Nov 28 – Dec 6, 2011: Caroling, Train, Astronomy Fests, Santa Parades, Fireworks, Owl Prowl, Nutcracker Giveaway, and TONS of Holiday Light Attractions!

This week I’ve cropped all my commentary so it’s easier for you to scan through all the events. Click anywhere on an event to get my full summary plus the entire description. Do me a favor and start using the Facebook “like” button, and please email me your feedback, to johnny@eventsINSIDER.com!

I list more nighttime holiday lights attractions than anyone else by a factor of 3x. You really owe it to yourself to at least try one of them. I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!

-Johnny

p.s. Love this blog? Subscribe to email, Facebook, and Twitter, and if you help get the word out, I’ll put you on my priority list to win free stuff and send you the FREE 27-page Events INSIDER New England Guide, with over 720 off-beat attractions you won’t find in the blog!

The Nutcracker - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

Boston Metro
Fri 11/25 – Thu 12/22

The Nutcracker – tix giveaway

A team of crazy-fun toys gives little Clara the Christmas of her life as they fight off the evil Rat King in this Chicago adaptation of the classic Nutcrack… Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham, MA.
A Christmas Carol - ticket giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

North Shore
Fri 12/2 – Fri 12/23

A Christmas Carol – ticket giveaway

Everbody loves a Christmas Carol, but you haven’t seen it like this, on a circular stage for which there are no bad seats in the audience. It’… North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA.
Planet of the Abts - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

South Shore
Wed 11/30 – Sun 12/4

Planet of the Abts – tix giveaway

This spin-off from Grammy-nominated rock band Gov’t Mule has “Pink Floyd like” depth! Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win tix to the Wed Nov 30 show in… Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA.
The Marshall Tucker Band - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

South Shore
Mon 12/5 – Thu 12/15

The Marshall Tucker Band – tix giveaway

Country and blues icon The Marshall Tucker Band also soon comes to Patriot Place! You’ll hear southern rock and jazz as well. Email johnny@eventsIN… Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA.
Set a World Record for Caroling at Boston Events INSIDER

Boston Metro
Sat 12/3

Set a World Record for Caroling

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is trying to set a caroling world record! Come to the Pru’s outdoor plaza and join them. They’ll give out free hot choc… Prudential Center Plaza, Boston, MA.
Christmas Festival at Asa Waters Mansion at Boston Events INSIDER

Worcester
Sun 12/4

Christmas Festival at Asa Waters Mansion

It’s hard to imagine a more creative event as Civil War re-enactors perform at this historic mansion and museum. … 508-865-0855.123 Elm Street, Post Office Box 421, Millbury, MA.
Learn the Night Sky! at Boston Events INSIDER

Boston Metro
Wed 11/30

Learn the Night Sky!

A lot of these events made for kids are perfectly fun for adults who are young at heart, like this one where you learn about the stars and … Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan, MA.
Concord Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting at Boston Events INSIDER

Metro West
Sun 12/4

Concord Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting

Don’t be fooled my markets pretending to be festivals. There are plenty of genuine Xmas events like this parade where Santa… 978-369-3120.Visitors Center, 58 Main St., Concord, MA.
New England Model Train Expo at Boston Events INSIDER

Metro West
Sat 12/3 – Sun 12/4

New England Model Train Expo

Grown-ups still need toys! Check out these model trains for perhaps the biggest event of this type of the year. More than 200 dealer tables, Santa Claus… Best Western Hotel, Marlborough, MA.
Ice Chimes Opening at Boston Events INSIDER

Boston Metro
Fri 12/2 – Sun 12/4

Ice Chimes Opening

Ooh! There’s a new 20-foot sculpture designed to let icicles form on it, and the wind play chimes, at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Come to the opening reception. 6-7pm. Rowes Wharf Plaza, Boston, MA.

This week’s top items are below, or see the complete Boston Events Insider.

 

And a lot more this week at Boston Events Insider, the most popular events blog in New England, including:

Boston Common Holiday Lighting
Tree Lighting Pre-Show at Frog Pond Skating Rink
Macy’s Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings
Maynard’s Annual Christmas Parade
Amesbury Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
Rockport Santa Arrival & Tree Lighting
East Bridgewater Christmas Parade
Falmouth Holidays by the Sea Weekend
Santacon (Newport, RI)
Holiday Festival, Parade on Benefit Street
Festival of Trees or Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Spirit of New Hampshire Christmas Parade & The Ghostbusters
Plymouth Holiday Parade and Fireworks
TubaChristmas – NH
The Lanternlight Parade and The Mayor’s Greenlighting Ceremony
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
An Authentic Scandinavian Christmas Celebration
Copley Square Tree Lighting
Newton Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Norumbega’s Juletrefest Concert & Swedish Yuletide
Villa Victoria Tree Lighting
A Rich History: A Celebration of Chocolate at our Annual Holiday Open House
Lexington Holiday Festival Night
Midnight Merriment and Join-in Caroling
ICS North Pole Express
Haverhill Annual Christmas Stroll
Christmas in Salem House Tour
Cocoa with Santa & Holiday Concert at Winnekenni Castle
Greening of the Great House: Crane Estate Holiday Open House
Essex Holiday Festival
Christmas by the Sea
Annual Marblehead Christmas Walk
Christmas with Dickens
Pembroke Tree Lighting
Christmas in the Square – Hingham
Lights On – Taunton Christmas Celebration
Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend
New Bedford Downtown Holiday Stroll
Norton Lighting of the Common
Carol Sing in Sandwich Center
Grafton Celebrates the Holidays
Sutton Chain of Lights
Worcester Tree Lighting & Caroling
Caroling on the Green at West Springfield
Bowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting
Movie, Tree Lighting, Caroling
Festival of Lights in Wickford, RI
Christmas at Canterbury
MassArt Annual Holiday Sale
Fort Point’s Holiday Sale (Open Studios)
Charlestown Open Studios
Celebrate the Sun
Sunapee Harbor Magic and Looney Plunge
Comicazi Con
Giving While Gaming
Artisan’s Asylum Public Opening
Relics: Travels in Nature’s Time Machine
Breaking the Barrier with a Steam Coffin
Owl Prowl
Full Moon Hike: Long Nights Moon
Owl Prowl at Fort Refuge
Nikkomo
Gorse Mill Open Studios at Needham
Wenham Museum’s Gingerbread Contest
Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton
Bright Nights 5K Road Race
Harvard Med School Second Year Show
Holiday Sing – Handel & Hayden Chorus
Holiday Handbell Concert
New England Ringers Handbell Concert
New England Ringers Handbell Concert
Nerdist Podcast comes to Northampton
Dickens Dinner and A Christmas Carol
Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff
Groton Lights Parade
Ivoryton Illuminations
Holiday Carnival
Heights & Lights, Rappelling Santa
Festival of St. Lucia
The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum Annual Holiday House Tour
Holiday Express Train Show
LEGO KidsFest
AnonyCon
New Haven Tree Lighting Celebration
Spirit of the Holidays
Annual Christmas by the Sea at Old Orchard Beach
Bangor Santa’s Workshop, Festival of Lights Parade
Harbor Lights Festival
Freeport Sparkle Weekend
Christmas Prelude
Santa Sunday
Christmas by the Sea Celebration
Santacon (Portland, ME)
Holiday Light Parade

And the Largest List of Nighttime Holiday Lights and Santa events in New England, tracking 130 ongoing attractions and dozens of one-shot events!

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