50 New England Holiday Light Displays
11/19/12 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Every year I track 50 holiday light displays! Here are the ones open early this week.
| Holiday Light Displays & Santa Events – click map above to set region | Mon 11/19 | Tue 11/20 | Wed 11/21 | Thu 11/22 | Fri 11/23 | Sat 11/24 | Sun 11/25 | Mon 11/26 |
| Stone Zoo’s ZoolightsStoneham, MA
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.  |
R | F | S | S | M | |||
| Edaville Railroad’s Christmas Festival of LightsCarver, 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! Begins as early as November 16th! Whoa. Mon-Fri 4-9pm, Sat-Sun 2-9pm.
Pine Street, 877-EDAVILLE. |
M | F | S | S | ||||
| Enchanted Village at Jordan’s FurnitureAvon, 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. Santa will be on hand every day; see the website for specific times.
Jordan’s Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr |
M | T | W | F | S | S | M | |
| Visit with Santa at Smolak FarmsNorth Andover, MA
Lots of different holiday events throughout the season, from a Roaming Railroad train and hayrides with Santa, to cookie decorating and crafts and a Santa’s workshop. Many family-oriented things to choose from. Tree lighting is November 24th this year. 2012.
Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St, 978-682-6332. |
S | S | ||||||
| Look Park’s Winter WonderlandFlorence, MA
Hayrides, night lights, zoo. 39,000 bulbs. 4-9pm.
300 North Main Street, 413.584.5457. |
F | S | S | M | ||||
| Heritage Museum Gardens AglowSandwich, MA
1 million lights. Toast marshmallows. Carousel. Santa in a Model T Ford. New this year, the Hidden Hollow is open to visitors. Music. 5-9pm.
67 Grove Street, 508-888-3300. |
F | S | S | |||||
| Santa’s Arrival & Holiday ParadeProvidence, RI
A parade with Santa and various costumed characters, carolers, photo opportunities, and a holiday gift drive. Free with zoo admission.
1000 Elmwood Avenue, 401-941-4998, or 401-785-3510 ext 343. |
S | S | ||||||
| Christmas at the Newport MansionsNewport, RI
The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House will be decorated in period detail for the holidays and open daily for tours. On Christmas Eve, the last tour begins at 3pm. Houses are closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Various locations |
M | T | W | F | S | S | M | |
| Lighted Winter Wonderland & Santas Big Party at Charmingfare FarmCandia, NH
Thousands of lights, a 30-minute horse drawn night ride. Live reindeer, Santa, costumed characters. Petting zoo. Evenings.
Route 27, 603-483-5623. |
S | S | ||||||
| Christmas at CanterburyCanterbury, NH
On weekends from November 10th to the 25th (and Friday the 23rd), enjoy a special Shaker Holday traditions tour, a discount from the Museum Shop, and a Shaker lunch. On December 8th and 15th, the real Christmas events happen: Candlelight stroll, horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, cider, music, performances, crafts, etc.
288 Shaker Road, 603-783-9511. |
F | S | S | |||||
| Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayLoudon, NH
More than a mile of LED lights to drive through in your car. Santa’s Village, costumed characters. Monday-Thursday: 4:30pm-9pm, Friday-Saturday & holidays: 4:30pm-10pm; Sunday: 4:30pm-9pm.
1122 Route 106 North, 888-926-7403. |
M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| La Salette Shrine & CenterEnfield, 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”! 5-9pm except opening celebration 11/26.
410 NH Route 4A, 603-632-7087. |
S | S | ||||||
| Santa’s Village Christmas MagicJefferson, NH
Lights display, Santa, reindeer, rides. Days & Eves. Special New Years event 12/31.
Route 2, 603-586-4445. |
F | S | S | |||||
| Polar ExpressNorth Conway, NH
This is a Polar Express-themed train ride that ends with a reading of the book at the “North Pole Theater.” Tickets available for the Lincoln ride only.
|
F | S | ||||||
| Santa’s Holiday ExpressNorth Conway, NH
This is a more generic train ride- it’s just got Santa, elves, and hot chocolate.
|
F | S | S | |||||
| Horse and Wagon Rides at the Rocks EstateBethlehem, NH
Free horse-drawn wagon rides are reserved for package customers up until Sunday at noon, and open to the general public after. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Basically a marketing ploy to get you to buy a tree.
The Rocks Estate, 4 Christmas Lane, 603-444-6228. |
F | S | S | |||||
| Quiet Corner ChristmasBrooklyn, CT
This is a private home, but features lots and lots of lights! This year’s event benefits Paws for Purple Hearts.
251 Wauregan Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234 |
F | |||||||
| Holiday Light FantasiaHartford, CT
You drive through this one. Sun-Thu 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm. $12 per car, $25 per limousine… Wait, what? That’s a thing that happens?!
1130 Maple Ave, 860-742-2267. |
S | S | M | |||||
| Fantasy of LightsNew Haven, CT
Benefits the Easter Seals. Open nightly.
Light House Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road, 203-777-2000. |
M | T | W | R | F | S | S | M |
| WinterFest at Connecticut Trolley MuseumEast Windsor, CT
Trolley ride through holiday lights, sing-along carols and meet Santa. 5-9pm. After December 25th: 6-pm.
58 North Road, 860-627-6540. |
F | S | S | |||||
| Holiday Santa TrainsThomaston, CT
Santa visits ALL December train rides! Just pick your date. There is also a special “Northern Lights Limited to Santa’s Train Workshop” trip.
242 E Main Street |
S |