Last updated: November 11, 2024
Celebrate together in Medford! Our guide has all the community events to make your holiday season special. From Medford residents to wandering spirits, this guide ensures you catch every moment of seasonal magic.
Popular events during the holiday season include the enchanting **Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden**, where dazzling displays illuminate the winter night. Another wonderful highlight is the **Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights**, featuring a spectacular array of interactive light displays that brings the community together. And the **Stone Zoo ZooLights** is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering magical holiday-themed animal encounters under a canopy of twinkling lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Medford Holiday Light Displays
Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden
- What to Expect
- Immersive winter light display with radiant, glowing lights.
- Description
- Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden features a breathtaking winter light display with over a quarter million lights, colorful landscapes, and immersive experiences.
- Where
- Boylston | More Info : Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden
Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light and sound show with over 1 million LED lights.
- Description
- At the Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights, drive through a dazzling display of over 1 million LED lights, featuring the longest tunnel of lights in New England. Enjoy a synchronized light and sound experience along a one-mile roadway at Mann Orchards Riverside Farm in Methuen, MA.
- Where
- Methuen | More Info : Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights
Stone Zoo ZooLights
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- Stone Zoo ZooLights is a holiday event featuring thousands of twinkling lights and festively decorated paths, including Yukon Creek, home to black bears, Canada lynx, and reindeer.
- Where
- Stoneham | More Info : Stone Zoo ZooLights
Lancaster Celebration of Lights
- What to Expect
- Over 1 mile of roadway transformed into a glittering LED light display.
- Description
- Drive through a spectacular display of over 1 million LED lights featuring a 90-foot Christmas tree and a 300-foot multi-colored tunnel at the Lancaster Fairgrounds.
- Where
- Lancaster | More Info : Lancaster Celebration of Lights
Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with extensive light displays and animal exhibits.
- Description
- Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland features over 4 million illuminated lights and dazzling displays, including enchanting polar bear and singing penguin exhibits. Guests can enjoy live music, special Keeper Talks, and participate in a Holiday Scavenger Hunt.
- Where
- Mendon | More Info : Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland
La Salette Shrine Christmas Festival
- What to Expect
- Diverse cultural interpretations of the nativity story through over 2,000 nativity scenes.
- Description
- The La Salette Shrine Christmas Festival features over 400,000 lights illuminating the 10-acre shrine, celebrating the spiritual essence of the holidays with a diverse array of cultural interpretations of the nativity story. The festival includes the International Creche Museum, Christmas concerts, and opportunities to meet Santa, all while maintaining a darkened atmosphere to best showcase the lights.
- Where
- Attleboro | More Info : La Salette Shrine Christmas Festival
Medford Holiday Markets and Shopping
Harvard Square Holiday Fair
- What to Expect
- Juried marketplace with local and international craftspeople.
- Description
- The Harvard Square Holiday Fair is a juried event featuring a diverse array of local and international craftspeople selling unique gifts, including handmade pottery, jewelry, and artwork. The fair offers a high-energy marketplace with a great soundtrack, providing a connection to the artisans and their creations.
- Where
- Cambridge | More Info : Harvard Square Holiday Fair
SoWa Winter Festival
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday shopping experience with live music and specialty foods.
- Description
- The SoWa Winter Festival is a premier holiday event in Boston featuring over 100 local vendors, handmade art, holiday gifts, specialty foods, and live music.
- Where
- Boston | More Info : SoWa Winter Festival
Boston Public Market's Holiday CrEATor Market
- What to Expect
- Local artisans selling unique holiday gifts.
- Description
- The Boston Public Market's Holiday CrEATor Market invites local artisans to sell their wares alongside year-round farmers, fishers, and food entrepreneurs. This event offers a diverse array of local goods, perfect for holiday shopping.
- Where
- Boston | More Info : Boston Public Market's Holiday CrEATor Market
Small Mart Holiday Market at Deep Cuts
- What to Expect
- Unique, small-batch goods from local artisans.
- Description
- The Small Mart Holiday Market at Deep Cuts features a curated selection of local artisans and vendors offering unique, small-batch goods. This marketplace is designed to empower local businesses and provide a thoughtful shopping experience.
- Where
- Medford | More Info : Small Mart Holiday Market at Deep Cuts
Medford Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- The Nutcracker is a fully staged production featuring accomplished dancers from Commonwealth Ballet and guest artists, performing through Clara's holiday dream with the beloved Tchaikovsky score. This holiday classic is suitable for all ages and includes a special sensory-friendly performance.
- Where
- Weston | More Info : The Nutcracker
Medford Other Holiday Activities
30th Annual Festival of Trees
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday event with a variety of festive activities.
- Description
- The 30th Annual Festival of Trees features over 300 beautifully decorated trees, mini-trees, and wreaths, along with a $5,000 cash raffle, online auction, holiday gift shop, children's scavenger hunt, and a visit with Santa.
- Where
- Methuen | More Info : 30th Annual Festival of Trees