We found five Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Boston with 2026 dates: five tree lightings and lighting nights, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · 2–6pm23NovMonChristopher Columbus Park Trellis LightingTree lighting · Not listed28NovSatMartin’s Park Ship LightingTree lighting · Not listed30NovMonCopley Square Tree LightingTree lighting · 5–6pm3DecThuBoston Common Tree LightingTree lighting · 6–8pmNothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
No 2026 Christmas parade posted here yet. We check parade organizers every week through early December.
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall Marketplace · Downtown
Good to know: An afternoon of performances around the marketplace that ends with the tree lighting. Santa is part of the evening.
Christopher Columbus Park · North End
Good to know: The city lists this lighting with its other neighborhood holiday lightings. A start time hasn’t been posted yet.
Martin’s Park, Children’s Wharf Harborwalk · Fort Point
Good to know: The pirate-ship play structure at this waterfront playground gets its holiday lights. The city hasn’t posted a start time yet.
Copley Square, 560 Boylston St. · Back Bay
Good to know: Santa and Rudolph come by for the lighting. Afterward there are cookies and photos with Santa at the Fairmont Copley Plaza starting at 6pm.
Boston Common, 139 Tremont St. · Downtown
Good to know: The 85th annual lighting, hosted by the city and the Province of Nova Scotia.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Boston
Keep planning
November: things to do in BostonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in BostonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in BostonFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in BostonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in BostonBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in BostonHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in BostonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in BostonKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas trains in BostonPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in BostonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in BostonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in BostonWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in BostonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Faneuil Hall Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting at Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall Marketplace: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 2–6pm; tree lit at 6pm. Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park: Mon, Nov 23, 2026, Not listed. Martin’s Park Ship Lighting at Martin’s Park, Children’s Wharf Harborwalk: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, Not listed. Copley Square Tree Lighting at Copley Square, 560 Boylston St.: Mon, Nov 30, 2026, 5–6pm.
All of the ones we list are free to watch: Faneuil Hall Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting, Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting, Martin’s Park Ship Lighting and Copley Square Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Faneuil Hall Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting, Christopher Columbus Park Trellis Lighting and Martin’s Park Ship Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Boston that weekend, parades included.
Boston Common Tree Lighting