Holidays are Brighter in Boston

Boston lights up for the holidays and transforms into a world-class winter wonderland, thanks to happenings that draw inspiration from European, Scandinavian, and American traditions, among others. 

Come Black Friday, skip the megastore shopping madness and stroll one of the city’s many holiday markets instead. The European-style Winter Holiday Market at Snowport gathers more than 100 local craftspeople and makers under a sparkling canopy of 20,000 lights. Shop art, jewelry, home goods, apparel — or pick up a treat for yourself: more than a dozen food and beverage vendors keep shoppers fueled with sweet crepes, craft beer, and more.

In early December, grab a hot cocoa and set your sights on the sky for a holiday-themed drone show over Boston Common. The spectacle is just one in a season of Boston Frostival events (including the Scandi-inspired Frostival Lodge, a village of enclosed outdoor living rooms complete with fireplaces, cushy furniture, and fireplaces within Copley Square).

For a classically American take on holiday magic, take in the dazzling Christmas lights display atop Faneuil Hall Marketplace’s famous 50-foot tree or try ice skating (or even IceFlow Yoga classes) on Frog Pond (both locations are walking distance from The Whitney Hotel).

Even baseball’s iconic Fenway Park undergoes a winter makeover in Boston, as it becomes an epicenter of football with the Wasabi Fenway Bowl; The annual faceoff (scheduled for Boxing Day) is broadcast on ESPN and features top collegiate teams from the American Athletic Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference. 

It’s not just the winter season in which Boston comes alive: holidays themselves prove unmissable in the City of Notions. Whereas many American cities all but shut down on holidays, Boston turns up, with Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day happenings offered by the city’s most stylish hotels. Find a few of our favorites below.

Thanksgiving at Para Maria

A beloved fusion restaurant known for Korean Chicken Wings and Elote Corn Ribs may not seem the most obvious choice for a professionally prepared Thanksgiving feast, but acclaimed Chef Tatiana Rosana (Bar Rescue expert and two-time Chopped champion) is a master when it comes to serving tradition with an unexpected twist. 

This year, the innovative Para Maria chef will kick out juicy, cider-brined turkey alongside seasonal trimmings that pay homage to American classics and creativity alike–expect reimagined dishes (think: sweet potatoes with a hit of chipotle rather than marshmallows) that center the food as the ultimate draw when it comes to celebrating away from home. 

Rounding out the experience: A choice of pumpkin or apple pie plus a Black Friday staple: a “Thanksgiving leftovers” sandwich for each guest to take home.

Christmas at Para Maria

Forget Chinese takeout and starchy buffets: This holiday season, Bostonites will have a far more elevated option for dining out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, thanks to Para Maria at The Envoy Hotel. The lively, globally inspired restaurant will offer its full menu on these dates (which includes a coconut milk and warm spice-drenched Coquito French Toast for breakfast and roasted Peri Peri Chicken for dinner), plus festive additions that pull out all the stops: Sweet and spicy sweet potato bisque, port-braised short ribs, and chocolate Bûche de Noël (the traditional yule log cake rolled in decadent cream) are just a few of the seasonal indulgences Chef Tatiana has in store.

New Year’s Eve at The Envoy

Counting down to the new year isn’t always a family-friendly ordeal. But Para Maria remixes the elements of a glamorous New Year’s Eve party (think: signature cocktails and mocktails and live DJ) in its fete for all ages. Buoyed by effervescent libations and bites (from celebrated chef Tatiana Rosana), the “Countdown to 7PM” party allows families to celebrate together without missing bedtime (or a beat). Kids can enjoy live character entertainment and face painting stations; revelers of all ages can dance to high-energy pop music; and parents can keep the party going even after kids retire for the night, with an adults-only NYE event right upstairs at the Rooftop. 

An Elegant Holiday at The Whitney Hotel

Whether pouring over Pinterest pages in an effort to land the perfect turkey cooking technique, experimenting with whipped potato dishes to find what might work for your vegan sister, or trying not to think about the piles of dishes that result from serving holiday meals at home, it’s hard not to succumb to significant stress when it comes to holiday hosting. Thankfully, there’s an easier way to enjoy a finer-dining holiday with loved ones.

The acclaimed Peregrine Restaurant inside Beacon Hill’s The Whitney Hotel is giving Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve dinners (and New Year’s Day brunch) a refined makeover by serving classic dishes infused with coastal European flavors (think: those drawn from Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, and Catalonia). Even deciding on what to eat is made easy, thanks to multi-course, pre-fixe menus and a curated list of small-production wines.

The entire experience at Peregrine is designed to emphasize what matters most when it comes to holiday dining: gathering around the table with friends and family, savoring a relaxed (and uninterrupted) time together, and treating your crew to memorable meals (without the massive workload that can dim even the brightest of spirits).

Getaway with a Cozy Stay

Those seeking an intimate stay will find it at The Whitney Hotel, where staff are known to deliver excellent service for families and pets. Outstanding hospitality is just one of the factors that make this boutique hotel ideal for those looking to capture cozy holiday energy: Situated near the Charles River Esplanade in tony Beacon Hill, the space is an easy launchpad for exploring one of Boston’s most magical (and storied) neighborhoods. 

Haute Holidays at Boston Harbor Hotel

Think there’s no place like home for the holidays? Boston Harbor Hotel will make you think again. The city’s only Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond waterfront property pulls out all the stops to make spirits bright. 

Whether greeting visitors with Christmas carollers in the lobby, hosting holiday cocktail-making classes, screening cozy holiday movies (complete with a hot chocolate bar), or offering a Holiday Special Afternoon Tea, the hotel, known best for its modern luxury, bakes an aura of wonder into every nook of the space. 

Boston Harbor even manages to upgrade holiday shopping with its Dandelion Holiday Shop, which offers gift wrapping, mulled wine, and haute chocolate for a more refined shopping experience.

Another Way to Holiday

Experience the holidays on another level with the refined seasonal events at Boston Harbor Hotel. Tuck into a specialty menu at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille or downregulate spiked cortisol levels via the property’s new, $8 million wellness space, Rowes Wharf Health Club: a serene indoor pool and lounge, all-gender sauna and steam rooms provide the perfect way to unwind in style.

Boston goes all out for the holidays with sparkling Snowport markets, iconic Faneuil Hall lights, and effortless waterfront dining. Ditch the holiday hosting stress and immerse yourself in pure seasonal magic. Ready for an unforgettable winter escape? Explore all of Independent Collection’s holiday happenings to start planning your trip.