Lights 2026 · Boston

Christmas lights in Boston for little kids, picked for early bedtimes.

Three Christmas light displays in and around Boston have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. One is free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 8 p.m. at Boston Common Tree Lighting. They’re in Boston and Stoneham. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.

3displays with dates
0drive-thrus
1free
8 pmearliest evening start

Last checked · How we choose

All 3 displays

Pick tonight’s lights

Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.

Walk-through

Boston Common Tree Lighting

Boston Common · 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116

Walk-throughFree
When
Dec 3, 2026
Earliest start
6–8pm
Price
Free
  • The city lights the tree Nova Scotia sends each year
  • The Commonwealth Avenue Mall lights come on right after, around 8:15

Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.

Tickets / details ↗Directions

Checked Oct 28 on the official page

Report a problem
Walk-through

ZooLights at Stone Zoo

Stone Zoo · 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA 02180

Walk-through
When
Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Earliest start
4–9:30pm; last entry 8:30
Price
Ticketed
  • Tree-lined paths lit with thousands of lights in Stoneham, with a candy-themed Yukon Creek this year
Tickets / details ↗Directions

Checked Oct 28 on the official page

Report a problem
Nov 1 – Jan 3

When each one is open

Nothing is lit yet. ZooLights at Stone Zoo opens first, on Nov 20. ZooLights at Stone Zoo runs into the new year.

ZooLights at Stone Zoo Nov 20 – Jan 3
Boston Common Tree Lighting Dec 3
Nov 1Dec 1Jan 1
Early bedtime plan

Lights before bedtime

In early December the sun sets around 4:10 p.m. in Boston (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.

Boston Common Tree Lighting

8 p.m. start · plan about an hour

6–8pm

ZooLights at Stone Zoo

9:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour

4–9:30pm; last entry 8:30

Boston Lights at Franklin Park Zoo

10:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour

5–10:30pm; last entry 9:30

Drive-thru or walk-through?

Which is better for little kids?

🚗 Stay in the car

  • Babies and toddlers stay warm and buckled, PJs and all
  • No stroller, no mitten battles, no lost hats
  • A car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime
  • Check the listing for timed slots and refund rules

No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.

🚶 Get out and walk

  • Kids 3 and up love running ahead to the next display
  • Bring the stroller where the venue allows it (see each card)
  • Plan a snack stop and a bathroom break
  • Check sensory notes for bright lights and crowds

Picks: Boston Common Tree Lighting, ZooLights at Stone Zoo, Boston Lights at Franklin Park Zoo

Bring along

The little-kid lights kit

Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.
2026 prices

Prices at a glance

From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.

DisplayPriceLittle kidsGood to know
Boston Common Tree LightingFreeSee the venueWalk-through
ZooLights at Stone ZooTicketedSee the venueWalk-through
Boston Lights at Franklin Park ZooTicketed; under 2 freeunder 2 freeWalk-through
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Good questions

Christmas lights in Boston: questions parents ask

Are there free Christmas lights in Boston?

Yes. Boston Common Tree Lighting is free in 2026.

Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?

We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (three here) are better for kids who want to run around.

What time do the Christmas lights start in Boston? We have an early bedtime.

The earliest evening starts: Boston Common Tree Lighting at 8 p.m., ZooLights at Stone Zoo at 9:30 p.m. and Boston Lights at Franklin Park Zoo at 10:30 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.

Which light shows are best for kids under 3?

Little ones get in free at Boston Lights at Franklin Park Zoo (under 2 free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.

How do you check these Christmas lights listings?

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.

Keep planning: This week in Boston · Boston city guide · Visiting Boston

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Things to do with kids in Boston in November · Things to do with kids in Boston in December