Although the month of December should be festive and joyful, Boston’s unpredictable weather might pose a threat in ruining some of the fun. The days can seem short and overwhelmingly cold, but don’t let this dampen your holiday spirit! All over Boston, bright and festive lights will sparkle, the shops and streets will be crowded with eager shoppers, and winter activities will be in full swing. The holiday season is a very exciting time to be in Boston as the city prepares for the upcoming winter. A lot of events and concerts are dominated by Christmas and Hanukkah themes, but Boston also goes all out to celebrate the upcoming New Year. In this blog, we will give some suggestions on the activities you and your family can enjoy over the month of December!
One of the top things to do in Boston during December is to go shopping! Not only are other shoppers and shop owners in a festive spirit, but the stores themselves are decorated lavishly with holiday lights and colorful decorations, making the whole shopping experience even more worthwhile. Some of the top recommendations for shopping in Boston are Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (especially with the Christmas tree lit up), Newbury Street, and the Prudential as they have shops to appeal to everyone’s tastes. However, some of the more historic areas such as the North End, the South End, Beacon Hill, and Harvard Square have beautiful little boutiques, and other unique stores that you are not likely to find anywhere else so it is definitely worth the time to explore and shop in these areas. Although shopping is extremely fun it can also be exhausting throughout the day, so check out this guide for holiday shopping in Boston!
On the other hand, the December weather of Boston can sometimes be unpredictable, with strong winds and snow piling on the streets all of a sudden. We understand that this might put off some people from being out in the cold and seeking comfort in a warm place, but this can also be the perfect time to venture out and watch a play, a concert, or even go to a museum! It should come as no surprise that winter time coincides with the highest demand for theater in Boston, as going to a show is a favorite among the Boston winter activities. Whether you want to go to the Opera House, the Charles Playhouse, or the Paramount Theatre, there are bound to be many special offers and discounts, and you can check those deals out by clicking the link here. Don’t miss out on the classics such as the Boston POPs or the Nutcracker!
If the idea of watching a show does not appeal to you, then we suggest you have a family day at one of the many museums around Boston! When the weather is particularly nasty outside, Boston has over 30+ museums with exhibits sure to satisfy whatever your interests are. Some examples of museums are the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. Check out this guide on Boston Museums to help make up your mind about which one to visit!
For the more adventurous folks, an activity that can be a lot of fun for the whole family is to simply frolic in the snow! When the snow starts to fall throughout December, we recommend that you go outside to spend some time enjoying the glittery reflection of sunlight on the snow during the day, or the wonderful illumination of holiday lights on the snow at night. Moreover, one of the most popular activities for both kids and adults is to make a snowman! There will definitely not be a shortage of snow, and two popular spots for building a snowman is the Boston Common or the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Don’t forget to use your wildest imagination as there will be plenty of time to enjoy the creation before it melts away! Apart from building a snowman, a lot of people love to simply take photos and capture the idyllic parts of Boston covered in snow. Some of the best places for photos are along the Charles River, the Boston Esplanade, the Bay Village, and the North End.
If you are looking for something more physical yet not too rigorous, why not go ice skating at the Frog Pond? Whether you go in the afternoon or at night, you can rent ice skates and spend time twirling and spinning around the rink. Not only are there holiday lights surrounding the rink from the trees above, but wherever you look there are bound to be more decorations and lights for you to enjoy. Kids can enjoy ice skating too under parental supervision, and there is no better activity to instill the festive spirit! For the more experienced and advanced, there are several ski slopes and cross country trails in Massachusetts that you can enjoy. Check this guide out for the ski areas near Boston.
Although all of the tree lightings around Boston have occurred, we would just like to remind you that there are some light events that will be happening all month until the New Year. Firstly, there is the Annual Lighting of the Trellis. Located at Boston’s waterfront, Christopher Columbus Park has been transformed into a beautiful wonderland with over 50,000 blue lights, a true sight to behold. Moreover, there is the 31 Nights of Lights at the Prudential Center. For each night of December, the Prudential Tower will have different sets and colors of light illuminating the tower, with each one representing a different non-profit organization. This is an excellent way of raising awareness, and the holiday season is also the prime time to give back to the community! Next up, there is of course the Blink! at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, an extravagant light show that happens daily from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
If you are planning to stay in Boston for New Years, you cannot miss out on First Night, the most anticipated tradition in Boston! There will be a plethora of festivities and activities starting from 1 pm on New Year’s Eve until midnight. You can watch fireworks, gather around and celebrate the countdown to the New Year, watch the parade down Boylston Street, listen to live music around the main streets, and much more! Learn about what is going on and plan accordingly by clicking the link here!
We hope you all enjoy your winter holiday! Be safe and be merry, and let us know what you get up to this winter!
