Nov 28 – Dec 6, 2011: Caroling, Train, Astronomy Fests, Santa Parades, Fireworks, Owl Prowl, Nutcracker Giveaway, and TONS of Holiday Light Attractions!
11/27/11 by
Johnny Monsarrat
This week I’ve cropped all my commentary so it’s easier for you to scan through all the events. Click anywhere on an event to get my full summary plus the entire description. Do me a favor and start using the Facebook “like” button, and please email me your feedback, to johnny@eventsINSIDER.com!
I list more nighttime holiday lights attractions than anyone else by a factor of 3x. You really owe it to yourself to at least try one of them. I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
p.s. Love this blog? Subscribe to email, Facebook, and Twitter, and if you help get the word out, I’ll put you on my priority list to win free stuff and send you the FREE 27-page Events INSIDER New England Guide, with over 720 off-beat attractions you won’t find in the blog! 
Show All, or show only: Boston Metro Metro West North Shore South Shore Southeast Mass Worcester Springfield Berkshires Cape Cod New Hampshire Rhode Island Connecticut Maine
The Week in Weird
Boston Metro
Fri 11/25 – Thu 12/22
The Nutcracker – tix giveaway
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 classic Nutcrack… Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham, MA. 
North Shore
Fri 12/2 – Fri 12/23
A Christmas Carol – ticket giveaway
Everbody loves a Christmas Carol, but you haven’t seen it like this, on a circular stage for which there are no bad seats in the audience. It’… North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA.
South Shore
Wed 11/30 – Sun 12/4
Planet of the Abts – tix giveaway
This spin-off from Grammy-nominated rock band Gov’t Mule has “Pink Floyd like” depth! Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win tix. Click for our interview! Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA.
South Shore
Thu 12/15
The Marshall Tucker Band – tix giveaway
Country and blues icon The Marshall Tucker Band also soon comes to Patriot Place! You’ll hear southern rock and jazz as well. Email johnny@eventsIN… Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA.
Boston Metro
Sat 12/3
Set a World Record for Caroling
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is trying to set a caroling world record! Come to this outdoor event and join them. They’ll give out free hot choc… Christian Science Plaza, Boston, MA.
Worcester
Sun 12/4
Christmas Festival at Asa Waters Mansion
It’s hard to imagine a more creative event as Civil War re-enactors perform at this historic mansion and museum. … 508-865-0855.123 Elm Street, Post Office Box 421, Millbury, MA.
Boston Metro
Wed 11/30
Learn the Night Sky!
A lot of these events made for kids are perfectly fun for adults who are young at heart, like this one where you learn about the stars and … Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan, MA.
Metro West
Sun 12/4
Concord Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Don’t be fooled my markets pretending to be festivals. There are plenty of genuine Xmas events like this parade where Santa… 978-369-3120.Visitors Center, 58 Main St., Concord, MA.
Metro West
Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/4
New England Model Train Expo
Grown-ups still need toys! Check out these model trains for perhaps the biggest event of this type of the year. More than 200 dealer tables, Santa Claus… Best Western Hotel, Marlborough, MA.
Springfield
Sat 12/3
Society for Creative Anachronism’s Bergental
The Society for Creative Anachronism is a club for people who like to re-enact how history was, or maybe should have been, with caroling, sparring, dan… West Springfield, MA.
Ho Ho Holidays
Boston Metro
Thu 12/1
Boston Common Holiday Lighting
The Boston Ballet, Joey McIntyre from New Kids on the Block, The Radio City Rockettes, and the Mayor of Boston are part of the performances at this tree lightin… Boston Common, Boston, MA.
Boston Metro
Thu 12/1
Tree Lighting Pre-Show at Frog Pond Skating Rink
I’ve seen events at Frog Pond and the ice skating performances are surprisingly impressive! This one is just before the official tree lighting… Boston Common, Boston, MA.
Boston Metro
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Macy’s Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings
The mayor, Santa, and “Macy’s Store Characters” will be driving around town in a trolley doing little 30 minute tree lightings & kids stuff, in 15 dif… Various, Boston, MA.
Metro West
Sun 12/4
Maynard’s Annual Christmas Parade
I love parades! They are generally less commercial and have more community. 2pm, from the Clocktower Place parking lot, down Main St loop through the downtown… 978-265-4668.Maynard, MA.
North Shore
Sat 12/3
Amesbury Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
And another parade, which proceeds into downtown Amesbury via Sparhawk and Main streets. 3:30pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus will attend, and there will be caroling. Amesbury, MA.
North Shore
Sat 12/3
Rockport Santa Arrival & Tree Lighting
Santa arrives by lobster boat. I mean, um, “LOBSTAH boat!” Then a parade on a fire engine, carols, tree lighting, and concert! 3:45pm. Rockport, MA.
South Shore
Sat 12/3
East Bridgewater Christmas Parade
Here’s another Christmas parade to represent the South Shore. I called to confirm this even though their website still says 2010. 10am. East Bridgewater, MA.
Cape Cod
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Falmouth Holidays by the Sea Weekend
There’s an entire weekend of events in Falmouth, including participatory caroling, parade, tree lighting, and Santa arri… 508-548-8500.Nobska Lighthouse, Nobska Road, Woods Hole, MA.
Rhode Island
Sat 12/3
Santacon (Newport, RI)
SantaCon is basically a flash mob, a parade of people dressed like Santa Claus! Sing naughty Christmas carols. I think they go bar hopping, too, which doesn’t… Washington Square Park, Newport, RI.
Rhode Island
Sat 12/3
Holiday Festival, Parade on Benefit Street
Providence has a historic street with old timey houses owned by rich people. There’s a “self guided tour”, so basically you can stroll and visit and learn abou… Providence, RI.
New Hampshire
Sat 12/3
Festival of Trees or Portsmouth Illuminated Holida…
Another parade and tree lighting, starting at 5pm. This one has real parade floats and please bri… 603-610-5510.Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH.
New Hampshire
Sun 12/4
Spirit of New Hampshire Christmas Parade & The Gho…
I recently saw the Most Amazing Thing Ever — a troupe of local enthusiasts who portray The Ghostbusters. They’ll be attending this para… Elm Street, Manchester, NH.
New Hampshire
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Plymouth Holiday Parade and Fireworks
Even better than a parade — fireworks! They’ll have 36 parade units throwing candy and parading down Green Street, around the rotary, and … 603-536-8228, Kelly Beebee.Plymouth, NH.
New Hampshire
Sun 12/4 – Sat 12/17
TubaChristmas – NH
You need a lot of tubas to out-do a few Ghostbusters, but these parades will have hundreds. The Keene events is 1pm on December 4, but see the website for other events all over New Hampshi… Keene, NH.
Springfield
Tue 11/29
The Lanternlight Parade and The Mayor’s Greenlight…
A parade with Santa starts at 6:15pm to a tree lighting with Santa. Dress like a Dickens character and carry a lantern. Westfield, MA.
Berkshires
Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/4
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
Go caroling on a “luminaria walk” — carrying lanterns, I hope, not those crazy Swedish candle hats — and all kinds of Santa events styled like a Dickins village, … Stockbridge, MA.
Boston Metro
Sat 12/3
An Authentic Scandinavian Christmas Celebration
Heardee you findee da autentica svedish fair vit hatee funny. Bork bork bork! “Lucia processions” wearing candles … Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA.
Boston Metro
Tue 11/29
Copley Square Tree Lighting
Tree lightings continue. This one includes participatory caroling and performers including Santa and Rudolph. 5-6pm. Copley Square, Boston, MA.
Boston Metro
Thu 12/1
Newton Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Non-denominational Christmas, um, Holiday tree lighting. Sing-along caroling, and Dah Mayor. 4:30pm. City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA.
Boston Metro
Fri 12/2 – Sat 12/3
Norumbega’s Juletrefest Concert & Swedish Yuletide…
I’ve never seen a bellringers concert. I really want to go to this!!!! This one has th… 508-758-7849.Scandinavian Living Center, 206 Waltham Street, West Newton, MA.
Boston Metro
Thu 12/1
Villa Victoria Tree Lighting
I don’t understand why whomever writes these descriptions didn’t say more. 5pm. Boston, MA.
Boston Metro
Fri 12/2 – Sat 12/3
A Rich History: A Celebration of Chocolate at our …
One of Boston’s tourist destinations is free this weekend, with caroling and other presentations of chocolate and colonial beve… Old South Meeting House, Boston, MA.
Boston Metro
Fri 12/2
Lexington Holiday Festival Night
Basically, this is a merchant event where stores stay open late. But Santa’s coming to Depot Square 6:30 for a tree lighting, and there are “holiday pops” concerts at 4pm… Lexington, MA.
Metro West
Sat 12/3
Midnight Merriment and Join-in Caroling
And here’s another thinly veiled “stores stay open late” event. Merry Giftmas! 5:30pm-12am. Concord, MA.
North Shore
Sat 12/3
ICS North Pole Express
What’s better than meeting Santa? Meeting Santa on the commuter rail pretending to travel to the North Pole! Carols, costumed characters, feel free to wear pajamas… 25 Boston Way, Newburyport, MA.
North Shore
Fri 12/2
Haverhill Annual Christmas Stroll
This one’s also a straightforward merchant event, with Santa arriving by horse-drawn sleigh, and what seems to be a performance of “… Essex, Washington & Wingate Streets, Haverhill, MA.
North Shore
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Christmas in Salem House Tour
Declaring that Salem has more than just Halloween, these history buffs will give you tours of local historic homes, all dressed up for the holi… Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street, Salem, MA.
North Shore
Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/4
Cocoa with Santa & Holiday Concert at Winnekenni C…
You can have cocoa with Santa with unspecified “kids activities”… Ho Ho Hum… but there’s a free sing-a-long on Sun… Winnekenni Castle, 347 Kenoza Ave, Haverhill, MA.
North Shore
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Greening of the Great House: Crane Estate Holiday …
Visiting Castle Hill at any time of the year is a great opportunity — I’ve been and highly recommend its glorious view of the ocean. It’s… Castle Hill, Ipswich, MA.
North Shore
Thu 12/1 – Sat 12/3
Essex Holiday Festival
Santa’s coming by boat for breakfast, storytelling and caroling. (But is it participatory?) Ooh! They have a bell choir, too. And they light a “Memory Tree” to honor lost loved ones –… Essex, MA.
North Shore
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Christmas by the Sea
Another merchant event with Santa and a tree lighting. Merry Giftmas! Our stores are ope, just like they are all year! Manchester by the Sea, MA.
North Shore
Sat 12/3 – Tue 12/6
Annual Marblehead Christmas Walk
Tree lighting, gingerbread house display, Santa arrives by lobster boat, and tour local rich people homes. The packed calendar includes singing sea shanties and lighting… Marblehead, MA.
North Shore
Fri 12/2 – Sat 12/3
Christmas with Dickens
Dickens inspired dramatics, dances, music, carolers, carriage rides, all to benefit charity rather than being a purely merchant event. Salem, MA.
South Shore
Sun 12/4
Pembroke Tree Lighting
Here’s a creative one! You can roast marshmallow over an open fire, there will be hay rides, participatory caroling, local historians, and Santa comes in on a fire truc… 781-294-4800.Pembroke, MA.
South Shore
Fri 12/2 – Sat 12/3
Christmas in the Square – Hingham
Horse-drawn hayrides, Santa, but mostly shopping. Merry Giftmas! Hingham, MA.
Southeast Mass
Fri 12/2
Lights On – Taunton Christmas Celebration
This seems like a real festival, with hay rides, Mrs. Claus, participatory caroling, and 20 different performance sites, some of which will surel… 43 Taunton Green, Taunton, MA.
Southeast Mass
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend
More participatory caroling, for those who haven’t figured out that Nantucket is for the summer. And Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on a coast guard boat, with performe… Nantucket Island.
Southeast Mass
Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/4
New Bedford Downtown Holiday Stroll
Antique fire trucks rides, a candlelight tour, and Santa. “Stroll the streets, shop the stores”… That pretty much says it all. This is a merchant event. Merry Gift… New Bedford, MA.
Southeast Mass
Sun 12/4
Norton Lighting of the Common
Sing carols with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 5pm. Norton, MA.
Cape Cod
Fri 12/2
Carol Sing in Sandwich Center
7pm, followed by hot cider and cookies at the Dan’l Webster Inn and Spa. Rain date next day. 508-888-0434.Church, 136 Main St, Sandwich, MA.
Worcester
Sun 12/4
Grafton Celebrates the Holidays
This one’s very merchant-y, with gingerbread houses, tree lighting, caroling, and a variety of in-store merchant events. But they provide a schedule and ma… 508-839-5335 x156.Grafton, MA.
Worcester
Fri 12/2 – Sat 12/3
Sutton Chain of Lights
Not closest to Boston, but possibly the best, are some big events in small towns. Here they have a parade Friday at 6pm, caroling Saturday at 5:30pm, and tree lighting with Santa, fol… Sutton, MA.
Worcester
Fri 12/2
Worcester Tree Lighting & Caroling
Tree lighting and performance, ho hum. It’s not on the website, but I tracked this one down by phone. Worcester, MA.
Springfield
Thu 12/1
Caroling on the Green at West Springfield
Caroling celebration at 5:45pm. Features a handbell choir! Elm Street Gazebo, West Springfield, MA.
Rhode Island
Sat 12/3
Bowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting
Frosty the snowman, participatory caroling, and Mr. & Mrs. Claus arrive for a tree lighting. 4:30-7pm. Make sure to shop. Merry Giftmas! Newport, RI.
Rhode Island
Sun 12/4
Movie, Tree Lighting, Caroling
Sing carols, hear live music, visit with Santa. And a movie! South Kingstown, RI.
Rhode Island
Thu 12/1 – Sun 12/4
Festival of Lights in Wickford, RI
Santa arrives by boat escorted by kayaks, and stays around the whole weekend in Wickford, with caroling, hayrides, tree lighting, a historic scavenger hunt, and an elf p… Wickford, RI.
New Hampshire
Sat 12/3 – Sat 12/10
Christmas at Canterbury
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 can join in on… 603-783-9511.288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH.
Boston Metro
Mon 12/5 – Sat 12/10
MassArt Annual Holiday Sale
Student art sales are a great way to find a creative holiday bargain. This one’s at the Massachusetts College of Art and De… 617-879-7710.Tower Building Lobby, 621 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA.
Boston Metro
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Fort Point’s Holiday Sale (Open Studios)
What is possibly Boston’s best artist community has their annual open studios this weekend. Walk around South Boston and meet the actual artists in their private hom… Boston, MA.
Also Fun
Boston Metro
Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/4
Charlestown Open Studios
And yet another. Please buy from us is their main artistic theme. Merry Giftmas! 10am-5pm. StoveFactory Gallery, Charlestown, MA.
Metro West
Fri 12/2
Celebrate the Sun
I’m grateful to New England’s many parks for holding creative outdoorsy evenst all year ’round. Tell stories around a f… 781-259-2206.Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA.
New Hampshire
Sat 12/3
Sunapee Harbor Magic and Looney Plunge
It’s dry here in Boston but there’s plenty of snow in the mountains of New Hampshire, and ski season has begun. Perhaps going up to New… Lake Sunapee at the Harbor, New London, NH.
Boston Metro
Sat 12/3
Comicazi Con
I was hoping that this would be a comic book convention, with speakers and panels, but it’s really a bazaar. 10am-4pm. Dilboy VFW, 371 Summer Street, Somerville, MA.
Boston Metro
Sat 12/3
Giving While Gaming
Attend this charity event with videogames, board games, roleplaying, and food — and somehow this gets toys to kids in a hospital. They’ll have Rock Ba… Microsoft NERD, 1 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, MA.
Boston Metro
Sat 12/3
Artisan’s Asylum Public Opening
Artisan’s Asylum is an artist community space for project-making and workshops. They are having a grand re-opening celebration, with tours and art demos, and… 10 Tyler St, Somerville, MA.
Boston Metro
Wed 11/30
Relics: Travels in Nature’s Time Machine
Did you know that there were alligators 100 million years ago? Some animals just achieve their perfect form and stay more or le… Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA.
Boston Metro
Thu 12/1
Breaking the Barrier with a Steam Coffin
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean on an old-timey steam ship was a great way to risk your life. This author talk brings the drama of t… Charles River Museum of Innovation, Waltham, MA.
Metro West
Fri 12/2
Owl Prowl
Whoooo wouldn’t want to see owls up close and then hike out in the night to find wild owls in their natural habitat? Whooo? 7-9pm. Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 108 North St, Norfolk, MA.
Southeast Mass
Sun 12/11
Full Moon Hike: Long Nights Moon
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.
Rhode Island
Wed 11/30
Owl Prowl at Fort Refuge
Awesome owl events just keep coming. “Owl” see you there! Ha ha ha. Get it? “Owl”…? Hello…? Is this t… 401-949-5454, ext- 3041.Fort Nature Refuge, 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI.
Rhode Island
Sat 12/3
Nikkomo
Nikkomo is the closest thing in Native American culture to the celebration of Christmas. Come see it for yourself and bring a small gift. They’ll have mu… 401-539-7213.Tomaquag Museum, 390 Summit Rd, Exeter, RI.
Metro West
Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/4
Gorse Mill Open Studios at Needham
You won’t stroll anywhere in this open studios, which is in one building, but they’ll have glass blowing and pottery demonstrations! Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. Needham, MA.
North Shore
Sat 12/3 – Sat 12/17
Wenham Museum’s Gingerbread Contest
This is a gingerbread house contest, with all kinds of surprisingly large and intricate displays, including one with model trains. I’ve been to the Wenha… 132 Main Street, Wenham, MA.
Springfield
Sun 12/4
Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton
There are too many charity walks and runs for me to list them all, but this one caught my attention because they’re serving 2,50… Downtown Northampton, 38 Gothic Street, Northampton, MA.
Springfield
Tue 12/6
Bright Nights 5K Road Race
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 on… 413-733-3800.Springfield, MA.
Performance
Boston Metro
Thu 12/1 – Sat 12/3
Harvard Med School Second Year Show
Every year the second year students at the Harvard Medical School put on a musical comedy show to raise money. I’ve been and it’s fantastic. I … Roxbury Community College, Boston, MA.
Boston Metro
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
Holiday Sing – Handel & Hayden Chorus
Hmm — this event features carolers, but if the audience gets to join in singing Handel’s Messiah, they don’t say … 617-266-3605.Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA.
Metro West
Sun 12/4
Holiday Handbell Concert
I really want to attend a handbell concert this year. How delightful! 2-4pm. North Easton, MA.
North Shore
Sun 12/4
New England Ringers Handbell Concert
More handbells! I love this stuff. Salem, MA.
Cape Cod
Sat 11/26
New England Ringers Handbell Concert
Or enjoy handbell concerts in Franklin, Walpole, or Worcester. Mashpee, MA.
Springfield
Wed 11/30
Nerdist Podcast comes to Northampton
The Nerdist is one of the world’s top comedy podcasts, and they’re doing a live show in Western Massachusetts. It should be worth a visit! Mo… Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA.
Springfield
Fri 12/16
Dickens Dinner and A Christmas Carol
Ooh! A three-course Victorian feast — *and* a show! I have rumblies in my tumblies. Westfield, MA.
Rhode Island
Fri 11/25 – Fri 12/2
Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff
There’s never a bad time to visit the mansions in Newport (although summer when you can hit the beach and the cliffwalk is better). This one includes a pe… Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, RI.
Travel
Connecticut
Sat 12/3
Groton Lights Parade
More than sixty groups will participate in this parade followed by a tree lighting. 5pm. Groton, CT.
Connecticut
Sat 12/3
Ivoryton Illuminations
Carols, clowns, Santa, theater, chili, outdoor holiday lights competition with 70,000 lights, and hot cider. 5-8pm. Ivoryton, CT.
Connecticut
Sat 12/3
Holiday Carnival
Mystic Village is a living history village, a re-enactment attraction, like Plimoth Plantation. They run a number of holiday events (see below), and they’ll have a one day carnival with str… Mystic, CT.
Connecticut
Sun 12/4
Heights & Lights, Rappelling Santa
Santa knows how to make an entrance. This time he’ll rappel down a 22-story building! Then unspecified “activities” for kids. (Unspecified activities are ALWAYS the best… Stamford, CT.
Connecticut
Fri 12/2
Festival of St. Lucia
And there’s another Swedish Christmas, Santa Lucia, festival, with a pageant with the candles on the hat, singing Swedish holiday songs, and other such foreign crazi… 311 Capital Ave, Hartford, CT.
Connecticut
Sun 12/4
The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum Annua…
This is a special behind-the-scenes museum tour of Twain’s historic home, plus holiday music and a festival atmosp… 860-247-0998.351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT.
Connecticut
Fri 12/2
Holiday Express Train Show
These model trains are on display all month, but this event is their opening celebration. 7pm. 370 Beach Rd, Fairfield, CT.
Connecticut
Sun 12/4
LEGO KidsFest
Also known as a great way for kids to spread illness to each other, you’ll find a mountain of LEGO building bricks and professional sculptures on display. This… Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT.
Connecticut
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4
AnonyCon
Do you like gaming? So do these people! At least some of them are live roleplaying games, sort of a improvisational theatre in which the audience is all the other actors. Stamford, CT.
Connecticut
Thu 12/1
New Haven Tree Lighting Celebration
Tree lightings continue out of state… Is it just me who finds it a little creepy when they say that the “city comes alive”? Who would want an alive city? Where would i… New Haven, CT.
Connecticut
Fri 11/25 – Fri 12/30
Spirit of the Holidays
This is an assemblage of various merchant in-store events, but it features participatory caroling outdoors. I’m in! Watertown, CT.
Maine
Sun 12/4
Annual Christmas by the Sea at Old Orchard Beach
Another parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus on a fire engine, near the beach. 1pm. This one’s pretty close to Boston,… 207-934-2500.Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME.
Maine
Sat 12/3
Bangor Santa’s Workshop, Festival of Lights Parade…
Lots of community floats adorn this parade. That’s always a good sign. (Merchants tend to reign back on the awesomeness of their events, wa… Main Street, Bangor, ME.
Maine
Fri 12/2 – Sat 12/3
Harbor Lights Festival
This sounds nice if I were crazy enough to live in Maine in the winter. Lighted boat parade, Santa, free horse-drawn wagon rides, participatory caroling, and ‘live nativity’…. Boothbay Harbor, ME.
Maine
Fri 12/2
Freeport Sparkle Weekend
Santa, santa, Santa. Parade, hot chocolate, tuba concert. Freeport, ME.
Maine
Thu 12/1 – Sun 12/11
Christmas Prelude
So… This is a huge list of very small events. Hmm. Kennebunkport, ME.
Maine
Sun 12/4
Santa Sunday
Dress as Santa and you can ski free on Santa Sunday. That’s sort of commercial, but sounds sort of awesome, thus I’ll list it. Newry, ME.
Maine
Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/11
Christmas by the Sea Celebration
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.
Maine
Sat 12/3
Santacon (Portland, ME)
There’s a street parade for Santas in Maine, too. 4pm to 11:59pm. Portland, ME.
Maine
Sat 12/3
Holiday Light Parade
Parades are the most awesome thing you can see outdoors. Except maybe owls. Or stargazing. Or Santa. Ooo! Santa! 7pm. Presque Isle, ME.
| Holiday Lights & Santa Events | grade | Mon 11/28 | Tue 11/29 | Wed 11/30 | Thu 12/1 | Fri 12/2 | Sat 12/3 | Sun 12/4 | |
| Boston MetroStoneham, MAStone Zoo’s Zoolights | B- | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | |
| 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. more |
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| Boston MetroStoneham, MAHoliday Landscapes | ? | R | F | S | S | ||||
| 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, MAPetting Zoo in front of Seasons Four Furniture Store | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | |
| 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. more |
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| Metro WestConcord, MAA “Little Women” Christmas at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House | ? | S | S | ||||||
| This event includes re-enactors portraying historical characters found in “Little Women”. Reservations suggested. 399 Lexington Road, 978.369.4118 x106. more |
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| Metro WestMillis, MAMillis Wonderland | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| 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, MAEdaville Railroad’s Christmas Festival of Lights | A+ | R | F | S | S | ||||
| 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. more |
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| South ShoreAvon, MAEnchanted Village at Jordan’s Furniture | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | |
| 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 more |
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| Southeast MassAttleboro, MALa Salette Shrine Festival of Lights | B+ | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | |
| 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, MAVisit with Santa at Smolak Farms | S | S | |||||||
| Santa’s coming! 2011: Tree lighting Nov 26. Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St, 978-682-6332. more |
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| WorcesterSturbridge, MAChristmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| 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. more |
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| SpringfieldFlorence, MALook Park’s Winter Wonderland | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | |
| Hayrides, night lights, zoo. 39,000 bulbs. 2011: 4-9pm. Breakfast with Santa 12/3. 300 North Main Street, 413.584.5457. more |
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| Cape CodSandwich, MAHeritage Museum Gardens Aglow | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| 1 million lights. Toast marshmallows. Carousel. Santa in a Model T Ford. Music. 2011: 5-9pm. 67 Grove Street, 508-888-3300. more |
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| New HampshireCandia, NHLighted Winter Wonderland & Santas Big Party at Charmingfare Farm | ? | S | S | ||||||
| Thousands of lights, a 30-minute horse drawn night ride. Live reindeer, Santa, costumed characters. Petting zoo. Evenings. Route 27, 603-483-5623. more more |
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| New HampshireEnfield, NHLa Salette Shrine & Center | B | F | S | S | |||||
| 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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| New HampshireJefferson, NHSanta’s Village Christmas Magic | ? | S | S | ||||||
| Lights display, Santa, reindeer, rides. Days & Eves. Special New Years event 12/31. , 603-586-4445. more |
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| New HampshirePortsmouth, NHCandlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke | A+ | S | S | ||||||
| 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. more |
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| Rhode IslandProvidence, RISanta’s Arrival & Holiday Parade | ? | S | S | ||||||
| Photos with Santa and “activities” they couldn’t be bothered to describe. Ho hum. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, 401-941-4998, or 401-785-3510 ext 343. more |
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| Rhode IslandPawtucket, RIPawtucket Winter Wonderland | ? | S | S | ||||||
| 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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| ConnecticutNew Haven, CTFantasy of Lights | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | |
| 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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| ConnecticutEast Windsor, CTWinterFest at Connecticut Trolley Museum | ? | F | S | S | |||||
| 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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| ConnecticutMeriden, CTFestival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park | ? | M | T | W | R | F | S | S | |
| Dawn to dusk. No admission, just you drive through this decorated park anytime. Hubbard Park, 203-630-4259. more |
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| ConnecticutMystic, CTChristmas by the Sea | ? | R | F | S | S | ||||
| 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. more |
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| ConnecticutMystic, CTLantern Light Tours | ? | F | S | ||||||
| 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. more |
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