Planning Christmas in Boston? Where you stay can make all the difference. Explore the best neighborhoods and hotels for holiday lights, shopping, the Nutcracker, Holiday Pops, Snowport, and waterfront getaways. Find the right location for your family, romantic weekend, or first Boston Christmas visit.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace once drew Bostonians downtown to discover something new — pushcarts, artisans, fresh food and a waterfront coming back to life. As Quincy Market turns 200 and occupancy rises again, Boston may have another chance to recapture what made the place work in the first place.

Where you stay can change your entire Boston trip. Here’s how Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the North End, Downtown, Seaport, Fenway and Cambridge compare—and which neighborhood may be right for you.