# Christmas lights in Boston for little kids, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 3 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/boston/christmas-lights/
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## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **Boston Common Tree Lighting** at Boston Common, 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116. When: Dec 3, 2026. Time: 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. Official page: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/boston-common-tree-lighting
- **ZooLights at Stone Zoo** at Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA 02180. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 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. Official page: https://zoonewengland.org/engage/zoolights/
- **Boston Lights at Franklin Park Zoo** at Franklin Park Zoo, One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121. When: Through Nov 8, 2026. Time: 5–10:30pm; last entry 9:30. Price: Ticketed; under 2 free. Lantern displays of animals and habitats. Indoor animal habitats are closed during it. Official page: https://zoonewengland.org/engage/boston-lights/

## Christmas trains near Boston

- [Christmas train rides near Boston](https://littlesweekly.com/boston/christmas-trains/index.md): Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more, 6 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.

## More holiday outings in Boston

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Boston](https://littlesweekly.com/boston/nutcracker/index.md): 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Boston](https://littlesweekly.com/boston/christmas-markets/index.md): 4 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### 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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).