Quincy: Christmas Magic in Quincy

For visitors seeking the true spirit of Christmas, make your way to Quincy, Massachusetts, a city bursting with holiday magic from Thanksgiving through Christmas.

Among the holiday glad tidings: Christmas tree lightings, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, caroling and concerts, outdoor ice skating and plenty of holiday markets, craft fairs and retail shopping. Quincy celebrates religions of all faiths throughout December, including a special Gathering at the Creche representing the Christian nativity scene, and the lighting of the Jewish Menorah to mark Hanukkah.

Kicking off the season is the 72nd Annual Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 1, a fun-filled occasion that brings out local families and friends from miles around. The 2.8 mile parade of colorful floats, marching bands and costumed characters, travels along Hancock Street, starting on Walter J. Hannon Parkway and ending at North Quincy High School.

Mayor Tom Koch, a lifelong Quincy resident, says the annual Christmas festivities reflect a distinctive community spirit that make Quincy such a special place to live, work and visit.

“Our City’s festivities have all become special traditions in our community,” says Mayor Koch. “So many families near and far mark the weekend after Thanksgiving on their calendars to celebrate this kick-off to the holiday season with their loved ones. We are proud to showcase Quincy’s rich breadth of culture, cuisine, history and natural beauty to visitors from around the world.”

Indeed, Quincy’s Christmas festivities offer a perfect occasion to sample the city’s international culinary scene, according to Quincy Tourism Director Dagny Ashley. “If you’re here for the Christmas parade, tree lightings or other holiday events, make sure to get a taste of Quincy,” she says.

“Quincy’s restaurant scene is hopping these days, with amazing American cuisine and international favorites such as Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Jamaican, Filipino, Latin and Indian,” Ashley says. “We also have cool French cafes, friendly Irish pubs and delicious dessert shops, from the famous Montilio’s Baking Company to a host of ice cream, gelato and froyo specialty stores.”

Winter Festivities

After Christmas, Quincy has plenty of visitor activities throughout winter, starting with the annual New Year’s Day hike on January 1 at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, where visitors can also enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing. In late January, Quincy celebrates Lunar New Year to honor the city’s many Asian communities. It’s a perfect way to explore the city’s vibrant Asian restaurants, businesses and cultural richness.

Since Quincy is the City of Presidents, it goes all out for President’s Day weekend, February 14-17, with an annual Winterfest on Hancock Adams Common. Winterfest features live music and family entertainment, ice sculptures, vendors and special programs about the city’s two beloved presidents, John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. Speaking of presidents, winter also marks the start of Quincy 400, a year-long tribute in 2025 to the city’s 400th anniversary, in association with the Mayor’s
Office, Quincy Chamber of Commerce, Adams National Historic Park and others.

To learn more about Quincy and all it has to offer, visit DiscoverQuincy.com

Winter 2024 Calendar

November 29
Christmas Tree Lighting
Hancock Adams Common

November 29-December 1
December 6-8
Kilroy Square Holiday Market
Artisans, specialty shops & crafters

November 30
Santa arrives by helicopter
Pageant Field

December 1
72nd Annual Christmas Parade
From downtown to North Quincy

December 5, 19
Christmas Cheers
Eustis Estate, Milton

December 7
A Swinging Christmas Concert
Church of Presidents

December 8
Christmas Tree Lighting
Generals Bridge & Park

December 15
Christmas Gathering at the Creche
Hancock Adams Common

December 15
Quincy Choral Society Presents
The Messiah
Wollaston Church of the Nazarene

December 26
Menorah Lighting
Hancock Adams Common

MORE DECEMBER HAPPENINGS

Ice Skating at Kilroy Square
Marina Bay Holiday Market
Light It Up Marina Bay

discoverquincy.com