The New England Holiday Bucket List: 54 Merry Ways to Celebrate the Season
From Main Street celebrations to sparkling light shows and festive eats, New England has a multitude of merry ways to ring in the season. Time to get Nutcracking!
Driving into a wonderland of light at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay.
Photo Credit : Tory PaxsonMaking a list of favorite things to do and see in New England at this time of year is a tall order. Countless seasonal events have delighted New Englanders from one generation to the next, from the illumination of Maine’s Nubble Light, begun more than three decades ago, to the 50-plus-year run of Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. And as Christmas approaches, we can’t know whether all the events in these pages will go forward as planned (websites are included throughout for the most up-to-date news). But we still celebrate them here with appreciation for how they’ve brightened our lives in the past, and with faith that they will continue to shine in the years to come.
—The Editors
Photo Credit : Tory Paxson
The New England Holiday Bucket List:
54 Merry Ways to Celebrate the Season
17 Magical Christmas Light Displays
Brighten up a winter’s night at a seasonal light show.
9 Festive Mansion Museums
Test your knowledge of New England’s famously decked-out mansion museums.
6 Can’t-Miss Christmas Celebrations
Get into the community spirit at a downtown celebration.
8 Special Celebration Foods
Savor the holidays with signature foods from both near and far.
14 Merry Live Performances
Get a front-row seat to the joyful return of live performances.
Individual State Lists
Don’t miss our top holiday events in all six New England states! Check out Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
