Falmouth Holidays-by-the-Sea Weekend
Visitors can sing holiday carols, take a trolley to an open house at Nobska Lighthouse, and welcome Santa as he arrives by boat at Falmouth Harbor. The festivities feature festive runs, boutique shopping, live Dickens carolers, and the illumination of the Village Green. The weekend concludes with a large Christmas parade showcasing decorated floats, marching bands, and costumed characters.
What to Expect
Cape Cod holiday weekend featuring Santa by boat, strolls, and parade.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Falmouth Village
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Falmouth Chamber of Commerce
Food & Drink
The lighthouse open house serves cocoa and cookies, and the Village Stroll includes dining at local restaurants.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday-weekend visitors
Vibe
Festive and community-focused
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Fri Dec 4, 5 to 8 pm: Nobska Lighthouse Holiday Open House; Fri Dec 4, 5:30 pm: Caroling in Woods Hole Village; Sat Dec 5, 10:30 am: Seafaring Santa sails into Falmouth Harbor; Sat Dec 5, 3:00pm: GhELF Run; Jingle Jog 5K immediately following the Kids' GhELF Run; Sat Dec 5, 4 to 8 pm: Falmouth Village Holiday Stroll; Sat Dec 5, 6 pm: Lighting of the Village Green; Sun Dec 6, Noon: Christmas Parade.
- Parking: For the Nobska Lighthouse Holiday Open House, arrival is by trolley only and there is no public parking; the trolley stop is at the Candle House, 127 Water Street. For the Falmouth Village Holiday Stroll, parking is available at Mullen-Hall and Lawrence Schools.
- Accessibility: ADA accommodations for the Nobska Lighthouse open house may be arranged in advance by contacting outreach@friendsofnobska.org.
Tips & Advice
- Catch the trolley at the Candle House stop on Water Street in Woods Hole, because there's no public parking at Nobska Lighthouse during the open house.
- Dress warmly and bring flashlights for the Lighting of the Village Green, and wrap up for the Friday caroling at Waterfront Park in Woods Hole.
- Jingle Jog runners should wear reflective gear with their festive outfits, because the 5K may be run in twilight.
- Park at Mullen-Hall or Lawrence Schools for the Holiday Stroll, then pick up the detailed schedule of events from Falmouth Village merchants.
- Parade groups should get their entry form in by November 20, because entries received after that date are placed at the end of the parade.
Special Events & Promotions
- The 63rd Christmas Parade on Sunday has the theme 'From Sea to Shining Sea: Celebrating 250 Years of America.'
- Friday night: Nobska Lighthouse Holiday Open House, with photos with Mrs. Claus and a look inside the tower at night (trolley only).
- Saturday: Seafaring Santa sails into Falmouth Harbor with the Falmouth High School Chorus, with candy canes for all the kids.
- Saturday: the 15th Annual GhELF Run for kids 12 and under, followed by the 15th Annual Jingle Jog 5K.
- Saturday evening: the Lighting of the Village Green, with caroling led by the Falmouth Town Band Brass and a visit from Santa.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the Nobska Lighthouse Holiday Open House, and how do I get there?
You can have your picture taken with Mrs. Claus and hear The Brass Ring ensemble. Warm up in the renovated Keepers House with cocoa and cookies from Coffee Obsession, color a Nobska portrait, and see inside the lighthouse tower at night. You can only get there by trolley from the Candle House stop at 127 Water Street in Woods Hole, as there's no public parking.
Can kids join the holiday runs?
Yes. The 15th Annual GhELF Run is a half-mile run for children 12 and under. The Jingle Jog 5K follows straight after. Both start and finish at The Run House, 227 Main Street, and runners are asked to wear their wildest jingle-bells outfit. Everyone gets jingle bells.
What's on at the Falmouth Village Holiday Stroll?
The Stroll runs along Main Street and Queen's Buy Way. There's shopping at local shops, dining at village restaurants and the Dickens Carolers, plus the Jingle Jog and GhELF Run to cheer on. You can visit Santa at Barbo's Furniture and follow him to the Lighting of the Village Green. Falmouth Village merchants hand out a detailed schedule.
What if the weather is bad?
Every event of the weekend goes ahead rain or shine.
How can my group enter the Christmas Parade?
Send one entry form per float or walking unit by Friday, November 20. Later entries go to the end of the parade. Include a signed safety checklist, copies of every driver's license and a certificate of liability insurance. Floats should follow this year's theme. Santa costumes aren't allowed, and nothing can be thrown or handed to the crowd. All entries are judged.
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