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Thanksgiving Weekend 2022 in Boston: Santa's Wonderland, Holiday Light Shows, and the Polar Express

Music fills the air, as light festivals and winter wonderlands mark Thanksgiving Weekend 2022 in Boston! Boston Tuba performance photo by Peter Lee, via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Music fills the air, as light festivals and winter wonderlands mark Thanksgiving Weekend 2022 in Boston! Boston Tuba performance photo by Peter Lee, via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
11/22/22 - By N Ferreira

Looking for the best things to do in Boston on Thanksgiving weekend 2022? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving weekend.

It's Thanksgiving weekend 2022 in Boston, and the calendar is filling up with holiday magic and festive family activities. Cirque du Soleil's Twas the Night Before... opens in Boston. Families can explore the outdoors for a Green Friday hike in Medfield, decorate gingerbread houses in Beverly, or get outside for a free family scavenger hunt in Westwood. Cheer on runners at the Franklin Park Turkey Trot—the largest Thanksgiving Day race in the city of Boston. Witness the return of Bright Nights at Forest Park, hop aboard a Polar Express 4D Experience at the Museum of Science or listen to the Christmas tubas at Downtown Crossing. 

Looking for ways to spend time at home as a family this long weekend? Try one of these easy Thanksgiving crafts or games and have yourself an After-Thanksgiving Party with DJ Squirm-a-Lot. You can also start planning a New England Christmas adventure and go see Boston's best holiday lights. For more holiday and Christmas activities, explore our Holiday Fun Guide for Boston Kids.  

More Things To Do in Boston this Week with Kids:

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Take a "Journey to the North Pole" to visit Santa! Photo courtesy of the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation

Thanksgiving Weekend 2022 in Boston - Things To Do with Kids

Magic of Lights

Foxborough—Daily through Friday, December 31, 2022
Pack up the car and head to Gillette Stadium for a holiday lights drive-thru. Visitors will experience the thrill of spectacular light displays featuring familiar holiday favorites and accompanied by a festive soundtrack. Enjoy brand-new displays including Prehistoric Christmas, Big Foot Monster Trucks and the Snow Flurry Tunnel, as well as Magic of Lights favorites including the 12 Days of Christmas, Toyland and the Enchanting Tunnel of Lights. READ MORE

Santa's Wonderland

Foxborough—Daily through Sunday, December 24, 2022
Enjoy a free photo with Santa at Santa’s Wonderland in Foxborough. To keep everyone safe this year, timed reservations are required.  READ MORE

The Polar Express 4-D Experience

Boston—Daily through Thursday, December 7, 2022
THE POLAR EXPRESS 4-D Experience is based on the inspiring and beloved Caldecott Medal children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. Featured in digital 3-D and brought to life with 4-D multi sensory effects, this is an immersive experience for the whole family to enjoy. READ MORE

ZooLights at Stone Zoo

Stoneham—Daily through Sunday, January 8, 2023
Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Enjoy a one-way stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to black bears, bald eagle, Canada lynx, reindeer, and arctic foxes. This year, several illuminated large-scale lantern displays will light up your winter's night. While Santa is too busy to swing by this year, you can meet Mrs. Claus as she spreads holiday cheer through the Zoo. READ MORE

Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, NH—Thursday, November 24 - Sunday, January 1, 2023
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is trading in the checkered flags for more than 2.5 million twinkly LED lights for their 10th annual Gift of Lights. Passengers will cruise through 2.5-mile of lights at this drive-thru experience, including the Tunnel of Lights. READ MORE

North Shore Holiday Light Show

Haverhill—Thursdays-Sundays through December 31, 2022
Bundle up in the car, pack a favorite snack, and tune in on the radio to enjoy a synced light performance traveling through the holiday light show. Featuring dozens of dazzling, larger-than-life holiday-themed displays, this drive-thru won't disappoint. READ MORE

Christ: Living Light Festival of Lights at La Salette

Attleborough—Thursday, November 24 - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Free
Celebrate La Salette Shrine lights 70th year. The lights have been shining brightly each year at Christmastime since 1953. Come one, come all to see angels, snowflakes, the Three Kings, the Peaceable Kingdom, and over 2,000 manger scenes from around the world illuminated by 400,000 lights.  READ MORE

Festival of Trees and Snow Village at Elm Bank

Wellesley—Wednesdays - Sundays through December 31, 2022
Along with trees decorated by Massachusetts Horticultural Society expert gardeners, there is an indoor Snow Village, a model railroad, outdoor lighting displays, and a fire pit with s’mores. Purchase tickets in advance. READ MORE

Winterlights - Naumkeag

Canton—Wednesdays - Sundays through January 7, 2023
Enjoy a magical outdoor experience and get in the holiday spirit and take a stroll through thousands of shimmering holiday lights. Food and refreshments will also be available. READ MORE

Southwick Zoo Winter Wonderland

Mendon—Wednesdays - Sundays through December 31, 2022
This year’s Winter Wonderland guests will enjoy two events in one. Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination will feature a ride through an enchanted forest on Santa's train. Stroll through Santa’s Village and snap photos at a meet and greet with Santa, then catch some performances under the Cirque de Illumination tent. READ MORE

'Twas the Night Before...by Cirque du Soleil

Boston— Wednesdays -Sundays through December 21, 2022
'Twas the Night Before... is an exhilarating spin on the beloved Christmas tale and marks Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Christmas production in New England.  READ MORE

SoWa Winter Festival

Boston— Fridays -Sundays through December 11, 2022
At this winter shopping village and holiday festival, visitors can browse handmade gifts, sip on winter cocktails, and discover the best of the SoWa Art + Design District. READ MORE

Christmas by Candlelight Sturbridge

Sturbridge — Fridays -Sundays through December 30, 2022
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village is an enchanting evening filled with New England holiday traditions, Colonial music, sleigh rides, a roaring bonfire, and a nightly tree lighting.  READ MORE

Polar Express Train Ride on Cape Cod Central Railroad

Buzzards Bay—Friday, November 25 - Friday, December 23, 2022
Adventure comes to life when the train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a merry-making cast. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a 1 to 1 ½ hour trip to meet Santa. READ MORE

Fall Family Scavenger Hunt

Westwood—Friday, November 25, 2022
Free
Routinely named a parent favorite, this Black Friday tradition is green. This year, the treasure chests are back and this free, self-guided adventure invites explorers to hike scenic trails, complete fun activities, learn about the outdoors, and find prizes along the way.  READ MORE

Green Friday Hike at Rocky Woods

Medfield — Friday, November 25, 2022
Stretch those legs after a day of Thanksgiving feasting! Head over to Rocky Woods the day after Thanksgiving (also known as Green Friday, a more eco-conscious take on Black Friday) for a guided hike at Rocky Woods. READ MORE

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

Rutland, VT— Friday, November 25, 2022
Come see all of your favorite characters from the holiday classic, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life on stage. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us! READ MORE

SeaFestival of Trees

Salisbury—Friday, November 25 - 27, 2022
Experience the joy and excitement of the Seacoast’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, indoor ice skating, and Santa visits. READ MORE

Winterlights at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

North Andover—Friday, November 25-Sunday, January 7, 2023
This Trustees' beautiful garden property sparkles with thousands of shimmering, artfully designed holiday lights. Bring the whole family for a magical, fun, and safe outdoor experience – with food, refreshments, and more.  READ MORE

Castleberry Faire: Wilmington

Wilmington— November 25 -27, 2022
Celebrate American handiwork by choosing from plenty of gifts, accessories, decorative items, arts and crafts from local and regional artisans. READ MORE

Girl Gang Craft Salem Holiday Craft Fair

Salem— Saturday, November 26, 2022
Shop from over 50 female-owned local businesses at this bustling holiday craft fair in Salem. READ MORE

Make a Gingerbread House

Beverly—Various dates Sunday, November 27 - Sunday, December 18, 2022
Build a delicious house out of candy and gingerbread. Work together to design and decorate this sweet treat—from frosted candy roofs to pretzel picket fences, options are endless. READ MORE

Boston Tuba Christmas Concert

Boston— Sunday, November 27, 2022
Free
Get in the holiday spirit with more than 100 local tuba players playing your favorite holiday tunes. The warm and enchanting sound of this tuba-euphonium choir has won the hearts of audiences throughout the world, so do not miss your chance to be part of this holiday tradition. READ MORE

Ames Mansion Tour for Kids

Easton — Sunday, November 27, 2022
Free
Take a step back in time at the Ames Mansion Kids Tour. During the 30-minute guided tour, history buffs will learn about the history of the Ames family from the perspective of the Ames children. READ MORE

Journey to the North Pole

North Conway, NH— November 25 - December 23, 2022
Back for 2022! During a 2-hour adventure through the White Mountains, kids enjoy treats, meet elves, listen to “The Night Before Christmas," and have an opportunity to leave letters to Santa at the "North Pole" Post Office. Children with first-class or upper dome tickets may receive a special gift on the return trip back. READ MORE
Work off the extra helpings by cutting your own tree this year! Photo courtesy of Smolak Farms
Work off the extra helpings by cutting your own tree this year! Photo courtesy of Smolak Farms

More Things to Do in Boston in November and December

Christmas Tree Farms Near Boston

Cut your own fir, spruce, and pine trees near Boston in 2022! READ MORE

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Shop for holiday and Christmas gifts at these festive craft fairs. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Boston for Kids and Families

Boston's favorite outdoor skating rinks are back for more winter fun! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Our Lady of La Salette National Shrine
Cape Cod Central Railroad Depot
The Stevens-Coolidge Place
Aleppo Shriners Auditorium
Downtown Crossing, Boston
Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink at Larz Anderson Park