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
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
Drive-Through Holiday Light Show: Waltham
2021: Nov 26 through Jan 2
5 PM – 9 PMAdvance tickets highly recommended
1 mile drive-through light display with music through the car radio. Purchase tickets in advance for $22-$30/car. Details here
Bass Pro Santa’s Wonderland: Cabela’s Hudson & Bass Pro Foxboro
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.
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
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.
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
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
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)
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
Lancaster Drive-Through Light Show: Lancaster Fairgrounds
2021: Nov 26 through Jan 2
5 PM – 9 PM
Advance tickets highly recommended
Over 1 mile of roadway decorated with over 1 million lights, including giant 90′ Christmas tree. $22-$30/car. Purchase tickets in advance. 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
ZooLights: Stone Zoo, Stoneham
2021: Nov 19 through Jan 9
Daily 4 – 9:30 PM
Advance tickets required
The zoo is lit up with holiday lights and festive decorations, plus large-scale lantern displays in 2021. Carousel and Jungle Fun ride. Meet Mrs. Claus; optional add-on Santa ZOOm or Cameo. $14/adult, under 2 free. Rides are open to all for additional cost. 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