15 Magical Places to Visit in Massachusetts During the 2024 Holiday Season 

We know Boston is alive with the holiday spirit, but there are many festive happenings in the rest of the state to experience as well. Plan a day trip or a weekend away to experience these magical holiday events throughout New England Listed by distance from Downtown Boston. by Celina Colby <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/zoolights-at-stone-zoo-stoneham-397563">ZooLights at Stone Zoo</a> When: Friday, 11/15-Sunday, 1/5 Where: Stoneham, MA | 9.8 miles from Downtown Boston Info: During the holiday season you can see the animals at the Stone Zoo, as well as their lit-up counterparts. ZooLights features 26 acres of light installations, plus you can meet Mrs. Claus and have hot cocoa with a reindeer.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/christmas-festival-of-lights-at-la-salette-shrine-attleboro-437947">Christmas Festival of Lights at La Salette Shrine</a> When: Saturday, 11/23-Wednesday, 1/1 Where: Attleboro, MA | 40.6 miles from Downtown Boston Info: Stroll through this magical, sprawling winter display featuring more than 400,000 sparkling lights. This dazzling wonderland display is open every night and features flowers, animals, and other holiday scenes displayed in brilliant light. <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/night-lights-color-cascade-at-new-england-botanic-garden-boylston-1007231">Night Lights: Color Cascade at New England Botanic Garden</a> When: Saturday, 11/23-Sunday, 1/5 Where: Boylston, MA | 46.4 miles from Downtown Boston Info: In the winter the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill comes alive with thousands of lights in beautiful natural and holiday displays. After strolling the displays with a mug of hot chocolate, warm up by the fire pits and roast some s’mores. <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/ice-skating-on-the-oval-worcester-398228">Ice Skating on the Oval</a> When: Friday, 12/6-Monday, 3/10 Where: Worcester, MA | 46.5 miles from Downtown Boston Info: Unleash your inner ice skating champion at this huge rink in downtown Worcester. For just $6 you can try out your best moves on the ice or you can grab a hot chocolate and watch from the sidelines. You can also check out these <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/the-9-best-outdoor-ice-skating-rinks-in-around-boston-this-winter-boston-437081">ice skating rinks</a> closer to home. <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/winter-wonderland-at-southwick-s-zoo-mendon-438768">Winter Wonderland at Southwick’s Zoo</a> When: Thursday, 11/21-Sunday, 12/29 Where: Southwick, MA | 46.7 miles from Downtown Boston Info: Spent some quality time with Santa Clause, watch one of several holiday themed shows, sip on hot chocolate or hot toddies, and meander through a beautiful life display, all the Southwick’s Zoo Winter Wonderland experience.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/christmas-by-candlelight-sturbridge-434034">Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village</a> When: Friday, 11/29-Monday, 12/30 Where: Sturbridge, MA | 59.4 miles from Downtown Boston Info: Stroll through an Old Sturbridge Village that’s been decorated to the nines for the holidays. Learn about historic Christmas projects and traditions, sample sweet treats, listen to live music, and ride in the horse-drawn carryall.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/cornerstone-ranch-sleigh-rides-princeton-438779">Cornerstone Ranch Sleigh Rides</a> When: Saturday, 12/7-Sunday, 12/29 Where: Princeton, MA | 63.1 miles from Downtown Boston Info: Take dashing through the snow to the next level at Cornerstone Ranch in Princeton, MA where you can take a traditional sleigh ride with the family or go on a horseback riding expedition through the snowy woods.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/bright-nights-at-forest-park-springfield-397568">Bright Nights at Forest Park</a> When: Wednesday, 11/27-Sunday, 1/5 Where: Springfield, MA | 92.2 miles from Downtown Boston  Info: Bright Nights at Forest Park is a beloved holiday tradition in Springfield. Visitors drive their cars through an extensive park of light installations showing everything from holiday scenes to the local hockey team.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/yankee-candle-village-south-deerfield-438775">Yankee Candle Village</a> When: Open daily Where: South Deerfield, MA | 114 miles from Downtown Boston Info: It’s Christmas all year round at Yankee Candle Village in Deerfield where you can walk through a Bavarian Village, browse ornaments, meet Santa, and sample holiday themed candles at any time of the year.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/winterlights-at-naumkeag-stockbridge-438771">Winterlights at Naumkeag</a> When: Friday, 11/29-Saturday, 1/4 Where: Stockbridge, MA | 130 miles from Downtown Boston Info: The gardens at the historic home Naumkeag in Stockbridge come alive in the winter with elaborate light displays inspired by nature, history and holiday traditions.  NEAR MASSACHUSETTS:  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/53rd-annual-christmas-in-newport-newport-439794">53rd annual Christmas in Newport</a> When: Sunday, 12/1-Tuesday, 12/31 Where: Newport, RI | 71.5 miles from Downtown Boston Info: Historic Newport flourishes during the holiday season. Visit the Newport Mansions all decked out in lavish decor for the holiday season, shop at holiday markets, attend festive cocktail parties, and more throughout the season. <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/winterfest-and-the-tunnel-of-lights-east-windsor-397569">Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights</a> When: Friday, 11/29-Monday, 12/30 Where: East Windsor, CT | 103 miles from Downtown Boston Info: At the Connecticut Trolley Museum you can hop on a festively decorated trolley and take a ride through the Tunnel of Lights, an astounding railroad inspired holiday light display. The 20-30 minute ride also features live caroling.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/new-hampshire-ice-castles-winter-2023-north-woodstock-399080">New Hampshire Ice Castles</a> When: Friday, 1/24-Sunday, 2/23 Where: North Woodstock, NH | 132 miles from Downtown Boston Info: This winter experience is worth the trip up to New Hampshire. Explore a castle filled with slides, passageways, archways, tunnels, and forests, all made completely out of ice.  <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/woodstocks-wassail-weekend/439793">Woodstocks' Wassail Weekend</a> When: Friday, 12/13-Sunday, 12/15 Where: Woodstock, VT | 141 miles from Downtown Boston Info: Nothing sets the tone for the holidays quite like Woodstocks' Wassail Weekend. Experience carriage rides and a carriage parade through this charming small town, sip on Wassail punch, light the memory tree, listen to live music, go caroling, and much more. Although this is one of the most exciting weekends in Woodstock, there’s a <a href="https://www.woodstockvt.com/events/events-calendar">calendar of holiday events</a> to attend all December. <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/gardens-aglow-at-coastal-maine-botanical-gardens-boothbay-397577">Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens</a> When: Friday, 11/29-Tuesday, 11/31 Where: Boothbay, ME | 164 miles from Downtown Boston Info: Every winter the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens come alive with a brilliant lights display in celebration of the holiday season. Walk through 14 acres of seasonal cheer in the central gardens of the property.

Boston

Kate

Cecilia

Emma

Sheena C

Anny Liriano 

Leyla

Veronica 

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Where

15 Magical Places to Visit in Massachusetts During the 2024 Holiday Season

Website

Where?