Festive walks, the Nutcracker at Boston Ballet, Hanukkah at the MFA and roadtrips near and far- are all our favorite ways to celebrate December holidays. Follow along to make your own winter memories!
The Nutcracker at Boston Ballet: November 29-December 29, 2024
Attending the Nutcracker at Boston Ballet at a lavishly decorated Boston Opera House is our cherished Mother-Daughter December holidays tradition! Boston Ballet’s staging of the famous tale (choreographed by artistic direction Mikko Nissinen) is the Company’s largest production. It features technically challenging choreography, stunning sets and costumes (both designed by award-winning designer Robert Perdziola), and of course renowned score by Tchaikovsky performed live by the Boston Ballet Orchestra (the music always leaves me teary eyed in the second act).
For special 20 and under youth pricing, call the box officeat 617.695-6955. Or For $45 discounted tickets, use my special code Victoria45 valid on December 12, 17, 18, and 27 (7:30pm).
Our cast favorites on December 5th were young Clara (Sophia Jones), Viktorina Kapitonova (Dew Drop in Waltz of Flowers) and The Nutcracker Prince (Jeffrey Cirio) dancing the Grand Pas de Deux with the Sugar Plum Fairy (Ji Young Chae). (You may find full Casting information here).
Viktorina also plays Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen on other performance days in December and when she is not dancing in The Nutcracker she like to watch it with her family!
Viv and I attended on a Thursday night for a blogger event and backstage tour, but a weekend matinee performance would be perfect if you are bringing little kids or if you plan to go for a lit up holiday stroll afterwards- which brings me to our other holiday favorite…
Check out our post-Nutcracker YouTube Backstage tour video from a couple of years ago.
Boston Holiday Strolls (and Markets)
Boston Common‘s (Nova Scotia’s) Tree was lit up with fanfares on December 5th this year. One of our favorite Boston holiday strolls starts from Boston Common and continues through Boston Public Garden (America’s oldest) to Commonwealth Ave Mall, where all the trees are lit up at night. The ice skating at the Boston Common is open for 2024 winter season!
Another favorite holiday route in Boston is Harbor Walk to Christopher Columbus Park, then crossing the Greenway (another refreshing stroll adorned with illuminated fountains) to historic Faneuil Hall.
Seaport’s Tree Lighting Ceremony was celebrated on December 3 this year, so we didn’t get to see it lit up during our Seaport Stroll on December 1 this year. (Bonus of going earlier in the holiday season- it was not crowded!) We browsed the Snowport Market (open almost every day in December- check the hours here.)
This year we also started a new tradition of exploring Cape Cod’s Holiday Markets. Hyannis on mid-Cape held their weekend-long celebrations with boat parade, Main street stroll and artisan market the weekend of December 6-8 but town of Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard is celebrating the weekend of December 12-15 and Mashpee Holiday Stroll is on December 14.
Hanukkah Festival of Lights
Boston Common‘s Hanukkah Menorah Lighting is on Wednesday, December 25, 2024 at 4:00 pm.
Hanukkah at the MFA is celebrated on Thursday, December 12th this year with music, dance, food and conversation and, of course, art (discounted community admission after 5pm).
Seaport’s Jewish Hanukkah’ celebration 2024 will be at 4:30-5:30 on December 29th
Visiting a Holiday Mansion
A couple of years ago we visited The Breakers Estate in Newport, Rhode Island and are looking forward to return. Newport (Gilded Age historic Mansions are welcoming visitors for the holidays this year athrough January 1. There are several other mansions decorated for the Holidays in greater Boston area, including the Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich.
Night Lights Shows
A couple of Decembers ago we loved the magical combination of lights and sounds at the Nightwood Lights and Sound Experience at the Mount (Edith Wharton) estate in Lenox in the Berkshires (the experience is literally set in the woods – and gardens- on their expansive territory); through January 4, 2025. If you are spending the weekend in the Berkshires this December, explore historic Main street Stockbridge -recently voted the most festive Main Street in the US and check out Winter Lights event at Naumkeag Estate (open through January 4, 2025).
For a more local Winter Light Festivals check out Bradley’s Estate in Canton hosted by the Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations.
Here are more ways to celebrate the Holidays around Boston-23:
Holiday Pops at Boston Symphony. Read about our experience attending Holiday Pops celebration here.
SoWa Winter Festival through December 22 this year.
NEW YEAR’S EVE: First Night Boston will ring 2025 with celebrations from noon to midnight on December 31 that include ice sculptures, ice shows, concerts, parades and fireworks over Boston Common. Check out complete schedule here.
Holiday Roadtrips
Weekend roadtrips to New York City or ski trips to Quebec ski areas in Canada are also on the list of our favorite holiday traditions. We got to see some pretty grand lights dispays on 5th Ave when we visited over Thanksgiving weekend this year (Here is our short YouTube video of the display).
I am linking our trip reports, but be sure to follow up on Instagram for all the latest reels and stories.