Shopping, dining, and holiday magic—the Pru has your festive fixes all under one roof.
The holiday season in Boston is one of the most festive times of the year. Chilly air and snowy scenes aside, the hallmarks of the holidays make it all the more warm and vibrant. At Prudential Center, the city’s premier hotspot for dining, shopping, events, and sightseeing, the season of giving is in full swing.
With themed events, ample shops for gift buying, and a diverse array of restaurants offering up warm and comforting meals, the Pru is your all-in-one location for each box on your holiday checklist. Here’s how you can make your festive outing all the more memorable.
31 Nights of Lights
It wouldn’t be the new year without the Pru’s annual 31 Nights of Light. For the 17th year in a row, each night during the month of December the Prudential Tower will be lit up on behalf of its many nonprofit partners.
The tower lightings have become an essential component of Boston’s wintry skyline. From down below on Newbury Street to driving along the Charles River, you won’t be able to miss the Tower’s sparkling beacon of holiday dazzle.
Some of this year’s lighting partners (and their corresponding colors) include the New England Musicians Resource Fund (teal and purple), the American Lung Association (blue and teal), the Red Cross of Massachusetts (red), and the Rett Syndrome Angels/Rett Syndrome Association of Massachusetts (purple).
On Dec. 14, the Pru will be lit up blue for Hanukkah. On Christmas, it will shine red and green. For New Year’s Eve, gold, dazzling lights will ring in 2026. While the Pru is already a fixture in Boston’s skyline, this holiday shine will give it an extra reason to stop and stare.
Family Events
If you’ve been looking to take your child to meet Santa Clause, the Pru has you covered. Centrally located and chock full of enough retail stores and restaurants to make the visit a family outing, “Santa in the City” runs four weeks straight on Saturdays, starting Nov. 29, from noon to 6 p.m.
The Pru is also partnering with the Newtonville-based nonprofit, Cradles to Crayons. Dedicated to helping end child clothing insecurity, their collaboration with the Pru is an annual donation drive. Shoppers can visit the Giving Tree location at the Pru, select a tag, shop for the item, and then drop off the donation at a designated area.
For a magical family experience, the Pru’s South Garden has been transformed by Boston-based, creator-owned collective, MASARY, into a wintry display of lights and sounds that embody the holiday season. From synchronized lights and track to reflective sculptures, these state-of-the-art lighting towers and soundscapes truly bring the Pru’s garden to life. The Pru’s Winter Garden, free and open to the public, is located next to Blue Bottle Coffee in Center Court, and runs from Dec. 4 through 18, from 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
Holiday Shopping
Whether you’re getting your holiday shopping done in advance or searching for some last-minute gifts, the Pru has a varied array of stores that can fit any need. Pick up your partner’s newest timepiece or dazzling jewelry at Swarovski, where elegance is the standard.
For stocking stuffers like travel-sized hand creams or fragrances, L’Occitane has all the self-care products one might need. Or, go for a full set of cosmetics and give your partner or family member everything they need to look and feel their best.
Buck Mason has all the finely tailored clothing to make for a big gift. From fine tweed jackets and felted shawl coats for him, to wool wrap coats and leather bombers for her, it’s high-quality material mixed with leading-notch style to make for timeless fashion.
Over at Canada Goose, their fine coats are made for a splurge. Their parkas are thick and stylish, making for effective comfort from the cold winter winds while also looking sharp. They also carry accessories, like bucket hats, sunglasses, gloves, and waist packs.
At Aritizia, dressing for the cold doesn’t mean sacrificing luxury and flair. Whether it’s stocking stuffers, like socks, belts, beanies, or scarves, to iconic Aritzia staples, like their cashmere crew sweaters or workout sets, their range of products will be a holiday anthem for any lucky recipient.
Dining and Views
After a long day of shopping, it’s only fitting to end it with a warm meal. Earls Kitchen + Bar has transformed its patio lounges into its seasonal Winter Lounge. today adorned with twinkling lights, blankets, and holiday decor, the Pru’s fine-dining hotspot has festive cocktails like its Winter Spritz and Peppermint Mocha, and a menu packed with comforting dishes like truffle tortellini and oven-roasted salmon.
If you’re looking for something a little more on the go, Eataly has Italian fare made to order. Slices of pizza, ready-made sandwiches, and a market filled with meats, cheeses, and plenty of other options are a fraction of what the authentic market has on its shelves.
But if all that has still left you without a real look into what makes Boston’s holiday season so special, a sweeping view of the city itself might just complete your outing. Head over to the entrance of View Boston, the Pru’s ultimate perch for seeing the city from a bird’s eye view. Its rooftop bar, Stratus, will be decorated floor to ceiling with glittering icicles, sparkling lights, and plenty of festive accoutrements so you can sip, dine, and sightsee.
A Look Ahead
While the Pru’s timeless classics have long served Boston residents seeking high-end shopping and dining, they’re always adding to their offerings. In 2026, Blank Street, the acclaimed coffee chain with delicious baked goods, matchas, and more, and lululemon, the leading of the line for athletic clothing, will be joining the ranks of the Pru’s retail row.
Prudential Center has everything you need to make the holidays magical—from picking out the perfect holiday gift, to experiencing a winter oasis 750 feet above the city.
This is a paid partnership between Prudential Center and Boston Magazine
About the Author
