SOLSTICE returns to Mount Auburn Cemetery beginning Friday, Dec. 5 with some new features and a different theme in 2025.
Watertown News got an early peak at SOLSTICE during Wednesday’s Friends and Family night, while Matt Hanna, host of Little Local Conversations, spoke with two of the people behind SOLSTICE 2025.
The Cemetery first had a lights show five years ago, during Pandemic, but the multi-week event began three years ago, said Mount Auburn Cemetery President and CEO Matthew Stephens. This year, the event runs from Dec. 5 to 21.
The lights and music intertwines with the trees and gravesites in the cemetery.
“This year’s installations expand the artistic scope: Bigelow Chapel will debut two new sound and animation works inspired by the natural rhythms of the solstice, while Hazel Dell transforms into a ‘cosmic stage’ featuring a projection charting the life of a star,” the announcement about SOLSTICE said. “Along Beech Avenue, a new 300-foot illuminated artwork will weave trees, light, and sound into a dynamic, walkable experience.”
The floating circle used for an eclipse in prior years has a new look for 2025.
Returning features include the candle-lighting ceremony, lantern-lit pathways, and message boards that foster quiet reflection amid the winter night.
Matthews expects about 2,000 visitors on each of the 13 nights of SOLSTICE.
Parking is located in an external parking lot located at 625 Mt. Auburn St. in Cambridge (about a 10 minute walk to the Cemetery gates). Public parking costs $10 this year.
Ovenbird Cafe will have sweet and savory treats as well as hot drinks available in our hospitality area in Asa Gray Garden. While alcohol will be included as part of the Elevated Ticket Experience add-on, there will be no public sale of alcohol with General Admission tickets this year.
For more information and tickets click here: https://www.mountauburnsolstice.org/
Hear More About SOLSTICE 2025
Matt Hanna, host of Little Local Conversations, sat down for a conversation with Matthew Stephens, the President and CEO of Mount Auburn Cemetery, and Sam Okerstrom-Lang, the co-founder of Masary Studios and the Creative Director of SOLSTICE. Click below to listen
