As the holidays approach, there are more fun events than ever coming down the road here on the Cape – from food drives and festivals to art exhibits and opportunities to commune with nature. Here is the most recent list of activities – perfect for the whole family.
Spectacle of Trees – Spectacle of Trees is such a festive way to help local non-profit organizations during the holiday season! Creatively decorated and lavishly endowed trees are put on display at the Cape Cod Mall in an organized opportunity drawing. Cape Cod Mall – outside Ten Pin Eatery and near Santa’s Village, 769 Iyannough Road, Hyannis. This event is free. There will be a VIP kickoff party on 11/25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ten Pin Eatery’s 99.9 The Q VIP Room. This event runs through 12/24.
10th Annual Glassblowers’ Christmas and Special Exhibit: Made in Snow –The Sandwich Glass Museum is pleased to present “Made In Snow”, a winter-themed exhibit focusing on all things snow-related. Highlighted from the Museum’s collection are hand-decorated glass winter landscapes made by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company, snowscape paintings by local artists, historic photographs of Sandwich knee-deep in snow, as well as whimsical snow globes and contemporary glass by the region’s most talented glass artists reflecting the season’s favorite precipitation. This event runs through 12/30.
11/27 Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument – 6 p.m. at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. The Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument, which celebrates the Pilgrims’ First Landing in the New World in Provincetown on November 11, 1620, is one of Cape Cod’s most beautiful traditions and one that is supported by PMPM’s members and friends. This year’s lighting officially kicks off the one year countdown until Provincetown 400’s spectacular fireworks show, which commemorates the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ First Landing in 1620 and the extensive history and culture of the Wampanoag people.
11/29-12/29 Gardens Aglow – Join us for the celebration of lights that has become a treasured holiday tradition. In addition to the beautiful light displays throughout the gardens, the event features extensive indoor holiday décor and numerous activities around the grounds and galleries. Visit Santa Claus in the 1913 Model T Ford. View a stunning model train display and create a mural on our Giant Lite-Brite. People of all ages can take a spin (or two) on the vintage carousel and roast marshmallows together at the fire pits. Stroll the gardens with family and friends, and enjoy Heritage Museum & Gardens in a whole new light.
11/29-12/1 Harvest Splash Open House and Stuff-A-Truck for Turtles – National Marine Life Center, 120 Main St., Buzzards Bay. In thanks for your support of this event, we are offering free admission for this Splash! Donations are gratefully accepted. All donations will help us care for stranded sea turtles. Please see our wish list of greatly-needed items for the truck at nmlc.org/2019/11/harvest-splash-stuff-a-truck-for-turtles/.
11/30 Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree – 5:30 p.m., Lopes Square, Provincetown. The tree frame consists of over 100 lobster pots. The tree trimmings include approximately 120 bows, 3,400 LED lights, plastic lobsters and buoys. This unique holiday tree was featured in the Smithsonian Magazine’s article, “Seven Places Reinventing the Christmas Tree.” If you can’t make it the weekend of the lighting, the tree will be lit through January 2020.
11/30-12/23 The Train to Christmas Town – Feel the holiday magic in the air the moment you arrive! Have your official Train to Christmas Town ticket ready to be punched by the conductor as you board our real working train. The music begins as we depart the station and you’ll be clapping along to our peppy theme song. Meet other book characters like Bumblebee the cuddly polar bear and the postman delivering letters to Santa. Elves will be dancing in the aisles leading sing-alongs of favorite Christmas songs. When you hear the “Chocolate Christmas” song begin to play you’ll know it’s time for cookies and hot chocolate to be served. Buzzards Bay Depot, 70 Main St., Buzzards Bay.
12/6-1/2 The Cape Cod Enchanted Village – Free and open to the public! Be dazzled by thousands of lights, a Santa’s Village and so much more at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Barnstable. Santa will be visiting to hear children’s wishes, and the Cape Cod Surftone Carolers sing holiday music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from 5 to 8 p.m. 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.
12/7 14th Annual Mashpee Christmas Parade – The Mashpee Chamber Christmas Parade is a unique night-time event with live music, illuminated floats, and hot chocolate for everyone. This year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World.” Parade departs from Deer Crossing at 5:30 pm. Parade will flow up Route 28 towards Mashpee Commons. The parade will enter Mashpee Commons and weave throughout the Commons, ending on Steeple Street for a grand finale performance by one of the amazing marching bands and a meet and greet with Santa Claus!
12/7-12/8 Cape Symphony Orchestra presents “Holiday on the Cape” – This is the largest holiday celebration in the region, with six sold-out performances every year, and is known for a perfect blend of holiday favorites (“White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”) and Artistic Director & Conductor Jung-Ho Pak’s musical and theatrical surprises. This year’s event will feature a unique tribute to Bob Hope’s great holiday television specials, as well as a touching remembrance for our brave troops serving overseas during the holidays.
12/7 Hyannis Stroll and Santa’s Boat Parade – Santa will be arriving at noon by antique fire truck at the big clock on the corner of Main and Winter Streets and will be meeting and greeting children until 1 p.m. before heading over to Katie’s Ice Cream from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. for another meet and greet session. The boat parade will immediately follow the stroll. Sponsored and organized by The Greater Hyannis Civic Association and, beginning at 4 p.m., there will be chowder, hot chocolate, coffee and cookies for sale, and children’s arts and crafts at the harbor. Jocks from WQRC, WKPE and WOCN will be on hand to help you learn about sponsoring a Christmas Wishes family!
You might also be interested in the following events:
Nov-March – Indoor winter golf lessons at Blue Rock Golf Course, S. Yarmouth
Through 12/8 Something Rotten – Cape Rep Theatre, 3299 Route 6, Brewster
Through 12/19 Dr. Doolittle: The Musical – Matinees and evening shows available, Cotuit Center for the Arts
Through 12/20 Holiday Gift Show Exhibit – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable
11/27 Center for Coastal Studies 9th Annual Winter Lecture Series – 7 p.m., Napi’s Restaurant, 7 Freeman St., Provincetown
11/29-11/30 Gingerbread Lane Holiday Market – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Artist Shanties at Hyannis Harbor
11/29-12/20 13th Annual Holidays at Highfield Fundraiser – Highfield Hall and Gardens, Falmouth
11/29-12/8 “Pack a Pilot” – To benefit Boston Children’s Hospital NICU. Cape Cod Mall, Hyannis
11/30 The Nutcracker – 5 to 6 p.m., excerpts performed by the Reaching Heart School of Ballet at the Chatham Bars Inn
11/30 Giving Tree Kickoff – 2:30 to 4 p.m., Chatham Bars Inn
12/3 Shop Sandwich First Holiday Market – 3 to 8 p.m., Henry T. Wing School, Sandwich
12/6 Osterville Historical Museum’s Festival of Trees – 6 to 8 p.m., 155 West Bay Rd., Osterville
12/6-12/7 Harwich Festival of Trees – To benefit the Family Pantry. One Schoolhouse Rd., Harwich Port
12/6-1/5 Elf: The Musical – Times vary. Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre, W. Harwich
12/7 Christmas in Cotuit Open House – Cahoon Museum of American Art, Cotuit
12/7 Eastham Holiday Festival – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Orleans-Eastham Elk Lodge, Eastham
12/7-12/8 Holiday Craft Fair and Bazaar – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wellfleet Preservation Hall
About Ann Luongo
