Holiday Happenings Around Cape Cod

When most people think of Cape Cod, they envision warm breezes and sunshine sparkling on the Atlantic Ocean. Sun, sand, and summer fun.

But there's still fun to be had during a winter on the Cape – with Holiday Events scheduled in every Cape town from Bourne to Provincetown.

While the December merriment lasts all month long, much of it is concentrated in the first two weekends. Check out our listing for ideas (alphabetical by town), but make sure to visit the websites for last minute schedule changes.

And don't forget your scarf and mittens!

Bourne

Christmas on Main Street

December 10, 2011
12:00 PM TO 5:00 PM

Parade starts at 3:30pm
Tree* Lighting in front of the Wareham Town Hall at 4:15

Sponsored by the Warham Village Association. More information available at www.warehamvillageassociation.com.

Lemon Tree Pottery, Brewster for the Holidays: A Sea of Lights

Brewster

Brewster For the Holidays: "A Sea of Lights"

December 2, 3, 4, 2011

A traditional Cape Cod holiday celebration recreated from years past and sponsored by Brewster businesses for all of Brewster to enjoy! Look for "Brewster For the Holidays" flags at participating businesses.

Check the Calendar of Events and buy a raffle ticket to win one of several prizes donated by Brewster businesses. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cape Cod Children's Place, a child care and family resource center who serves families in Brewster and surrounding towns.

Chatham

Annual Festival of the Trees

Sponsored by the Chatham Garden Club

Friday, November 25, 2011 to Saturday, November 26, 2011-and December 1-3, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (extra hours Friday, December 2 until 7:00 PM)

Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association
1566 Main Street, Chatham
Saturday Evening Gala Party - 5 to 8 pm

Place silent bids on ornamentally themed tabletop trees, shop for holiday wreaths and decorations, and enjoy the magical beauty of this seasonal For more information visit www.chathamgardenclub.org

Gala Wine and Hors D'oeuvres Party and Silent Auction Finale

Saturday, December 3

5:00 - 7:00 PM

Annual Chatham Christmas Stroll

Friday, December 9, 2011 to Sunday, December 11, 2011

Creative Arts Center in Chatham
Holiday Sale and Small Works Exhibition

Monday, November 28, 2011 to Friday, December 02, 2011

9:00AM - 4:00PM
154 Crowell Road, Chatham MA

Holiday sale and small works exhibit will be a great opportunity to pick-up a hand-made item for a hostess gift or the holiday gift giving.

Click here to see full listing of holiday happenings in Chatham!

Dennis

A Dennis Village Stroll...Visions 2011

12:00 PM Sunday, December 11, 2011

Gazebo on the Village Green
Corner of Old Bass River Rd & Route 6A Dennis

Sponsored by the Northside Business Association in Dennis.

Falmouth

Holidays-by-the-Sea Weekend 2011

December 2 - December 4

Various Locations, Falmouth
Falmouth Chamber of Commerce 508-548-8500

An array of events including:

  • Holiday Carol Sing at Nobska Lighthouse
  • Family Pancake Breakfast & Parade Raffle
  • Seafaring Santa Sails into Falmouth
  • Nobska Lighthouse Public Viewing
  • Annual Lighting of the Falmouth Village Green
  • 48th Annual Falmouth Christmas Parade

For more details, click here.

Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House

December 3 12:00 PM

ShoreWay Acres Resort Inn
59 Shore Street
Falmouth 508-540-3000

This event, for children age 12 and under includes:

  • A pint-sized Gingerbread House assembled and ready to decorate
  • Trays of candies, cookies, cereals, sprinkles & frostings for decorating
  • Light refreshments for kids and grownups

$10.95 per child

1st Reserved Seating: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
2nd Reserved Seating: 12:30 – 2:00 PM

Click here to see full list of Falmouth holiday events!

Eastham

Eastham Holiday Festival

December 3 10 AM – 1 PM

Sponsored by the Eastham Chamber of Commerce and The Gift Barn, this Free event draws hundreds of children every year to help kick off the holiday season. This festive day includes a visit with Santa at the Gift Barn.For more information on how to get involved in this event as a sponsor or participant, contact the Eastham Chamber info@easthamchamber.com 508-240-7211

Community Holiday Party

December 8th 6:00-10:00 PM

This community holiday party is an opportunity for businesses, organizations, and families to show appreciation to their staff, clients, friends, and neighbors.

Billingsgate Ballroom at Four Points by Sheraton Eastham
3800 Route 6
Eastham

Click here for more information.

Harwich

Christmas in Harwich

Friday, December 2, 3 & 4

The festivities begin on Friday, December 2nd with the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Doane Park in Harwich Port at 5:30 PM.

Call 508-430-1165 for more information

Harwich Port Stroll

Friday, December 2 5:30-9PM

Tree lighting ceremony * Family Carol Singing * Photos with Santa * Horse-drawn carriage rides * Merchant open houses * Music * Refreshments * Good Cheer! *

Harwich Center events

Various events throughout the day on Saturday, December 3
from 8:30 AM-6:30 PM

East Harwich Stroll

December 3 1PM-4PM

Merchant open houses * Music * Refreshments * Good Cheer! *

Cove Club Open House

10AM-2PM

Lessons, Carols and Songs

Sunday, December 4

Christ Church Episcopal, Harwich Port 3-4pm
First Congregational Church, Harwich Center, 7 pm

For more information about the holidays in Harwich, click here.

Hyannis

Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll

December 3

  • 9:00 & 10:30 Breakfast with Santa at The British Beer Company
  • 11:00-3:00 is the Main Street village stroll with music and holiday activities
  • 4:00-7:00 is the Hyannis Harbor Lighting and Boat Parade on Ocean Street Docks

For more details and a full schedule, visit www.hyannismainstreet.com

Cape Symphony Orchestra presents "Holiday Pops Spectacular"

December 2-4
BHS Performing Arts Center, Hyannis

Herald the holiday season with joy! Delight in the heavenly melodies of a White Christmas and Christmas Eve on Cape Cod then rock around the Christmas tree with charming newcomer Nicole Werner.

More information: 508-362-1111 www.capesymphony.org

10th Annual Jolly Jaunt

December 4th
Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis, Hyannis

Hundreds of people will participate in the certified 5K race course and 2K (1.2 mile) walk through scenic Hyannisport to benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA)/Cape & Islands. The fun, which kicks off at noon, also includes a post-race Holiday Party and the Jolly Jaunt Junior Dash! Find out more at www.jollyjaunt.org.

Martha's Vineyard

15th Annual Thanksgiving Day Festival

November 25, 2011
Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard

The largest Holiday Art Show on the Vineyard with over 85 Island Artisans. Balsam wreaths and ceramic ornaments to start off the holiday season and gifts galore from the Islands finest artists and craftsmen. Fine jewelry, glass, ceramics, fine art, clothing, book arts and much more.

A Festival of Wreaths

Thursday, December 1, 2011

6-9 PM
Federated Church
45 South Summer Street, Edgartown

75 handmade, natural wreaths for sale at $45 each, some to the highest bidder in a silent auction. For more information, call 508-627-4421.

Admission is $15.00

Oak Bluffs Holiday Tree Lighting

December 7th

Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and a baked treat as the Vineyard Classic Brass Ensemble plays your favorite carols. Event is open to public and will be held at the passageway between Sharky's Cantina and The Locker on Circuit Ave after 6PM.

Christmas in Edgartown

December 9th-11th

This annual holiday event includes a town parade, local tours, and chowder contest. Stroll through the "Evening Enchantment" of lighted garden trails and exhibits throughout the grounds of nearby Donaroma's Nursey. End your evening in the heart of it all at the Hob Knob fireside with egg nog, hot spiced cider, and cookies.

Click here to find out more about the event.

Mashpee

Mashpee Chamber's Holiday Cocktail Party & Auction

December 1st at 5:30PM
Ticket Cost: $30.00

Click here to learn more about the event.

6th Annual Mashpee Christmas Parade

December 10th at 5:30

Free admission

Click here to find out more about the parade.

Nantucket

Annual Chamber Christmas Tree Lighting & Community Caroling

November 25th at 5:00PM

Top of Main Street
Nantucket, MA

The 38th Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend

December 3 - 5th

The Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend is a community holiday celebration attracting visitors from around the world. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to the island via a Coast Guard vessel and ride up Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by the Town Crier. Carolers in Victorian costumes, bell ringers, student choirs and other musicians perform on the Main Street stage as well as stroll through town performing, all the while visitors can enjoy Nantucket's unique shops and restaurants.

Orleans

Seaside Christmas in Orleans

November 26 through month of December 2011

Events to include:

  • Santa's arrival at the Orleans Yacht Club
  • Sparky's Hay Rides around town
  • Traditional Candlelight Stroll
  • Lighthouse Charter School Chorus singing favorite Christmas carols
  • Annual Chowder Contest

Click here to learm more about the festivities

Osterville

42nd Annual Christmas Stroll

December 9th

For more information, click here.

Provincetown

Holly Folly Weekend

December 2-4th

Join the restaurants, galleries, shops and much more for a weekend of fun, including:

  • Holly Folly Shop Hop
  • Holly Folly Toy Drive
  • Holly Folly Snow Ball

Click here for all of the details!

Sandwich

Christmas in Sandwich Events

December 3rd-12th

Click here to learn more about what is in store for the holiday season!

Second Annual Glass Blowers Christmas

November 21st through December 30th

Sandwich Glass Museum
129 Main Street, Sandwich

Christmas highlights regional glass artists and glass studios. Artists will showcase their unique artistry.

Call 508-888-0251 for more details.

Holiday Open House at Titcomb's Bookshop

432 Route 6A, East Sandwich

Celebrate National Cookie Day (December 4th) at our Weekend Open House! Sample delicious cookies from our featured Holiday cookbooks and a cup of tea in Nancy Titcomb's antique teacups! Also enjoy a special display of vintage Madame Alexander dolls. 508-888-2331 or www.titcombsbookshop.com

Yarmouth Events

Yarmouthport Christmas Stroll

December 4th
Route 6A, Yarmouthport
1 p.m. to 4PM
508 362-3021

/