Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Lowell
In Lowell, an old mill smokestack turns into a Christmas tree. Since 1999 the chimney at Wannalancit Mills has glowed over the Merrimack River, and each fall a parade of bands, floats and Santa lights up City Hall to start the season.
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The story of Christmas in Lowell
How Lowell celebrates
Lowell kicks off the holidays with the City of Lights parade, an annual tradition in downtown that starts on Jackson Street and ends at City Hall. Marching bands, floats and a sleigh carrying Mr. and Mrs. Claus take part, and Santa helps light up City Hall. The parade typically draws more than 10,000 people. Another Lowell icon is the Wannalancit Mills smokestack Christmas tree, which has been lit since 1999 by the Farley White Company, and usually shines from November through January. City Hall, built in 1893 with a 180 foot clock tower, glows with lights too.
Christmas last year in Lowell
In 2025 the City of Lights celebration came on Saturday, November 29, with the theme Holiday Folklore and Fairytales. The parade stepped off at 4:30 pm from Jackson Street and ended at City Hall, where City Hall and the Wannalancit smokestack were lit around 5:15 pm. Earlier in the day families could enjoy a seasonal storytime at Pollard Memorial Library, holiday card crafts at the Arts League of Lowell, treat decorating at Little Delights Bakery, Santa photos at City Hall, marshmallow roasting with the Rotary Club and a holiday movie at MCC.
Fun facts about Christmas in Lowell
Lowell's smokestack tree is the only one of its kind in the area, and it skipped just one year, 2010, when the economy was weak. Around town, Market Basket parking lots have red and green tinsel trees, downtown lampposts wear wreaths and lights, and the UMass Lowell Saab center glows green and red on Christmas Eve and Christmas. In 2020 the parade was canceled because of the pandemic, so 2021 was a welcome return. Lowell also marked its bicentennial in 2026.
Trains and Christmas near Lowell
Lowell grew up on the railroad as well as the river, and train fans can still touch some of that history. On Dutton Street downtown, the Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society keeps steam locomotive No. 410 and combine No. 1244 on display. Across from the national park Visitor Center, the National Streetcar Museum at Lowell is a small, volunteer-staffed museum that is open weekends. For a bigger holiday outing, Edaville in Carver is a festival built on a two-foot gauge railroad that first carried cranberries in 1947.
- Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society: Kids can see B&M steam locomotive No. 410 and combine No. 1244 on Dutton Street in downtown Lowell.
- National Streetcar Museum at Lowell: A small downtown museum open weekends year-round, easy to pair with a stop at the national park Visitor Center.
- Edaville: A holiday festival on a two-foot gauge railroad, with general admission including a Holiday Express train ride.
Traditions today
- Lowell City of Lights Parade: Bands, floats and a sleigh with Mr. and Mrs. Claus travel from Jackson Street to City Hall, which is then lit.
- Wannalancit Smokestack Christmas Tree: A mill chimney decorated as a Christmas tree since 1999, lit from November through January.
- City Hall lights: The 1893 City Hall is outlined in lights and wreaths, and it is lit as part of the City of Lights celebration.
- Downtown holiday activities: Seasonal storytime at Pollard Memorial Library, card crafting, treat decorating and Santa photos fill parade day.
- Tinsel trees and lit buildings: Market Basket lots show red and green tinsel trees, and the UMass Lowell Saab center glows green and red on Christmas Eve and Christmas.
- Holiday Open at City Hall: A community holiday open house at City Hall, held on December 13 from 3 to 6 pm in 2022.
A fact for kids
In Lowell, a giant chimney becomes a Christmas tree. The smokestack at Wannalancit Mills has been decorated with lights every winter since 1999, except one year.
Questions about Christmas in Lowell
What is the oldest Christmas tradition in Lowell?
The City of Lights parade is described as an annual tradition that kicks off the holiday season in downtown Lowell, though its starting year is not clear in the sources. The best dated tradition is the Wannalancit Mills smokestack tree, which has been lit since 1999.
What is the Lowell City of Lights celebration?
City of Lights is Lowell's official holiday kickoff, a parade and celebration in downtown that ends with City Hall being lit. In 2025 it was held on Saturday, November 29, with a parade at 4:30 pm and lots of family activities earlier in the day, including crafts and Santa photos.
Where does the Lowell parade go?
The City of Lights parade begins on Jackson Street at 4:30 pm and ends at Lowell City Hall. Local groups and businesses take part with floats and walking groups. After it ends, City Hall and the Wannalancit smokestack are lit, so families usually stay nearby to see the lights come on.
What themes has the Lowell City of Lights parade used?
The parade picks a new theme most years. In 2025 it was Holiday Folklore and Fairytales. Themes change from year to year, so the details below belong to that one celebration. Themes guide the floats and costumes, so kids can look for fairytale characters and talk about the stories they know.
How many people go to the City of Lights parade?
The parade typically draws over 10,000 people, according to a regional preview from 2021. That makes it one of the biggest gatherings of the Lowell holiday season. Families usually bring warm layers, since it is late November, and arrive early to find a good spot along the route.
Who lights up City Hall in Lowell?
Mr. and Mrs. Claus help light up City Hall during the City of Lights celebration, after riding in on a parade sleigh. Lowell City Hall was built in 1893 and has a 180 foot clock tower, so it glows well above the crowd, which is a thrill for little kids.
What is the Lowell smokestack Christmas tree?
It is a Christmas tree display on the tall smokestack of Wannalancit Mills, lit by the building's owner, the Farley White Company. It has been a fixture since 1999, apart from 2010, and is generally lit from November through January. Kids can spot it glowing above the Merrimack River.
Why was the smokestack tree not lit in 2010?
The tree was not displayed in 2010 during the economic downturn. In every other year since it started in 1999 it has been lit. It is the only smokestack in the area with this kind of display, so the 2010 gap is a fun fact to share with kids who like trivia.
What happened at Lowell City of Lights last year?
The 2025 celebration featured the theme Holiday Folklore and Fairytales, with a parade at 4:30 pm and a lighting around 5:15 pm. Earlier, kids enjoyed storytime at Pollard Memorial Library, card crafts, treat decorating, Santa photos at City Hall, marshmallow roasting and a holiday movie.
Where can kids meet Santa in Lowell?
On City of Lights day in 2025, Santa photos took place at Lowell City Hall in the afternoon, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus rode in the parade. Santa spots and times change each year, so check our Lowell Christmas events guide on this page for the current schedule.
Was there a Lowell parade during the pandemic?
No. The City of Lights parade was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic, which was described as a year without Santa Claus in Lowell. It returned on Saturday, November 27, 2021, with masks required for indoor events. Families welcomed back the bands, floats and Santa sleigh.
What other buildings light up in Lowell at Christmas?
City Hall is outlined in lights, wreaths and a Peace on Earth Lowell message, and downtown lampposts are decorated. The UMass Lowell Saab center is lit in green and red on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Several Market Basket lots even have red and green tinsel trees.
How can I explain the smokestack tree to a young child?
Tell them that the old mill chimney now gets to be a giant Christmas tree. Point out how tall it is and how far away you can see it glow. Kids usually love that something so big and old shines like a tree.
Is there a Christmas tree lighting in Lowell?
Yes. The Wannalancit smokestack tree is lit each year, and the City of Lights celebration lights City Hall and the smokestack together. In 2025 that lighting came around 5:15 pm on November 29, right after the parade. See our Lowell Christmas events guide on this page for this year's dates and times.
What does the Lowell Holiday Open at City Hall involve?
It is a community open house at City Hall. In 2022 it was held on December 13 from 3 to 6 pm. Families could walk through the decorated building at a quieter time than parade day. Check our Lowell Christmas events guide on this page to see if there is one this year.
Does Lowell have a holiday show with the Boston Pops?
In 2022 the Boston Pops performed a holiday show at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, which was one of the city's big concert traditions that year. Whether it returns can change from year to year, so look at our Lowell Christmas events guide on this page for what is planned for this season.
What is Lowell WinterFest?
Lowell WinterFest is a winter festival held in February rather than at Christmas. The 2026 festival was on Saturday, February 28, with ice carving, a chocolate festival, a soup competition, fire performances and a scavenger hunt, now in its fourth year. It is a good tradition to look forward to after the holidays.
Where can kids see a train near Lowell?
On Dutton Street in downtown Lowell, the Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society displays steam locomotive No. 410 and combine No. 1244. The National Streetcar Museum at Lowell is also downtown, open weekends year-round, and in season you can pair it with a free ride on the park's replica open trolleys.
Is there a holiday train near Lowell?
Edaville in Carver is a holiday festival built around the Edaville Railroad, a two-foot gauge line that first carried cranberries in 1947. General admission includes a Holiday Express ride, and popular dates can sell out, so it helps to book ahead. Edaville is a separate trip from Lowell, in Carver.
What is the National Streetcar Museum in Lowell?
It is a small, volunteer-staffed museum in the Mack Building across from the national park Visitor Center. It is open weekends year-round. In season you can pair it with a free ride on Lowell National Historical Park's replica open trolleys, which is a hit with small children.
Sources
- Lowell's City of Lights holiday celebration returns November 29, Macaroni Kid Lowell
- The Lowell City of Lights Parade and Other Upcoming Winter Events, Revolutionary Valley
- Wannalancit Mills Smokestack Christmas Tree, Atlas Obscura
- See the Holiday Lights in Massachusetts, New England Magazine
- The holiday season in the Mill City, Inside Lowell
- Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society, Rally Takes the Train
- National Streetcar Museum at Lowell, Rally Takes the Train
- Edaville, Rally Takes the Train
- Lowell's WinterFest 2026, North Shore Magazine