| Election Name: | 1856 Boston mayoral election |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1855 Boston mayoral election |
| Previous Year: | 1855 |
| Election Date: | December 8, 1856 |
| Next Election: | 1857 Boston mayoral election |
| Next Year: | 1857 |
| Party Name: | no |
| Image1: | AHRice (1).jpg |
| Candidate1: | Alexander H. Rice |
| Party1: | Citizens |
| Colour1: | c0c0c0 |
| Popular Vote1: | 8,714 |
| Percentage1: | 80.92% |
| Candidate2: | Jonathan Preston |
| Party2: | Know Nothing |
| Alliance2: | Republican |
| Popular Vote2: | 2,025 |
| Percentage2: | 18.80% |
| Mayor | |
| Before Election: | Alexander H. Rice |
| Before Party: | Independent |
| After Election: | Alexander H. Rice |
| After Party: | Independent |
The Boston mayoral election of 1856 saw the reelection of Alexander H. Rice. It was held on December 8, 1856.
Rice was running on the "Citizen's" slate, which performed very well in the coinciding City Council elections as well. His opponent, Jonathan Preston, was the nominee of the "American Party" (Know Nothings) and the Republican Party.[1]