6 Festivals of Light in Massachusetts

Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

The cities and towns of Massachusetts light up each December as the holidays approach, offering festive, cheerful ways to celebrate as winter closes in!

Here are some of our favorite light displays.

Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights, Edaville, Carver

Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is one of New England’s oldest Christmas traditions. Steam train rides, amusement rides, santa, shopping, tens of thousands of Christmas lights and so much more! 

(Please note, the train does not take ride tickets. A separate ticket must be purchased to ride the train) 

A silver ticket adds a steam train ride to your visit. A gold ticket includes everything Edaville has to offer. Approximately 25 amusement rides, access to shopping and dining, steam train ride, and so much more! 

Winter Wonderland, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston

Winter Wonderland & Night Lights, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston

Immerse yourself in the magic of the season at New England Botanic Garden with a breathtaking winter light display that is unmatched in the region. This year, prepare to be amazed by Night Lights, where you will embark on a spellbinding journey through a mesmerizing array of radiant, glowing lights in every imaginable color. 

Amidst a quarter million lights, enjoy a delightful evening with popular favorites such as s’mores, seasonal drinks, a model train, holiday shopping, and fun photo opportunities for the whole family! NEW this year, a skating rink will debut for the first time in Night Lights’ history to bring joy to the young and young at heart. Colorful landscapes, immersive experiences, and life-long memories await this winter! 

Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield

Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield

Travel through a dazzling wonderland of over 750,00 lights at Bright Nights at Forest Park. This three-mile drive-thru spectacular features festive scenes, iconic characters, and peaceful gardens, all illuminated for a joyous holiday experience. 

Since 1995, Bright Nights has been a unique public/private collaboration between the City of Springfield’s Department of Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management and the Spirit of Springfield, a private non-profit organization. Together they have welcomed more than 7 million visitors. It has been calculated that if every bus that had visited were lined bumper to bumper, they would go from Springfield to Cape Cod. The cars would go as far as California. 

Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston

Downtown Boston

Boston comes alive each December with festival lighting displays all across the city. Thanks to the Boston Parks & Recreation Department, you can enjoy the bright lights on Boston Common, where you can also enjoy open air ice skating. Check out the white light display along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, and the Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End.

Zoo Lights, Stone Zoo, Stoneham

Zoo Lights, Stoneham Zoo, Stoneham

ZooLights at Stone Zoo will dazzle visitors of all ages this holiday season! This winter wonderland will take you on a one-way stroll through the Zoo, along tree-lined paths lit by twinkling lights. This year, experience the magic of several beautiful large-scale lantern displays around the Zoo, lighting up the night sky. 

The Trustees, Winterlights

Winterlights – The Trustees

Trustees’ Winterlights returns and is bigger and better than ever. Join us for magical experiences at three of our beautiful garden properties, Naumkeag in Stockbridge, The Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover, and new this year Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton, as they sparkle with thousands of shimmering and artfully designed holiday lights. Bring the family for scavenger hunts, crafts, seasonal characters and experiences, food and refreshments, and more. Winterlights runs multiple evenings each week starting the weekend before Thanksgiving and running through the end of December.

TOPICS: Holidays, Winter Fun