30 Creative Holiday Events This Week That Aren't Just at Malls

30 Creative Holiday Events This Week That Aren’t Just at Malls

11/26/19 by Johnny Monsarrat

Don’t just go to a lame mall event for the holidays! Here are 30 genuinely creative event suggestions in New England. Make one an excuse to travel to a corner of New England you haven’t been to before!

On this list, you’ll see fireworks, a magician, Santa arriving by lobster boat, a parade with giant balloons, reindeer, a lot of Santa, and one with “The Human Dreidel”.


Boston Metro
Boston Common Tree lighting, Frog Pond skating Boston, MA Thu, Dec 5. Ice skating show, tree lighting, live music, vendors on Boston Common.”
Everett Christmas Tree Lighting Everett, MA Fri, Dec 6. Live dance, live music, horse and buggy rides, firepits, hot chocolate, face painting, Santa, tree lighting.”
Light Up Seaport Boston, MA Fri, Dec 6. Holiday stroll, sound sculptures, live music, tree lighting.”
Medford Holiday Glow Festival Medford, MA Wed, Dec 4. Caroling and walk to city hall. Live music, kids activities, face painting, tree lighting.”
Swedish Yuletide Boston, MA Sat, Dec 7. Largest Scandinavian event in New England. Strange Xmas tradition, crafts fair.”

Metro West
Crucolo Parade Concord, MA Thu, Dec 5. Parade and cheese festival.”
Norfolk Santa Parade Norfolk, MA Sun, Dec 8. Parade.”

North Shore
Marblehead Christmas Walk Marblehead, MA Dec 5 to 8. Tree lighting, caroling, dance, Santa arrives by lobster boat, parade, live music, candlelight stroll, gingerbread festival.”
Santa’s Arrival by Boat & Tree Lighting in Rockport Rockport, MA Sat, Dec 7. Santa arrives by lobster boat, tree lighting, fire truck procession, carols.”

South Shore
East Bridgewater Christmas Parade East Bridgewater, MA Sat, Dec 7. Parade, float judging, festival.”
Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll Hyannis, MA Sat, Dec 7. Santa, boat parade, business district “”celebration””, “”HyArts Holiday Celebration””.”
Stoughton Holiday Parade of Lights Stoughton, MA Sat, Dec 7. Parade and indoor “”winter warm-up”” celebration.”

Southeast Mass
Attleboro Holiday Happening Parade Attleboro, MA Sat, Dec 7. Parade, then festival with Santa, pony rides, tractor hayrides, music, face painting, games, food.”
City of Taunton’s Lighting of the Green & Lights On Festival Taunton, MA Sat, Dec 7. Tree lighting, Santa, train ride, live music, fireworks!”
Fall River Holiday Parade Fall River, MA Sat, Dec 7. Parade with floats, giant balloons, Santa.”
Plainville Winter Festival Plainville, MA Sat, Dec 7. Historic building tours, tree lighting, food, bonfire.”
Taunton Christmas Parade Taunton, MA Sun, Dec 8. Parade”

Worcester
Spencer Christmas Parade of Lights Spencer, MA Sat, Dec 7. Parade.”

Rhode Island
Hope Street Winter Stroll Providence, RI Sun, Dec 8. Merchant square with giant puppets, live music, breakdancing, Santa, and “”The Human Dreidel””.”
Narragansett Festival of Lights Narragansett, RI Sun, Dec 8. Jingle Bell Run/Walk, face painting, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa, magician, live music, trolley rides.”

Cape Cod
Falmouth Christmas Parade Falmouth, MA Sun, Dec 8. “”Largest Christmas Parade in Southeast New England””.”
Mashpee Chamber Christmas Parade Mashpee, MA Sat, Dec 7. Parade, lights display.”

Berkshires
Hancock Shaker Village Holidays Pittsfield, MA Dec 6 to 8. Wagon rides, Santa brunch, gingerbread house contest, carols, candlelight strolls.”

Northwest Mass
Santa’s Parade at Yankee Candle Village South Deerfield, MA Sat, Dec 7. Parade, Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, railroad rides, at a mall.”

New Hampshire
Portsmouth Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Portsmouth, NH Sat, Dec 7. Tree lighting, parade.”

Maine
Bangor Festival of Lights Parade Bangore, ME Sat, Dec 7. Parade, reindeer, live music, tree lighting, letters to Santa.”
Boothbay Harbor Harbor Lights Festival Boothbay Harbor, ME Sat, Dec 7. Festival of trees, Santa arrives by boat, Horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, tree lighting, parade, lighted boat parade.”
“Christmas by the Sea in Camden, Maine Camden, ME Dec 5 to 8. Live music, Santa, parade, carriage rides, re-enactment of Bethelem with 80 costumed actors, tree lighting, Nutcracker.”
Freeport Parade of Lights Freeport, ME Fri, Dec 6, parade, horse-drawn rides, Santa, talking Xmas tree. LL Bean store activities.”
Santa Sunday at Sunday River Newry, ME Sun, Dec 8. Dress fully as Santa and get a free ticket at this ski resort.”