Good news, Bostonians, we have a way for you to embrace the holiday spirit. And it doesn’t involve cooking for four hours, visiting relatives with whom you have little in common, or creating a Pinterest-worthy ornament that’ll leave glitter in every crack and crevice of your home!

No, instead, we suggest a little road trip that connects some of the best Christmas lights in Boston. Load up the car with your favorite people and let the festivities begin!

This drive covers 116 miles and should take approximately 2.5 hours to complete (in light traffic). Click here to access the map for this holiday adventure.

Google Maps
1. ZooLights at Stone Zoo
Facebook/Stone Zoo
Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St, Stoneham, MA 02180, USA
Facebook/Stone Zoo
Head to Stone Zoo for one of the best holiday lights near Boston. As in years past, the zoo will be decked out with thousands of lights. Visitors will have the opportunity to hang out with reindeer, see plenty of animals, and go on rides.
2. Blink! Light and Sound Show - Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109, USA
Facebook/Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Marvel at the biggest Christmas tree in the northeast right here at Faneuil Hall. This beautiful behemoth towers 85 feet above revelers! The actual light show is epic; it features 350,000 lights synced to music from the Holiday Pops.
3. La Salette Shrine Lights – LaSalette Shrine
Facebook/National Shrine of La Salette Festival of Lights 2017
LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro, MA 02703, USA
Flickr/Heartlover1717
The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette puts on a huge Christmas light display that spans 10 acres and features 300,000 sparkling lights. One of the best holiday lights near Boston, the lights will turn on at the end of November and remain on until the New Year.
4. Christmas Festival of Lights – Edaville Family Theme Park
Edaville Family Theme Park, 5 Pine St, Carver, MA 02330, USA
Facebook/Edaville Family Theme Park
Facebook/Edaville Family Theme Park
During the holiday season, Edaville Family Theme Park is even more fun than usual. Expect millions of lights, the chance to visit Santa, and Christmas train rides. The 2022 season celebrates its 75th anniversary, promising to be one of the best light shows yet.
5. Enchanted Village, Jordan’s Furniture
Flickr/Lorianne DiSabato
Jordan's Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr, Avon, MA 02322, USA
Flickr/Chris Devers
The Enchanted Village is a well-traveled holiday attraction that has been at multiple locations around Boston over the decades. Its final home (hopefully) is at Jordan’s Furniture in Avon. While the village is free, the actual light show – LITE – requires an admission fee. LITE is a 15-minute long laser and special effects show that runs from the second week in November until New Year's Day.

End your journey here or double back towards Boston Common to see the spectacular Christmas tree there. If you decide to take this trip, head on over to the Only In Boston Facebook page and share photos of your experience – we’d love to see them!

Want to continue the festive fun? Then venture a little further afield to the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, where a winter wonderland is waiting for you!

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More to Explore

Winter in Boston

Jackie Ann | October 12, 2022

Is Boston a good place to visit in the winter?

Don’t let Boston’s extreme winter temperatures scare you away. With just a few extra layers, you can enjoy the winter wonderland that Boston becomes every season, without freezing your fingers off. Since Boston is a very walkable town, you’ll want to take some time strolling through the streets, many of which will be decorated with twinkling lights and holiday displays. Before you visit, be sure to check out these 12 things no one tells you about surviving winter in Boston.

What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Boston?

Many may disagree, but we think winter in Boston is when the city truly shines. After a fresh snowfall, there’s nothing like walking around the Boston Common or taking the perfect photo of Acorn Street, one of the most photographed streets in America. Of course, you’ll want to go ice skating at Frog Pond, a fun winter activity for all age groups, and for the more adventurous, check out the nearby Blue Hills Reservation, which is truly stunning no matter what time of year you visit, but during the winter you can strap on some skis or a snowboard and hit the slopes. 

Where can I see the best light displays in Boston?

While the ones we’ve listed above are some of our favorites, that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re willing to head outside of the city, you can expand your search to include some of the best light displays in Massachusetts like Night Lights in Boylston, Bright Nights in Springfield, and the Lighting of the Green in Taunton. If you really want to take a road trip, about three hours from Boston you’ll find the Berkshire Museum Festival of Trees, a Pittsfield annual staple and a favorite for those on the western side of the state in search of beautiful light displays. 

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Featured Addresses
4 S Market Street, Boston, MA 02109
149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA 02180
5 Pine Street, Carver, MA 02330
100 Stockwell Drive, Avon, MA 02322