The Best Christmas Lights in Boston

Best Christmas Lights in Somerville, Massachusetts

We may be guilty of driving behind the Somerville Illuminations Trolley with our dog in tow, but we just can’t leave her behind to see the multi colored Christmas lights in Somerville. Every December, Somerville sells tickets to its Illuminations Tour which is a 45 minute tour that starts at the Somerville High School and goes east or west to view the lights. Insider tip: either follow the trolley for free or else you can purchase a map of where the lights are to do your own self-guided tour (and the houses don’t change so much year-to-year either!)

**Set your GPS: Otis Street in Somerville and the streets surrounding have incredible lights! If you want to keep going, only 15 minutes away around 400-block of Pleasant Street in Belmont there’s some homes decked out with lights that are off of nearby Route 2. We love Boston Christmas lights!

Holiday Lighting at Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts

Why just see lights when you can combine two fun activities in one? Visit the animals at the Stone Zoo for their annual ZooLights. Definitely pick a warmer weather night to go because you’ll want to linger as you look into the bird cages. Warning: this is mostly an activity for kids so you’ll have to be in the right mindset to enjoy it!

Enchanted Village in Avon, Massachusetts

If you’ve ever been to a Jordan’s Furniture Store, you’ll know the feeling: it’s sort of like being at Disney World only colder. Complete with an indoor skating rink, the Village is a holiday tradition for many and includes a laser light show unlike any you’ve seen before!

The Mansions Along Pond Street near Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

On our Jamaica Plain Food tour and Jamaica Plain Vegan Chocolate Tour, we ogle at the beautiful mansions in JP. If you have time, take a ride along Pond Street after dark and enjoy the gorgeous lights near Jamaica Pond. In the past at 61 Arborway there used to be a verified Christmas Castle, but it may not have its lights on this year, so you’ll have to check. You won’t regret it, and you can also pick up a delicious hot chocolate beforehand on Centre Street that’s rich and delicious.

Lynn Fells Parkway in Saugus, Massachusetts (near Somerville)

Just 15 minutes away from Somerville’s popular Assembly Row outlet mall, you can venture over to the Lynn Fells Parkway in Saugus, Massachusetts to see a light display that’s been popular since the 1950’s and is a sight to see including multiple light sets, mini lights, and led bulbs.
**Set your GPS: the homes on this street are gorgeous, we set our GPS going from Somerville to around 401-block of Lynn Fells Parkway and found some delightful lights along the way at 16 and 22 Lynn Fells Parkway in Saugus!

The Gardens at Elm Bank in Wellesley

We got married in this gorgeous garden, and it’s beautiful to explore year-round. However, each Winter they also host their annual Festival of Trees where they also offer train rides which are fun for all ages.

Bright Lights Drive-Thru Display in Springfield, Massachusetts

Driving while viewing lights is honestly one of our favorite activities, so if you’re up for a longer trip out to Springfield, Massachusetts then definitely check out Bright Nights. We love their Seussland gate! Gillette Stadium in Foxboro also has a Magic of Lights drive-through show (happened in 2022 but not happening in 2023).

Blink! At Quincy Market (canceled in 2023)

We recommend highly going to Holiday Pops in the actual Symphony Hall put on by the Boston Pops, but if you can’t catch them this year for some reason, a second best alternative is to go to the Blink! lighting display near Faneuil Hall. But beware, I can’t tell you how many times I waited for a show to go on that never happened, so make sure you don’t try to go to the last lighting of the evening because sometimes it doesn’t go on! It’s a remote-controlled light program set to music. That said, afterwards or before check out some of our Favorite North End Restaurants in Boston.

MetroWest Adventures: Needham, Wellesley, Holliston, Ashland

As we are originally from the MetroWest of Boston, we love venturing out this way! Surely there are many homes in Wellesley (check out Lowell Road and the streets off of Cliff Road) and Needham (where you can check out Arch Street, Fox Hill) that are just gorgeously decorated this time of year, but if you go a little bit farther there’s some interesting sights. The Fatima Shrine in Holliston, MA has gorgeous lights and music as well!

**Set your GPS: Check out Kathryn Drive in Ashland, MA and also Regal Street in nearby Holliston, MA.

And if you’re just looking to take a walk around some amazing houses, we recommend walking in Harvard Square, Cambridge near the Longfellow House on Brattle Street. If you zigzag between Brattle Street and Memorial Drive in Cambridge, you’ll see some of the most interesting and gorgeous homes in the state.

Winter Lights Strolls

If you’re in the mood for a festive stroll, check out Winter Lights at the Trustees properties such as the Stevens-Coolidge House in Andover or the Bradley Estate in Canton. You can also rent a fire pit at Appleton Farms in Ipswich. We had a blast walking slowly through the gardens and viewing beautiful and interesting lights — it’s very kid-friendly but fun for all ages and some of the best holiday lights in Boston.

North of Boston

North of Boston there are lots of great light displays, mostly in neighborhoods! We like going to Billerica which has a variety of lights set to music on Pratt Street and Biscayne Drive. Also in Winchester there are lights on Hill Street that are beautiful as well as the Flats neighborhood across the street from Mahoney’s; in nearby Woburn there’s lights on Winn Street, Elijah Street and Shields Street. In Burlington, visit Manhattan Drive for a lights spectacular! In Tewksbury you can visit Rockvale Road. In Stoneham you can find Christmas lights in Boston on Franklin Street and Pearl Street. Further north you can find lights in Concord on some beautiful homes on Elm Street, Bedford Street and Nancy Road, and Virginia Road. In Lincoln, there are lights on Trapelo Road that wow. If you drive to Belmont, you can find holiday lights on Pleasant Street. In Melrose, we often visit Washington Street for the best lights. In Wakefield, there’s also winter lights set to music on Woodcrest Drive and Davey Lane. And up in Wilmington, we often visit Concord Street to see the twinkling lights. In Topsfield check out Orchard Lane. We will continue to be on the look out for the best Christmas lights north of Boston!

South of Boston

If you’re looking for Christmas lights south of Boston, we already mentioned the shrine in Attleboro. There’s also a lot of interesting lights in this section of Massachusetts. If you take a drive to Abington, be sure to check out the lights on Lake Street near Island Grove – there are lots of hand painted wooden figures there are shows from 6-10pm. In Braintree, there are cool lights on Doris Rd in a little cul de sac with 10+ home showing off lights. In Weymouth, we like go to to Tick Tock Lane as well as Biscayne Avenue. If you go to Plymouth, which has such good food ahd history, don’t miss 116 Seaview Drive as well as 27 Spencer Drive – both right near the water. In Lakeville, you can visit their Crazy Tech Light Display on Furlong Circle which has evolved over the years. Do you like blow up displays? In Pembroke, visit Lilah Lane which has miles of lights in a drive-through display which is quite impressive. Nearby you can visit Pratt Farm Lane and Ingham Way. In Milton, you can see penguins at 85 Buckingham Road.