Experience the magic of the holiday season in Cambridge, MA, where festive events delight both locals and visitors alike. The Harvard Square Holiday Fair brings together artisans and craftspeople in the heart of Harvard Square, offering unique handmade gifts and live crafting demonstrations. Only a short trip away, participate in First Night Boston, an arts festival featuring ice sculptures, fireworks, and various performances to ring in the New Year with flair.
Families can enjoy the enchanting ZooLights at Stone Zoo, where twinkling lights and illuminated animal sculptures light up the winter nights. This festive season in Cambridge promises unforgettable memories with a mix of shopping, art, and dazzling displays.
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The Top Christmas Events in Cambridge
- Harvard Square Holiday Fair
- Christmas Revels at Sanders Theatre
- Holiday Market at The Charles Hotel
- MIT Winterfest
Cambridge Holiday Markets and Shopping
Harvard Square Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Artisan-focused indoor holiday market in historic Harvard Square
Description:
Artisans and craftspeople converge in the heart of Harvard Square for this long-running indoor holiday market. The fair showcases handmade goods from local creators, offering a curated selection of unique gifts. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques, connecting them to centuries-old artistic traditions. The event takes place in the historic First Parish Church, adding a touch of New England charm to your shopping experience. As you browse, the aroma of mulled cider fills the air, evoking memories of holidays past.
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Holiday Market at The Charles Hotel
What to Expect:
European-style outdoor holiday market in Harvard Square
Description:
The Charles Hotel courtyard transforms into a European-style holiday market, complete with wooden chalets and twinkling lights. Local vendors offer a curated selection of artisanal goods, from hand-knit scarves to small-batch preserves. Visitors can warm up with traditional glühwein while browsing the stalls. The market features live performances by local musicians, adding a festive soundtrack to your shopping experience. This event brings a touch of Old World charm to Harvard Square, drawing inspiration from the famous Christmas markets of Germany and Austria.
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Holiday Market at The Charles Hotel
Cambridge Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Revels at Sanders Theatre
What to Expect:
Annual performance celebrating winter solstice traditions from around the world
Description:
The Christmas Revels transports audiences on a global journey of winter solstice traditions through music, dance, and storytelling. Each year focuses on a different culture, bringing its unique customs to life on stage. The show encourages audience participation, inviting you to join in songs and dances. Performed in the acoustically superb Sanders Theatre, the rich harmonies resonate throughout the historic venue. The Revels began in 1971 and has since become a cherished Cambridge tradition, blending education and entertainment in a truly unique holiday experience.
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Christmas Revels at Sanders Theatre
Cambridge Other Holiday Activities
MIT Winterfest
What to Expect:
Tech-inspired winter celebration at MIT
Description:
The MIT Winter Festival blends holiday cheer with cutting-edge technology for a truly unique celebration. Interactive light installations created by students and faculty illuminate the campus, showcasing innovative uses of LEDs and projection mapping. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops, learning to create their own tech-enhanced holiday decorations. The festival includes a "robot reindeer" demonstration, featuring autonomous robots decked out in holiday attire. This event highlights MIT's creative approach to the holidays, infusing traditional celebrations with the spirit of innovation that defines the institution.
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Nearby Events
First Night Boston (Boston)
What to Expect:
City-wide New Year's Eve celebration with ice sculptures and fireworks
Description:
Boston transforms into a canvas of celebration for First Night, the oldest and largest New Year's Eve arts festival in North America. Ice sculptors carve intricate designs throughout the city, creating a temporary outdoor gallery. The event culminates in a breathtaking fireworks display over Boston Harbor, illuminating the sky as the clock strikes midnight. You can join in a variety of performances, from acrobatics to poetry readings, scattered across multiple venues. First Night Boston began in 1975 as an alcohol-free alternative to traditional New Year's Eve parties, and has since become a beloved annual tradition.
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ZooLights at Stone Zoo (Stoneham)
What to Expect:
Walk-through holiday light display at a zoo
Description:
Stone Zoo comes alive after dark with a dazzling array of twinkling lights and illuminated animal sculptures. Stroll through the zoo's winding paths, transformed into a glowing winter landscape. Along the way, spot real animals like reindeer and arctic foxes, adding a unique wildlife element to the experience. Children can participate in a scavenger hunt, searching for hidden light-up animals throughout the zoo. The event began in 2012 and has since become a cherished holiday tradition for families in the Greater Boston area.
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Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce (Bristol)
What to Expect:
Holiday lights at America's oldest continuously operating amusement park
Description:
Lake Compounce, the oldest continuously operating amusement park in America, dons its holiday best with a spectacular light display. The park's vintage rides, including the 1927 Wildcat wooden roller coaster, are adorned with thousands of twinkling lights. Visitors can take a festive train ride around the illuminated grounds, offering a unique perspective on the displays. The event pays homage to the park's rich history, which dates back to 1846, by incorporating vintage-inspired decorations alongside modern light technology.
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Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce
Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture (Avon)
What to Expect:
Restored 1960s department store animatronic holiday display
Description:
Step back in time at the Enchanted Village, a nostalgic holiday display featuring vintage animatronic figures and elaborate scenes. Originally created for the Jordan Marsh department store in the 1960s, these meticulously restored vignettes capture the charm of a bygone era. Visitors can marvel at the intricate details of each scene, from tiny storefront windows to miniature ice skaters. The display includes an indoor Polar Express 4D Ride, blending old-world charm with modern technology. This beloved attraction has delighted generations of New Englanders, becoming an integral part of the region's holiday traditions.
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Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture
The Nutcracker by Boston Ballet (Boston)
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance of a holiday classic
Description:
The Boston Ballet brings Tchaikovsky's timeless masterpiece to life with breathtaking precision and grace. Lavish sets transport you to a world of sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers come to life. The production features over 350 costumes, each handcrafted with exquisite detail. Young audience members can participate in a special pre-show workshop, learning basic ballet moves inspired by the performance. The Boston Ballet's Nutcracker has been a holiday staple since 1963, evolving over the years while maintaining its core magic.
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The Nutcracker by Boston Ballet
Blink! at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Boston)
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show at historic marketplace
Description:
Faneuil Hall Marketplace pulses with energy during Blink!, a synchronized light and sound spectacular. The show features over 350,000 LED lights dancing in perfect harmony to holiday tunes. The centerpiece is an enormous Christmas tree, standing proudly in front of the historic marketplace building. Visitors can time their shopping breaks to catch one of the frequent seven-minute shows. Blink! cleverly combines modern technology with the colonial-era architecture of Faneuil Hall, creating a unique juxtaposition of old and new.
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Blink! at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Boston Common Tree Lighting (Boston)
What to Expect:
Lighting of a giant tree gifted annually by Nova Scotia
Description:
The Boston Common Tree Lighting ceremony illuminates a massive evergreen, a gift from Nova Scotia that stands as a symbol of international friendship. This tradition dates back to 1917, when Nova Scotia sent a Christmas tree to Boston as a thank you for aid provided after the Halifax Explosion. The event features performances by local choirs and a visit from Santa Claus. Visitors can enjoy free ice skating on the nearby Frog Pond following the ceremony. The lighting of this tree marks the official start of the holiday season in Boston.
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CraftBoston Holiday Show (Boston)
What to Expect:
Juried exhibition of contemporary craft and design
Description:
The CraftBoston Holiday Show elevates holiday shopping to an art form, showcasing the work of over 175 artists from across the country. This juried exhibition features cutting-edge contemporary craft and design, from ceramics to jewelry. Visitors can engage with artists directly, learning about their techniques and inspirations. The show includes live demonstrations, allowing you to witness the creation process firsthand. Organized by the Society of Arts and Crafts, America's oldest craft nonprofit, the event continues a tradition of supporting and promoting excellence in craftsmanship that dates back to 1897.
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Ice Skating on Frog Pond (Boston)
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in the heart of Boston Common
Description:
Glide across the ice at Frog Pond, nestled in the heart of America's oldest public park. The rink offers a quintessential winter experience, surrounded by the historic landscape of Boston Common. Skaters can practice their pirouettes or simply enjoy leisurely laps while taking in views of the city skyline. The pond, which has been a focal point of the park since the 17th century, transforms into this beloved skating rink each winter. After your skate, warm up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate from the nearby café.
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SOWA Winter Festival (Boston)
What to Expect:
Art-focused winter market in Boston's hip SoWa district
Description:
The SoWa Winter Festival brings together local artisans, food trucks, and breweries in Boston's trendy South End arts district. This indoor-outdoor event showcases the work of over 100 makers, from painters to chocolatiers. Visitors can explore open artist studios, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. The festival features live ice sculpting demonstrations, adding a dynamic visual element to the experience. SoWa, short for "South of Washington," has been a hub for Boston's creative community since the early 2000s, and this festival celebrates its artistic spirit.
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Holiday Pops Concert (Boston)
What to Expect:
Boston Pops Orchestra performs holiday classics in historic Symphony Hall
Description:
The renowned Boston Pops Orchestra fills Symphony Hall with the sounds of the season during their annual Holiday Pops concert series. Led by conductor Keith Lockhart, the orchestra performs a mix of traditional carols and contemporary holiday hits. The concert features a sing-along portion, inviting the audience to join in on beloved classics. Symphony Hall, with its perfect acoustics and ornate architecture, provides a grand setting for this musical celebration. The Holiday Pops tradition began in 1973 and has since become a cornerstone of Boston's holiday cultural offerings.
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The Slutcracker (Somerville)
What to Expect:
Adult-oriented burlesque parody of The Nutcracker ballet
Description:
The Slutcracker offers a cheeky, body-positive twist on the classic Nutcracker ballet. This burlesque show combines skilled dance performances with risqué humor and elaborate costumes. Audience members are encouraged to dress up and embrace the playful, inclusive atmosphere. The production features a diverse cast, celebrating bodies of all shapes, sizes, and identities. First performed in 2008, The Slutcracker has become an alternative holiday tradition in Cambridge, challenging conventional notions of seasonal entertainment while maintaining high production values.
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SantaCon Boston (Boston)
What to Expect:
Massive Santa-themed pub crawl through Boston
Description:
SantaCon transforms Boston into a sea of red and white as thousands of participants don Santa suits for a day-long pub crawl. The event kicks off with a group photo, creating a striking visual of Santas gathered en masse. Participants roam the city, spreading holiday cheer and raising money for local charities. You can join in holiday-themed games and contests at various stops along the route. SantaCon began as a small, subversive event in San Francisco in 1994 and has since grown into a global phenomenon, with Boston's version becoming one of the largest in the country.
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Boston Tea Party Reenactment (Boston)
What to Expect:
Interactive historical reenactment of the famous 1773 protest
Description:
Step back in time to December 16, 1773, as the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum presents a vivid reenactment of the famous protest. Costumed actors portray key historical figures, bringing the events to life with passionate speeches and debates. Visitors can participate by taking on the role of colonial protesters, complete with authentic-looking disguises. The climax of the event features the dramatic dumping of tea into Boston Harbor from a restored 18th-century sailing vessel. This immersive experience connects modern-day participants with a pivotal moment in American history, blending education and entertainment.