Boston’s 2024 Christmas Festival delights thousands with festive magic

Boston has once again outdone itself with the resounding success of this year’s three-day Christmas Festival, which ran from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December, transforming the town into a winter wonderland and attracting thousands of residents and visitors.

One of the standout features of this year’s festival was the introduction of a synthetic ice rink, a first for the event. Positioned in a prime location, it provided families and visitors of all ages with hours of fun and added an exciting new dimension to Boston’s holiday celebrations. The rink quickly became a favourite attraction, with many praising it as a fantastic addition that brought even more festive cheer to the town.

The festival kicked off on Friday with the Mayor of Boston officially opening the Christmas Market, which featured an array of stalls offering unique gifts, delicious festive treats, and handcrafted goods. The bustling market brought a lively, magical atmosphere to the town centre.

Another highlight was the Christmas Tree Festival held in Boston Stump. The iconic church was beautifully adorned with a dazzling display of Christmas trees, each uniquely decorated by community groups, schools, and local organisations. The festival offered a serene yet inspiring experience, drawing many to marvel at the creativity and symbolism of the season.

Sunday saw the return of the popular Santa Fun Run, hosted by Endeavour FM, launched by the Mayor of Boston and a warm-up by V-Fitness, with hundreds of participants dressed as Santa dashing through the streets. The run raised funds for local charity, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and brought a festive energy to the town.

The festival also celebrated with a spectacular Illuminate Parade ‘Folktales’, organised by Transported Arts, which has become a centrepiece of Boston’s Christmas celebrations. The breathtaking parade featured stunning lantern displays, creative community artwork, and glowing installations that lit up the streets. This year’s parade, as always, embodied the spirit of unity and creativity, captivating audiences and leaving a lasting impression.

Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “The Boston Christmas Festival is a shining example of what can be achieved when our community comes together. I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone involved — our dedicated organisers, partners, generous sponsors, hardworking volunteers, and incredible community groups — for making this year’s event such a resounding success.

“To the residents and visitors of Boston, thank you for your unwavering support and for filling our town with festive joy and togetherness. This event truly highlights the strength, creativity, and spirit of our community.

“Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!”

Cllr Dale Broughton, Portfolio Holder for Town Centre, including events, said: “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this year’s Boston Christmas Festival such a wonderful success.

“To all partners, businesses, traders, sponsors, community groups, and volunteers — your hard work and dedication have brought so much joy to Boston during this festive weekend.

“A special thank you to the people of Boston and all our visitors who joined in the celebrations. Your enthusiasm and community spirit truly make events like this so special.

“Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!”

Cllr Helen Staples, The Worshipful the Mayor of Boston, said: “As Mayor of Boston, it was an absolute honour to open this year’s Boston Christmas Market on Friday and to kick off the Santa Fun Run on Sunday.

“The festive spirit and warmth of our community were truly inspiring throughout the entire weekend. I want to thank all the organisers, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and community groups who worked tirelessly to make this event so special.

“To everyone who attended and participated, from near and far, your energy and enthusiasm brought the Christmas magic to life.

“Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and looking forward to seeing you at future events that continue to showcase the very best of Boston!”

The Boston Christmas Festival continues to grow and evolve each year, with this year’s events, including the synthetic ice rink, the Christmas Tree Festival, and the Illuminate Parade, setting a high standards for festive celebrations. Plans are already underway to build on this year’s success, ensuring that Boston remains a premier destination for holiday cheer.

As the festivities draw to a close, Boston Borough Council has expressed pride in the community’s efforts and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.