The 9 Best Boston Christmas Markets

If you are travelling during December, it is almost mandatory to include the Christmas markets among the things to see and do in Boston. During the festive season, everything is decked out in white, the lights on the trees are switched on and the city's decorations are stunningly beautiful.

The capital of Massachusetts is full of historical sites, as it was here that the revolution that led to the independence of the United States began. A tour of the city to see all its attractions, including the Christmas markets, will leave no one indifferent.

Although it is open all year round, if you are looking for things to do in Boston in December, I recommend visiting this market.

At Christmas, the Boston Women's Market is decked out in the traditional colours of Santa Claus and filled with twinkling lights and gifts for all tastes and budgets.

There you will find artists who make all kinds of products, including jewellery, home goods, clothing, ceramics, and art.

BMW is not just another market, but was opened with the intention of becoming a generator of social change and an opportunity to amplify the voice in support of women-founded businesses and artists.

Since its debut in 2017 at the beautiful Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain, the market has worked tirelessly to preserve a space for artisans and artists of all kinds, from carpenters to candle makers and illustrators.

How do you get to the market?

The market has rotating locations around The Hub and you can visit it every Saturday and Sunday, including at Time Out Market Boston on 4 December.

You can visit the market's official website to find out exactly where they will be during your stay in Boston.

In the heart of this city so visited for its history, Seaport stands as a beacon of all things new, creative and unexpected. It is home to technology, innovation, art and doing things a little differently.

Upon entering Seaport, located between Boston's picturesque waterfront and the historic Fort Point district, you will already feel the change in energy. There's a little more excitement, a little more style, and the feeling that something interesting is just around the corner!

For the holiday season, everything is even more special, as this seaport transforms into the Snowport Holiday Market, a magical winter wonderland where you can shop for great gifts while enjoying fun games and many surprises for visitors.

You can also see festive art displays and listen to live Christmas carols. The market has over 100 small vendor stalls offering art, jewellery, homewares, clothing and unique crafts.

As you stroll around, you can sample authentic winter treats such as hot chocolate, freshly made waffles and craft beer.

A great way to spend a morning in Boston is to visit the Tea Party Museum and then browse and grab a bite to eat at this Christmas market, as they are less than a 10-minute walk apart.

How to get to the market?

This market is one of the most renowned and oldest in the city and is located in the well-known Seaport neighbourhood.

The exact address is 88 Seaport Blvd and you can easily get there by car, although if you feel like walking, it is not too far from the city centre.

Opening hours

The Holiday Market has extended hours from 10 to 23 December and is open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Monday-Thursday: 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Friday-Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The legendary Downtown Boston Holiday Market is the most popular Christmas market among tourists from all over the world due to its prime location in the city centre.

Here you can spend a day shopping at the famous Macy's store and other major brand name shops.

Macy's is a benchmark in the United States because it conveys the essence of American culture: large heritage buildings with many floors offering a huge range of products for all tastes and ages. Don't miss their Christmas decorations!

Then you can visit the beautiful stalls on Downtown Crossing to marvel at local art, handmade jewellery, wood carvings, scented candles, Christmas items and more.

An added bonus is that as you walk through the streets , you can hear Christmas carols and Santa Claus ringing his bells.

How to get to the market?

The Downtown Boston Holiday Market is open every day of the week starting on 23 November.

The exact address is 467 Washington St., but it is very easy to get to because it is located in the city centre, where most of the hotels are.

Near the Freedom Trail, the area where the best guided tours of Boston take place, is the Boston Public Market. At Christmas, this permanent market hosts a more festive version inside.

The Holiday Cr[eat]or Market is open from 24 November to 23 December, but only on Saturdays and Sundays. Inside, you will find numerous stalls where local artisans offer their products, from jewellery to delicious food.

How to get to the market?

The market is located on Hannover Street, in the city centre. My advice is to take advantage of one of your walks in the area to visit on foot and wander around the stalls for a while.

The Harvard Square Holiday Fair is one of the most beloved Christmas markets in the area, and every year it returns with a fresh look and lots of new features for tourists and locals alike**.**

Every weekend, you'll find many eclectic, funky vendors offering original prints, fun and unique clothing, wood-carved accessories, bags, jewellery, and much more.

At Christmas, the market is charming, and you can enjoy local goods and a live soundtrack that will make you feel like you're in a Hollywood film.

How to get there and practical information

• When: it is usually held for 8 or 9 days in mid-December.
• Where and how to get there: the market is located in Harvard Square and the best way to get there is by bus number 93.

The SoWa Vintage Market is Boston's main arts centre, where you'll find beautiful vintage gifts.

During the Christmas season, a winter festival is held on its premises, where you'll find numerous vendors specialising in fashion collections, jewellery, art, furniture and much more.

Gastronomy is also a strong point of the market, as you can enjoy delicious hot chocolate or a beer from Jack's Abby Beer Garden, as well as lots of tasty food. In fact, it can be a great introduction if you are planning to take a food tour of Boston.

You can also stroll through a forest of fresh pine trees to visit more than 100 local artisans and food vendors, as well as admire the shop windows and Christmas lights along Thayer Street while visiting artists' studios, showrooms, galleries and boutiques.

Dates and how to get to the market

• Where it is and how to get there: It is located at the SoWa Power Station at 450 Harrison Ave at the back of the South End. The nearest public transport station is the Orange Line/Tufts Medical Centre.
• When: The festival usually opens on the last weekend of November and then runs from Wednesday to Sunday for the following two weeks. It is usually open between 6pm and 10pm, although it is advisable to check the opening hours.

The Society of Arts + Crafts CraftBoston Holiday craft fair is a juried exhibition and sale of contemporary crafts.

There you will find jewellery, textiles, clothing, ceramics, home goods, décor and countless unique handmade accessories.

For Christmas, they make very original special items that are perfect if you are looking for a souvenir of your trip or a gift for someone. The calendar of events also includes live craft demonstrations by some of the artists.

It is advisable to check their website to find out what events will be taking place during your visit to the market.

Opening hours

and how to get to the market

• Address and how to get there: it is located at the Hynes Convention Centre, 900 Boston Street, Back Bay neighbourhood. The best way to get there from the city centre is to take the green line on the underground and get off at the Convention Centre stop.
• When: it takes place over a weekend in mid-December. It usually opens around 10:00-11:00 in the morning and closes between 17:00 and 19:00 depending on the day.
• Price: Approximately £15 for adults. Free for children under 18.

This is the best known and largest Christmas market on the list, and definitely a must-see if you are visiting the city during the Christmas season. It is also a European-style Christmas market, with craft stalls, food sales and all kinds of activities.

The market begins the day before Thanksgiving and runs until the day before New Year's Eve. Every year, the market attracts more than 100,000 tourists, both from the United States and other countries, and of course locals who set aside a day to shop for the best Christmas gifts.

If you are travelling to Boston, you cannot miss this market full of exquisite food, live shows and dozens of artisans and artists showcasing their talent in their Christmas products.

The activities planned for the little ones, all of which are great fun, make this market one of the best activities if you've travelled to Boston with children.

Traveller Tip:

In the same square where the market is located, you'll find an incredible ice rink for the whole family to enjoy. What's more, Santa Claus himself comes to take photos with the children at the weekend.

Useful information and how to get to the market?

• Where: The Boston Winter Market is located at City Plaza Government Centre. As it is in the city centre, my advice is to walk or use one of Boston's tourist buses.
• Dates and opening hours: it usually starts in the last week of November and lasts throughout December. It opens every day at 11:00 a.m. and closes around 9:00 p.m., although it is best to check the website.

This Christmas market is ideal for lovers of finely crafted scented candles, turned wood and blown glass.

Here, more than 30 New England artists and artisans will offer some of their best work in a single day. In addition, the Boston Conservatory Brass will provide live music for the event.

Other creations you can find at the Christmas market include textiles, photography, fine art, jewellery, ceramics, and more.

After leaving the market, you will find many more shopping opportunities along Newbury and Boston Streets.

Useful information

• Where: Gordon Chapel at Old South Church, 645 Boston Street (corner of Dartmouth and Boston). The Green Line is the best way to get there.
• Dates and times: usually held on the first Saturday in December, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

When deciding on the best time to travel to Boston, it is important to consider certain factors, which I will outline below.

Pros of travelling to Boston in December

• The Christmas decorations and special offers on all kinds of products are great
• Airfares are usually cheaper at this time of year
• In the low season, accommodation is more affordable, allowing you to save money or choose a better category for the same price you would pay in the high season.
• In December, you can enjoy snow activities such as ice skating and making fun shapes in the snow or traditional snowmen.
• You can ski and go tubing at the Blue Hills Ski Area, which is very close to downtown Boston. It's only a 45-minute drive or Uber ride away.

I also recommend this article about the10 best things to do in Boston in December.

Cons of travelling to Boston at Christmas

• The days are much shorter, and you will have to get up early to take advantage of the daylight hours.
• Be prepared to pack lots of warm clothes.
• Snowfall can cause airports to close and some activities to be suspended. Also check the information here about transfers from Boston Airport.

The weather in the northern United States is really cold, with temperatures reaching -25 degrees below zero.

Although winter begins on 21 December and lasts until March, you can already feel the winter weather in the last days of November and early December.
Nothing that can't be fixed with a good coat, woolly hat and a warm jumper!

Remember that the United States is well prepared for low temperatures and all places are perfectly heated and air-conditioned so that you can enjoy an ideal stay in the city.

December can be a fascinating month to visit Boston because the snowfall turns the urban landscape white and the contrast with the Christmas decorations is dreamlike.