 7:20 p.m. If you can’t make it in person, it will also be broadcast live on WBZ-TV/CBS from 7 to 7:30 p.m.

bostonseaport.xyz/event/light-up-seaport

Seaport Menorah Lighting Celebration

In partnership with Chabad of Downtown Boston, the Seaport will celebrate Hanukkah with a special Menorah Lighting celebration on Sunday, Dec. 21. Attendees can eat traditional treats, including kosher jelly donuts and chocolate gelt. The event is at One Seaport Courtyard from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

bostonseaport.xyz/event/menorah-lighting