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2025 Copley Square Tree Lighting

Please join us in celebrating the grand reopening of Copley Square Park and our annual tree lighting.

December 1, 2025
Event Date2025-12-01T16:00:00 - 2025-12-01T18:00:00

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting starting at 4 p.m. on Monday, December 1, presented in partnership with the Friends of Copley Square, BXP, Sasaki, and Fairmont Copley Plaza.

This free event is sponsored by H.P. Hood LLC with additional support from Drake’s Cakes. The celebration will feature guided tour of the newly renovated Copley Square, arts & crafts, appearances by Santa Claus and Rudolph along with musical performances by vocalist Joelle James, the Boston Children’s Chorus and Symphonic of Emerson College. After the event attendees are invited to enjoy cookies and pictures with Santa in Fairmont Copley Plaza at 6 p.m.

Other 2025 holiday celebrations hosted by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department include the 23rd annual holiday lighting of the trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End on November 24, the lighting of the ship in Martin’s Park at the Children’s Wharf Harborwalk on November 29, and the Boston Common Tree Lighting followed by the lighting of the trees on Commonwealth Avenue Mall on December 4.

The arrival of Boston’s official 2025 Christmas tree from Nova Scotia will be celebrated on Boston Common at approximately 11 a.m. on November 18. The 45-foot white spruce was donated by Ronald and Claire Feener of Lunenberg County, Nova Scotia.

Visit the tree lighting events page or call 617-635-4505 for more information. To stay up to date with news, park improvements, and events, sign up for our email list and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

December 1, 2025
Event Date2025-12-01T16:00:00 - 2025-12-01T18:00:00

One Boston Resilience Project Listening Session: Mattapan

The City of Boston has launched the One Boston Resilience Project to envision our collective strength after violence, as illuminated by the Boston Marathon bombing.

October 30, 2019
Event Date2019-10-30T17:30:00 - 2019-10-30T19:30:00

The One Boston Resilience Project is intended to help us build connectivity and resilience across the City. The City’s response following the Boston Marathon Bombing shed light on our community's commitment to supporting our families, friends, and neighbors who have been impacted by violence of all forms. As part of this project, the City is looking for your guidance and has launched a community engagement process that seeks input on the development of a citywide memorial.

We invite you to participate in this upcoming listening session to share your experiences with healing, remembrance, and resilience. Your feedback will help inform a call-to-artists for the commemorative artwork. Those not interested in sharing their experiences are also welcome to attend.

October 30, 2019
Event Date2019-10-30T17:30:00 - 2019-10-30T19:30:00

Boston's Día de Muertos Celebration

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Alberto Fierro, Consul General of Mexico in Boston, invite you to attend the second annual citywide Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration in Copley Square.

November 1 - November 2, 2019
  • 11:00am - 9:00pm
  • 560 Boylston Street
    Boston, MA 02116
  • Contact:
    Elizabeth O'Brien
  • send an email
  • 617-635-4505
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Event Type:
    Art
    Civic Engagement
    Family friendly
    Outdoor
  • Published Date
  • icon-facebook icon-twitter
Event Date2019-11-01T11:00:00 - 2019-11-02T21:00:00

Marigolds, with their bright orange color and scent, are thought to guide the spirits home. The City of Boston's citywide Dia de Muertos altar in Copley Square will contain 1,000 pots of marigolds, grown from seed and tended to since August by the Boston Parks Department Horticulture Unit.

We invite you to send us photos of your loved ones to be displayed on the altar at Copley Square Fountain. And, of course, we hope you will join us in Copley Square on November 1 and 2 to celebrate Dia de Muertos and those whose memories we keep alive.

We are grateful for the help of:
  • Lena Park Fab Lab in crafting papel picado
  • the good folks of Morgan Memorial for contributing hundreds of photo frames, and
  • the hundreds of Bostonians (near and far) who have contributed photos and memories to make the City of Boston’s ofrenda so special. 
November 1 - November 2, 2019
  • 11:00am - 9:00pm
  • 560 Boylston Street
    Boston, MA 02116
  • Contact:
    Elizabeth O'Brien
  • send an email
  • 617-635-4505
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Event Type:
    Art
    Civic Engagement
    Family friendly
    Outdoor
  • Published Date
  • icon-facebook icon-twitter
Event Date2019-11-01T11:00:00 - 2019-11-02T21:00:00

BCYF Pino Teen Paint Night

Teens are invited to a free Paint Night at BCYF Pino Community Center.

October 22, 2019
Event Date2019-10-22T18:00:00 - 2019-10-22T21:00:00

BCYF Pino Community Center is hosting free a Paint Night just for teens! No experience is necessary and pizza and snacks will be provided. Please reserve a spot with youthworker Lauren at 617-635-5120 or Lauren.Logan@boston.gov. Generously sponsored by the Massachusetts Convention Center and the Foundation for BCYF.

October 22, 2019
Event Date2019-10-22T18:00:00 - 2019-10-22T21:00:00

One Boston Resilience Project Listening Session: Roxbury

The City of Boston has launched the One Boston Resilience Project to envision our collective strength after violence, as illuminated by the Boston Marathon bombing. 

October 23, 2019
Event Date2019-10-23T17:30:00 - 2019-10-23T19:30:00

This project is intended to help us build connectivity and resilience across the City. The City’s response following the Boston Marathon Bombing shed light on our community's commitment to supporting our families, friends, and neighbors who have been impacted by violence of all forms. As part of this project, the City is looking for your guidance and has launched a community engagement process that seeks input on the development of a citywide memorial.

We invite you to participate in this upcoming listening session to share your experiences with healing, remembrance, and resilience. Your feedback will help inform a call-to-artists for the commemorative artwork. Those not interested in sharing their experiences are also welcome to attend.

October 23, 2019
Event Date2019-10-23T17:30:00 - 2019-10-23T19:30:00

Fall Crafts Fair

Stop by BCYF Paris Street Community Center on November 16 and check out the crafts!

November 16, 2019
Event Date2019-11-16T11:00:00 - 2019-11-16T15:00:00

BCYF Paris Street Community Center is hosting a Fall Crafts Fair on Saturday, November 16. In addition to great local crafts there will be food, door prizes and more. While you're there, check out all the center has to offer and see the plans for the renovation of BCYF Paris Street Pool across the street!

Are you a Boston crafts person who wants to host a table? Call Elaine at the center at 617-635-5125.

November 16, 2019
Event Date2019-11-16T11:00:00 - 2019-11-16T15:00:00

One Boston Resilience Project Listening Session: Back Bay

The City of Boston has launched the One Boston Resilience Project to envision our collective strength after violence, as illuminated by the Boston Marathon bombing.

October 21, 2019
Event Date2019-10-21T17:30:00 - 2019-10-21T19:30:00

This project is intended to help us build connectivity and resilience across the City. The City’s response following the Boston Marathon Bombing shed light on our community's commitment to supporting our families, friends, and neighbors who have been impacted by violence of all forms. As part of this project, the City is looking for your guidance and has launched a community engagement process that seeks input on the development of a citywide memorial.

We invite you to participate in this upcoming listening session to share your experiences with healing, remembrance, and resilience. Your feedback will help inform a call-to-artists for the commemorative artwork. Those not interested in sharing their experiences are also welcome to attend.

October 21, 2019
Event Date2019-10-21T17:30:00 - 2019-10-21T19:30:00

Fay Chandler Emerging Artist Awards and Reception

The fourth annual Fay Chandler Emerging Art Exhibition is a celebration of the Boston visual arts community.

September 19, 2019
  • 6:00pm - 8:00pm
  • 1 City Hall Square
    3rd Floor
    Boston, MA 02201
  • Contact:
    Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture
  • send an email
  • 617-635-4445
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
    Art
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-09-19T18:00:00 - 2019-09-19T20:00:00

Artists that live, work or create in the City of Boston were encouraged to submit fresh, original, and contemporary works for consideration. Fay Chandler was a Boston philanthropist and advocate for the arts. As an artist who started her career later in life, she serves as the inspiration for this exhibition and to artists of all ages. Three prizes will be awarded during the reception:

  1. $2,500 for Best in Show
  2. $1,500 for an artist who started making art in the last 3 years, and
  3. $1,000 for an artist over the age of 50.
September 19, 2019
  • 6:00pm - 8:00pm
  • 1 City Hall Square
    3rd Floor
    Boston, MA 02201
  • Contact:
    Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture
  • send an email
  • 617-635-4445
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
    Art
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-09-19T18:00:00 - 2019-09-19T20:00:00

One Boston Resilience Project Listening Session: Dorchester

The City of Boston has launched the One Boston Resilience Project to envision our collective strength after violence, as illuminated by the Boston Marathon bombing. 

September 28, 2019
Event Date2019-09-28T14:30:00 - 2019-09-28T16:30:00

This project is intended to help us build connectivity and resilience across the City. The City’s response following the Boston Marathon bombing shed light on our community's commitment to supporting our families, friends, and neighbors who have been impacted by violence of all forms. As part of this project, the City is looking for your guidance and has launched a community engagement process that seeks input on the development of a citywide memorial.

We invite you to participate in this upcoming listening session to share your experiences with healing, remembrance, and resilience. Your feedback will help inform a call-to-artists for the commemorative artwork. Those not interested in sharing their experiences are also welcome to attend.

September 28, 2019
Event Date2019-09-28T14:30:00 - 2019-09-28T16:30:00

One Boston Resilience Project Listening Session: East Boston

The City of Boston has launched the One Boston Resilience Project to envision our collective strength after violence, as illuminated by the Boston Marathon bombing.

September 26, 2019
Event Date2019-09-26T17:30:00 - 2019-09-26T19:30:00

This project is intended to help us build connectivity and resilience across the City. The City’s response following the Boston Marathon bombing shed light on our community's commitment to supporting our families, friends, and neighbors who have been impacted by violence of all forms. As part of this project, the City is looking for your guidance and has launched a community engagement process that seeks input on the development of a citywide memorial.

We invite you to participate in this upcoming listening session to share your experiences with healing, remembrance, and resilience. Your feedback will help inform a call-to-artists for the commemorative artwork. Those not interested in sharing their experiences are also welcome to attend.

September 26, 2019
Event Date2019-09-26T17:30:00 - 2019-09-26T19:30:00
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