Dec 5-13, 2011: Santa Speedo Run, Boston Tea Party, Pearl Harbor Day, & Tons of Xmas Parades, Fireworks, Caroling, & Nighttime Holiday Lights

This Week in ReviewJohnny Monsarrat

This week I’ve redesigned the home page again. Please email feedback! And I put up my first ever ad, for myself. I build websites! Need one? Email me. I’m at johnny@eventsINSIDER.com.

This week I feature the biggest list of Christmas parades, nighttime holiday lights, and even fireworks. Plus plenty of non-Xmas things to do, like Pearl Harbor Day, streaking at Harvard, a meteor shower, and ticket giveaways. I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun! -Johnny

The Week in Weird

The Christmas Revels - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

The Christmas Revels – tix giveaway

Mon 12/12 – Sat 12/31

Revels puts on a fantastic annual performance, with comedy, carols, and and this year find the Lord of the Dance! Email johnny@eventsI… Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
The Merry Wives of Windsor - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

The Merry Wives of Windsor – tix giveaway

Wed 12/7 – Sat 1/1

If you’re a little hesitant to see Shakespeare, this comedy will be very accessible, with physical gags, sharp wi… Davis Square Theatre, 255 Elm St, Somerville, MA. more
The Nutcracker - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

The Nutcracker – tix giveaway

Fri 11/25 – Thu 12/22

A team of crazy-fun toys gives little Clara the Christmas of her life as they fight off the evil Rat King in this Chicago adaptation of the … Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham, MA. more
The Watch City Dickens Christmas Festival & Market at Boston Events INSIDER

The Watch City Dickens Christmas Festival & Market

Sat 12/10 – Sun 12/11

Every event at the Charles River Museum of Innovation is pitch-perfect, and this time they’re brin… Charles River Museum of Innovation, Waltham, MA. more
Santa Speedo Run at Boston Events INSIDER

Santa Speedo Run

Sat 12/10

This is a charity event where you race naked except for sneakers, speedos and santa beards & caps. 1pm run, check in starts at 10am. Starts an… 617-351-7000.Lir, 903 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. more
Boston Tea Party, Old South Meeting House at Boston Events INSIDER

Boston Tea Party, Old South Meeting House

Sun 12/11

The event of the week is protesting British tax on tea! Re-enactors will lead you through an old to… 617-482-6439.Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington Street, Boston, MA. more
Holiday Caroling with Arlington Street Church at Boston Events INSIDER

Holiday Caroling with Arlington Street Church

Sun 12/11

And another concert at a church that’s Unitarian, so it shouldn’t be too heavy with spirituality. Also participatory. Looks lik… Church, 351 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. more
Ice Chimes Opening at Boston Events INSIDER

Ice Chimes Opening

Thu 12/8

Ooh! There’s a new 20-foot sculpture designed to let icicles form on it, and the wind play chimes, at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Come to the opening reception. 6-7pm… Rowes Wharf Plaza, Boston, MA. more
Geminids Meteor Shower at Boston Events INSIDER

Geminids Meteor Shower

Tue 12/13 – Wed 12/14

The Geminids are one of only a few annual meteor showers. Dec 13 & 14, peaking at 11pm at the evening of Dec 13th. Make sure to g… Go somewhere without city lights, Everywhere. more
Starry Night at Boston Events INSIDER

Starry Night

Thu 12/8

This one has stargazing too, and music, even if it is a merchant event! When they say “enjoy festive window displays”, that means “please shop here!!!”. New Bedford, MA. more
Ciclismo Classico Jingle Ride at Boston Events INSIDER

Ciclismo Classico Jingle Ride

Sun 12/11

Or perhaps you’d prefer to ride a bicycle than run in a speedo. MassBike is holding a 22 mile ride from Arlington t… 617-599-8509.From Jam N’ Java, 594 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA. more
Longfellow: The Poet and His Songs at Boston Events INSIDER

Longfellow: The Poet and His Songs

Sun 12/11

Historical re-enactments are great ways to learn about history. It’s fun and accessible. This one stars Henry Longfellow, the famous poet, talk… Quaker Meeting House, Amesbury, MA. more
Primal Scream at Harvard at Boston Events INSIDER

Primal Scream at Harvard

Mon 12/12

While you’re there, take your clothes off and scream along with hundreds of Harvard students facing exams the next day. Starts at midnight the day before final … Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA. more
Open House at Emily Dickinson Museum at Boston Events INSIDER

Open House at Emily Dickinson Museum

Sat 12/10

This one’s a birthday party and you’re invited! The guest of honor is Emily Dickinson’s, who was born in December. 12-3:30pm, with a l… 413-542-8161.280 Main Street, Amherst, MA. more
Pearl Harbor Day at Battleship Cove at Boston Events INSIDER

Pearl Harbor Day at Battleship Cove

Wed 12/7

Finally, this event is small, but it’s an important holiday. This will be brief, but a great excuse to visit Battleship Cove and see a real WWII battleship, submar… Fall River, MA. more

Ho Ho Holidays

Jingle Bell Run at Boston Events INSIDER

Jingle Bell Run

Sun 12/11

This “holiday themed” fun run is where hundreds of joggers dress in silly costumes while us bystanders get to eat corndogs and watch on the sidelines. 5:30pm and there’s a… Hyatt Regency, Boston, MA. more
Tree Lighting & Bell Ringing on the Rose Kennedy Greenway at Boston Events INSIDER

Tree Lighting & Bell Ringing on the Rose Kennedy Greenway

Wed 12/7

It’s no big deal to light up a tree and the pagoda, whatever a pagoda is, but there … North End Parks (between Hanover & New Sudbury St.), Boston, MA. more
Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting at Boston Events INSIDER

Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting

Thu 12/8

Charles St. is shut down and made into a festive winter wonderland. 6-9pm. Boston, MA. more
Roxbury Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting at Boston Events INSIDER

Roxbury Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting

Mon 12/12

I like the ones that have participatory caroling, like this one. 6-9pm. Marcella Park, 260 Highland St, Roxbury, MA. more
Brighton Center Tree Lighting at Boston Events INSIDER

Brighton Center Tree Lighting

Mon 12/5

Oldies 103, hot cocoa, cookies, participatory caroling, tree lighting, and Santa on a fire truck. 6pm. Brighton Center, Boston, MA. more
Handel's Messiah Community Sing at Brandeis at Boston Events INSIDER

Handel’s Messiah Community Sing at Brandeis

Tue 12/13

Come for the music or join in singing. Open to the public. 4pm. Free. Shapiro Campus Center Atrium, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. more
Yuletide Festival at Winslow Farm at Boston Events INSIDER

Yuletide Festival at Winslow Farm

Sat 12/10

In Norton, the Winslow Farm, which is a petting zoo and open to the public, is having their own Xmas event with a warm fire, night tours, a… 508-285-6451.37 Eddy Street, Norton, MA. more
Fezziwig's Ball at Boston Events INSIDER

Fezziwig’s Ball

Sat 12/10

And this one’s a similar concept, a re-enactment of the Xmas ball portrayed in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, when Scrooge was young and discovered that he … Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA. more
Holiday Sing Along in Newburyport at Boston Events INSIDER

Holiday Sing Along in Newburyport

Sat 12/10

La la la. Sing sing sing. I love opportunity for participatory caroling. And Santa will be there! Ju… 978-462-7336.Firehouse Center For The Arts, One Market Square, Newburyport, MA. more
Annual Marblehead Christmas Walk at Boston Events INSIDER

Annual Marblehead Christmas Walk

Sat 12/3 – Tue 12/6

Tree lighting, gingerbread house display, Santa arrives by lobster boat, and tour local rich people homes. The packed calendar includes singing sea shantie… Marblehead, MA. more
Wareham Village Association Christmas Parade at Boston Events INSIDER

Wareham Village Association Christmas Parade

Sat 12/10

Ooo! A parade, tree lighting, caroling, Santa, zombies. No, wait. No zombies. 12:30pm festival, 3:30pm parade, 5pm caroling & tree lighting. Rain date 7… Wareham, MA. more
Edgartown Caroling Stroll & Holiday Parade at Boston Events INSIDER

Edgartown Caroling Stroll & Holiday Parade

Fri 12/9 – Sat 12/10

This one is my favorite Xmas celebration this week, but the catch is, you have to be on Martha’s Vinyard to participate. T… Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, MA. more
Mashpee Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade at Boston Events INSIDER

Mashpee Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade

Sat 12/10

I love parades! This one has real community floats and seems real, not overly commerical. 5:30pm. 508-477-0792.Mashpee, MA. more
Holiday Tree Lighting & Caroling Party at Boston Events INSIDER

Holiday Tree Lighting & Caroling Party

Wed 12/7

Hot chocolate, Santa, tree lighting. 6pm. Post Office Square, Oak Bluffs, MA. more
Lenox Caroling Festival at Boston Events INSIDER

Lenox Caroling Festival

Sat 12/10 – Sun 12/11

Gee, here’s a whole weekend of caroling, both performance and (presumably) participatory, with theatre and a gingerbread contest. Lenox, MA. more
Fort Adams Festival of Lights at Boston Events INSIDER

Fort Adams Festival of Lights

Sat 12/10

Is this just a field of Chrismas trees you can decorate? Well the venue is sensational, this will most likely be good. They’ll have “various activ… 401-619-5801.Fort Adams, Newport, RI. more
Messiah Sing at Boston Events INSIDER

Messiah Sing

Sun 12/11

You can join in singing Handel’s Messiah… there’s a rehearsal Friday and then the sing on Sunday, 3-6pm.This church doesn’t seem too scary religious. 978-443-3885.Church, 26 Concord Road, Sudbury, MA. more
Medway Holiday House Tour at Boston Events INSIDER

Medway Holiday House Tour

Sun 12/11

You drive, or take the bus, for tours of six historic homes, one of which is a church that will have caroling. 3-6pm. 508-533-3204.Medway, MA. more
Gingerbread House Workshops at Verrill Farm at Boston Events INSIDER

Gingerbread House Workshops at Verrill Farm

Sat 12/10

For $35, you can build your own gingerbread house at various workshops, and Santa comes Dec 4 at 3pm, at this farm turned into … 978-369-4494.11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA. more
Christmas in the Village at Remick Museum at Boston Events INSIDER

Christmas in the Village at Remick Museum

Sat 12/10

Tamworth is pretty far north, but if you’re heading up to the White Mountains for skiing, find wagon rides, storytelling,… 603-323-7591.58 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth, NH. more
Dover Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Boston Events INSIDER

Dover Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Wed 12/7

A snack, a band, a tree – Christmas! Held indoors if rain. Dover Town Hall, Dover, MA. more
Christmas at Canterbury at Boston Events INSIDER

Christmas at Canterbury

Sat 12/3 – Sat 12/10

Dine as the Shakers did. (I’m pretty sure the Shakers didn’t pay $135 a piece.) The same day they’ll have fiddling and folk dancing you… 603-783-9511.288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH. more
Christmas in the Village at Remick Museum & Farm at Boston Events INSIDER

Christmas in the Village at Remick Museum & Farm

Sat 12/10

This farm and agricultural museum will have horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides, and, um… and… well, they’ll have food and decorations… Remick Museum, Tamworth, NH. more
Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll at Boston Events INSIDER

Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll

Thu 12/8

We got pretty far down the list before hitting merchant events, didn’t we! Awesome. Here are a few shoppy oppy’s that add some creativity too. This… 617-720-7888.Charles Street, Boston, MA. more
Shop Inman By Moonlight at Boston Events INSIDER

Shop Inman By Moonlight

Thu 12/8

This one’s even better — I’ve been there and recommend it highly. They’ll have hot cider, wandering carolers, a scavenger hunt, and soaks in the hot tub (bring a… Inman Square, Cambridge, MA. more
Boston Pride's 2nd Annual Holiday Event at Boston Events INSIDER

Boston Pride’s 2nd Annual Holiday Event

Sat 12/10

This is a holiday party with a casino that benefits an LGBT charity. They’ll have a stand-up comic and dancing, too! 7-11pm. Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA. more
Visits with Santa Claus at the Newport Mansions at Boston Events INSIDER

Visits with Santa Claus at the Newport Mansions

Sun 12/11 – Sun 12/18

Three of the mansions in Newport are open in the winter and Santa will visit different ones, on December 11 and 18. Newport, RI. more
TubaChristmas - Ayer at Boston Events INSIDER

TubaChristmas – Ayer

Sun 12/11

Bringing 200 tubas together — and no other instruments — is both crazy fun and a real treat for those brass players who rarely (okay, never) get the limelight. It’s always those dam… Ayer, MA. more
TubaChristmas - NH at Boston Events INSIDER

TubaChristmas – NH

Sun 12/4 – Sat 12/17

Here’s another! The Keene event is 1pm on December 4, but see the website for other events all over New Hampshire and the rest of New England. Keene, NH. more

Also Fun

Science on Screen: 12 Monkeys at Boston Events INSIDER

Science on Screen: 12 Monkeys

Mon 12/12

The Coolidge Corner theatre is one of 3 great art house movie theatres near Boston, and they’re bringing in a famous science journalist to lecture abou… Coolidge Theatre, Brookline, MA. more
Jane Austen Holiday Tea & Tours at Boston Events INSIDER

Jane Austen Holiday Tea & Tours

Sat 12/10 – Sat 12/17

And here’s a re-enactment of “tea time” from the Victorian era at this old historical home of former Massachuset… 781-894-2798.Gore Place, 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA. more
1820s Holiday House Tour at Boston Events INSIDER

1820s Holiday House Tour

Sun 12/11

The Old Manse is a historic home that’s fun to visit anytime, but with costumed re-enactors, it becomes an even more entertaining way to learn… 978-369-3909.269 Monument Street, Concord, MA. more
Candy Land Tournament at Boston Events INSIDER

Candy Land Tournament

Sat 12/10

This event may go into the ‘so what’ category, but apparently it’s a CandyLand tournament! It’s based on the board game that any 2 year old can play because it involv… Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA. more
Owl Prowl at Fisherville Brook at Boston Events INSIDER

Owl Prowl at Fisherville Brook

Fri 12/9

First, they talk about owls, then they show you live owls. Then a nighttime walk to see some… 401-949-5454, ext- 3041.Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Rd, Exeter, RI. more
Full Moon Owl Prowl for All Ages at Boston Events INSIDER

Full Moon Owl Prowl for All Ages

Sat 12/10

Here’s another! Apparently “all ages” means ages 6-16. Aren’t I all ages? 508-655-2296.Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St., Natick, MA. more
Full Moon Hike: Long Nights Moon at Boston Events INSIDER

Full Moon Hike: Long Nights Moon

Sun 12/11

This 3-mile hike sounds so peaceful. I really want to go on one of these moonlight hikes someday. 4-6pm. 508-866-2580 x162.1361 Middleboro Ave, Taunton, MA. more
Moon Before Yule Full Moon Hike at Boston Events INSIDER

Moon Before Yule Full Moon Hike

Fri 12/9

And here’s another. 7-9pm. Rain date the next day. Pre-register. New Dawn Earth Center, Cumberland, RI. more
Moonlit Snowshoe Tour at Boston Events INSIDER

Moonlit Snowshoe Tour

Sat 12/10 – Thu 12/29

Snowshoes!! I’ve never done this!! I really want to go!! I have big feet already! But they are not snowshoe sized, so I will need to rent snowshoes. 7:30-9pm. Gorham, NH. more
Winter Celebration at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum at Boston Events INSIDER

Winter Celebration at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum

Sat 12/10

I’ve been to this museum, and, well, it is very authentic, but also really small. However, if you’re traveling up to the White Mountains fo… 603-456-2600.Warner, NH. more
Wenham Museum's Gingerbread Contest at Boston Events INSIDER

Wenham Museum’s Gingerbread Contest

Sat 12/3 – Sat 12/17

This is a gingerbread house contest, with all kinds of surprisingly large and intricate displays, including one with model trains. I’ve be… 132 Main Street, Wenham, MA. more
Bright Nights 5K Road Race at Boston Events INSIDER

Bright Nights 5K Road Race

Tue 12/6

Bright Nights is my 2nd favorite holiday lights attraction, and they’re holding a race, which quite appropriately is held at night when all the lights will be… 413-733-3800.Springfield, MA. more
Wanderbird's Adventures in the Arctic at Boston Events INSIDER

Wanderbird’s Adventures in the Arctic

Fri 12/9

Here are a couple of lectures. The first is a slideshow and presentation about what it’s really like to sail towards the North Pole. (Hi… Waterline Center, 66 Main St, Essex, MA. more


A Cure for Emma – Book Talk

Mon 12/5

And here’s a book talk about diabetes, with proceeds to help fun research. 7-9pm. Harvard Coop, Cambridge, MA. more

Performance

A Christmas Carol - Our review at Boston Events INSIDER

A Christmas Carol – Our review

Fri 12/2 – Fri 12/23

You’ve seen A Christmas Carol, but never before at a venue like this, a round stage with seats on all sides and no bad seat in the h… North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA. more
New England Ringers Handbell Concert at Boston Events INSIDER

New England Ringers Handbell Concert

Sat 12/10

I’ve never seen a real bellringers concert. I would love so much to attend this! 7:30pm. And more concerts all across New England — see the website. Franklin, MA. more
Black Nativity at Boston Events INSIDER

Black Nativity

Thu 12/8 – Sat 12/10

Black Nativity isn’t any more crazy than White People Nativity, since Jesus was Middle Eastern. See this perfo… Blackman Auditorium, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA. more
Holiday Concert featuring Calliope at Boston Events INSIDER

Holiday Concert featuring Calliope

Sat 12/10

I thought I’d include this holiday performance because it includes a reception as well as the sit-down performance. And it takes pla… Forbes House Museum, 215 Adams St, Milton, MA. more

Travel

Jefferson Christmas Festival at Boston Events INSIDER

Jefferson Christmas Festival

Sat 12/10

I wouldn’t normally list a merchant event this far out — but it has a bonfire, dog sled demonstration, and horse-drawn wagon rides! And you can go skiing nearby! 10am. Jefferson, NH. more
Winter Solstice Steampunk Tea Party at Boston Events INSIDER

Winter Solstice Steampunk Tea Party

Sat 12/10

Mark Twain is the most awesome American author ever. Steampunk is the most awesome party theme idea ever. One event with both is… 860-247-0998.351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. more
East Haddam Stage Co. presents Sherlock Holmes: From Page to Stage at Boston Events INSIDER

East Haddam Stage Co. presents Sherlock Holmes: From Page to Stage

Fri 12/9

Also awesome — did you know that the first actor to portray Sherlock Holmes in movies lived in Co… 860-247-0998.351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. more
Santacon at Boston Events INSIDER

Santacon

Sat 12/10

First, you dress up as Santa. Then you go wild around town, as first shown in the film Trading Places. It looks like this is not much more than bar hopping… and a burlesque show. Santas lik… Hartford, CT. more
Christmas Lights Spectacular at Boston Events INSIDER

Christmas Lights Spectacular

Sun 12/11

This family home is going pro with amazing Christmas lights, carolers, and free cookies and cocoa. 4-7pm. Wolf Hollow Lane, Killingworth, CT. more
Festival of Lights at Mystic Aquarium at Boston Events INSIDER

Festival of Lights at Mystic Aquarium

Fri 12/9

Mystic Aquarium is getting all Christmasy, with storytellers, costumed characters, a “Saxaphone Santa”, and many shopping opportunies in Mystick Village. 5-8pm. Mystic, CT. more
Festival of Lights at Mystic Aquarium and Old Mistick Village at Boston Events INSIDER

Festival of Lights at Mystic Aquarium and Old Mistick Village

Fri 12/9

Just two hours’ drive from Boston, this fundraiser Dec 10 will have carolers, music, a visit from Santa, holiday lights, and the ubiquitous f… Mystic, CT. more
East Lyme WinterFest & Light Parade at Boston Events INSIDER

East Lyme WinterFest & Light Parade

Sun 12/11

Wow! Ice sculptures, unspecified kids activities, carolers, horse-drawn rides, a chili/chowder competition, fireworks, and a parade. 12-6pm. East Lyme, CT. more
Hartford Festival of Light at Boston Events INSIDER

Hartford Festival of Light

Sat 12/10 – Thu 1/6

Can this be right? Hartford features free skating and free skate rentals for a month, plus professional skating shows every Friday and Saturday, 6-7pm. Awesome! Hartford, CT. more
Spirit of the Holidays at Boston Events INSIDER

Spirit of the Holidays

Fri 11/25 – Fri 12/30

This is an assemblage of various merchant in-store events, but it features participatory caroling outdoors. I’m in! Watertown, CT. more
TubaChristmas - CT at Boston Events INSIDER

TubaChristmas – CT

Sat 12/10

Tuba events continue… See the website for all locations. 2pm. Old Saybrook, CT. more
Christmas by the Sea Celebration at Boston Events INSIDER

Christmas by the Sea Celebration

Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/11

Just 90 minutes drive from Boston, which is closer than Springfield, they’re having a scavenger hunt and plenty of other events, including a parade. Ogunquit, ME. more
Christmas Prelude at Boston Events INSIDER

Christmas Prelude

Thu 12/1 – Sun 12/11

So… This is a huge list of very small events. Hmm. Kennebunkport, ME. more
Southern Maine Christmas Parade at Boston Events INSIDER

Southern Maine Christmas Parade

Sun 12/11

Yay! A parade! 2pm. Wells, ME. more
Vermont Holiday Festival at Boston Events INSIDER

Vermont Holiday Festival

Fri 12/9 – Sat 12/10

Hmm. The centerpiece of a festival should not be the trees you auction off for charity. It should be the free horse-drawn sleigh rides! This one’s a lot more comm… Killington, VT. more
Wassail Weekend at Boston Events INSIDER

Wassail Weekend

Fri 12/9 – Sun 12/11

This is another all-weekend excuse to travel around New England, with a traditional horse parade, a house tour, a 19th century re-enactment at a local farm, an… 802-457-3555.Woodstock, VT. more
Coolidge Holiday Open House at Boston Events INSIDER

Coolidge Holiday Open House

Sun 12/11

Craft demos and sleigh rides as the whole town celebrates the birthplace of former US president Calvin Coolidge. 802-672-3773.Plymouth Notch, VT. more

 

 Holiday Lights & Santa Events grade Mon 12/5 Tue 12/6 Wed 12/7 Thu 12/8 Fri 12/9 Sat 12/10 Sun 12/11 Mon 12/12
Boston MetroStoneham, MA

2011: Daily 5-9pm. 250,000 lights and lots of animals. But the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the rest are poorly lit. Only OK. Santa is available.
149 Pond Street, 617-989-2000. twitter facebook more
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Boston MetroStoneham, MA

It’s a private home but a really expansive lights display, with lights that flash in rhythm to music broadcast over an FM transmitter.
83 Franklin St more
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Boston MetroLexington, MA

This is a merchant event with a petting zoo, Santa, elmo, face painting, singers, balloon animals, etc. I called and they couldn’t be bothered to give me the dates, so this is my best guess.
1265 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-861-1200. facebook more
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Metro WestConcord, MA

This event includes re-enactors portraying historical characters found in “Little Women”. Reservations suggested.
399 Lexington Road, 978.369.4118 x106. twitter facebook more
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Metro WestMillis, MA

This is a private home, not a commercial “attraction”, but good. Slowest nights are Tuesday-Thursday. 2011: 6-10pm.
60 Causeway Street more
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South ShoreCarver, MA

The biggest and best “holiday lights” display in New England is quite non-religious, with Santa letting kids sit on his lap but also plenty of generic fare like Frosty the Snowman and a tip of the hat to Hannukah. They have a train ride, ferris wheel, carousel, and other rides, with 7 million lights. Tons of fun even for adults! 2011: Mon-Fri 4-9pm, Sat-Sun 2-9pm.
Pine Street, 877-EDAVILLE. twitter facebook more
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South ShoreBridgewater, MA

Free. 200,000 lights with a walk-through village. Santa, with free coffee and hot chocolate by an outdoor fireplace. 2010: Mon-Fri 5-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 5-9:30pm.
55 Alexander Drive, 508-279-2894. facebook more
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South ShoreAvon, MA

Free! It’s a 1958 Jordan Marsh display that’s been restored to health by Jordan’s Furniture. Website is unclear for how long the display goes.
Jordan’s Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr twitter facebook more
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Southeast MassAttleboro, MA

2011: 5-9pm. Very religious: it’s a shrine. But I’ve been and it was nice anyway. Over 300,000 lights covering 10 acres. Trolley rides Fri-Sun.
947 Park Street, 508-222-5410. more
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LowellNorth Andover, MA

Santa’s coming! 2011: Tree lighting Nov 26.
Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St, 978-682-6332. twitter facebook more
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WorcesterSturbridge, MA

2011: 4-9pm. Participatory caroling, Father Christmas, sleigh rides, magic shows, and more at my favorite re-enactment museum — an entire village of old-timey actors and buildings!
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, 508-347-3362. facebook more
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WorcesterWorcester, MA

2011: Trips at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30pm. Elves help you board the The Polar Express train ride, and afterwards there’s Santa and cookies.
222 Harrington Way, 508-929-2700. facebook more
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SpringfieldSpringfield, MA

2011: Sun-Thu, 5-9pm, Fri-Sun, 5-11pm. 550,000 lights. Great! 2nd best to Edaville. Check out the Springfield Museums or zoo (open during school holidays in Dec) while you’re there.
Rt 83, 413-733-3800. facebook more
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SpringfieldWest Springfield, MA

2011: Mon-Fri 5:30-7:30pm. Sat & Sun 2:30-4pm, 5:30-7:30pm.
Mittineague Park more
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SpringfieldFlorence, MA

Hayrides, night lights, zoo. 39,000 bulbs. 2011: 4-9pm. Breakfast with Santa 12/3.
300 North Main Street, 413.584.5457. facebook more
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Cape CodSandwich, MA

1 million lights. Toast marshmallows. Carousel. Santa in a Model T Ford. Music. 2011: 5-9pm.
67 Grove Street, 508-888-3300. facebook more
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Merrimack ValleyCandia, NH

Thousands of lights, a 30-minute horse drawn night ride. Live reindeer, Santa, costumed characters. Petting zoo. Evenings.
Route 27, 603-483-5623. twitter facebook more
more
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Merrimack ValleyLoudon, NH

More than a mile of LED lights to drive through in your car. Santa’s Village, costumed characters. 2011: Sun-Thu 6-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm.
1122 Route 106 North, 888-926-7403. twitter facebook more
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Dartmouth-Lake SunapeeEnfield, NH

Another very religious site has 45,000 evening lights spread across 30 acres. Here’s the idea. Two kids said they saw the Virgin Mary, and the parents based an entire church on that. And I couldn’t even get away with “the dog ate my homework”! 2011: 5-9pm except opening celebration 11/26.
, 603-632-7087. more
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White MountainsJefferson, NH

Lights display, Santa, reindeer, rides. Days & Eves. Special New Years event 12/31.
, 603-586-4445. more
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SeacoastPortsmouth, NH

Strawbery Banke is a re-enactment museum where you’ll meet actors dress as people from history. This event features the 18th century and has live music, a bonfire, participatory caroling, demonstrations on ancient musical instruments and the Masons, hundreds of candles, a gingerbread house contest, and more. Sounds really great! 2011: Saturdays 5-9pm, Sundays 4-8pm.
Marcy Street, 603-422-7514. facebook more
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Rhode IslandPawtucket, RI

See 400 decorated Christmas trees, twenty Victorian buildings, and a talking snowman, and enjoy free visits and photos with Santa, train rides, hay rides, carousel rides, food court, and entertainment. Free admission and parking. 2011: Parade on Dec 3! 4-8pm.
Slater Park, Armistice Blvd, 401-728-0500 x251. more
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River ValleyHartford, CT

You drive through this one. 2011: Sun-Thu 6-9pm, Fri-Sat 6-10pm.
1130 Maple Ave, 860-742-2267. more
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New HavenNew Haven, CT

Benefits the Easter Seals. Was not able to confirm this is their 2009, not 2008, calendar. Open nightly.
Light House Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road, 203-777-2000. more
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River ValleyEast Windsor, CT

Trolley ride through holiday lights, sing-along carols and meet Santa. 2010: 5-9pm.
58 North Road, 860-627-6540. more
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New HavenMeriden, CT

Dawn to dusk. No admission, just you drive through this decorated park anytime.
Hubbard Park, 203-630-4259. more
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Mystic CountryMystic, CT

2010:11am-4pm. Re-enactors sing sea chanteys and tell old timey stories. Gingerbread lighthouse contest. Old-timey ships, kids activities, printing press. 19th century magic show Dec 26-Jan 1.
Mystic Seaport, 860-572-5365. twitter facebook more
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Mystic CountryMystic, CT

This is a walk through a re-enactment museum portraying Christmas eve 1876! Wow!! 2011: 5pm to 8 or 9pm. Tours fill up, register in advance.
Mystic Seaport, 860-572-5365. twitter facebook more
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Mystic CountryMystic, CT

Same as www.oldemistickvillage.com ?? 2011: 5-8pm.
55 Coogan Blvd, 860-572-5955. twitter facebook more
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River ValleyPlantsville, CT

Drive up and tune your radio to 96.1FM. 2011: Daily 5-11pm.
14 Lovley Dr facebook more
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