Christmas Events You Need to Check Out This Holiday Season

KA_Hyannis_Cape Codder Enchanted Village Holiday Christmas Lights_33_120415This list below has something for everyone! Whether you’re looking to go with your family, that special someone special or by yourself, you can find a plethora of events on the Cape this month.

Holiday Events for the Family

Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums, Sandwich
Gardens Aglow, a treasured holiday family tradition, transforms the grounds with more than 10 miles of holiday lights. Enjoy marshmallow-roasting, a reindeer scavenger hunt, visit with Santa Claus in the Model T, take carousel rides, holiday treats at Magnolia Café, and more. Among the features of this season’s Gardens Aglow: On Dec. 2-4, cuddle with baby goats, piglets, chickens and chicks, bunnies, and other barnyard babies; the “Heritage Holiday Express” features a two level model trains display; get décor ideas from designer-created holiday tablescapes; on Saturdays, see ice sculptures created, and pose for photos with them. Heritage Museums & Gardens is partnering with the Sandwich Food Pantry to help area children who need school supplies. Please help by bringing new glue sticks, pencil boxes or pouches, spiral notebooks, highlighter markers, thumb drives, three-ring binders, and #2 pencils. Donation boxes will be set up in The Shop at Heritage. Group discounts are available.For information and to book, call 508-888-3300 x120, or email [email protected] today! 67 Grove Street, Sandwich.

Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville USA
Edaville USA’s most memorable New England Tradition is back this year with over 17 million lights illuminating the park! You and your family can enjoy Edaville USA’s 3 Adventures in 1 – Edaville Proper, Thomas Land & Christmas Festival of Lights sponsored by Hood Eggnog (Seasonal), featuring over 90 rides and attractions! Sample Hood Eggnog and take a picture in the life size snow globe on November 18, 19, 20 and December 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. For admission prices and further information, visit http://www.edaville.com/events/christmas-festival-lights.

The Polar Express Train Ride, Buzzards Bay
All Aboard! The Polar Express Train Ride comes to life this holiday season as the Cape Cod Central Railroad rolls out of the Buzzards Bay station bound for the “North Pole!” Come early and climb aboard with your family to cozy up and enjoy our festively-decorated vintage train cars. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Dancing chefs deliver hot chocolate and a cookie to each guest to savor while music from The Polar Express movie plays en route to the North Pole. Passengers in first and diamond class and dome cars drink from special, official Polar Express mugs which become theirs to keep. Make sure to have your tickets handy, because your conductor will be by shortly to punch each child’s ticket.
Before arriving at the North Pole, the iconic book, “The Polar Express,” is read by the voice of actor Liam Neeson, as your chef turns the pages to share the beautiful illustrations in the original book. If the children prefer to read along from their seat, books are available at the time of your ticket purchase and will be waiting for you at the station. Buzzards Bay Depot, 70 Main St., Buzzards Bay. For tickets or more information, visit www.capetrain.com/polar-express-train-ride.

Country Christmas Open House
Come by “Country Christmas Open House” at the Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen during the four weekends leading up to Christmas. Taste a sampling of our own Jam Kitchen products and a cup of mulled cider. Browse among a variety of great holiday gift ideas in the Green Briar shop offering jams, jellies, relishes, and an abundance of nature-related items including books, jewelry, games and toys for children. Call 508-888-6870, or visit www.thorntonburgess.org for more information. Hours are Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays: Noon to 4 p.m. Green Briar Nature Center, 6 Discovery Hill Road (off Route 6A), East Sandwich.

Holly Folly Weekend in Provincetown
Do not miss these three days of holiday revelry, from traditional carols ‘round the piano to the not-so-traditional Speedo run down Commercial Street. Not quite what Currier and Ives had in mind, Holly Folly antics are a fun kick-start to the season with a non-stop line-up of events including the Gay Men’s Chorus, dancing into the night and the popular “Shop Hop,” where you vie for great prizes while taking advantage of major sales happening in Provincetown’s shops and galleries. Free to everyone is the ever popular Inn Stroll, an open house at a number of P-town’s famed guest houses. Pace yourself for this one, as the innkeepers out-Martha Stewart each other in decorations, treats and libations. Dec. 2, 3 and 4. For more information, visit http://ptown.org/holly-folly/.

10th Anniversary Brewster for the Holidays
Brewster for the Holidays is a magical three-day festival for the community the first weekend in December, December 2-4. Come to Brewster and enjoy more than 80 events taking place throughout town, which will include gallery strolls, caroling, a gala family party at the Cape Cod Museum and so much more, providing fun and entertainment for everyone! For a full list of daily events, visit www.brewster-capecod.com/BrewsterHolidays/.

Santa Stampede 5K and Family Fun Run
Join the Stampede! The Santa Stampede 5K and Family Fun Run is held throughout scenic East Orleans on Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kick off your holidays at our festival fun run! This year registrants will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt, as well as the same top-notch timing, a gift bag with goodies from our sponsors, and finish line expo with vendors and food. Bring a toy to give to the Lower Cape Outreach Council and make a Cape Cod kid happy this Christmas! Barley Neck Inn, 5 Beach Rd., East Orleans. For more information, visit capecodchamber.org/events/santa-stampede-5k-family-fun-run.

Falmouth Holidays by the Sea Weekend
Begin the festive Falmouth Chamber Holidays by the Sea Weekend, Dec. 2-4, by singing carols at Historic Nobska Lighthouse as the winter’s sun sets over Vineyard Sound. Run the Jingle Jog 5K and Kids Elf Run along Vineyard Sound. Greet Santa as he arrives by boat at beautiful Falmouth Harbor. Enjoy the Main St. festivities of the Holiday Stroll, join in the caroling at the lighting of the Village Green and get ready for the biggest small-town Christmas parade in all of Southeast New England on Sunday!

Annual Cape Cod Enchanted Village
Free and open to the public from Dec. 3-31! Be dazzled by thousands of lights, a Santa’s Village, animated reindeer stall and so much more. Santa will be visiting to hear childrens’ wishes, and the Cape Cod Surftone Carolers sing holiday music every Friday and Saturday night from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; and on Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be a bonfire nightly (weather permitting). Holiday lights go on at dusk. Please bring a gift card of new, unwrapped toy for the “Giving Tree.” Proceeds go to Independence House. Cape Codder Resort, Hyannis.

Spectacle of Trees
The Spectacle of Trees will kick off with its fun and fabulous Holiday party and wreath auction at the magnificent Hyannisport Club on Thursday, Dec. 1. The trees will then be able to be viewed at the JFK Hyannis Museum on Main Street from Dec. 2 through 10. The opportunity drawing to determine one donor to win each organization’s tree will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Please come and enjoy one of Cape Cod’s most spectacular events where 100 percent of the donations you make will be given to the charity of your choice. http://capecodcharitablefunraisers.com/funraiser/spectacle_JFK.

KA_Hyannis_Cape Codder Enchanted Village Holiday Christmas Lights_29_120415Christmas Strolls and Parades

Nantucket Christmas Stroll
A holiday tradition on Nantucket Island, Dec. 2-4. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on Saturday via Coast Guard vessel and are escorted up Straight Wharf for a festive parade, while carolers in period costume, bell ringers and student choirs perform on Main Street. Holiday craft shows, exhibitions and performances throughout the weekend – including the popular annual Christmas House tour on Friday evening – add to the joyful festivities.

Christmas in Harwich
Traditional New England Christmas time with tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Breakfast with Santa, carolers, Polar Express Trolley Ride, Town wide decorating contest, merchant open houses, discounts and sales and much more. Dec 2, 3 and 4. For a full list of events, visit www.ChristmasinHarwich.com.

Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll and Boat Parade
The Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll on Dec. 3 is filled with fun and holiday cheer for the entire family! The day begins with Breakfast with Santa, followed by plenty of activities for the entire family to enjoy, including horse and carriage rides, holiday arts and crafts, a cookie stroll contest, a petting zoo and more. At 4 p.m., everyone will gather at the harbor to enjoy the illuminated boat parade, all decked out for the holidays! For more information, visit www.hyannismainstreet.com.

Yarmouth Port Christmas Stroll
Visit the museums, bed and breakfasts, inns and businesses along the Old Kings Highway as they welcome you with holiday decorations, tasty treats and music of the season. Gary Albuquerque’s collection of Christmas ornaments will be on display at the Bangs Hallet House and Cape Cod Santa will again be on the porch of the house for photographs, courtesy of Walgreen’s. Sunday, Dec. 4, 1 to 4 p.m.

53rd Annual Falmouth Christmas Parade
Parade steps off at noontime on Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Falmouth Mall and proceeds down Main Street to the Village Green. Known as Southeastern Massachusetts’ largest holiday parade featuring theme decorated floats, marching bands, live animals, costumed characters and Santa Claus! For more information, call 1 (508) 548-8500.

47th Annual Osterville Christmas Stroll and Open House
Holiday festivities in the traditionally decorated village include horse-drawn carriage rides, trolley rides, a visit from Santa, carolers, refreshments, music and more! Friday, Dec. 9.

Chatham Christmas Stroll
Main Street shops welcome you on Dec. 9 and 10 with festive holiday spirit and happening! Weekend festivities include holiday caroling, a tree trimming and lighting on Friday evening, the Historic Inn Tour on Sunday, raffles, giveaways, musical entertainment, book signings and more.

11th Annual Mashpee Christmas Parade
This year’s Christmas Parade, on Dec. 10, gets off to a festive start with Twelve Days of Christmas Breakfast and Scavenger Hunt with Mrs. Claus from 9 to 11 am at Sorprano’s Ristorante in Deer Crossing, Mashpee. There will also be a magic show for children at South Cape Marketplace, where they will learn how to build a snowman. The Christmas Parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m. from the Mashpee Commons and travels through South Cape Village. For more information, visit www.mashpeechamberchristmasparade.com/.

Wellfleet Holiday Stroll
We invite you to Wellfleet’s Holiday Stroll on Dec. 10 and 11. Come experience the warmth of Wellfleet’s holiday cheer during winter time. Explore our unique stores and businesses, hand crafted wares at Wellfleet Preservation Hall’s Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair, amazing Art Galleries, nautical treasures and more.

KA_Hyannis_Cape Codder Enchanted Village Holiday Christmas Lights_35_120415Santa Sightings!

Cape Cod Mall Visit with Santa
Come visit Santa this Holiday Season at Cape Cod Mall! Santa arrived on Nov. 11th and will be staying through Christmas Eve. Stop by for a photo and let him know what you want for Christmas! Santa will take short breaks to feed his reindeer. Please visit the website or Facebook page for Santa photo hours, at www.simon.com/mall/cape-cod-mall/stream/santas-waiting-4590323. And on Friday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m., welcome Santa back to the mall. Meet at Regal Entrance, where Santa will be arriving on a fire truck! Everyone will then parade with Santa to his comfy chair to hear Santa read some of his favorite stories. Guests will receive small snacks to enjoy and will be able to visit with Santa, make crafts and more. Cape Cod Mall, 769 Iyannough Road, Hyannis.

Pancake Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Enjoy a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 26, with Mrs. Claus while awaiting the arrival of Santa by boat at 10 a.m. at Orleans Yacht Club, 39 Cove Rd. Orleans. Breakfast spread provided by the Hole-In-One Restaurant. Cost is $7 adults, $5 children. Bring a toy for the Lower Cape Outreach Council toy drive and make a Cape Cod kid happy this Christmas! Santa will meet with the children at Snow’s Home and Garden, 22 Main St. Orleans, 10am-Noon.

Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Luke’s Love Boundless Playground
Come see Santa and Mrs. Claus’ sixth annual visit to Luke’s Love Boundless Playground to benefit A Baby Center Hyannis! They’ll be arriving on a West Barnstable Fire Department truck with all the bells and whistles, and they want to hear your Christmas wish list so don’t forget to bring your camera to take awesome Christmas photos. There will be light refreshments provided by Chapin’s Restaurant. This is a free event, open to the public and sponsored by The Luke Vincent Powers Foundation. Please bring a gift for A Baby Center (diapers, wipes, baby bath products, new clothes in sizes newborn – 5T, etc.) so we can stuff the Baby Mobile chock full and help local babies. 2377 Meetinghouse Way, Route 149, West Barnstable. For more information, visit www.lukeslove.org.

By Ann Luongo



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