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2025 Boston's Official Holiday Tree Arrival

The annual gift of an evergreen Christmas tree from Nova Scotia is scheduled to arrive by police escort at Boston Common at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18.

November 18, 2025
Event Date2025-11-18T11:00:00

This is the 54th year that a tree has been donated and commemorates 108 years of friendship with Nova Scotia after the people of Boston provided emergency assistance when Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital, was devastated by a maritime munitions explosion in the harbor in 1917. The first Tree for Boston was donated in 1971 by Joseph Slauenwhite from Lunenburg County.

The historic Tree for Boston will come from Lunenberg County this year. The 13.7-metre (45-foot) white spruce is being donated by landowners Ronald and Claire Feener. “We have watched this tree grow from a young sapling to its present height for the last 30 years. We are happy and proud to donate this tree to Boston as a heartfelt thank you for all the help received during a great hardship in Halifax.” — Feener Family

Visit the Nova Scotia Tree page and Boston's Parks page for more information on the Tree for Boston, and follow our social channels to stay up to date with all the holiday lighting events: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

November 18, 2025
Event Date2025-11-18T11:00:00

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

2025 Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park

Help spread the holiday cheer by joining the City of Boston, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park for our annual trellis lighting in the North End's Christopher Columbus Park!

November 24, 2025
Event Date2025-11-24T17:00:00 - 2025-11-24T18:00:00

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.

November 24, 2025
Event Date2025-11-24T17:00:00 - 2025-11-24T18:00:00

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

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

Clifford Park community meeting

We invite Roxbury neighbors and Clifford Park users to provide feedback on proposed designs for the park.

September 30, 2019
Event Date2019-09-30T18:00:00

Please join us for the third in a series of community meetings. We look forward to sharing design concepts and hearing what you have to say.

For more information, please call Liz Sullivan at the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-7236, or email liz.sullivan@boston.gov.

September 30, 2019
Event Date2019-09-30T18:00:00

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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