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.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park will host the 23rd annual holiday lighting of the signature trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End.

Boston’s historic waterfront, will be transformed into a beautiful holiday display when the park’s 260 feet of trellis are illuminated with lights near the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel and throughout the park. 

Other festive activities include: 

• Musical performances
• Special guest appearance from Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 
• Eggnog from H.P. Hood
• Hot chocolate and cookies from the Boston Marriott Long Wharf
• Clam Chowder courtesy of Joes Waterfront

The celebration is sponsored by H.P. Hood LLC and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park.  Additional support is provided by Meet Boston.

Visit the Parks events page or call (617) 635-4505 for more information.

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.

• 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. 

On July 14, August 25, and September 15, 2019 shoppers, diners and pedestrians can explore new restaurants, local boutiques, and international brands — or rediscover your favorite Newbury Street gems on a street transformed and free of cars. Find meaning in the melodies of local musicians, challenge your friends to an outdoor game, or simply stroll along enjoying the festive atmosphere of Open Newbury Street. Celebrate Newbury Street, a uniquely treasured place in the heart of Boston.

There are multiple MBTA stations in the vicinity of Newbury Street including Arlington, Copley and Hynes on the Green Line and Back Bay Station on the Orange Line and commuter rail. Ride your bike to Newbury Street and lock it to bike corrals stationed throughout the event. Take BlueBikes and dock at stations located throughout Back Bay. Multiple parking garages are located in the Copley Square area south of Boylston Street.

Newbury Street will be car-free from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue. The intersections of Exeter Street, Fairfield Street, Gloucester Street and Hereford Street will be car-free with the remainder of the intersections open to traffic for public safety access. Parking will be restricted beginning at 5 am.

The City of Boston encourages all businesses to take part in Open Newbury Street by activating outdoor spaces and taking advantage of the reclaimed public space. All outdoor activations are restricted only to those businesses that have brick and mortar locations on Newbury Street. If you are representing a business that is located on Newbury Street and would like set up an event outside, please fill out the online form or contact Jacob Wessel at jacob.wessel@boston.gov or 617-635-0025. We are excited to hear about what you're planning and look forward to helping make this year's Open Newbury Street days successful for your business!

For information on cancellations, check Twitter at @healthyboston and @bostonparksdept. You can also call 617-534-2355.

For information on cancellations, check Twitter at @healthyboston and @bostonparksdept. You can also call 617-534-2355.