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.

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

2013 Holiday Cookie Swap

Saturday, December 7, 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM

Jonathan Bourne Public Library
19 Sandwich Road, Bourne

Bring 5 dozen (one kind) of your own home-baked cookies to swap for 5 dozen assorted cookies.

A Caring Christmas Wonderland

Jonathan Bourne Public Library
19 Sandwich Road, Bourne

Drop off your decorated trees at the library beginning November 12th. Each tree will have a silent auction bid sheet and participants can bid on trees up until December 14th.

For more information, go here.

Brewster

Brewster for the Holidays

December 6, 7 & 8 2013

The holidays come alive during a magical weekend of memory making. It's a Cape Cod style celebration complete with concerts, parties, music, food, and family fun.

For more information on this and other holiday events, go here.

Chatham

Chatham Christmas Stroll

December 6
Main Street, Chatham (508) 945-5199

A weekend of festive activities starts with Chatham's popular Christmas stroll and caroling down Main Street, which is followed by the ceremonial tree-lighting with traditional bell ringers ringing in the holiday season with cheer. There are also hayrides, prizes, raffles and complimentary hot chocolate to sip as spectators admire the lights and decorations.

Santa Visits Chatham Fish Pier and
Chatham Community Center

Sunday December 8, 2012 1:30 pm

40th Annual Santa Claus arrival at the Chatham Fish Pier on the Coast Guard Vessel, followed by a fire truck ride to the Community Center for a visit with Santa and a small gift.

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

Christmas-by-the-Sea

Friday, November 29, 2013 to Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Christmastime in Chatham. The quaint seaside village positively sparkles during the holidays. To find out about all of the planned holiday activities by the merchants, click here.

Holiday Open House

Nickerson Art Gallery
December 13 to December 15, 2013 10:00am - 6:00pm

Featuring small works, jewelry and gift items by local artists and artisans.

Dennis

Dennis Village Stroll

Sunday, December 8, 2013

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

Enjoy hayrides & trolley rides, Christmas tree lighting, face painting, village stroll (visit all the shops), silent auctions, petty zoo, food sampler on Village Green, toys and food donations, Santa & Mrs. Claus, FREE gifts, ornaments and so much more. Music at the Village Green Bandstand and many special events.

Dennisport

Dennisport Christmas Stroll

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Don't miss out on festivities along the way with all the different merchants to see. Face painting, gifts, refreshments, SPECIAL sales and holiday activities. Along the stroll, don' forget to pick up a FREE raffle ticket at participating merchants, drawing at 4pm at Dennis Public Library.

Eastham

Eastham Holiday Festival

December 7, 2013
10am to 1pm

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

Falmouth

Holidays-by-the-Sea Weekend 2013

December 6-8

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

For more details, call (508) 548-8500 or click here.

A Colonial Christmas

The Museums on the Green, along with the Falmouth Garden Club, will present "A Colonial Christmas" from Saturday, November 30th to Sunday, December 8.

Click here to learn more

Falmouth Theatre Guild presents "A Seussified Christmas Carol"

Highfield Theater, Falmouth
December 6-15 2013

A whimsical reinvention of Dickens' most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets.

Harwich

Christmas in Harwich

December 6-8th

Harwich Port Stroll

Friday, December 6th 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 7
from 8:00 AM-5:30 PM

East Harwich Stroll

December 7 1PM-4PM

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

For more details, click here.

Hyannis

Hyannis Main Street Stroll and Harbor Lighting/Boat Parade

December 7

9-10 am, Breakfast with Santa at The British Beer Company; 11 am -3 p.m.Main Street village stroll with music and holiday activities. At 4 p.m., everyone will gather at the Ocean Street Docks to enjoy the beautifully decorated boat parade. At 5:40, Santa makes an appearance to meet with the children and is surrounded by a selection of lively activities!

Spectacle of Trees

JFK Hyannis Museums, Main Street, Hyannis

December 6-14, 2013

Local non-profits put together Christmas trees adorned not just with tinsel and ornaments, but a host of fabulous gifts! Click here to learn more.

11th Annual Cape Cod Enchanted Village

11/30/12 to 01/02/13

Cape Codder Resort & Spa, Hyannis

The village features a magnificent display of more than 100,000 lights, a Santa's Village, animated reindeer stall, snowmen and a bonfire (weather permitting)

Martha's Vineyard

Oak Bluffs Holiday Tree Lighting & Caroling Party

December 4, 2013 6pm

The Oak Bluffs Association will once again sponsor the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at 6:30 pm in Post Office Square. Join the Vineyard Haven Band for caroling, then take a short stroll up to Dreamland for hot chocolate and a meeting with Santa.

6th Annual Holiday Festival

Saturday, December 14, 2013, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Grange Hall, West Tisbury.

Many holiday gifts are available, just right for that special someone who appreciates a true Island gift, and as usual always hand-made one by one.

Christmas in Edgartown

December 13th-14th

The 32nd Annual Christmas in Edgartown, presented by the Edgartown Board of Trade. Christmas in Edgartown is a Vineyard tradition. For more information contact the Edgartown Board of Trade at 508-939-0199.

Mashpee

Mashpee Chamber's Twelve Days of Christmas!

December 1 - December 12

Click here to learn more about the event.

8th Annual Mashpee Christmas Parade

December 7th at 5:30 pm
Mashpee Commons

Nantucket

40th Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend

December 6-8 2013

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on Saturday via Coast Guard vessel and are escorted up Straight Wharf for a parade, while carolers in period costume, bell ringers and student choirs perform. Holiday craft shows, exhibitions and performances - including the Christmas House tour on Friday evening - add to the joyful festivities.

Visit here for more information

Orleans

Seaside Christmas in Orleans

November 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013

Visit shops and galleries meet visitors from the North Pole while enjoying live music, holiday refreshments, demonstrations, amazing sales, personal service and gifts from around the world.

Click here to learm more about the festivities

Osterville

43rd Annual Christmas Stroll
and Open House

December 13th

Provincetown

Holly Folly Weekend: The only Gay & Lesbian Holiday Festival

December 6-8

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

Caroling, cabaret, lighting contest and a holiday house tour!

Click here for all of the details!

Sandwich

Holly Days

Beginning on November 25, 2013

Enjoy magical events that capture the spirit of a New England holiday season. Take a magical train ride to see Santa and his elves busy in their workshop! Click here to learn more.

4th Annual Glassblowers' Christmas and Special Exhibit-In the Company of Angels

Sandwich Glass Museum
Tuesday, November 19, through Monday, December 30

Hundreds of unique glass ornaments made by some of the region's finest local and national glass artists will adorn Christmas Trees in the Contemporary Gallery. The visitor will be transported into a dazzling and colorful world of childhood memories.

Gardens Aglow Annual Celebration of Lights

Heritage Museums & Gardens, Sandwich
November 29, 2013 to December 22, 2013

Stroll the gardens and grounds glowing with holiday lights, watch musical performances, ride the holiday carousel, visit Santa in the Model T, enjoy drop-in crafts, and shop the Museum Store. Click here to learn more.

Wellfleet

Wellfleet Holiday Stroll

December 14th to 15th

Several local restaurants and stores will be participating throughout the weekend! For more information, go here.

Yarmouth Events

Yarmouth Port Christmas Stroll

December 8th
Route 6A, Yarmouthport
1 p.m. to 4pm
508 362-3021

Visit the museums, bed and breakfasts, inns, and businesses along the Old Kings Highway as they welcome you with holiday decorations, tasty treats, and music of the season.