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.
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North of Boston
Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights, Methuen MA https://www.fiestashows.com/fs/merrimack-valley-light-show/
A delightful drive-thru holiday-themed light show! 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. Open November 29 to December 30 Thursday to Sunday, select weekdays (Monday to Wednesday) and December 24 and 25. Purchase a ticket online for a specific date for a 5-7 pm entrance or a 7-9 pm entrance.
Stone Zoo ZooLights, Stoneham MA https://www.zoonewengland.org/engage/zoolights/
The Stone Zoo is decorated with holiday light displays for the season. See the animals and enjoy beautiful lantern displays while you follow a one-way path through the Zoo. Open November 15 to January 5 from 4-9:30 PM (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day).
WinterLights at the Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover MA https://thetrustees.org/program/winterlights-massachusetts/
Follow a one-way walking path through lighted decorated gardens. Concessions may be purchased on-site. From November 29 to January 4 from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Wednesdays through Sundays (closed December 24 & 25, open on December 23, 26 and 31 and January 1). Tickets are for a timed entry and sell out quickly. Tickets are not available on-site.
Christmas at Castle Hill, Ipswich MA https://thetrustees.org/event/420436/
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. Open November 29 to December 29 Fridays to Sundays.
31st Annual Festival of Trees, Methuen MA https://www.methuenfestivaloftrees.com/
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 23 to December 7 (closed Thanksgiving Day). Tickets are for timed entry.
Metro-West Boston
WinterLights at the Bradley Estate in Canton MA https://thetrustees.org/program/winterlights-massachusetts/
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. From November 29 to January 4 from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Wednesdays through Sundays. Tickets are for a timed entry and sell out quickly.
Festival of Trees at Elm Bank, Wellesley MA https://masshort.org/festival-of-trees/
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 29 to December 29. Ticket sales open November 2.
Central & Western MA
Santa Social at Krochmal Farms, Tewksbury MA https://www.krochmalfarms.com/kmf/santa-social/
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.
Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield MA http://brightnights.org/
More than 675,000 lights light up Forest Park in Springfield. Visit Santa in the Magical Forest, and enjoy holiday concerts on certain dates. This spectacular display is open from November 27 to January 5 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 https://nebg.org/nightlights/
Night Lights is open daily from 4 to 10 PM from November 23 to January 5. 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 https://thetrustees.org/program/winterlights/
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. From November 29 to January 4 from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Wednesdays through Sundays. Tickets are for a timed entry and sell out quickly.
Magic of Lights, Foxborough MA https://magicoflights.com/events/foxborough/
Drive through magical holiday light displays at Gillette Stadium from November 22 to December 25 (closed December 1-2). Purchase a ticket in advance for your preferred day; you may enter at any time on that day.
Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland and The Festival of Illumination, Mendon MA http://southwickszoo.com/winter-wonderland/
Drive through the Winter Wonderland Frozen Forest to view spectacular holiday lights! 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 21 to December 29, Thursdays to Sundays, from 5:00 PM to 10 PM. Purchase timed tickets in advance online.
Lancaster Celebration of Lights, Lancaster MA https://lancasterlightshow.com/
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 29 to December 30 Thursdays to Sundays as well as select weekdays (Mondays to Wednesdays). Purchase a ticket online for a specific date and two-hour time window.
18th Annual Festival of Trees, Leominster MA https://www.leominster-ma.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2350
Open weekdays 9 AM to 4 PM, weekends 11 AM to 3 PM from November 18 to December 19 at the Tata Auditorium in Leominster City Hall..
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge MA https://www.osv.org/event/christmas-by-candlelight/
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 29 to December 30, Fridays to Sundays, plus December 23 and December 30, from 2 - 8 PM.
Southern MA
La Salette Shrine, Attleboro MA https://lasaletteattleboroshrine.org/christmas-festival
Admission is free (but donations welcome) at this holiday light display, which runs 5 PM to 9 PM daily from November 23 to January 1. Over 400,000 lights create a delightful display. There is also a Creche Museum, food court, carousel, photos with Santa, and other attractions (fees apply).
Enchanted Village, Avon MA https://www.jordans.com/content/attractions/enchanted-village
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, Lite Laser Show, and more. Opens November 22. Check website for daily hours. Photos with Santa also available.
Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville Family Theme Park, Carver MA https://edaville.com/
Enjoy amusement park rides and, after dusk, take the train to see the Christmas Festival of Lights. The park is open Thursdays to Sundays from November 8 through December 31 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). Purchase timed entry tickets online in advance (choose your entry time; once you’re in the park, you can stay until 9 PM). Tickets also available for the North Pole Limited holiday train ride and Santa's VIP Express.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Motor Speedway Gift of Lights, Loudon NH https://www.nhms.com/events/gift-of-lights/
See more than 3.5 million lights at the Gift of Lights! This drive-through light display runs 4:30-9 PM Sundays to Thursdays and 4:30-10 PM Fridays and Saturdays from November 28 to January 5. Participate in a theme night (Pet Night, Christmas Sweaters, 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 http://www.strawberybanke.org/events/candlelight-stroll.cfm
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 6 to 22. 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 https://www.santasvillage.com/
Enjoy rides, shows and all kinds of Christmas fun. Open Saturdays, November 9 and 16, and Saturdays and Sundays from November 23 to December 22. Purchase tickets online in advance.
Looking for more holiday fun? Check out:
- Holiday Events and Santa Sightings in Greater Lowell (will be updated for 2024 soon!)
- Holiday Crafts, Tips & Recipes from Lowell Macaroni Kid
- Polar Express & Holiday Train Ride Guide for MA, NH & Beyond
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