Here's our annual Guide to Christmas Attractions and Things to Do in Massachusetts & Beyond, including illuminations, festivals of trees, holiday strolls and more. Be sure to book your tickets early ~ many destinations have limited capacity and are booking timed tickets, so spots will sell out quickly. If an event is marked as "tickets not yet available", there is usually an email list that you can sign up for to be notified when they become available.
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North of Boston
Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights, Methuen MA
A delightful drive-thru holiday-themed light show running from November 28 to January 3! Over 1 million holiday lights, a spectacular 50’ Christmas Tree, dancing reindeer and more on the 1-mile driving path, perfectly synchronized to holiday tunes on your car radio. Purchase a ticket online for entry at a specific date and time.
Stone Zoo ZooLights, Stoneham MA
The Stone Zoo is decorated with holiday light displays from November 14 to January 4. See the animals and enjoy beautiful lantern displays while you follow a one-way path through the Zoo. Tickets for a Visit with Santa are a separate purchase.
WinterLights at the Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover MA
The Trustees of Reservations will not be running a WinterLights display at the Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in 2025. However, tickets are available for WinterLights displays at the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton and Naumkeag in Stockbridge.
Santa Social at Krochmal Farms, Tewksbury MA
Take an enchanted horse-drawn ride to Santa’s secret world at Krochmal Farm’s North Pole where decorations and holiday lights abound. Your child won't just have the opportunity to sit on the Big Guy’s lap, but to have an actual conversation with him. Enjoy hot chocolate and make s’mores with Santa and his friends! Note that the Santa Social has changed from per person tickets to a flat fee for up to 10 people.
Christmas at Castle Hill, Ipswich MA
Explore the Castle Hill estate, decorated for Christmas. Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, check out the gift shop, and try the eye spy activity. Advanced reservations are recommended. Tickets are available for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December 5 to December 28. Sensory-friendly hours available on Saturday mornings.
32nd Annual Festival of Trees, Methuen MA
Enjoy over 300 decorated trees, mini-trees and wreaths, a Holiday Gift Shop, a children's scavenger hunt, and a visit with Santa. Open weekdays from 5-9 PM and weekends from 9 AM to 9 PM from November 22 to December 6 (closed Thanksgiving Day and open 9 am to 9 pm on Friday, November 28). Tickets are for timed entry.
Metro-West Boston
WinterLights at the Bradley Estate in Canton MA
Follow a one-way walking path through lighted decorated gardens. Concessions may be purchased on-site. Note that tickets are timed and visit is limited to 1 hour. Open Wednesdays to Sundays from November 28 to January 3 from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, plus Monday and Tuesday, December 22-23 and December 29-30. Tickets are for a timed entry and sell out quickly.
Festival of Trees at Elm Bank, Wellesley MA
Enjoy the lighted gardens at Elm Bank, visit the Snow Village with model trains, and see dozens of beautifully decorated holiday trees. Timed tickets are available for Wednesdays and Thursdays 4-8 PM and Fridays to Sundays 10 AM to 8 PM from November 28 to December 28.
Central & Western MA
Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield MA
More than 750,000 lights light up Forest Park in Springfield. Visit Santa in the Magical Forest, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and enjoy holiday concerts and even a supper with Santa on certain dates. This spectacular display is open from November 26 to January 4 from 5 PM until 9 PM on Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 PM on weekends and holidays. Visit the website for detailed information, tickets and coupons.
Night Lights at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston MA
Night Lights is open daily from 4 to 10 PM from November 22 to January 4. Enjoy hundreds of thousands of lights in Tower Hill’s 15 acres of gardens and woodlands. Fire pits are available for warming up and enjoying a s’more or hot beverage. Timed entry tickets may be purchased online; tickets sell out very quickly.
WinterLights at Naumkeag in Stockbridge MA
Follow a one-way walking path through lighted decorated gardens. Concessions may be purchased on-site. Note that tickets are timed and visit is limited to 1 hour. Open Wednesdays to Sundays from November 28 to January 3 from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, plus Monday and Tuesday, December 22-23 and December 29-30. Tickets are for a timed entry and sell out quickly.
Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland, Mendon MA
View over 4 million lights at Southwick Zoo's Winter Wonderland! Stroll through Santa's Village to enjoy games, entertainment, and a meet and greet with Santa. Enjoy live entertainment including the Enchanted Holiday Show. Refreshments available for purchase. Open November 22 to December 28, Thursdays to Sundays, from 5:00 PM to 10 PM. Purchase timed tickets in advance online or at the gate.
Lancaster Celebration of Lights, Lancaster MA
Over a mile of road features over a million LED lights, including a 90" Christmas tree! Enjoy music on your radio during the drive. Open November 28 to January 3. Purchase a ticket online for entry at a specific date and time.
20th Annual Festival of Trees, Leominster MA
Open weekdays 9 AM to 4 PM, weekends 11 AM to 3 PM at the Tata Auditorium in Leominster City Hall.
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge MA
Explore the beautifully decorated Village, watch a nightly lighting ceremony, stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and Christmas Wish Bridge, watch demonstrations of classic Christmas projects, visit with Santa, taste samples of sweet treats, enjoy live music and storytelling, and so much more. Open November 28 to December 30, Fridays to Sundays, plus December 23 and December 30, from 2 - 8 PM.
Southern MA
La Salette Shrine, Attleboro MA
Admission is free (but donations welcome) at this holiday light display, which runs 5 PM to 9 PM daily from November 22 to January 4. Over a millon lights create a delightful display. There is also a Creche Museum, food court, carousel, photos with Santa, and other attractions (fees apply).
Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture, Avon MA
The Enchanted Village originally was displayed at Boston’s Jordan Marsh department store (not related to Jordan Furniture) starting in the 1960s. The village is composed of a variety of holiday scenes with animated figures, created by a Bavarian toy maker in 1958. The Enchanted Village is free to visit, additional fun is offered for an additional charge - reindeer games, tubing, a 3D version of Winter Wonderland, laser lite show. Check website for daily hours; open until January 1. Photos with Santa also available.
Holiday Festival of Lights at Edaville, Carver MA
Enjoy themed train rides, more than 100,000 lights, entertainment and a marketplace. (Note that Edaville no longer has amusement park rides.) Tickets are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 28 to December 28.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Motor Speedway Gift of Lights, Loudon NH
See more than 3.5 million lights at the Gift of Lights! This 2.5 mile drive-through light display runs 4:30-9 PM November 27 to December 17 and December 29 to January 4 and 4:30-10 PM December 18 to 28. Participate in a theme night (PJ Night, Pet Night, Christmas Sweater Night, etc) and receive an admission discount at the gate, although we'd strongly recommend purchasing your ticket online in advance to ensure admission. Ticket purchase is for a specific day but is not timed.
Strawbery Banke's Annual Candlelight Stroll, Portsmouth NH
Visit Strawbery Banke's historic homes to see holiday decorations in different eras, including Victorian, World War II and more. Enjoy carolers, holiday crafts, and simple celebrations plus a grove of decorated trees. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings only from December 5 to 21. All tickets must be reserved online in advance and entries are timed. Note that there is no on-site parking (see public garage options on event page).
Santa's Village, Jefferson NH
Enjoy rides, shows and all kinds of Christmas fun. Open Saturdays, November 8 and 15, and Saturdays and Sundays from November 22 to December 21, plus Friday, November 28. Purchase tickets online in advance.
Looking for more holiday fun? Check out:
- Holiday Events and Santa Sightings in Greater Lowell (2025 information still to come!)
- Polar Express & Holiday Train Ride Guide for MA, NH & Beyond
- Get a Free Personalized Letter from Santa!
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