1Boston Common · Parkon screen
Boston Common & Central Burying Ground
In the movie: The Holdovers (2023), set over Christmas 1970: on their Boston trip, Mr. Hunham and Angus cross the snowy Common and walk past the old Central Burying Ground.
The Common gets the city’s official Christmas tree each year, a gift from Nova Scotia. The Frog Pond skating rink is a short walk in.
Pro tip: Come for the tree lighting, or any night after it, when the Common is lit up.
Tree lighting: December 3, 2026, 6–8pm (per the city).
Free.
Address, sources & location
139 Tremont Street, Boston MA
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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2Downtown · Theateron screen
Orpheum Theatre & Hamilton Place
In the movie: Crews turned Hamilton Place back to 1970 with old cars and taxis. It is where Angus slips off to hail a cab.
A narrow side street off Tremont, with the historic Orpheum at the end. It still looks like the movie.
Pro tip: It is a one-minute walk from the Common. Combine both.
Public street. Theater opens for shows only.
Free to see. Show tickets are paid.
Address, sources & location
1 Hamilton Place, Boston MA
Pinned at the nearest intersection; this is a public sidewalk.
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3Downtown Crossing · Bookstoreon screen
Brattle Book Shop
In the movie: Hunham browses the Brattle on the Boston trip. The crew also dressed nearby Bromfield and Province Streets with Christmas decor and fake snow for the baseball-card-shop scene.
One of America’s oldest antiquarian bookshops, with an outdoor lot of cheap books next door.
Pro tip: Dig through the outdoor carts for a few dollars, then find the Bromfield Street corner around the block.
Check the shop’s current hours. The outdoor lot depends on weather.
Free to browse.
Address, sources & location
9 West Street, Boston MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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4Theater District · Theateron screen
Emerson Colonial Theatre
In the movie: Little Women (2019), the Christmas Day release that opens on a snowy Christmas: Jo takes in a New York show, filmed inside Boston’s oldest operating theater.
Catch a show in the restored gilded hall.
Pro tip: Check the holiday calendar early. December shows sell fast.
Theater opens for scheduled performances.
Show tickets are paid.
Address, sources & location
106 Boylston Street, Boston MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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5Beacon Hill · Historic houseon screen
William Hickling Prescott House
In the movie: Little Women: Meg’s dance at the wealthy Moffat house, where she feels her dress is not fancy enough.
A Federal-style mansion on Beacon Street facing the Common. Open for tours on a limited schedule.
Pro tip: Tours run on limited days. Check the house’s calendar first.
Limited tour schedule. Check before you go.
Tour fee applies.
Address, sources & location
55 Beacon Street, Boston MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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6Back Bay · Museumon screen
Gibson House Museum
In the movie: Little Women: Jo’s New York boarding house, plus Professor Bhaer’s room and her publisher’s office. Crews laid dirt on Beacon Street for the period look.
Four floors of untouched Victorian rooms. It feels like stepping into the film.
Pro tip: Tours are small and guided. Book ahead in December.
Guided tours on a set schedule. Check the museum’s site.
Tour fee applies.
Address, sources & location
137 Beacon Street, Boston MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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7Downtown · Marketon screen
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
In the movie: The Holdovers filmed its Christmas-week Boston outing around Faneuil Hall.
The marketplace goes all in for December, with a big tree, lights and holiday markets.
Pro tip: Go after dark for the lights. Quincy Market food hall is right behind.
Marketplace keeps its own hours. Holiday event dates are posted by the market.
Free to wander.
Address, sources & location
1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston MA
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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8Fenway · Museumon screen
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
In the movie: Hunham takes Angus to the museum and shows him the stories art can tell. Film-location trackers place it at the MFA.
One of the great American art museums. Pick one wing and go deep.
Pro tip: Book a timed ticket online and check the MFA calendar for free days.
Check the museum’s current hours and holiday closures.
Paid admission.
Address, sources & location
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston MA
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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9Jamaica Plain · Parkon screen
Arnold Arboretum
In the movie: Little Women: Amy and Aunt March ride through “Paris” in a carriage and spot Laurie. It was the first movie ever filmed at the arboretum.
A free 281-acre tree park. Winter conifers and quiet paths.
Pro tip: Climb Peters Hill for a skyline view.
Grounds are open daily, sunrise to sunset.
Free.
Address, sources & location
125 Arborway, Boston MA
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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10Roslindale · Restauranton screen
Pleasant Cafe
In the movie: The Holdovers’ restaurant night was shot inside. The owners say its wood paneling and leather booths have barely changed in 50 years.
A family-run pizza and red-sauce spot that looks exactly like 1970.
Pro tip: Grab a booth and order a pizza, like the regulars do.
Check the restaurant’s current hours.
Pay as you go.
Address, sources & location
4515 Washington Street, Roslindale MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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11Davis Square · Cinemaon screen
Somerville Theatre
In the movie: The Holdovers’ movie-theater outing was filmed at this 1914 Davis Square cinema.
Still a working movie house, often screening classics and holiday films in December.
Pro tip: Check the schedule for 35mm and 70mm screenings, then get dinner in Davis Square.
Showtimes vary.
Movie tickets are paid.
Address, sources & location
55 Davis Square, Somerville MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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12Waltham · Historic estateon screen
Lyman Estate
In the movie: Little Women: the New Year’s Eve party where Jo first meets Laurie.
A 1790s country estate with historic greenhouses. The grounds are free to visit.
Pro tip: Walk the grounds before dinner at The Chateau nearby.
Grounds open daily. The house is used for events, so check access.
Free on the grounds.
Address, sources & location
185 Lyman Street, Waltham MA
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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13Waltham · Restauranton screen
The Chateau, Waltham
In the movie: The Holdovers filmed at this family Italian restaurant, which has been in Waltham for decades.
Big plates and old-school dining rooms. Very much a holiday-season family dinner place.
Pro tip: Pair it with the Lyman Estate. They are about five minutes apart.
Check the restaurant’s current hours.
Pay as you go.
Address, sources & location
195 School Street, Waltham MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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14Wakefield · Candlepin bowlingon screen
Wakefield Bowladrome
In the movie: The Holdovers’ candlepin bowling scene. Location scout Kai Quinlan picked it because it still looks like 1970.
Real New England candlepin: small balls, skinny pins, three throws per frame.
Pro tip: Call ahead on weekends. Leagues can take the lanes.
Check lane hours and league nights before you go.
Paid per game.
Address, sources & location
92 Water Street, Wakefield MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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15Saugus · Restauranton screen
Continental Restaurant
In the movie: One of The Holdovers’ restaurant locations, an old Route 1 dining room.
A classic Route 1 supper spot that suits a retro night out.
Pro tip: Combine it with the Bowladrome for a full Holdovers night north of the city.
Check the restaurant’s current hours.
Pay as you go.
Address, sources & location
266 Broadway, Saugus MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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16Concord · Town centeron screen
Concord Center
In the movie: Daddy’s Home 2 (2017): crews redecorated Concord Center for Christmas, with fake snow, while Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg filmed.
A New England town green with shops, inns and colonial history. It looks great in December.
Pro tip: Stop at the Main Street shops, then drive five minutes to Orchard House.
Public streets. Shops keep their own hours.
Free to wander.
Address, sources & location
Monument Square, Concord MA
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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17Concord · Historic housebonus
Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House
In the movie: Little Women itself was written here. The 2019 film built a replica March house set elsewhere in Concord, so this is the real thing rather than a set.
Guided tours of the Alcott family home, where Louisa wrote the book.
Pro tip: Look for holiday programs in December. Book ahead.
Tour schedule varies. Check the house’s calendar.
Tour fee applies.
Address, sources & location
399 Lexington Road, Concord MA
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
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