Make the most of the holiday season this year with our roundup of December activities. Ready, set, celebrate!
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Newburyport Holiday House Tour
December 14
The Anna Jacques Hospital Aid Association presents this house tour for a glimpse into Newburyport’s finest residences and how they deck out for the holidays. Complimentary chowder and coffee are served at City Hall. www.ajh.org/aid-association/aidholidayhousetour
Marblehead Christmas Walk
December 5 through 8
A North Shore staple now in its 49th year, the Marblehead Christmas Walk joins the community together for a weekend of holiday cheer. Highlights include the Gingerbread Festival at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, the tree lighting, the Christmas parade, and the artisans’ marketplace. marbleheadchamber.org/christmas-walk
An Old-Fashioned Christmas at Castle Hill
December 6 through 8
See each room of the Castle Hill Mansion decked out for the holidays during this three-day extravaganza. Come for appetizers, a cash bar, and festive music on Friday evening, or bring the whole family on Saturday or Sunday afternoons for shopping, live entertainment, fresh baked cookies, and more. thetrustees.org
Deck the Halls at Hammond Castle Museum
December 7 through 20
Local community groups have sponsored the decoration of each of the rooms, and once you explore the museum on a self-guided tour, vote for a winning room! hammondcastle.org
See a Christmas Carol
December 6 through 22
A family holiday tradition since 1989, North Shore Music Theatre’s A Christmas Carolis an award-winning musical adaptation of the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirit of Christmas. nsmt.org
Winterlights at the Stevens-Coolidge Place
Through December 29
See the historic estate in a whole new light this December, the grounds and garden decked out from head to toe in shimmering holiday lights. Get your tickets early for this one-of-a-kind event, running Thursdays through Sundays until December 29. thetrustees.org
Four Centuries of Christmas Tours at the House of the Seven Gables
Through December 31
Through the end of December, daily tours at Salem’s historic House of the Seven Gables will be replaced by “Four Centuries of Christmas” house tours, detailing how Christmas celebrations have evolved since the house was built in 1668, when the Massachusetts colony had temporarily banned Christmas. 7gables.org/event/four-centuries-christmas-tours-2/
Hike with The Trustees
December 13 or 18
On the 13th, enjoy a brisk, three-mile hike through the dunes of the Crane Wildlife Refuge by the light of the December full moon, called the Long Nights Moon by the Algonquin tribes. Or, on the 18th, celebrate the shortest day of the year with a candlelit walk through Ward Reservation to a solstice celebration on Holt Hill, where participants can warm up by the fire and watch fire performer and dancer Tetra. Full Moon Hike: thetrustees.org Winter Solstice Celebration: thetrustees.org
Rockport Makers’ Festival
December 14 and 15
This town-wide festival and holiday market returns for its second year to bring artisans and craft makers, live music, food trucks, horse and carriage rides, and “crafty events” to downtown Rockport for a weekend of free holiday festivities. www.rockportmakers.com
Appleton Farms Reindeer Quest
December 24 through January 3
Get the whole family outside for a hike this winter break and search for the birch wood reindeer on the grounds of Appleton Farms, free for members and just $5 for nonmembers. thetrustees.org