As the holiday season approaches, New England’s cities and towns gear up for a range of festivities, from tree lightings to full-blown, specially built European-style markets complete with food and drink stalls and artisan gift shops. There’s no need to hunker down inside when you can celebrate outside with a cup of cheer and like-minded revelers.
Here are some of the region’s best fests and where to stay nearby, if you want to make a night or two of all the holiday cheer.
Snowport Holiday Market
The Snowport Holiday Market turns Boston’s Seaport neighborhood into a sprawling winter village from early November through late December. Expect well over 125 independent vendors selling everything from candles to clothing, which makes holiday shopping a breeze. The market’s 10,000-square-foot outdoor food and beverage area is made for sampling, with 17 options ranging from raclette and dumplings to lobster rolls and pastries.
The Stage by Mohegan Sun features live acts, including music from Berklee College of Music students on Monday nights. Other highlights include the Mistletoe Arch, a sweet photo op; the LEGO Group’s Creativity Corner, a crafting area for kids; the Winter Wish Wall, a giant chalkboard to write your hopes; and Presents Place, a large display for taking fun holiday photos.
Where to Stay
Forbes Travel Guide Recommended InterContinental Boston is steps from the festival, making it an ideal base. The indoor heated pool and steam rooms, plus a full-service spa, offer a wonderful respite when you want to come in from the cold.
SoWa Christmas Market
In the summer, the popular South End SoWa Open Market is outside, but in winter, the action moves inside to the comfortable SoWa Power Station space. From November 20 through December 27, the market showcases small businesses, with more than 100 local and regional artists, designers and specialty food vendors.
There is also a lineup of live music and other entertainers (even a mechanical bull on country music nights); a variety of wine, beer and liquor tastings; and workshops where you can make ornaments, candles and other crafts. Food and drink stalls offer sustenance as you shop.
Where to Stay
Less than a mile from SoWa, Raffles Boston is an exquisite retreat after a day or night of holiday shopping. Ask your butler to take your purchases to your room and enjoy the seasonally appropriate Soufflé Espresso Martini at Blind Duck, the hotel’s stylish speakeasy.
Boston Frostival
The Boston Frostival, one of the city’s newest holiday happenings, is back for its second year, starting December 5 with a special holiday drone show at 6 and 8 p.m. on Boston Common (it’s repeated December 12 and 19). These events are a prelude to the delightful Frostival Lodge, which opens in late January and runs through early March.
The temporary lodge sits in Copley Square and features six “living rooms.” You can relax with a drink from the bar by glass-enclosed fire pits or play a game of chess or cards. Outside, try your hand at curling or get a hot chocolate from a food truck stationed there. In early December, the Frostival Ferris Wheel on the Rose Kennedy Greenway opens.
Where to Stay
The Frostival Lodge is directly across the street from Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Fairmont Copley Plaza, a historic home base. You can count on the hotel being decorated to the nines for the season, too.
Christmas Prelude
Already charming Kennebunkport, Maine, goes all out for the holidays, becoming the picture-perfect New England town you see in films and on Christmas cards. Now in its 45th year, the Christmas Prelude runs from December 3 through 13.
The season begins with the traditional Dock Square tree lighting and the lighting of the lobster trap tree in Cape Porpoise, a one-of-a-kind creation locals and visitors annually flock to see. Over the course of the festival, caroling, a hat parade, a dog parade, Santa arriving by lobster boat, a street festival, fireworks and much more keep the Christmas cheer high.
Where to Stay
Four-Star White Barn Inn is every bit as enchanting as the nearby Dock Square festivities. Book a table at the hotel’s Five-Star restaurant for another memorable experience.
