From light displays and historic Christmas celebrations to festive shopping nights and family-friendly outings, here are some holiday-themed events taking place in Central Massachusetts and the North Shore area this weekend.
Central Massachusetts
Night Lights: Dazzling Gardens — Boylston, MA
When: Through Sunday, January 4, 2026; Times: 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Where: New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill — 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505
Details: Wander through illuminated gardens with over half a million lights, holiday treats, seasonal shopping, themed nights, and photo spots. Timed tickets are encouraged.
More info & tickets: https://nebg.org/nightlights/
Island of the Misfit Animals — Bolton, MA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday nights from November 28–December 28, 2025; Times: 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., animal shows at 6:30 p.m.
Where: 336 Sugar Rd, Bolton, MA 01740
Tickets and info: https://www.animaladventures.net/misfits
Festival of Lights — Worcester, MA
When: Ongoing through early January 2026; this weekend Friday–Sunday events available
Times: Typically 4:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.*
Where: Worcester Common, Worcester, MA
Details: The city’s annual family-friendly light display returns. The free event includes illuminated features, ice skating, performances, food vendors, and festive entertainment on the Common. City of Worcester
3rd Annual Santa Crawl — Worcester, MA
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025; 1:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Where: Worcester Canal District, Worcester, MA
Details: A spirited holiday pub crawl through Worcester’s Canal District, featuring festive attire, drink specials, seasonal cheer, and community fun. Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
Annual Auburn Holiday Craft Fair — Auburn, MA
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025; 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Where: 99 Auburn Street, Auburn, MA
Details: Holiday craft fair with 150+ vendors, food, children’s activities, face painting, and a visit from Santa. Worcester Central Kids Calendar
Lilac Hedge Farm Holiday Market Sip & Shop — Rutland, MA
When: Saturday & Sunday, December 13–14, 2025; 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Where: Lilac Hedge Farm, 216 Wachusett Street, Rutland, MA
Details: Holiday market with seasonal gifts, local vendors, food, and family activities. Worcester Central Kids Calendar
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village — Sturbridge, MA
When: November 28–30, December 5–7, 11–14, 19–23, and 27–30, 2025; Times: 2:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. on December 11)
Where: Old Sturbridge Village — 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA
Details: Traditional 19th-century Christmas in a historic village, glowing lanterns, live music, storytelling, demonstrations, horse-drawn carryall rides, and sweet treats.
More info & schedule: https://www.osv.org/event/christmas-by-candlelight-2025/
North Shore
Holiday Invitation Nights 2025 — Newburyport, MA
When: Friday, December 5, 2025; Friday, December 12, 2025; and Friday, December 19, 2025
Times: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on all three dates Newburyport Chamber of Commerce
Where: Downtown Newburyport, including The Tannery Marketplace and Merrimac Place, Newburyport, MA 01950 Newburyport Chamber of Commerce
Details: Holiday Invitation Nights are a seasonal tradition in Newburyport where local shops stay open late for festive shopping, dining, and entertainment. Stroll through beautifully decorated downtown streets while enjoying live entertainment, merchant hospitality, special promotions, complimentary bites and beverages, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for holiday gift shopping. Newburyport Chamber of Commerce
More info: https://business.newburyportchamber.org
A Christmas Carol (North Shore Music Theatre) — Beverly, MA
When: December 4–21, 2025 (various performance times)
Where: North Shore Music Theatre — 54 Dunham Rd, Beverly, MA 01915
Details: An annual musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, featuring traditional carols and seasonal performances suitable for all ages. North Shore Music Theater
Downtown Beverly Holiday Stroll — Beverly, MA
When: Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, 2025, 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Where: Friday, December 12: Cabot Street; Saturday, December 13: Rantoul Street, Beverly, MA
Details: Two nights of holiday festivities with 50+ vendors, seasonal promotions, complimentary beverages, and holiday characters. Patch; bevmain.org
Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest — Gloucester, MA
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025; 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Sawyer Free Library & Middle Street area, Gloucester, MA
Details: Gingerbread creations on display and judged, part of the festive Gloucester holiday season activities. northshorekid.com
Holiday Trolley: Catch the Gingerbread Man — Salem, MA
When: Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025; Rides at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Where: Begins at The Good Witch of Salem, 2 North Street, Salem, MA 01970
Details: A whimsical story-themed trolley experience through downtown Salem with interactive activities and seasonal fun. Destination Salem
Breakfast with Santa — South Hamilton, MA
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025; 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (approximate)
Where: The Community House, 284 Bay Road, South Hamilton, MA
Details: A holiday breakfast event with Santa, photo opportunities, and activities — a family-friendly North Shore tradition. Northshore Magazine
Ipswich Jingle Bell Walk — Ipswich, MA
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025; 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Ipswich (South Village Green), Ipswich, MA
Details: Walk with jingle bells and carolers, enjoy seasonal festivities, and welcome Santa in downtown Ipswich. northshorekid.com
Outside Central Mass & the North Shore
Elf’d Up Brunch — Methuen, MA
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025; 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Where: 18 Ayers Village Road, Methuen, MA 01844
Details: Holiday brunch hosted at Pica’s Deli & Ice Cream with buffet options, build-your-own drinks, an elf photo opportunity, and DJ holiday music. (AllEvents)
Edaville Holiday Festival of Lights — Carver, MA
When: November 28–December 28, 2025; Times: Friday: 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; Saturday: 2:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; Sunday: 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Where: 5 Pine Street, Carver, MA
Details: Festival of Lights with train rides, lighted displays, ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, food, and a Holiday Artisan Marketplace.
Tickets: https://tickets.edaville.com/edaville-holiday-festival-of-lights
Polar Express Train Ride (Cape Cod Central Railroad)
When: Select dates through the 2025 holiday season (typically into late December; individual dates and times vary by train departure schedule).
Where: Cape Cod Central Railroad, Buzzards Bay, MA (approximate)
Details: Holiday train ride to the North Pole themed after The Polar Express with onboard storytelling, hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit with Santa. Tickets and precise schedules are available through Cape Cod Central Railroad’s booking site. (Cape Cod Central Railroad)
More info & tickets: https://www.capetrain.com/rides/the-polar-express-train-ride/
