Boston does not have one big Christmas market in the European style. It has two large seasonal markets, Snowport in the Seaport and the SoWa Christmas Market in the South End, a craft fair in Harvard Square and a scattering of one-day holiday sales. The good news is that the city is compact: you can see the two main markets in an afternoon and still be back at your hotel for dinner. Here are the 2026 dates, what each market is like and where to stay.
Boston Christmas markets 2026 at a glance
| Market | Where | 2026 dates | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Holiday Market at Snowport | Seaport Common, 100 Seaport Blvd | November 6 to December 27, 2026, daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day | Free; optional weekend Fast Pass $15 in advance or $20 on the day for adults, $7 for ages 6 to 17 and veterans |
| SoWa Christmas Market | SoWa Power Station, 550 Harrison Ave, South End | November 20 to December 27, 2026, closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day | $10, under 12 free |
| Harvard Square Holiday Fair | The Galeria, JFK and Winthrop Streets, Cambridge | December 11 to 13 and 18 to 20, 2026; Friday noon to 7 pm, Saturday 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday noon to 6 pm | Free |
| Christmas in Boston (shop) | Faneuil Hall Marketplace | Open all year | Free |
Dates and prices from the organizers' websites, checked October 19, 2026. Hours change through the season, so check before you go.
The Holiday Market at Snowport, Seaport
Snowport is the Seaport's winter village on Seaport Common, with wooden stalls of local makers, food and drink, and seasonal events. In 2026 it runs from November 6 to December 27, every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and closes early, at 6 pm, on Christmas Eve. It opens at 3 pm Monday to Thursday (11 am from December 7), 11 am on Friday and 10 am at weekends, closing at 8 or 9 pm. Entry is free; on Saturdays and Sundays a paid Fast Pass, bought through the Seaport app, skips the queue.
Where to stay: the Seaport hotels are a few minutes' walk away, and several have indoor pools, useful in December. Our Seaport hotel guide compares eleven of them, with walking times, parking and nightly fees.
SoWa Christmas Market, South End
The SoWa market moves indoors to the SoWa Power Station on Harrison Avenue, with local artists, makers and food vendors under one roof. In 2026 it runs from November 20 to December 27, closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, with shorter hours on Christmas Eve. Tickets are $10, children aged 12 and under go free, and nearby lots charge about $10, cash only.
Where to stay: the AC Hotel Boston Downtown is about 5 minutes on foot from SoWa, and the boutique hotels by Back Bay station, such as The Revolution, are 10 to 12 minutes away. See our South End hotel guide.
Harvard Square Holiday Fair, Cambridge
A long-running indoor craft fair at the Galeria, at JFK and Winthrop Streets, with jewelry, ceramics, textiles and other handmade gifts. In 2026 it runs over two weekends, December 11 to 13 and December 18 to 20, from noon to 7 pm on Friday, 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday and noon to 6 pm on Sunday. Entry is free. For hotels within walking distance, see our guide to hotels near Harvard and MIT.
Snowport and SoWa in one afternoon
On a Saturday, start at SoWa when it opens at 10 am, while the hall is quiet, then take a taxi or rideshare to the Seaport, about 10 minutes in light traffic, or walk the 2 kilometers in about 25 minutes over the Fort Point Channel. Reach Snowport by early afternoon, before the evening crowds, and stay for the lights after dark, a little after 4 pm in December.
More holiday spots in Boston
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace: the year-round Christmas in Boston shop sells ornaments and decorations in the North Market building, and the marketplace is decorated for the season. The Canopy by Hilton and The Bostonian are a few minutes away; see our Downtown hotel guide.
- Boston Common and the Public Garden: lit trees and the Frog Pond skating rink make an easy evening walk from the hotels of Beacon Hill and Back Bay.
- Neighborhood holiday sales: churches, schools and neighborhoods hold one-day markets on December weekends; dates are announced late, so check local listings once you arrive.
Booking a hotel for the holiday markets
Early December is one of the better-value times to visit Boston: rates are well below the October peak, although weekends around the markets and holiday events fill faster than weekdays. Our guide to Boston hotel prices by month shows how the calendar moves rates, and our guide to taxes and fees explains what is added to the room rate.
Frequently asked questions
Does Boston have a Christmas market?
Yes, several. The two biggest are the Holiday Market at Snowport in the Seaport, from November 6 to December 27, 2026, and the SoWa Christmas Market in the South End, from November 20 to December 27, 2026.
Is the Snowport market free?
Yes. General admission is free; a paid Fast Pass, sold through the Seaport app for Saturdays and Sundays, lets you skip the line.
How much is the SoWa Christmas Market?
$10 per person in 2026, with children aged 12 and under free. Nearby parking lots charge about $10, cash only.
Where should I stay for the Boston Christmas markets?
In the Seaport for Snowport, or in the South End or Back Bay for SoWa. The two markets are about 2 kilometers apart, a short taxi ride or a 25-minute walk.
When is the best time to visit the Boston Christmas markets?
Weekday afternoons in late November and early December are the quietest. Weekends close to Christmas are the busiest, and both main markets close on Christmas Day.