Paris may be nicknamed the City of Lights, but this holiday season New England is a bright rival sparkling with millions of twinkling lights. Whether you want to meander among black bears and reindeer, fa la la in fairy houses or stand under a 45- foot Christmas tree featuring 1,000 ornaments and a mile of lights, there’s more than enough wattage to light up your world.
Zoolights
Stone Zoo, Stoneham, Massachusetts
Zoo New England’s beloved holiday tradition, ZooLights, returns to bring cheer and festive fun to visitors of Stone Zoo through January 5th, 2025.
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland and stroll along tree-lined paths aglow with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. Walk among the enchanting glow of the displays throughout the zoo and you may also see some of the animal residents including flamingos, black bears, and even reindeer. Rumor has it that Santa will be making appearances for meet-and-greet opportunities.
Make Your visit to Stone Zoo and ZooLights extra merry by reserving a spot at the Hot Chocolate with the Reindeer event. During this special opportunity held on Fridays-Sundays from 3:30 pm-4:00 pm, you can sip hot chocolate and take photos while learning more about Stone Zoo’s resident reindeer from a member of the animal care team. Pre-registration is required.
Gardens Aglow
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine
What started as the simple idea of bringing people to the Midcoast in November and December quickly turned into an event that draws more than 100,000 people–one-third of the Gardens’ 300,000+ annual visitors. This coming winter, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens celebrates its 10th annual Gardens Aglow. The anniversary celebration will delight both longtime and new friends with a homegrown and handcrafted design that includes two of the popular Trolls and an enchanting forest with mushrooms and shooting stars. In addition to illuminated trails and nature-inspired sculptures, guests will find the return of beloved fairy houses, delicious family-friendly treats, and holiday gifts in the Gardens’ popular Garden shop. For information on pricing and time slots, visit GardensAglow.org.
Night Lights
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA
Celebrate the wonder of the winter season at the New England Botanic Garden with a breathtaking light display that is unmatched in the region. Night Lights dazzles visitors with more than a quarter million lights, festive activities, seasonal food and drinks, and creative photo ops for the whole family to enjoy. Wander the illuminated formal gardens, conservatories, and Visitors Center at NEBG and see why 66,000 people of all ages made Night Lights part of their holiday experience last year. With a new theme for the creative and immersive light displays and exciting new features, including an outdoor skating rink, Night Lights will delight the young and young at heart! Night Lights runs until January 5. Tickets are available at nebg.org/nightlights.
Winterlights
Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Winterlights, a signature event of The Trustees of Reservations, returns in late November at three locations across Massachusetts to add magic to the holidays. The event begins on Nov. 29, Black Friday, at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover, and the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton. Since 2018, Winterlights has built a reputation as a dazzling family-friendly event featuring hundreds of thousands of environmentally friendly LED holiday lights decorating the grounds of three historic properties. The immersive light display also features festive music and seasonal treats, with new elements added each year. In 2020, Winterlights was named a Top 10 Public Holiday Light Display by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Tickets are on sale now for all three locations at www.thetrustees.org/winterlights. Visitors are urged to plan and purchase tickets as soon as possible as this event annually sells out.
Lights at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Faneuil Marketplace, Boston, MA
The lights at Faneuil Hall Marketplace are a cherished seasonal tradition that transforms the historic site into a bucket list destination. Visitors were invited to kick off celebrations at their 2024 Tree Lighting at Quincy Market featuring a 45-ft Christmas Tree from Egan Acres Tree Farm decorated with over 1,000 ornaments and 1 mile of lights. Red Nose Holiday Lights & Decor is the team responsible for the picture-perfect decor throughout the property – grand wreaths, sweet candy cane pillars, twinkling tree lights, elegant garland, and more. Enjoy holiday happenings including festive gatherings, Photos with Santa, and captivating performances as you soak in the magical atmosphere of this iconic attraction in the heart of Downtown Boston.
LaBelle Lights
LaBelle Winery, Derry, New Hampshire
Escape the holiday chaos and experience a joyful winter wonderland at LaBelle Lights through January 19th, 2025, where millions of twinkling lights illuminate festive outdoor displays along a walking path. Admission includes exciting, engaging and interactive theme weeks, carefully curated to enhance your LaBelle Lights experience!
Sparking Lights at the Breakers
Newport, Rhode Island
Sparkling Lights at The Breakers brings the magic of the holidays inside and outside the landmark Gilded Age mansion! Stroll along a half-mile-long path twinkling with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights. Enjoy the sounds of music, see illuminated displays and enjoy sparkling surprises along the way. Tour the opulent interior of The Breakers resplendent in holiday splendor. Visit newportmansions.org to learn more.
Along with annual holiday tree lighting ceremonies and festivals like Shelburne Museum Winterlights, there are a plethora of places in New England to get in the holiday spirit and find gifts. We curated a list of exceptional illuminations to explore.
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