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November 2023

November in Massachusetts


“November comes, and November goes. With the last red berries and the first white snows.”

 ~ Elizabeth Coatsworth


Ah, November ~ the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove fills the air as our beloved fall dishes return. The richness of Massachusetts farmlands provides a bounty of vegetables, potatoes, apples, tree nuts and berries ~ all the ingredients needed to prepare our traditional family favorites. Of course, with Plymouth, Massachusetts being the site of the First Thanksgiving between the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims, we know a few things about delicious and creative dining!


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Photo courtesy of Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth, MA

Featured Region: Plymouth County

Plymouth is synonymous with Thanksgiving and it’s the ultimate destination for all the authentic festivities! America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving on Friday, November 17, and kicks off with a concert from the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra at Memorial Hall. On Saturday, the renowned Thanksgiving Parade marches through the streets of Plymouth beginning at Plymouth Rock, followed by the Hometown Family Festival activities and a National Drum & Bugle Corps Concert that evening. The weekend wraps up with a very special Harvest Market on Sunday.


From Plimoth Patuxet Museums to Pilgrim Hall Museum and more, Plymouth County is the place to be for a festive, fun November for the whole family! Download the See Plymouth app or visit the website to make your travel plans!


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Southeastern Mass

Have you been looking for your next ADVENTURE? We’ve got just the place, and something for every budget. Southeastern Massachusetts has a lot to offer, from historic locations and scenic views to stunning sunrise AND sunsets over the ocean depending on where you happen to be. Less than an hour from Boston and minutes away from Providence. Romantic getaways or family friendly options are waiting for you in Southeastern Massachusetts.


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The Berkshires

Do you love history and antiques? This November, the Bidwell House Museum staff and Board of Directors are delighted to once again offer a unique opportunity to take a special Candlelight Tour of the Museum. Led by local antiques experts, the tours will focus on the furniture and decorative arts and textiles, and will provide a fresh look at the House, and the Museum’s collection. At the conclusion of each tour, you are invited to an intimate wine and cheese reception, where you can mix and mingle, and ask questions of your tour guide. Come early to stroll the grounds and hike the trails, and end your day by candlelight!


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Greater Merrimack Valley

City of Lights in downtown Lowell on Saturday, November 25 is a family event with something for everyone! Main attractions include the Holiday Parade, Photos with Santa, a holiday movie screening at the Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, a festive concert and the annual hot chocolate and window decorating contests (vote for your favorite!) At 4:30 p.m., the parade commences from Jackson Street and ends at City Hall, where Santa Claus will make his first appearance of the season, and will throw the switch to light City Hall.


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Central Massachusetts

Autumn is in full swing at Wachusett Mountain’s Fall Food Truck Fest and Friendsgiving at Off the Rails. Shows at the Hanover Theatre include “The Nutcracker,” “Chicago” and “Pretty Woman: the Musical,” while Night Lights: Starry Skies brighten up the grounds at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Early holiday vibes can be found at the Vaillancourt Christkindlesmarkt & Artisan Show while Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at the DCU Center, their only stop in Massachusetts.


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Franklin County

Franklin County CiderDays will be celebrated November 3-5 in various locations in Franklin County! The original craft cider festival features cider making, tastings, workshops, orchard tours, culinary demos, and more in orchards and venues county-wide and beyond! Whether you are an orchardist, a cider aficionado, a hard cider enthusiast, or just enjoy autumn in New England, CiderDays is your event! Details at https://ciderdays.org.


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Greater Boston

On view through January 15, "Fashioned by Sargent" brings together 54 paintings from around the world along with more than a dozen period dresses and accessories. This major exhibition at MFA Boston is the first of its kind to explore how beloved artist, John Singer Sargent, used fashion to realize his creative vision. The show spotlights Sargent’s efforts in highlighting and expressing the distinctive personalities, social positions, and culture of his era.


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Cape Cod

The Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument on Saturday, November 11 commemorates the day in 1620 that the Mayflower Pilgrims made first landfall in the New World and dropped anchor in Provincetown Harbor. This fun-filled, ticketed event starts at 5:30 pm and is a beloved Provincetown tradition! On Saturday, November 18, the Eastham Turnip Fest pays homage to the town’s most popular crop with the family-friendly Turn Up for Fun Day at Eastham Library and A Taste of Turnip Day, with nearly 30 local food establishments featuring turnip dishes on their menus. From glimmering whimsical characters to shimmering jewel-toned orbs, the hand-blown ornaments at Sandwich Glass Museum's Glassblowers' Christmas (November 18-December 30) are perfect for holiday gift-giving.


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Western Mass

Celebrate a storybook holiday in Western Mass with its historic neighborhoods all decked out in holiday lights and holiday attractions sure to get you into the holiday spirit! Start with Grinchmas and the Grinch’s Grotto at The Springfield Museums then move on to New England’s biggest holiday lighting display, Bright Nights at Forest Park, ice skating under the singing Christmas Tree at MGM Springfield, and save time for eggnog and carolers at The Student Prince. You’ll need to stay a few days to make the most of this holiday experience in Western Mass.


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Photo: Inn on Boltwood

Hampshire County

The perfect getaway for any age! Check out the Inn on Boltwood's Carle Family Adventure Package, which offers tickets to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a book, and more! Visit the food trucks at Glendale Ridge Vineyard before the grown-ups catch legendary band Roomful of Blues at The Drake. Got teens? They won’t want to miss author Crystal Maldonado at Odyssey Bookshop. All ages will bop with the Young@Heart Chorus at the Academy of Music, while young ones will enjoy hikes for the under-5 crowd at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary.


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North Central Mass

Let the holiday season begin! Love Thanksgiving? Find everything you need to set a sumptuous table — and have fun, too — at the Thanksgiving Harvest Festival at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston! Looking forward to Christmas? See fabulously decorated trees at the Gardner Museum and Leominster City Hall. Enjoy a fascinating light show at Sholan Farms in Leominster. And get a start on your holiday gifting at Country Roads shops. The most wonderful time of the year begins now!


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Photo: Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce

Martha's Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard leans gently into November — so much to enjoy. Afternoon’s fading-sun means early sunsets along trails, beaches. Delve into island serenity. Enjoy events—29th Annual Barn Raiser’s Ball (11/4), many MV Land-Bank guided walks, Trustees’ discovery tours of Vineyard properties, Felix Neck tours/programs, MV Film Center films/presentations, Farm Institute Cooks classes, Thanksgiving Weekend Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Featherstone Holiday Gift Show (11/13-12/17), Vineyard Artisans Thanksgiving Show (11/23-24) and make plans for A Very Vineyard Holiday. Outdoors, there’s Veterans Day 5K run, hiking, biking foliage-free trail vistas, beachcombing. Stay, play, shop, dine and savor island peace!


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Mohawk Trail Region

Holiday sounds and spirit will fill Spring Street on December 1st -3rd for the 40th Annual Williamstown Holiday Walk! This festive and family-friendly weekend of events includes the ever popular Reindog Parade on Saturday, as well as a visit with Santa Claus, old-fashioned caroling and tree lighting, horse-drawn carriage rides, a soup-tasting competition, Holiday Musical Bingo, and so much more! For a complete schedule of holiday fun, visit DestinationWilliamstown.org. Shop small, support local, and make Williamstown your holiday getaway in December!


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MetroWest

So much November fun in MetroWest! Dance to Five O’Clock Shadow’s concert at ātac: downtown arts + music on Nov. 4. See "Cinderella and the Substitute Fairy Godmother" at Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Nov. 10. Shop gorgeous fine arts and crafts at the Paradise City Arts Festival in Marlborough Nov 17-19. Party for Thanksgiving Eve at Jack's Abby with live music, BOGO pizza, and holiday-themed beer on Nov 22. For details, visit metrowestvisitors.org/events/.


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Photo: Michael Galvin

Nantucket

November’s peaceful Nantucket offers comfortable weather and with maximum fall-colors, dazzling beauty along trails, beaches, forest paths. Aside from such reverie, enjoy Free Kids Comedy Show and Pro Comedy Show (Dreamland) 11/16, Festa Fiesta (Whaling Museum) 11/18; Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Street (Bennett Hall) 11/21. Then Nantucket Noel’s many offerings (November 1–December 31); Festival of Wreaths (11/20-25), Turkey Plunge (11/23); Chamber’s Annual Tree Lighting (11/24); Festival of Trees Preview Party (11/30). Come renew, stay, play, dine, shop! It’s all here, still!


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North of Boston

From November 2-5, enjoy a dynamic weekend of fall Jazz at Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center. Join Appleton Farms in celebration of the harvest season on November 14 at a special farmers market featuring a bounty of Appleton organic produce along with a selection of gifts from area artisans, crafters, and producers of fine foods. Kick off the holiday shopping season with the annual Holiday Marketplace at Finz Seafood and Grill & Sea Level Oyster Bar in Salem on November 25!


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Regional Tourism Councils

The Berkshires  Cape Cod  Central Massachusetts  Franklin County 

Greater Boston  Greater Merrimack Valley  Hampshire County  North Central Mass 

Martha's Vineyard  MetroWest  Mohawk Trail  Nantucket Island  North of Boston 

Plymouth County  Southeastern Mass  Western Mass


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Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism