Cozy Up to Holiday Happenings this December North of Boston

December 3, 2024

photo by Marblehead Chamber of Commerce

As December arrives, the North of Boston region is ready to sparkle with winter magic and festive cheer! From twinkling holiday lights to cozy traditions, there’s no shortage of seasonal fun to enjoy. Whether you’re discovering charming small towns, savoring seasonal treats, or experiencing the warmth of local events, December brings something special for everyone.

Don’t Miss These Featured Events!

Through Dec. 29: A Colorful Christmas at Castle Hill
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s festival of color. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated with a different vibrant color scheme. Enjoy freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate, try the Crane holiday eye spy, and shop in the Castle Hill Gift Shop. Christmas at Castle Hill runs Fridays, November 29, December 6, 13, and 20, 4-8 pm; Saturdays, November 30, December 7, 14, and 21, 104m-4pm; Sundays, December 1, 8, 15, and 22, 10am-4pm; and December 26-29, 10am-4pm.

Through Jan. 1: Winter Lights on Cape Ann

Celebrate the spirit of the season on Cape Ann! Pack up the car and come enjoy the 5th Annual Winter Lights on Cape Ann. Local businesses throughout Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport are getting into the festive spirit by decorating their storefronts with twinkling lights and creative window displays! Over 100 lighted locations will help bring joy to all those who visit from Small Business Saturday through New Years Day!

Dec. 5–8: Marblehead Christmas Walk

Well known as one of the finest holiday happenings in New England, Marblehead Christmas Walk is a signature event that captures the warmth of the holiday season throughout the entire town. Join the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce for a festive weekend including Thursday Night Preview Shopping, the Friday Tree Lighting, Saturday’s Santa’s Arrival by lobster boat and Parade, the Artisan’s Markets, Gingerbread festival, music and so much more!

Dec. 6, 13, 20: Newburyport Invitation Nights, Newburyport
Mark your calendars, book a babysitter, and call your friends to make plans for three great nights in Newburyport! Enjoy merchant hospitality, live entertainment, shopping, and dining in beautiful and festive downtown Newburyport, The Tannery, Merrimac Place, and Horton’s Yard. Spend your evening strolling from shop to shop as you stock up on holiday gifts while enjoying munchies and beverages offered by local merchants and getting into the holiday spirit!

Dec. 14: Deck the Docks, Maritime Gloucester
Join Maritime Gloucester for their annual Deck the Docks event, a fun-filled day of Holiday Joy, Maritime Gloucester Style! Enjoy children’s crafts, readings, music, food from The Cravery and The Lobster Roller Food Trucks, free hot cocoa and more. Don’t miss Santa’s arrival by Schooner to greet all the good boys and girls and the annual lighting ceremony and celebration of Gloucester’s iconic Lobster Trap Tree!

Dec. 26–Jan. 1: Frozen Fire Festival, Salem
Once again, Salem’s multifaceted winter event Frozen Fire Festival returns! Inspired by the City of Salem’s creative culture and in collaboration with locally-founded placemaking, entertainment and hospitality firm, The Anthem Group, downtown Charlotte Forten Park (now home to Anthem’s Harborwalk Garden) will be transformed into the annual Frozen Fire Festival – a must-see experience for all ages.

Beginning on December 26th and continuing throughout New Year’s Day, guests will enjoy dynamic daily programming and entertainment like cirque performers and fire installations. The Frozen Fire Festival welcomes guests to enjoy multiple hospitality outlets and food trucks, including both the S’mores and Hot Chocolate Garden as well as The Polar Bar, featuring a curated collection of local and international brews alongside a robust wine and specialty drink selection. The Frozen Fire Festival will also include two curling rinks to add to the outdoor, all-ages fun this winter.

The event is free and open to the public, with VIP packages now available for purchase!

And More Exciting Things to See and Do this Month!

December 4, 11, 18, 24: Beauport Hotel’s Jingle Bar, Gloucester
Jingle and mingle with the Beauport Hotel as their Jingle Bar returns! Visit the holiday pop-up bar to sip on champagne and holiday seasonal cocktails, relax by the fireplaces, savor light bites, and enjoy their festive trees and décor to the sounds of live musical entertainment.

Dec. 5–22: A Christmas Carol, North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
New England’s brightest holiday tradition is celebrating its 35th Anniversary! An original adaptation based on Charles Dickens’ classic novella, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a musical ghost story following the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Played by David Coffee, joined once again by Cheryl McMahon as Mrs Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig for their 30th production) through a series of strange and magical journeys, where he ultimately discovers the true spirit of the holiday season.

Dec. 6 & 7: Cape Ann Big Band Holiday, Rockport Music
Enjoy the holidays with Cape Ann’s own 17-piece big band performing holiday favorites, old and new, infused with a bit of jazz, swing and rock n’ roll.

December 7 & 8: Holidays at the Cushing House, Museum of Old Newbury
On Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th, from 10 am to 4 pm, the Museum of Old Newbury will welcome the public to the 1808 Cushing House, a National Historic Landmark, in all its holiday finery! Guests will enjoy exquisite decorations, festive music, and the company of friends and neighbors for two days of walk-through tours. Whether you’re looking for festive inspiration, a fun outing with family and friends, or simply want to immerse yourself in the holiday atmosphere, Holidays at the Cushing House is the place to be. Photo courtesy Museum of Old Newbury

Dec. 7: Amesbury Holiday Parade
The town of Amesbury is proud to bring you the 59th annual Holiday Parade! The theme this year will be Holiday Lights. Come out and bring the family for a holly jolly good time.

December 7: Christmas Tea at Phillips House, Salem
Celebrate the season with the return of Christmas Tea at Phillips House! Enjoy a festive tea with tea sandwiches and sweet treats in beautiful Samuel McIntire-designed rooms. Enjoy the elegant Chestnut Street mansion aglow with holiday cheer!

Through Dec. 8: SeaFestival of Trees, Blue Ocean Event Center, Salisbury Beach
Experience the joy and excitement of the Seacoast’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, seaside indoor ice skating, Santa’s workshop, toy testing station, and more at the 12th annual SeaFestival of Trees! This beloved event begins November 23 and runs through December 8 at Blue Ocean Event Center on Salisbury Beach. Be sure to ride the Salisbury Beach carousel while you’re there! Photo credit Festival of Trees

Dec. 8: Christmas Afternoon Tea at Long Hill, Beverly
Take a pause from the hustle and bustle this holiday season and join us for a Christmas Afternoon Tea inside the decorated historic Sedgwick house at Long Hill. Enjoy seasonal flavors and Christmas ambiance with teas, savories, and sweets with friends and family. We are excited to partner with Vintage Tea & Cake Co. who will be serving their holiday menu for this exclusive offering! Tables seat up to 4 people.

Dec. 13 & 14: Beverly Winter Markets, Downtown Beverly
Join Beverly Main Streets for two evenings of downtown strolling, local shopping, and entertainment! Cabot Night will take place on Friday, 12/13, with Rantoul Night on Saturday, 12/14. On Saturday 12/14, we will also host a brief ceremony for the Beverly Memory Tree. Local businesses will be open for shopping and special activations, and vendor markets can be found at key venues. Find musical performances and special guests throughout both nights, and be sure to collect stamps for this year’s Shopping Passport.

Dec. 14: Rocky Neck Holiday Art Trek, Gloucester
From vibrant paintings and sculptures to intricate ceramics and handcrafted jewelry, the Rocky Neck Holiday Trek offers a diverse array of one-of-a-kind treasures perfect for last-minute Christmas gifts. Whether you’re seeking a thoughtful present or treating yourself, the Holiday Trek invites you to discover the joy of locally crafted gifts amidst the creative energy of the Rocky Neck Art Colony.

Dec. 14: Newburyport Holiday House Tour

Join the Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Association for this year’s Holiday House Tour on Saturday December 14th from 10 am to 4 pm. You will enjoy a rare glimpse into greater Newburyport’s finest private residences and unique spaces. Your self-guide tour will lead you through each of our homes all decked out both inside and out in holiday style reflecting the homeowner’s individual celebrations and traditions of the season.

Dec. 14: Meet the Saint Bernards, Smolak Farms
One of our favorite holiday traditions is back! On Saturday, December 14th, from 10 am to 1 pm (with a rain date of December 15th), the lovable and gentle Saint Bernards from the New England Saint Bernard Club will be here to make your visit to the farm even more special. These majestic dogs will help pull pre-cut Christmas trees to your car and pose for unforgettable photos!

Dec. 14: Middle Street Walk, Gloucester
Embrace the season at the 26th Annual Middle Street Walk with a free day of seasonal music, historic tours, children’s activities, gingerbread house contest, and a horse-drawn wagon ride of Middle Street, and more. There will be church fairs at the Trinity Congregational Church and at the Unitarian Universalist Church on the corner of Church Street and Middle Street. Luncheon will be available for sale at the Unitarian Universalist Church from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The day concludes with the lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree at Solomon Jacobs Park at Harbor Loop.

Dec. 14: Home for the Holidays Special, Gloucester Stage Company
Celebrate the Holidays at Gloucester Stage with your host Paul Melendy* (Tall Tales from Blackburn Tavern) for a one-night only fundraiser. Step into the retro television set as the Live Studio Audience for this late-night comedy show. Paul will be joined by the band YOURS TRULY live onstage as they welcome special guests. Full of holiday fun & sing-a-longs, tickets include open bar and dessert bar after the performance.

Through Dec. 15: “Yes!” The Rocky Neck Art Colony, Gloucester
The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) proudly presents “YES!” – The Rocky Neck Members Year-End Show. Open to all current RNAC members, this dynamic non-juried exhibition features one recent work from each participating member. Visitors can expect an exciting salon-style showcase spanning diverse genres, styles, and mediums, capturing the depth of talent and passion within RNAC’s vibrant artist community.

Dec. 15: Santa at Sea, Beauport Cruiselines, Gloucester
Beauport’s Annual Santa at Sea Cruise returns! Enjoy a holiday harbor cruise aboard Beauport Cruiselines. Take in the beautiful views of Gloucester Harbor, all while singing holiday tunes, enjoying hot cocoa and cookies, and listening to a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Plus, a visit from Santa himself!

December 20–22: The Nutcracker, Presented by the North Atlantic Ballet, The Cabot Theatre, Beverly
Experience the wonder of The Nutcracker like never before, a modern twist on a timeless classic that brings the magic of the holidays to life in a whole new way. North Atlantic Ballet’s production marries the enchantment of the holiday season with the creativity of a Pixar masterpiece. From dazzling choreography to breathtaking visuals, every moment is designed to transport you into the magical Land of the Sweets.

Through Dec. 23: Salem Trolley & The Gallows, A Christmas Carol
Experience Salem’s history aboard the Salem Trolley, the best way to see the city! This December, enjoy “A Christmas Carol” with The Salem Trolley & Gallows Hill Theatre for a memorable holiday experience. Now in it’s 38th Season, this humorous and whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Ride along with Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as the classic tale is brought to life in a completely unexpected way.

Through Dec. 29: Deck the Halls Holiday Celebration, Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester
Join Hammond Castle for their sixth annual “Deck The Halls” holiday celebration! Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of candlelight that will envelop you throughout your tour of the Hammond Castle Museum. Immerse yourself in a bygone era of opulent tranquility and holiday grandeur that promises to be unlike any other experience on the North Shore.

Through Jan. 4: Winterlights at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover
Winterlights is back! Join The Trustees for a magical outdoor experience at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite enchanting light displays! A fun event for the whole family to ring in the winter season! Winterlights runs Wednesday through Sunday each week from the Friday after Thanksgiving through January 4. Closed on December 25, but open on December 23rd, 26th, and 31st, as well as January 1st!