The following announcement was provided by Mount Auburn Cemetery:
Mount Auburn Cemetery will host the fifth annual Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light from December 5–21, 2025, presented by the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and created by Boston-based artist collective MASARY Studios. The outdoor evening event has become one of Greater Boston’s most distinctive seasonal experiences, featuring immersive, large-scale light and sound artworks that transform Mount Auburn’s historic landscape into a living canvas of reflection and renewal.
Now in its fifth year, Solstice continues to evolve as a world-class gathering for meaning—distinct from traditional holiday events—where large-scale contemporary artworks, including four new installations for 2025, invite reflection, connection, and renewal within one of Boston’s most historic landscapes. In 2024, more than 16,000 people took part in Solstice, deepening its role as a shared moment of reflection and renewal within the community
This year, Solstice will feature four newly commissioned artworks, including:
- Two projection-mapped animations on the historic Bigelow Chapel façade,
- a light and sound installation in Hazel Dell inspired by the life cycle of a star,
- and a 300-foot illuminated composition along Beech Avenue that transforms trees and terrain into active elements of the artwork.
Returning favorites include the Lantern Walk and the Candle Lighting with live music. The Lantern Walk invites visitors to traverse illuminated paths and monuments throughout the Cemetery, creating moments for both shared connection and quiet reflection. This year’s program will also feature Community Message Boards and a Hospitality Hub in Asa Gray Garden, inviting guests to gather, enjoy food, conversation, and community.
“Mount Auburn’s vision has always centered on creating a place that embodies reflection, inspiration, and community connection, while continuing to innovate in how we welcome and engage the public,” said Matthew R. Stephens, President and CEO of Mount Auburn Cemetery. “Solstice offers a moment of inspiration, inviting guests to experience art and nature in new ways. This tradition exemplifies how Mount Auburn is more than an active cemetery; it’s a living landscape for comfort, discovery, community and connection.”
Solstice builds upon Mount Auburn’s Candle Lighting Ceremony, a long-standing tradition dating back to 1992. Originally an intimate evening of remembrance and music, the event was re-envisioned in 2020 through Mount Auburn’s partnership with MASARY Studios, introducing dynamic light and sound installations that preserve the heart of the ceremony while extending its reach and resonance.
“We each arrive at the winter solstice carrying something of our own: grief, wonder, contemplation, connection,” said Sam Okerstrom-Lang, MASARY Cofounder. “Together these experiences form a collective poem—fragmented yet whole, personal yet shared—and are all welcomed to be felt during the event.”
The Thought Artist Theater will return to Story Chapel, featuring three community leaders reflecting on their own winter solstice practices and connections to Mount Auburn. Returning partner Ovenbird Café will again offer sweet and savory treats, along with warm beverages including gluten-free and vegan options. The Gatehouse Gift Shop will feature seasonal items ideal for reflection or gift-giving—candles, books, stationery, and décor that echo the event’s themes of connection and renewal.
During its 12-night run (Dec 5–7, 9–10, 12–14, 16–17, 19–21) Solstice will welcome thousands of guests to experience art, community, and reflection across a landscape transformed by light.
For tickets and more information, visit www.mountauburnsolstice.org.
General admission is $35 for adults and $5 for youth ages 2–12; children under 2 are free. A Pay-What-You-Wish night will take place on Tuesday, December 9, with tickets priced at $15, $25, or $35. Guests seeking a more curated experience may choose the Elevated Ticket Experience ($85), which includes complimentary parking, access to a heated indoor space with curated food and beverage offerings (and two drink tickets), and private restrooms. Members receive a 10% discount on up to two adult tickets.
About Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery was established in 1831. Within a forested landscape nestled between Fresh Pond and the Charles River in Cambridge and Watertown, its founders created a new kind of cemetery—one where the bereaved could find solace and visitors from all walks of life would find inspiration. Home to more than 100,000 permanent residents, Mount Auburn welcomes more than 140,000 visitors each year and is open 365 days a year free of charge. Recognized as one of the most significant designed landscapes in the country, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark and led to the public parks movement in this country. www.mountauburn.org.
About MASARY Studios
MASARY is a Boston-based, artist‑owned collective founded in 2015. A transdisciplinary studio reimagining environments through immersive, site-specific installations that blend sound, light, interactivity, and performance. From percussion-driven live shows and electronic music production to projection‑mapped visuals and material fabrication, their work merges artistic research with cutting‑edge technology and media expressions. Mount Auburn is proud to be collaborating with the MASARY team on SOLSTICE for a fifth year. www.masarystudios.com/