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Header Photos
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lockwise from top left: The Working Waterfront Festival, New Bedford MA; The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston MA; Hilltop Orchards, Richmond MA; FreshGrass Festival at MASS MoCA, North Adams MA; Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth MA
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Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more!
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Twinkling Lights and Cozy Nights!
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There's a reason why they call it the best time of the year. Winter officially begins in December, ushering in a time for togetherness and good cheer. Main streets come alive with lights and décor, making those chilly evening walks nothing short of magical. Holiday performances and special features are in abundance, restaurant menus take a seasonal shift, and the outdoors offer up a new bevvy of activities to enjoy. Revel in the delights of December by going to a show, taking an art class, sampling fine fare, taking photos of holiday lights, strolling through a museum, or whatever tickles your fancy along the way. For more on what's happening this month, visit
massvacation.com/events.
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Featured Region: Nantucket Island
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Gather at the Main Street stage at 11:45 a.m. to help our inimitable Town Crier ring in the
43rd Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll " Nautical and Nice" December 2-4! Follow him down to Straight Wharf and watch as Santa magically arrives via Coast Guard Cutter! Then parade up cobblestone Main Street with the "Jolly One" himself. Share your wish list and have your photo taken with Santa at the Jared Coffin House.
Enjoy Victorian carolers, the Magical Talking Tree, boutique shopping, and our very special European Market, featuring delectable holiday treats, crafts and so much more! Don't forget to pick up your people's choice ballots at the Chamber office, 0 Main Street, to vote for your favorite Tree and store front décor.
Next:
Ring in the New Year island style December 30-January 2! Restaurant events, comedy shows, children's activities and a "70's disco" ball are sure to please all.
Find more information on
Nantucket Island.
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Plymouth County
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Pilgrim Festival Chorus presents three "Christmas Around the World" concerts: Friday, December 2 at Central Congregational Church, 2 Webster Street, Middleborough;
Saturday, December 3 at St. Bonaventure Church, 803 State Road, Plymouth; and Sunday, December 4 at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 842 Tremont Street, Duxbury. All concerts at 7:30 p.m. Plus, enjoy "Celebrate! - Messiah & Carol Sing-along" on Friday, December 16 at First Congregational Church, 6 Plympton Street in Middleborough! $20 adults, $18 seniors, $15 students, children under 14 free. Visit
pilgrimfestivalchorus.org for more tickets. Find more information on
Plymouth County.
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The Berkshires
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Join us for Making Spirits Bright on December 2-4 in downtown Lenox! Enjoy classic holiday decorations and great events for all ages, including a classic town tree lighting, extended shopping hours, sales events, and exclusive gallery openings. Partake in the Santa-themed pub crawl and the Holiday Stroll, which includes access to many of the town's finest inns and holiday choral performances. Downtown Lenox is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday season!
Find more information
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The Berkshires
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Central Massachusetts
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Courtesy of Tower Hill Botanic Garden
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Experience the magic of the holidays in Central Mass! Tower Hill Botanic Garden kicks of the season with
Winter Reimagined, featuring thousands of colorful lights and special programming all month long.
Festival of Lights on December 2 marks the start of the holiday season in Worcester, with performances leading up to the lighting of the City's holiday tree, and public skating on the historic Worcester Common Oval. And bring the kids on December 4,3,10 & 11 to learn about the importance of giving and celebrate with the animals that are changing lives around the world at
Hiefer Farm's Holiday Open House & Living Gift Market! Find more information on
Central Massachusetts.
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Franklin County
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Enjoy
"It's A Wonderful Night" in Turners Falls on December 9 from 5 to 10 p.m. Live music, hot chocolate, Santa's Magic Mailbox, galleries, and much more!
A Special Day in Northfield will be celebrated December 10 from 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Holiday crafts, hayrides, strolling carolers, sunset bonfire, performances and lots of good food. Contact
visitnorthfieldarea.com or call 413-498-5921.
Welcome Yule comes to the Shea Theater in Turners Falls December 9-11, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m., and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Annual midwinter celebration of music, dance, songs and stories for the whole family to enjoy. Tickets online or at the door. Find more information on
Franklin County.
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Greater Boston
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The spirit of the season is contagious with tree lightings and caroling, and classic holiday performances:
The Nutcracker, Holiday Pops, Black Nativity and
Handel's Messiah. Holiday Strolls, Open Houses and festive dining all add to the holiday atmosphere. The state-of-the-art light and sound extravaganza
BLINK! returns to Faneuil Hall Marketplace featuring 350,000+ LED lights dancing to the music of Holiday Pops. Take advantage of the
Mayor's Holiday Special, half-price tickets & dining deals - all season long. Be sure to include time for Boston's newest and coolest attraction
BOSTON WINTER, an 11,000 square foot ice skating path, Holiday Market, pedal-powered Holiday Tree and the Urban Lodge for light refreshments on City Hall Plaza. Continue the celebration with
First Night/First Day at Copley Square! Find more information on
Greater Boston.
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Cape Cod
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Join us for
Christmas on Cape Cod this December and create memories that will be cherished for generations! Every town and village puts their special stamp on holiday-inspired events throughout the month, including festive strolls, theater performances, parades, harbor lightings and Santa's arrival by boat. Kids will love the
Polar Express aboard Cape Cod Central Railroad and
Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens. Visit
ChristmasonCapeCod.com for holiday events, packages, "shop-portunities" and to find out how you could win hundreds of dollars in gift cards through our "Santa's Helpers" promotion! Find more information on
Cape Cod.
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Greater Springfield
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Bright Nights at Forest Park is New England's largest holiday lighting display and remains a best-loved tradition. Runs November 23 through January 1. Perfect "same visit" activities right nearby include the
Springfield Boys & Girls Club's Festival of Trees in downtown Springfield. Title sponsor Tower Square presents 140 donated decorated trees (November 25-December 11). Just blocks away, the Springfield Museums offers a
Holiday Magic Gingerbread Competition with fanciful gingerbread houses, ideal for kids and families alike (November 25-December 31). For more information, visit
VisitWesternMA.com. Find more information on
Greater Springfield.
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Hampshire County
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Take a break from a busy holiday season and rediscover the enchantment of the season with
An Old Fashioned Christmas at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington (December 3-4 & 10-11). Tour the house's festively decorated rooms, complete your holiday shopping at an artisan pop-up gift shop, and listen to carolers singing in the parlor as they light the Christmas tree. Also don't miss the first
Holiday Stroll in Northampton on December 9! Find more information on
Hampshire County.
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Martha's Vineyard
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Christmas in Edgartown, happening December 9-11, is an annual weekend festival you don't want to miss! Start your weekend with holiday cookies and cocoa at the lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse, feed your imagination with a PechaKucha presentation or at the Winter Farmer's Market and Artisan Festival, visit our one-of-a-kind shops, take in a Minnesingers Holiday Concert, enjoy the Chowder Contest and Breakfast With Santa. Visit
MVY.com for all the information you need to plan your trip! Find more information
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Martha's Vineyard.
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Mohawk Trail Region
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Holiday sounds and spirit will fill Spring Street in Williamstown on Saturday, December 3 for the
33rd Annual Williamstown Holiday Walk! Holiday festivities with traditional New England flair: old-fashioned caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, a Reindog Parade, a Penny Social, Santa Claus, and much more. Kick-off with the ever popular Reindog Parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. For a schedule of holiday fun, visit
williamstownchamber.com or call 413-458-9077. Find more information on
The Mohawk Trail Region.
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MetroWest
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Holiday Strolls offer performing arts, shopping, food, family activities, and other festivities in a warm community atmosphere! The month kicks off with the long-running Franklin Holiday Stroll, 4-7 p.m. on December 1. Medfield's Holiday Stroll takes place in 7 different locations starting at 4 p.m. on December 2. Downtown Maynard's Holiday Sip & Stroll starts with a tree-lighting at 6 p.m. on December 3. On December 18, Fruitlands Museum offers a Solstice Stroll of walking trails lit by lantern light. Find more information on MetroWest.
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