Best Boston Christmas Markets

If you are going to travel during the month of December it is almost mandatory that you include the Christmas lights among the things to see and do in Boston. During these holidays everything is decked out in white, the tree lights are turned on and the decoration of the city surprises for its beauty.

The capital of Massachusetts is full of historical sites, since it was not in vain where the revolution that led to the independence of the United States began. Touring it to see all its attractions, including the markets that are installed at Christmas, leaves 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 dressed in Santa's colors and filled with twinkling lights and gifts for all tastes and budgets.

There you'll find artists making products of all kinds, including jewelry, housewares, 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 candle makers 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 the home for technology, innovation, art and doing things a little differently.

As you enter Seaport, located between Boston' s picturesque 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 everything is even more special, as this seaport transforms into Snowport Holiday Market, a magical winter wonderland where you can shop for great gifts while having fun with fun games and lots of surprises for its visitors.

You'll also see festive art displays and hear live holiday tunes. The market features more than 100 small vendor booths offering unique art, jewelry, housewares, 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 plan for a morning in Boston might be to visit the Tea Party Museum and then browse and grab a bite to eat at this holiday market, as they are less than a 10-minute walk away.

How to get to the market?

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

The exact address is 88 Seaport Blvd and you can easily reach it by car, although, if you feel like walking, it is not too far from downtown,

Schedule

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

• Monday-Thursday: 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Friday-Saturday: 11:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 11:00 - 19:00

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

Here you can spend a day of shopping visiting the famous Macy's store and other stores of important and renowned brands.

Macy's is a reference in the United States because it conveys the essence of American culture: large buildings of heritage value with many floors with huge amounts of products for all tastes and ages. Do not miss their Christmas decorations!

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

A 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 from November 23rd.

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

Near Freedom Trail, the site of Boston's best historic tours, 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 November 24 through December 23, but only on Saturdays and Sundays. Inside you will find numerous stalls where local artisans offer their products, from jewelry to delicious food.

How to get to the market?

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

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

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

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

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 premier arts center and you'll find beautiful vintage gifts.

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

The food is also a strong point of the market as you'll be able to 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 holiday 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: It is located at the SoWa Power Station at 450 Harrison Ave in the back of the South End. The nearest public transportation station is the Orange Line/Tufts Medical Center.
• When is it: the festival usually opens the last weekend in November and then opens Wednesday through Sunday for the next two weeks. It usually runs between 6pm and 10pm, although it is advisable to check these hours.

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

There you will find jewelry, textiles, apparel, ceramics, home goods, 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 at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boston Street, Back Bay neighborhood. The best way to get there from downtown is to use the green line subway 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 a.m. and closes between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. depending on the day.
• Price: About $15 for adults. Children under 18 free

It is the best known and largest Christmas market of the whole list, and undoubtedly an undisputed must if you are visiting the city during the Christmas season. It is also a European-style Christmas market, with its craft stalls, food sales and activities of all kinds.

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

If you are traveling to Boston, you can not miss this market full of delicious food, live shows and dozens of artisans and artists with a superb demonstration of talent in their Christmas products.

The programmed activities for the little ones, all very fun, make this market one of the best activities if you have traveled 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. In addition, on weekends Santa Claus 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. Being in the center of the city, 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 is better to make sure on the website.

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 artisans 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, jewelry, pottery and more.

After leaving the market, you'll 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 subway is the best way to get there.
• Dates and times: usually held on the first Saturday in December, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

When making a decision about when is the best time to travel to Boston, it is important to take into account certain factors that I am going to tell you about below.

Pros of traveling to Boston in December

• Christmas decorations and offers on all kinds of products are great.
• Airline tickets are usually cheaper on this date.
• In low season lodging 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 figures in the snow or the typical snowmen.
• You can ski and tubing at the Blue Hills Ski Area, which is very close to downtown Boston. It is only 45 minutes away by car or Uber.

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

Cons of traveling to Boston for Christmas

• The days are much shorter and you will have to get up early to take advantage of the sunny hours.
• Be prepared to carry lots of suitcases with warm clothes.
• Snowfall may cause airports to close and some activities may be suspended. You can view information about Boston airport transfershere.

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

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 wool 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 live an ideal stay in the city.

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