Things To Do in Boston This Weekend: December 5-December 7

Boston’s weekend events are packed with festive energy, as the season brings together beloved traditions, dazzling performances, and immersive holiday entertainment. Listen to the joyful sounds of the Boston Pops…

Boston's Winter Fest

Photo: bostonswinterfest/Instagram

Boston's weekend events are packed with festive energy, as the season brings together beloved traditions, dazzling performances, and immersive holiday entertainment. Listen to the joyful sounds of the Boston Pops Orchestra, experience Cirque du Soleil's acrobatic magic, or wander through the glowing landscapes of Boston's Winter Fest.

Holiday Pops

  • What: A family-friendly holiday concert
  • When: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, through Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. (additional dates available)
  • Where: Boston Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston
  • Cost: Tickets start at $68.99

The Boston Pops Orchestra presents Holiday Pops, a festive concert conducted by Keith Lockhart. This time-honored Boston tradition features timeless Christmas songs, joyful carols, spirited sing-alongs, and a visit from Santa, inviting the whole family to celebrate the season.

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

  • What: A festive performance by Cirque du Soleil
  • When: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at 1, 4, and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at noon, 3, and 6 p.m.
  • Where: Boch Center's Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston
  • Cost: Tickets start at $62.85

"'Twas the Night Before..." is the first holiday show by Cirque du Soleil that presents the classic Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" through dazzling acrobatics and moving visuals. The story follows young Isabella and her father, who are separated by a snowstorm and sent on a fantastical winter adventure. With delightful characters and exciting choreography, "'Twas the Night Before..." is an entertaining family experience celebrating imagination and the joy of the holiday season.

Boston's Winter Fest

  • What: An immersive winter wonderland experience
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. (additional dates available)
  • Where: The Yard Charlestown, 100 Hood Park Drive, Boston
  • Cost: $5 admission

At Boston's Winter Fest, guests can view giant light installations, explore a life-size ice castle, browse artisan vendors at a winter market, and indulge in festive food and drinks beneath twinkling lights. With carnival-style rides, a Ferris wheel, and seasonal music, this event promises holiday fun for visitors of all ages.

Other Events

With the holiday season in full swing, there are plenty of things to do in Boston this weekend. Enjoy festive shopping, catch a classic ballet performance, or participate in a hands-on creative experience:

  • The Snowport Holiday Market: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, and Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (additional dates/times available through Dec. 28, 2025) at Boston Seaport, 100 Seaport Blvd., Boston
  • "The Nutcracker" Ballet: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at 1:30 and 6 p.m. (additional dates/times available through Dec. 28, 2025) at Citizens Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston
  • Drop-In Art MakingSunday, Dec. 7, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (additional dates available) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston