Best Boston Christmas Markets

If you are going to travel during the month of December it is almost obligatory to include the Christmas lights among the things to see and do in Boston. During the holidays, everything is decked out in white, the lights on the trees are lit and the city's decorations are astonishingly beautiful.

The capital of Massachusetts is full of historical sites, as it was not in vain where the revolution that led to the independence of the United States began. A tour of all its attractions, including the markets that are set up at Christmas, 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 you to visit this market.

At Christmas, the Boston Women's Market is decked out in Santa's colours and filled with twinkling lights and gifts for every taste and budget.

Here you'll find artists making all kinds of products, including jewellery, homewares, clothing, pottery and art.

BMW is not just another marketplace, 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 woodworkers to candlemakers to illustrators.

How to get to the market?

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

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's home to technology, innovation, art and doing things a little differently.

As you enter Seaport, nestled between the picturesque Boston waterfront and the historic Fort Point district, you'll already feel the energy shift - there's a little more excitement, a little more style and a sense that something interesting is just around the corner!

For the holiday season it gets even more special, as this seaport transforms into the Snowport Holiday Market, a magical winter wonderland where you can shop for great gifts while being entertained by fun games and plenty of surprises for visitors.

You can also see festive art displays and listen to live Christmas songs. The market features more than 100 small vendor stalls offering unique art, jewellery, homewares, clothing and crafts.

As you stroll through, 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 might be to visit the Tea Party Museum and then browse and grab a bite to eat at this Christmas market, which is less than a 10-minute walk away.

How to get to the market

This market is one of the oldest and most recognised in the city and is located in the popular Seaport neighbourhood.

The exact address is 88 Seaport Blvd and can be easily reached by car, although it's not too far from the city centre if you feel like strolling,

Opening hours

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

• Monday-Thursday: 15:00 - 20:00
• Friday-Saturday: 11:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 11:00 - 19:00

The legendary Downtown Boston Holiday Market is the most frequented Christmas market by tourists from all over the world due to its privileged location in the centre of the city.

Here you can spend a day shopping at the famous Macy's shop and other big name brands.

Macy's is a reference in the United States because it conveys the essence of American culture: large heritage buildings with many floors with huge amounts 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, handcrafted jewellery, wood carvings, scented candles, Christmas items and more.

A bonus is that as you walk through the streets you'll hear carolers and Father Christmas ringing his bells.

How to get to the market?

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

The exact address is 467 Washington St., but access is extremely easy because it is in the heart of downtown and the location of most of the hotels.

Near Freedom Trail, the area where Boston's best historic tours take place, is the Boston Public Market. At Christmas, this permanent market houses 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'll find numerous stalls where local artisans offer their wares, from jewellery to delicious food.

How to get to the market?

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

The Harvard Square Holiday Fair is one of the area's best-loved Christmas markets and each year it returns refreshed and with many new features for tourists and locals alike.

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

At Christmas time the market is a delight and you can enjoy local wares and a live soundtrack that will make you feel like you're in a Hollywood movie.

How to get there and practical information

• When: Usually held for 8-9 days in mid-December.
• Where and how to get there: The market is set up in Harvard Square and the best way to get there is by bus number 93.

The SoWa Vintage Market is Boston's premier arts centre and is home to beautiful vintage gifts.

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

Food is also a strong point of the market as you can enjoy a nice 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're planning 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 window displays and Christmas lights along Thayer Street while visiting artists' studios, showrooms, galleries and boutiques.

Dates and directions to the market

• Where it is and how to get there: Located at the SoWa Power Station at 450 Harrison Ave in the back of the South End. The nearest public transit station is the Orange Line/Tufts Medical Center.
• When: The festival usually opens the last weekend in November and then opens Wednesday through Sunday for the next two weeks. It usually runs between 18:00 and 22:00, although it is advisable to check these times.

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

You'll find jewellery, textiles, apparel, ceramics, homewares, home decor and a host of unique handmade accessories.

For Christmas they make very original special objects, perfect if you are looking for a souvenir for 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 which event will be on during your visit to the market.

Schedule and how to get to the market

• Address and directions: Located in the Hynes Convention Center at 900 Boston Street in the Back Bay neighbourhood. The best way to get there from downtown is to take the Green Line underground and get off at the Convention Center stop.
• When: Takes place on 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: About $15 for adults. Children under 18 free

This is the best known and largest Christmas market on this list, and definitely a must-visit if you're visiting the city during the holiday season. It's also a European-style Christmas market, with craft stalls, food for sale and activities of all kinds.

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

If you are travelling to Boston, you can't miss this market filled with exquisite food, live shows and dozens of artisans and artists with a superb display of talent in their Christmas products.

The activities programmed for the little ones, all very fun, make this market one of the best activities if you have travelled to Boston with children.

Traveller Tip:

In the same square where the market is located you can find an incredible skating rink for the whole family to enjoy. On weekends, Father Christmas himself comes to take pictures with the children.

Useful information and directions to the market?

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

This Christmas market is ideal for those who love finely crafted scented candles, turned wood and blown glass.

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

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

After leaving the market, you'll find plenty more shopping opportunities along Newbury and Boston Streets.

Useful information and directions

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

When deciding when is the best time to travel to Boston, it is important to take into account certain factors which I will explain below.

Pros of travelling to Boston in December

• Christmas decorations and deals on all kinds of products are great.
• Airfares tend to be cheaper at this time of year.
• In low season, accommodation is more affordable and will allow you to save on your budget or choose a better category for the same price you would pay in high season.
• In December you can enjoy snow activities such as ice skating and making fun snow figures or snowmen.
• You can ski and tubing at the Blue Hills Ski Area, which is very close to downtown Boston. It's only 45 minutes away by car or Uber.

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

Cons of travelling to Boston for Christmas

• The days are much shorter and you will have to get up early to take advantage of the sunshine hours.
• Be prepared to pack plenty of suitcases with warm clothes.
• Snowfall may cause airports to close and some activities may be suspended. See here for information on Boston airport transfers.

The weather in the northern United States is bitterly cold, with temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius (minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit).

Although winter begins on December 21 and lasts until March, winter weather can be felt as early as late November and early December.
Nothing that can't be fixed with a good coat, a woolen cap and a warm sweater!

Remember that the United States is very prepared for low temperatures and all the places are perfectly heated and conditioned for you to have an ideal stay in the city.

December can be a fascinating month to visit Boston because due to the snowfall, the cityscapes turn white and the contrast with the Christmas decorations is dreamy.