Cape Cod Events
December 2017

All month long, everyone's out enjoying the crisp December weather ...

 
... celebrating the Holidays in Cape Cod style!

And there are special visits from Santa, too. How does he get here? By boat, of course - to the delight of children of all ages!

 

Fairs, Festivals & Special Events on Cape Cod
December 2017

Seaside Christmas in Orleans

When: Beginning November 25th and continuing through December

Where: Various locations in Orleans

Admission: Many free activities and events

More Info: Seaside Christmas in Orleans

For a host of family friendly Cape Cod events in December, come to Orleans! During the month-long Seaside Christmas celebration, shopkeepers, gallery owners and restaurateurs welcome visitors with special events and tasty treats - and some nice discounts and promotions to help preserve your shopping budget.

Getting out and about around town, there's a jam-packed roster of things to see and do including Christmas tree lightings, caroling, Nauset Model Railroad Club's Open House, and tons more.

"Gardens Aglow"

When: Weekends (Fri., Sat., & Sun.) November 24 to December 30, 2017 from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Heritage Museums and Gardens, 67 Grove Street, Sandwich

Admission: Adults $18; children $7, 2 and under free

More Info:  (508) 888-3300, ext. 175; Heritage Museums & Gardens

Heritage Museums & Gardens is putting on the glitz again this Holiday Season with it's treasured annual event - Gardens Aglow!

At this extra-special time of year, the good folks at Heritage adorn their acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands with more than 10 miles of twinkling, sparkling lights. It's truly an awesome thing to see!

Come stroll throughout the grounds and buildings and enjoy festive holiday displays, family-friendly activities, marshmallow-roasting, music and special performances, visits with Santa Claus, displays of model trains - and even a visit by some baby animals.

The Train To Christmas Town

When: November 24 to December 27, 2017, various dates and departure times

Where: Buzzards Bay Depot, 70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay

Tickets: Ticket prices vary  

More Info: (888) 797-7245; Cape Cod Central Railroad

The wonderful children's story, The Train to Christmas Town, comes alive as you board the Cape Cod Central Railroad's festively decorated train cars for a ride to Christmas Town on Cape Cod.

As the train chugs along the tracks, the elves get everyone into the Holiday spirit with sweet treats and sing-a-long caroling. Of course, the Jolly Old gentleman himself will be there when the train pulls into town, meeting and greeting everyone with a rousing "Ho, Ho, Ho!" and a special gift for each child.

What a fun way for the whole family to kick off the Holiday Season!

Annual Glassblowers' Christmas

When: November 13 - December 30, 2017 during Museum hours (9:30 am - 5 pm)

Where: Sandwich Glass Museum, Main Street, Sandwich Village

Admission: Adults $9; Ages 6-14 $2; 6 and under free; Members free

More Info: (508) 888-0251 / Sandwich Glass Museum

The Sandwich Glass Museum is all dressed up for the Holidays. In addition to the spectacular glass exhibits the Museum is known for worldwide, this time of year features special trees decorated with hundreds of unique glass ornaments created by some of the region's foremost glass artists.

Spectacle of Trees

When: December 1 - 9, 2017 

Where: John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, Main Street, Hyannis

Admission: "Tree Bucks" (raffle tickets) $10 each

More Info: Spectacle of Trees

While you're on your Christmas stroll in Hyannis, be sure to stop by the JFK Museum on Main Street. Throughout the Museum you'll see rooms filled with Christmas trees  - all festooned with lights and ornaments, and surrounded with decorations and gifts. They're all waiting for lucky raffle winners to take them home. (Yes, if you have the winning ticket for your favorite tree, it'll be yours to keep - decorations, gifts and all!)

Falmouth Holidays By The Sea Weekend

When: December 1-3, 2017

Where: Town Green, Falmouth Harbor, Main Street, and other locations in Falmouth

Admission: Most events are free

More Info: Falmouth Holidays By The Sea 

Holidays By The Sea in Falmouth is jam-packed with fun for everyone! 

This festive weekend includes the arrival of Santa sailing into Falmouth Harbor, the Annual Lighting of the Falmouth Village Green with caroling and a special visit from Santa, and the downtown Holiday Stroll. 

Noon on Sunday is kick-off time for the annual Falmouth Christmas Parade. Renowned for being southeast Massachusetts’ largest Christmas parade, highlights include decorated floats, marching bands, live animals, costumed characters and Santa Claus, too. It's one of the premier Cape Cod events in December - definitely not to be missed!

Brewster for the Holidays

When: December 1-3, 2017

Where: Various locations in Brewster

Admission: Many free activities

More Info:  Brewster for the Holidays

This town-wide celebration is a long-standing tradition in the historic "Sea Captains Town" of Brewster.

Festivities begin on Friday morning when local shops, galleries and inns open their doors for a weekend of family-friendly events, activities and promotions.

Highlights of Brewster for the Holidays include the Tree Lighting and the Lighting of the Windmill at Drummer Boy Park, blacksmith demonstration and windmill tours, a Holiday band concert, Arts & Crafts Show, and the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History's Gala Family Party.

Christmas in Harwich

When: December 1 - 3, 2017

Where: Various locations in Harwich

Admission: Many activities and events are free

More Info: Christmas in Harwich  

This weekend in Harwich begins with the Harwich Port Stroll where locals and visitors join together for the tree lighting ceremony and caroling. Also on Friday evening, have your photo taken with Santa (he arrives by fire truck), and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Harwich Port.

The rest of the weekend includes merchant open houses, village stroll, music, refreshments, and plenty more.

Holly Folly Weekend

When: December 1 - 3, 2017 

Where: Around town in Provincetown

Admission: Some events free, others require paid tickets/contributions

More Info: Holly Folly Weekend

Holly Folly Weekend, the Provincetown Business Guild's Gay and Lesbian Holiday Festival, kicks off on Friday with the "Holly Folly Shop Hop", a great time to peruse Provincetown's amazing variety of shops and galleries for unique gifts that'll "Wow" everyone on your list - pets included!

Throughout the weekend there'll be events all over town. Open houses, dance parties, drag bingo, a Jingle Bell Bathing Suit Run down the center of town ... that's just a little sampling of the fun and frivolity in P'town on Holly Folly Weekend. 

"The Enchanted Village"

When: December 1 - 23, 2017; light display showing until New Year's Day

Where: Cape Codder Resort & Spa, Rt. 132, Hyannis

Admission: Free; donations of new, unwrapped gifts and/or gift cards are appreciated

More Info: Enchanted Village

At the Enchanted Village, visitors are immersed in a fantasy world, dazzling with tens of thousands of sparkly lights, colorful animated displays, and a fantastic Santa's Village. The over-the-top display put on each year at the Cape Codder Resort draws families from near and far!

Santa comes to visit on weekend evenings, gaily costumed carolers spread the holiday spirit, and (weather permitting) there's a crackling bonfire with marshmallow roasting and a sing-along.

Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped gift or a gift card to place under the Giving Tree as a donation to the Independence House in Hyannis.

Note: This event is open to the public as well as to guests of the Resort.

* Find best rates at Cape Codder Resort *

Hyannis Christmas Stroll & Harbor Lighting

When: December 2, 2014 10 am to 4 pm

Where: Hyannis Village

Admission: Free

More Info: Hyannis Main Street

All along Main Street there's a full day of family fun with breakfast with Santa,  strolling carolers, arts & crafts, trolley and horse-drawn carriage rides, a petting zoo, and much more.

As daylight turns to dark, Hyannis Harbor comes to life with the annual Harbor Lighting & Boat Parade. It's an evening of music, food, and colorfully lit boats cruising the Harbor.

Carols on the Green in Eastham

When: December 3, 2017 from 4 - 5 p.m.

Where: Windmill Green in Eastham

Admission: Free

What's better than Christmas caroling on a crisp December night? Caroling by the light of a festively decorated Eastham Windmill! 

This year, Nauset Honors Chorus will lead the event. Bring the family and your Holiday spirit, and enjoy! 

Taylor-Bray Farm Holiday Festival

When: December 2 & 3, 2017, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Taylor-Bray Farm, 108 Bray Farm Road, Yarmouthport

Admission: Free. $5 parking donation requested.

More Info: Taylor-Bray Farm


Bring the kids or the grandkids to historic Taylor-Bray Farm for this back-in-time Holiday Festival. Visit with the donkeys, sheep, chickens, and other farm animals. There'll be delicious homemade baked goods and handmade wreaths, swags, centerpieces and crafts for sale in the barn. Complementary refreshments will be served. 

Country Christmas Open House

When: Weekends (Sat. & Sun.) from November 25 to December 17, 2017

Where: Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen, 6 Discovery Hill Road, East Sandwich

More Info: Thornton Burgess Society

Step back in time, into Ida Putnam's 1903 jam kitchen, for a glimpse of Christmas on Cape Cod over a century ago. The scent of jams and jellies cooking on the stove will have your mouth watering!

Try a sampling of the delicious Jam Kitchen products and a cup of mulled cider. Browse the variety of holiday gift ideas in the Green Briar shop offering jams, jellies, relishes, books and many nature-related items.

Yarmouthport Christmas Stroll

When: December 3, 2017 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Rt. 6A, Yarmouthport

Admission: Free

More Info: Yarmouthport Christmas Stroll

The village of Yarmouthport rings in the Holiday season with its annual Christmas Stroll. As is the tradition, the Village's businesses, restaurants, B&Bs, and museums welcome all with holiday decorations, food, and seasonal music. 

Santa Comes to the Fish Pier

When: December 3, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Chatham Fish Pier, Barcliff Avenue, Chatham

Admission: Free

More Info: Chatham Merchants Association

When Santa makes his pre-Christmas journey to Chatham, it's big doings! No less than the United States Coast Guard provides his escort - delivering Jolly Old Saint Nick safely to the Chatham Fish Pier via Coast Guard cutter.

It's all part of Chatham's festive Christmas by the Sea!

Chatham Christmas Stroll Weekend

When: December 8-9, 2017 

Where: Throughout the town of Chatham

Admission: Many events and activities are free

More Info:  Chatham Christmas Stroll

Christmas in Chatham will bring you back to days gone by. This weekend is part of a month-long celebration of the Holidays that includes a town light parade, caroling,  visits with Santa, music and theater performances, sweet treats, Christmas fairs, open houses and shopping throughout the town.

Mashpee Christmas Parade

When: December 9, 2017, 5:30 p.m. 

Where: Parade begins at Mashpee Commons

Admission: Free

More Info:  Mashpee Christmas Parade

Among all the festive events on Cape Cod in December, the Annual Mashpee Christmas Parade is one you won't want to miss!

Each year the parade seems to get bigger and better. Stay tuned for details on the 2017 parade theme and special, featured performers ... 

Historic Bass River Holiday Cookie Stroll

When: December 9, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Old Main Street, South Yarmouth

Admission: $20 (tickets sell out well in advance of the event)

More Info: Yarmouth Libraries

Tour grand homes in the historic village of Bass River, see the sights, and pick up home-baked cookies along the way. What could be better??

When you purchase a ticket for the Cookie Stroll, your ticket is actually a cookbook with recipes for cookies served at the sites along this two-mile walking tour. 

Tickets to this popular event are limited and sell out quickly.

Dennis Village Stroll

When: December 10, 2017; 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Dennis Village Green, Route 6A, Dennis Village, MA

Admission: Free

More Info: Dennis Chamber of Commerce

Kick off a festive day in Dennis with the Lion's Santa Breakfast at Carleton Hall (8-11 a.m.). Hop the trolley from the Gazebo to 1736 Josiah Dennis Manse Museum (noon-3:30 p.m.) to see the lovely Colonial home all festooned for the Holidays. It's all part of Dennis Christmas Stroll day 2017!

First Night in Sandwich

When: December 31, 2017, 4-8 p.m.

Where: Sandwich Village, Main Street, and other venues in Sandwich MA

Admission: Most outdoor events are Free; Indoor events require admission button ($10).  Buttons available locally and online.

More Info: First Night Sandwich

Cape Cod's oldest town celebrates First Night in high style with an evening of  traditional and unique, family friendly events. 

Some highlights of First Night in Sandwich include live music, ice sculptures, lighted giants (gorgeous!), an enchanted fairy garden,  kids' activities, plenty of tummy-warming food, fireworks, and a costumed Revelers Parade that's not to be missed! 

First Night in Chatham

When: December 31, 2017

Where: Various locations in Chatham

Admission: Some events are free, others require a Chatham First Night "button". Buttons may be purchased locally or online.  Adults $20, kids ages 3-11 $5, children 2 and under Free.

More Info: First Night Chatham

Chatham celebrates the arrival of 2018 with a gala, full-day festival filled with events for the whole family. 

The highlight of First Night in Chatham, as always, is the dropping of the Cod and the midnight fireworks display. (NYC has their glass ball drop. Chatham, appropriately, drops a codfish replica ;-)

If you're in the area, come to Chatham and ring in 2018 Cape Cod seaside style!

 

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Important Note: The date, time, place, admission charges, etc. of the events on this page may be changed by the event sponsor at any time, without my knowledge. Please be sure to confirm all information directly with the sponsor before you make any plans!