Holiday Happenings in Burlington Oh, What Fun!

The greater Boston area is a magical place to take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Bright lights, beautiful displays and festive feasting opportunities abound.

To help decide which holiday happenings to add to your calendar, Archer gathered a list of longtime favorites and unsung treasures in and around Boston.

Massachusettes Traditions + Celebrations

Snowport: Seaport is dazzling in its winter finest! Renowned for its fresh flair, this season we offer a charming blend of holiday shopping, cozy rooftop igloos, outdoor fun, and delightful surprises—all with a touch of Seaport magic. Discover the wonders of Snowport this season!
Boston Common Frog Pond: The Boston Common Frog Pond is a popular seasonal outdoor venue located in the Boston Common, offering activities for all ages. In winter, it transforms into a charming ice skating rink with various community events and festivals. The site emphasizes accessibility and family-friendly activities, making it a beloved destination for both locals and visitors.

Holiday Spirits + Eats

Miracle at Mystic Station — This Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar serves up professionally developed holiday drinks, along with kitschy décor and a buzzy atmosphere brimming with nostalgic energy.
Gingerbread Construction Co. — Wakefield’s family-owned and -operated baked goods store makes gingerbread houses and cookies, plus now-famous muffins in a variety of flavors.
Capitol Grille — With exceptional ingredients that are artfully prepared, you'll love their dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and acclaimed world-class wines.
Capo Restaurant — Warm and welcoming with a roaring fire, guests love the house-made pasta (the squash ravioli is delish), Roman-style wood-fired pizza (winter black truffle gets high marks) and creative entrees (to try: Scallop Saltimbocca).

Holiday Lights

Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park — Every winter, one of the “10 Most Romantic Places in Boston” is decorated with blue and white lights.
Tree Lighting at Boston Common — The tree is an annual gift from Nova Scotia, commemorating the help that Bostonians offered after the 1917 Halifax explosion.
Holiday Lights & Sights Tour — Sip and snack on complimentary seasonal bevs and nibbles while riding the trolley and admiring the festive displays. Street carolers add their holiday spirit.
ZooLights at Stone Zoo — Tree-lined paths with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and large-scale lantern displays transform Stone Zoo into a winter wonderland.
Lobster Pot Tree Lighting in Provincetown — Made of lobster traps, this local-favorite holiday tree is a nod to the hard-working lobstermen of the area.

Nifty Holiday Gifts

3rd Ave Burlington — Shop, dine and unwind at Burlington’s walkable 3rd Ave. Check out the eclectic collection of restaurants, retail and home stores and beauty-based businesses (plus the region’s only Wegmans market), then head to Archer Hotel Burlington for a truly special stay.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace — One of Boston’s iconic mixed-use festival marketplaces is abuzz with music, street performers and more than 80 retailers and worldwide cuisine offerings. And no matter what time of year you visit, Christmas in Boston (in the South Market Building) is lively wonderland with ornaments, gifts and holiday décor.
Tannery Marketplace — The first and only winter farmers market on the North Shore is in Newburyport. Visitors peruse independently owned shops with one-of-a-kind treasures, plus cafes with nibbles and dribbles (and more) to please the palate.
Main Street in Gloucester — This town’s historic downtown includes the HarborWalk, with shops, art galleries, museums and a wide spectrum of restaurants. Shop local and enjoy the handmade turtles and toffee at Turtle Alley Chocolates, an ever-changing selection of gifts at The Brass Monkey, colorful creations from Tin Can Sally — the gifting list goes on.
The Berkshires — This mountainous region in western Massachusetts is a picturesque two-hour drive away from Archer Hotel Burlington. It’s ripe with antique shops, specialty retailers and visual media, including painting, photography glass, wood, ceramic and jewelry.