Things To Do In Boston This December

There’s a chill in the air, but the mood is warm and festive as the city of Boston begins its holiday season. Be a part of the excitement by participating in the many wonderful events and special programs Boston has to offer in December. Here are some of the top things to do in Boston in December.

Be Amazed by the Lights
Beginning in November and running through the beginning of January, Faneuil Hall is transformed into a winter wonderland. Blink! is an incredible light and sound show featuring over 350,000 LED lights that illuminate the Boston Skyline. The Holiday Pops adds in the musical magic with performances nightly as the lights that encompass the famous open marketplace seemingly dance to the music. Nightly shows run every half hour and are open to spectators of all ages.

Celebrate the Holidays
To help commemorate the start of the holiday season, Boston’s mayor hosts the annual tree lighting ceremony in Boston Common. Join in the festivities as the mayor officially flips the switch, turning on the lights on the tree that is given as a gift to the city each year from Nova Scotia. The beauty of the season comes to life as the special tree is illuminated as well other trees throughout the Common and Boston Garden. The event is scheduled for the first Thursday in December. There is also a special ice skating show at Frog Pond prior to the lighting ceremony.

Break Out Your Inner Figure Skater
One of Boston’s most well loved spots for ice-skating, Frog Pond in Boston Common is a must-do winter activity. Adults and children of all ages can strap on their ice skates and enjoy the exhilaration of this popular winter sport. Guests can rent ice skates and seasonal passes are available for purchase. Public skating, skating lessons and several special events and programs are available throughout the winter, including a world-class figure skating ice show. The Frog Pond Café offers a place to warm up with snacks, sandwiches and soups as well as hot and cold beverages.

Party Into the New Year
Yearly on December 31, venture out into some of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods for an annual celebration of the New Year. First Night draws a crowd, spread out among numerous indoor and outdoor locations throughout the city of Boston. Artists, musicians and performers round out this day-long event. There are also extravagant ice sculptures, fireworks, entertainers and a family festival in the Copley Square area. All First Night events are free and open to the public.

Root for the Home Team
December has no shortage of Boston things to do for sports fans. From ice hockey with the Bruins to basketball with the Celtics and football with the Patriots, cheering can be heard throughout the city of Boston. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, everyone can join in the excitement of a win. You can catch hockey and basketball at TD Garden; the pig skin is thrown around in Gillette Stadium.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Step inside the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum to take a break from the cold winter season and instantly transport yourself back in time. Be a part of the famous event that forever changed the course of American history through a multi-sensory experience that includes live actors, interactive exhibits, and full-scale replica 18th-century sailing vessels. Remember to drop by Abigail’s Tea Room and sample some of the 5 teas thrown over during the Boston Tea Party or enjoy a mug of hot apple cider to warm you up.

Boston Ballet Nutcracker
Marvel at the graceful movements of the acclaimed Boston Ballet dancers as they perform one of the most iconic pieces of all time, The Nutcracker. A winter tradition unlike any other, Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker delights audiences of all ages with its beloved characters, beautiful music, awe-inspiring sets, and unparalleled choreography. Gather your friends and family for a truly enchanting experience and discover why the Boston Globe labeled Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker the “gold standard.”

Seaport’s Winter Wonderland
Experience the incredible fun when the Boston Seaport transforms into Snowport, one of the most popular winter attractions of the year. Billed as “the ultimate holiday destination,” the third annual Snowport will include large-scale winter games, the Seaport Tree Market, Light Up Seaport, and an all-new European-style holiday market. The Holiday Market will be showcasing over 60 small businesses. Tuscan Kitchen will be serving festive craft cocktails and delicious arancini, pizza, and calzones from a wood-burning stove inside a 10,000 square-foot dining space. This truly unique winter wonderland will be welcoming guests from November 19th through January 2nd.

A Taste of New England
Few meals embody the soul of Boston more than a bowl of warm clam chowder on a cold winter night. In order to get the best and most authentic experience, there’s no better spot in town than the legendary Union Oyster House. Located on the Freedom Trail, near Faneuil Hall, this iconic location enjoys the unique distinction of being America’s oldest restaurant. This Boston fixture, housed in a building dating back to pre-Revolutionary days, started serving food in 1826 and has continued ever since with the stalls and oyster bar, where Daniel Webster was considered a regular. A visit to this historical landmark and community pillar is a must when visiting Boston in December.

Beat the Cold
Boston winters can be pretty brutal with snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Don’t let the elements ruin your vacation through; there are still plenty of things to do around the city. Some of the best sites are indoor museums, and Boston has plenty of them. Make a stop at the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the largest in the United States, for collections ranging from prints and drawings to jewelry. The New England Aquarium is a great option for animal lovers. Check out loggerhead turtles, green anacondas, African penguins and more. And for the curious ones, there’s the Museum of Science. The museum features various temporary exhibits throughout the year, accompanied by permanent exhibits dedicated to  birds, fossils and dinosaurs, world maps, natural mysteries and many other intriguing topics.