The holiday season is here and with it dozens of great events to ring in the cheer. We took a look at what’s happening throughout the state over the next several weeks. From family-friendly events, lots of holiday lights and even some Broadway shows, NBC Boston has you covered when it comes to holiday fun.
Adams
The Tinseliner, a 1950s American Christmas Experience in Adams takes you on a themed train ride celebrating and evoking the nostalgia of Christmas circa 1955. It even includes a visit from Santa Claus. Each round-trip ride is one hour. Tickets are $16 for children ages 4 to 14 and $20 per adult. Nov. 24 to Dec. 17. Adams Passenger Station, 3 Hoosac St. across from the Adams Visitor’s Center Adams.
Attleboro
The 2017 Christmas Festival of Lights at the La Salette Shrine shine daily Thursday, Nov. 23 through New Year’s Day. This magnificent display features 300,000 lights illuminating over 10 acres. Daily, 5 to 9 p.m.
Boston
Boston Winter Skating Path and Holiday Market returns to City Hall Plaza turning it into a winter wonderland. Lace up those skates at Boston Winter’s Skating Path, a custom-designed pathway weaving around the main stage and marquee Boston sign at City Hall Plaza. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Feb. 25. While you’re there, enjoy the Holiday Market featuring wide variety of local and international gifts, good and food. Attractions this year include a Santa House, a Bavarian Village and Vinopolis, an interactive wine and beer experience. The Holiday Market runs through Dec. 31. Daily. City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square, Boston.
U.S. & World
Faneuil Hall Thanksgiving Movie Special: "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Catch the Thanksgiving classic "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" outdoors at Faneuil Hall to get in the holiday spirit as part of its special programming Nov. 18 through Jan. 1 at 5 p.m., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 S. Market St., Boston.
Catch the 15th annual Lighting of Christopher Columbus Park’s Holiday Trellis Monday, Nov. 20. Hosted by Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, this event transforms the park into a holiday wonderland when the park’s 260 feet of trellis are set aglow with 50,000 blue lights along with 14 decorated trees near Tia’s, the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel and throughout the park. 5 p.m., Christopher Columbus Park, Boston.
It isn’t the holiday season without performances of Boston Ballet’s "The Nutcracker." This holiday favorite returns to the Boston Opera House for its sixth season Nov. 24 through Dec. 31. Tickets start at $101. Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston.
The season is open for Ice Skating on Frog Pond right in the heart of the Boston Common. Lockers, skate sharpening and skating aids are also available. Admission is based on skater’s height: 58 inches and over is $6, under 58 inches if free. Daily seven days a week (hours vary). Boston Common.
The 14th Annual South End Holiday Market returns for its 14th year on Saturday, Nov. 25. The best of New England comes together under one roof for this annual event. Enjoy unique, handmade goods from more than 70 of the region’s top artisans, designers and food makers. Admission is $5. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, 41 Berkeley St., Boston.
The 32nd Annual Boston Tuba Christmas returns to Faneuil Hall Marketplace Saturday, Nov. 25. An estimated 150 to 200 tuba players will serenade the crowd outdoors with holiday favorites at the West End of the Marketplace. 2 p.m., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 S. Market St., Boston.
"ELF The Musical" returns to Boston Nov. 28 through Dec. 10 at the Boch Center Wang Theatre. Starring George Wendt as Santa, this is a hilarious, holiday tale the whole family will enjoy. Tickets start at $37. 7 p.m., 270 Tremont St., Boston.
An all-new Blink! Light and Sound Show comes to Faneuil Hall this season, lighting up the marketplace from Nov. 29 through Jan. 1. Come visit the largest tree in the northeast adorned with decorations and sparkling lights synchronized to music. Nightly, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 S. Market St., Boston.
Head on over to the 11th Annual North End Holiday Stroll where you can celebrate the holidays while shopping local throughout the festively decorated streets of the North End. Friday, Dec. 1, 6 to 11 p.m., Boston’s North End.
Mayor Walsh’s Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lighting is a Boston holiday tradition. Trolley tours take you to various Boston neighborhoods for holiday tree lightings. The tour takes place Dec. 1, 2 and 3 in neighborhoods throughout Boston.
The Holiday Lights Trolley Tour takes you on a trolley ride to some of Boston’s best holiday spots. Visit residential lighting displays, the famous lights of Somerville and of course light displays at: Boston Common, Rose Kennedy Greenway Winter Lights, Boston Public Library, Commonwealth Ave. Mall Lights, and Copley Square Tree Lights. Plus a stop at Faneuil Hall for this 2017 light show and more. Dec. 1 to 30. Tickets start at $65. Trolleys depart from the Pour House, 907 Boylston St., Boston.
The Holiday Pops 2017 is one of the most popular traditions of the season. Enjoy performances filled with holiday music favorites, the traditional Pops sing-along and a visit from Santa Claus. Tickets start at $33. Dec. 2 to 24. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston.
The annual family event, Swedish Yuletide attracts thousands each year and is the largest Scandinavian event in New England. All in a festive holiday setting, enjoy Swedish styled food and pastries, and, of course, glögg, the hot spicy beverage of the season. While you’re there grab some holiday gifts from the many vendors also on hand. Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the musical brings the television classic to the stage at Boston’s Shubert Theatre. The show runs Dec. 14 to 17 and tickets start at $38. Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston.
Buzzards Bay
The Train to Christmas Town 2017 runs Nov. 18 through Dec. 27. Enjoy elves dancing in the aisles leading a sing-along of favorite Christmas songs, while you enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Once you get to Christmas Town, enjoy views of the magical lighted town before Santa and his elves climb aboard to greet each child with a gift. Weekends with trains departing at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $44. Buzzards Bay Depot, 70 Main St., Buzzards Bay.
Carver
Edaville Family Theme Park’s Annual Christmas Festival of Lights returns with more than 18 million lights illuminating the park, plus admission includes Thomas Land, as well as all rides and attractions. Tickets are $27 to $37. Friday, Nov. 17 to Monday, Jan. 1, 5 Pine St., Carver.
Foxborough
Take to the ice all season long at Winter Skate at Patriot Place. Open daily. $8 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older. Harvard Pilgrim members receive $2 off admission by showing their membership card, or if you donate a coat or hat/glove set to Cradles to Crayons. On-site skate rentals are $4. 4 to 8 p.m., 2 Patriot Place, Foxborough.
Lowell
"A Christmas Carol" returns to the Merrimack Repertory Theatre for the first time in 21 years as Ebenezer Scrooge and the rest of your characters come to life on stage. The show runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 24. Tickets start at $15. Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell.
Nantucket
Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend 2017 is Dec. 1 to 3. For more than 40 years, residents and visitors come to enjoy hundreds of decorated, seven-food Christmas trees lining downtown streets. Enjoy carolers in costume at various downtown locations, along with live entertainment, craft shows, performances, tours, exhibitions and special dinners at island restaurants.
Stoneham
Zoolights returns at the Stone Zoo Nov. 24 through Dec. 31. Stroll along tree-lined paths lit with holiday lights for this annual event. New this year, guests can also visit black bears Smokey and Bubba in their festively decorated area around their exhibit, while also strolling through Yukon Creek to see bald eagles, Canada lynx, as well as arctic foxes and reindeer. Tickets are $10 for adults ($9 for members), $9 for seniors ($8 for members), children $8 ($7 for members) and children under 2 are free. Daily 5 to 9 p.m. (closed Christmas Day). Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham.
Waltham
ChristmasTime 2017 with the Reagle Music Theatre returns for its annual tradition Dec. 2 to 10. Enjoy numbers like the Teddy Bears’ Ballet, “Christmas on the Common,” the Parade of the Wooden Soldier (performed with special permission from Radio City Music Hall and a visit from Santa. The production ends with a Living Nativity. Tickets start at $32. Reagle Music Theatre, 617 Lexington St., Waltham.
Wellesley
Wellesley’s Festival of Trees and Snow Village runs Nov. 24 through Dec. 10. Come see trees in all their holiday finest and vote for the winning tree. While you’re there also enjoy the decorated grounds and buildings on a stroll or a horse-drawn carriage ride. There are also visits from Santa and other childrens’ activities. Admission is $10. Children under 11 are free. The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington St., Wellesley.
Did we miss your favorite holiday event? Email us at web@nbcuni.com and we'll add it to our list.
