Winter Wonderland, Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon
2021: Nov 26 through Jan 2
Closed most Mondays & Tuesdays
Advance tickets required
Drive through the Frozen Forest of decorations and deer, plus lanterns from the Festival of Illumination. Park and walk through Santa’s Enchanted Village which includes Santa to greet, s’mores, cocoa, and hot toddys. $60 per car. Details here
Bass Pro Santa’s Wonderland: Patriot Place, Foxboro & Cabela’s Hudson
2021: Nov 7 through Dec 24
Reservations Required
Free photo with Santa. Kids can mail their letter to Santa and bring home a craft kit. All activities + photo are free. Additional packages available for purchase. Details here
Must reserve in advance online. Each day opens 7 days in advance, at midnight. Bass Pro spots fill almost immediately. Cabela’s spots tend to last longer before filling.
Magic of Lights Drive-Through: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro
2021: Nov 19 through Jan 1
Nightly 5 PM – 10 PM
Advance tickets required
Drive-through elaborate light display across the street from Patriot Place. Purchase tickets in advance for $40-$50/car. Details and tickets here
Winter Skate at Patriot Place: Foxboro
2021: Nov 11 through end of winter
M-W: 4-9 PM, Th: 4-6 PM, Fri: 4-10 PM
Sat & School Holidays: 11 AM – 10 PM
Sun: 11 AM – 9 PM
Closed for Patriots Home Games
Located at the base of the large staircase near Showcase Cinema. Refrigerated outdoor ice rink with on-site rentals, concessions, and bathrooms. $10 adult, $6 children 12 & under, $6 seniors 65+. Skate rentals $5. Details here
Festival of Lights: La Salette Shrine, 947 Park St, Attleboro
2021: Daily Nov 25 through Jan 2
Illuminated 5-9 PM Daily
A very popular extensive walk-through light display that has a religious emphasis. Free admission and parking, but donations are welcome. S’more supplies for sale, hot cocoa, and a mini-carnival with carousel for a fee. Can be extremely crowded on weekends. CK Suggestion: arrive by 4:30 on weekends and make s’mores while waiting. Details here
[Winterfest: Diamond Hill Park, Cumberland, RI] Not in 2021
2020 & 2021: Cancelled
2019: Nov 30 – Dec 22 (Sat/Sun Only)
[2019 Description: “Grinch Cave” to walk through as well as trackless train ride and pictures with characters (possible characters include Santa, Frosty, Grinch, Minions, and more). $5/person fee.]
Details and updates on the FB page here
Pawtucket Winter Wonderland: Slater Park, Pawtucket, RI
2021: Festival Dec 4, 5, 11, 12
4 – 8 PM
Also open for drive-through or walk-through every night in December
The park is filled with more than 500 decorated trees and many displays including 20 Victorian houses and light displays. Very affordable hay rides, train rides, and Historic Looff Carousel. In past years, hot dogs and hot chocolate for sale (verify for 2021). Details here
Festival of Trees: Elm Bank, Wellesley
2021: Nov 26 through Dec 19
Wednesday-Sunday Only
Advance Tickets Required
Beautifully decorated trees and indoor decorated Snow Village with model trains winding throughout. S’mores at outdoor fire pit. Admission $25/adult, $5/youth ages 3-17. Details here
Santa’s Elevator Express: Natick Mall
2021: Nov 12 through Dec 24
Advance Tickets Encouraged
Ride a magical elevator to explore Santa’s Workshop and have a picture taken with St. Nick. Packages are $40+ online in advance. Historically, more affordable basic packages are also available for walk-ins; check ahead for updates. Details here
Fatima Shrine: 101 Summer St. (Rt 126) Holliston
2021: Dec 9 through Dec 27
Daily 5-9 PM
Closes for inclement weather
A 50+ year tradition by the Xaverian missionaries. Several acres of the property are lit and decorated for visitors to explore. Hot chocolate and pastries for sale in Xavier Hall. Free parking and admission. Look for details on the website or FB Page.
Winterlights: Eleanor Bradley Cabot Estate, Canton
2021: Nov 26 – January 9
Wednesdays – Sundays 4:30 – 8:30 PM
December 2021 is SOLD OUT
Enjoy thousands of shimmering and artfully designed holiday lights. $20-$25/adult, $10/child, Free for 2 and under. Details and tickets here
Night Lights & Winter Wonderland: Tower Hill Botanic Gardens, Boylston
2021: Nov 26 – Dec 30
Daily 4 – 10 PM
2021 is SOLD OUT
Walk through elaborate gardens with illuminated paths, fountains, and sculptures. S’mores and hot cocoa or adult beverages at fire pits. $23/adult, $13 for age 6-18, $18 for ages 65+, and free for age 5 and under. Details here
Read about it here, and set yourself a reminder to secure 2022 tickets in mid-October.
Enchanted Village: Jordan’s Furniture in Avon
2021: Nov 11 through Jan 2
Mon-Thurs: 11-7, Fri: 11-8, Sat: 10-8, Sun: 11-5
Free admission for indoor holiday display with intricate figurines and decorations. Pictures with Santa at select hours daily through Christmas Eve. Additional activities listed below require advance registration. Details and registration here.
- The Tube: $3 (must 40+ inches)
- LITE Laser show, $7 all ages.
- Enchanted Ice indoor skating park, $7 includes rental
- Polar Express 4D Experience ride, $8 (riders must be 40+ inches)
Winter Wonderland Drive-Through: AJT Supplies, Foxboro
2021: Dec 10-11
Advance tickets required
Drive through a winter wonderland with light displays and several characters including a picture with Santa. The entire event is outdoors from the car. $15/car. Details here
Christmas Festival of Lights: Edaville, Carver
2021: Nov 12 – Jan 1
Daily starting at 2 PM, 3 PM, or 4 PM
Advance tickets required
Over 17 million lights illuminate the park, and the long train ride passes through vast fields of lights. 18 amusement rides, but not Thomas Land or Dino Land in 2021. $25-$30/person. Details and tickets here, and check FB for updates
Christmas by Candlelight: Old Sturbridge Village
2021: Dec 3-30
Fridays – Sundays + select dates near Christmas
Advance tickets required
“Experience old cherished traditions and create new ones as you celebrate the season during Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village! Explore the beautifully decorated Village, stroll through the peaceful Christmas Tree Trail, watch demonstrations of classic Christmas projects, enjoy live music and storytelling, and so much more.” $28/adult, $14/youth. 3 and under free. Details and tickets here
The Christmas Place: Abington
2021: Daily through at least Dec 24
(Check for final closing date for the season)
Mon-Sat: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sun: 11 AM – 5 PM
Santa on weekends only (Sat/Sun)
Billed as “the largest Christmas store in New England” with plenty of attractions to see for free (though it would be tough to leave this store empty-handed!). Local parents say their families’ favorite parts include the Christmas Tree Room with Santa, the animated singing & dancing penguins, the delicious fudge and hot cocoa/coffee, and the huge train display. Details here
Festival of Lights Drive-Through: KOA, Middleboro
2021: TBA. Last checked 11/11/2021
2020: Dec 12-13 and Dec 19-20
4-9 PM, Advance tickets or pay at gate
[2020 description: “Drive through acres decorated with over 500,000 lights. Due to Covid19 people must remain in their cars. $5 per vehicle (EventBrite Fees Apply)
$10 per vehicle at the gate”] Details here
Bright Nights Drive-Through: Springfield
2021: Nov 24 through Jan 2
Advance tickets required
27th annual drive-through light show. As a long-standing event, many people report that it has grown more elaborate through the years and is very much worth the drive. $24/car. Purchase tickets in advance. Details here
Map of Light Displays: The Best Neighborhoods Near You
We here at Community Kangaroo have gathered recommendations for jaw-dropping light displays in just about every town west and southwest of Boston. We put them all on one big map! See our map here
Our List of Santa Pictures: Local Malls, etc
We’ve put together a list of all the local stores and malls that have ongoing Santa pictures, plus one-time events with St. Nick. Find Santa photo ops here
Hanukkah Celebrations: See the Events Near You
Local menorah lightings and other Hanukkah celebrations from our calendar: Find Hanukkah celebrations here
Big Christmas Events: Train Rides and Nutcracker Shows
We’ve pulled together all the Christmas Train Rides in this part of New England, plus the local Nutcracker shows, from Boston Ballet down to the local ballet around the corner. See train rides and Nutcracker shows here
Keep Track of What’s Coming Up Near You!
Our website is put together by a team of parents scattered across the suburbs between Boston and Worcester. Each of us writes a weekly newsletter of the best upcoming events, which lands in your inbox just in time to plan each weekend! Sign up to hear about things worth driving to from your town