November 17–December 8
Methuen Festival of Trees (Methuen)
The Festival of Trees has been a marvel of the Merrimack Valley for over two decades. Featuring over 240 trees, wreaths, and displays that you could win, this family celebration has something for everyone.
November 18–January 1
Edaville Festival of Lights (Carver)
Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is one of the most-loved festivals of its kind, with generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax in warm, dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides, Thomas Land rides, and a visit with Santa. Enjoy a meal or seasonal treats while roaming Edaville’s sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds featuring thousands of Christmas displays.
November 22–January 6
La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights (Attleboro)
Over 300,000 lights illuminate 10 acres in this beautiful holiday lights display. The International Creche museum features hundreds of creches from around the world. The Outdoor Creche of Bethlehem features a candle lit with a flame from Bethlehem, Israel.
November 23–December 9
Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Festival of Trees (Wellesley)
The Festival of Trees, displayed in the Hunnewell Carriage House, offers beautifully decorated holiday trees that are donated and decorated by local businesses, garden clubs, and individuals. Visitors “vote” with their raffle tickets, in hopes of being the tree winner at the end of the festival. Visitors can enjoy the decorated buildings and grounds at Elm Bank with a stroll or a horse-drawn wagon ride. For the young at heart, there is a pajama story time, Santa visits, and kids’ craft workshops.
November 23–December 30
Night Lights :: Winter Reimagined (Boylston)
Night Lights is an annual celebration of the season held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, just outside of Worcester. Night Lights is an inclusive, secular event where visitors of all backgrounds can celebrate winter, light, and nature together. It includes two unique experiences: Day Lights (the daytime experience) and Night Lights (the evening experience).
November 23–December 31
ZooLights at Stone Zoo (Stoneham | 5–9 p.m.)
ZooLights promises to dazzle visitors of all ages this holiday season. Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to bald eagles, Canada lynx, reindeer, and arctic foxes. Plus, meet Stone Zoo’s reindeer up close during nightly photo opportunities.
November 27
Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular (Boston | 7:30 p.m.)
The official Blink! Tree Lighting takes place on November 27 during the live broadcast on WBZ-TV/CBS Boston at 7:30 p.m. It will feature appearances by Santa Claus, The City of Boston Community Choir, holiday singers, and the official flipping of the switch to illuminate thousands of twinkling lights synchronized to music.
November 28–January 1
Blink! (Boston | 4:30 p.m.)
Blink! is the state-of-the-art light and sound extravaganza that transforms every inch of America’s first open marketplace, and it will return to Faneuil Hall for a fourth year this November. This magical and unforgettable light show uses over 350,000 LED lights to illuminate Boston’s skyline — to the song stylings of the Holiday Pops — in a seven-minute spectacle that runs continuously each evening. The lights dance seamlessly to the music through every inch of Faneuil Hall, including the largest Christmas tree in the northeast. The light and sound show runs every half hour beginning at 4:30 p.m. by “The Big Tree” at Marketplace Center and then runs every half hour beginning at 5 p.m. by “The Three Trees” in the North Market of Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
November 29
First Light Brookline (Brookline | 5–8 p.m.)
First Light started 19 years ago in Brookline’s Washington Square, when several businesses came together to spread holiday cheer by hanging snowflakes in their storefront windows. These glowing flakes illuminated the square, signaling the start of the holiday season. Over the years, First Light has grown into the town’s annual winter festival, showcasing the talents of local artists, musicians, and performers at businesses and other venues throughout Brookline.
December 6
Commander’s Mansion Annual Holiday Open House (Watertown | 10 a.m.–8 p.m.)
The Commander’s Mansion annual holiday open house is a free and open event for the community! You will be able to self-tour the decorated rooms on both floors, thanks to the magical help from Watertown Home Depot and Table Toppers of Newton. Be sure to bring your camera for photo ops with Santa, and sit for story time with Mrs. Claus! Stop by the winter wonderland arts and crafts station, and take a moment to vote for your favorite gingerbread house too!
December 7
Downtown Haverhill Christmas Stroll (Haverhill | 5–8 p.m.)
Kick off the holiday season with the 2018 Christmas Stroll! The event will include family-friendly activities, including cookie decorating, ornament making, and live music with performances by local artists. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a ride on the Haverhill Bank Express Trolley or visit Santa’s Workshop to meet Santa and some of his elves. Enjoy the spirit of the season with holiday music performed by wandering carolers and a saxophone quartet. The highlight of the evening will be the official tree lighting with Santa in Washington Square.
December 15
Illuminations Tour Somerville (Somerville)
Come celebrate the folk artistry of residents who transform their houses and yards with lights, illuminated ornaments, and shrines of devotion and fantasy. The 45-minute Trolley Tours leave from (and return to) Somerville High School Field House (81 Highland Ave.) where coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies are served.
