Plan your holiday fun in Franklin with our ultimate guide. Whether you're deeply rooted in Franklin soil or just planting holiday seeds, our guide helps you bloom.
One highlight this season is the enchanting Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo, where festive lights and animal-themed displays create a magical atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Featuring candlelit strolls and seasonal activities, Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village offers a unique glimpse into the past during the holidays. And the Lancaster Celebration of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing dazzling light displays that illuminate the winter nights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Franklin
- Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge)
- Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo (Mendon)
- Lancaster Celebration of Lights (Bolton)
- Sturbridge Tree Lighting (Sturbridge)
- Wilbraham United Church Holly Fair (Wilbraham)
- Framingham Holiday Craft Fair (Framingham)
- Chestnut Hill Christmas Market (Chestnut Hill)
- Fall River Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair (Fall River)
- Wilmington Fall into Holidays Fair (Wilmington)
- Tyngsborough Holiday Craft Fair (Tyngsborough)
See these and even more events listed below!
Franklin Holiday Light Displays
Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with synchronized light and animal exhibits.
Description:
Southwick Zoo transforms into a dazzling spectacle with over 4 million illuminated lights and handcrafted displays, featuring polar bear and singing penguin exhibits.
Where: Mendon | More Info: Winter Wonderland at Southwick Zoo
Lancaster Celebration of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular LED light display with a 90-foot Christmas Tree and 300-foot tunnel.
Description:
Lancaster Celebration of Lights features over 1 million LED lights transforming a mile of roadway into a glittering display, including a 90-foot Christmas Tree and a 300-foot multi-colored tunnel.
Where: Bolton | More Info: Lancaster Celebration of Lights
Franklin Holiday Markets and Shopping
Tyngsborough Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique gift shopping experience with over 50 vendors.
Description:
The Tyngsborough Holiday Craft Fair is an annual event featuring over 50 vendors selling unique and amazing gift items. It takes place at Greater Lowell Technical High School on November 9th, 2024, from 9am to 2pm.
Where: Tyngsborough | More Info: Tyngsborough Holiday Craft Fair
Wilmington Fall into Holidays Fair
What to Expect:
Local vendors selling a variety of holiday items.
Description:
The Wilmington Fall into Holidays Fair features local crafters and vendors selling holiday decor, jewelry, candles, nails, treats, and wreaths.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Wilmington Fall into Holidays Fair
Fall River Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Largest and finest craft show in the area.
Description:
The 48th annual Fall River Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair at B.M.C. Durfee High School offers a premier showcase for local artisans to sell their handmade work during the Christmas season. The event welcomes both hobby and professional artisans, emphasizing high-quality handmade products.
Where: Fall River | More Info: Fall River Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair
Ashland Pre-Thanksgiving Market
What to Expect:
Local food and artisanal goods.
Description:
The Ashland Pre-Thanksgiving Market at 125 Front Street in Ashland, MA, features a variety of food vendors offering fresh produce, seafood, meat, dairy, baked goods, sweets, and prepared foods. Artisans showcase handmade items like alpacas, candles, and jewelry. This event is a great opportunity to support local farmers and artisans while preparing for the holiday season.
Where: Ashland | More Info: Ashland Pre-Thanksgiving Market
Chestnut Hill Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Fundraiser and fellowship event with local vendors and festive auction.
Description:
The Chestnut Hill Christmas Market is an annual event held at the Church of the Redeemer, featuring local artisans and vendors selling handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, and gourmet foods. The market also includes Christmas trees and handmade wreaths, with proceeds supporting non-profit mission partners.
Where: Chestnut Hill | More Info: Chestnut Hill Christmas Market
Framingham Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Indoor market with diverse handmade crafts.
Description:
The Framingham Rotary Holiday Craft Fair features over 110 local artisans and crafters selling handmade items such as jewelry, alpaca products, quilts, original art, bath and body products, and more. The event is held indoors at Keefe Regional Technical High School, offering a variety of unique gifts and supporting local community projects.
Where: Framingham | More Info: Framingham Holiday Craft Fair
Wilbraham United Church Holly Fair
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and a famous cookie walk.
Description:
The Holly Fair at Wilbraham United Church features over 80 New England artists and crafters selling handmade items, including jewelry, soap, cosmetics, photography, furniture, food, and candles. The event also includes a Cookie Walk with thousands of homemade cookies and live music.
Where: Wilbraham | More Info: Wilbraham United Church Holly Fair
Franklin Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
What to Expect:
Historical Christmas festivities with live music and demonstrations.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas traditions at Old Sturbridge Village with demonstrations, decorated historical homes, live music, and sweet treats.
Where: Sturbridge | More Info: Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
Franklin Other Holiday Activities
Sturbridge Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa, live music, and community activities.
Description:
The Sturbridge Tree Lighting Ceremony features Santa, Holly the Elf, balloon making, DJ Music Matters, and performances by Tantasqua Choraleers and Tantasqua ShowChoir. The event includes a coloring contest and a holiday raffle benefiting local charities.
Where: Sturbridge | More Info: Sturbridge Tree Lighting
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Milford (7 miles)
- Woonsocket (8 miles)
- Cumberland (8 miles)
- Mansfield (10 miles)
- Attleboro (11 miles)
- Lincoln (11 miles)
- Norwood (13 miles)
- Framingham (14 miles)
- Smithfield (14 miles)
- Canton (14 miles)
- Natick (14 miles)
- Pawtucket (14 miles)
- Easton (14 miles)
- Framingham Center (15 miles)
- Stoughton (15 miles)
- Wellesley (16 miles)
- Dedham (16 miles)
- Needham (16 miles)
- North Providence (17 miles)
- Providence (18 miles)
- East Providence (19 miles)
- Johnston (19 miles)
- Randolph (19 miles)
- Brockton (19 miles)
- Marlborough (20 miles)
- Newton (20 miles)
- Taunton (20 miles)
- Milton (20 miles)
- Cranston (21 miles)
- Jamaica Plain (21 miles)
- Shrewsbury (22 miles)
- Braintree (22 miles)
- Waltham (22 miles)
- Brookline (22 miles)
- Watertown (23 miles)
- Quincy (23 miles)
- Worcester (24 miles)
- Belmont (24 miles)
- South Boston (25 miles)
- Cambridge (25 miles)
- Weymouth (25 miles)
- Boston (26 miles)
- Somerville (26 miles)
- Arlington (26 miles)
- Warwick (27 miles)
- Lexington (27 miles)
- West Warwick (27 miles)
- Medford (28 miles)
- Acton (28 miles)
- Middleborough (28 miles)
- Chelsea (28 miles)
- Everett (28 miles)
- Winchester (29 miles)
- Bristol (29 miles)
- Malden (29 miles)
- Fall River (29 miles)
- Revere (30 miles)
- Woburn (30 miles)
- Coventry (30 miles)
- Burlington (31 miles)
- Melrose (31 miles)
- Stoneham (31 miles)
- Saugus (33 miles)
- Billerica (33 miles)
- Wakefield (34 miles)
- Wilmington (34 miles)
- Reading (34 miles)
- Westford (34 miles)
- Chelmsford (36 miles)
- Leominster (36 miles)
- North Kingstown (37 miles)
- South Peabody (37 miles)
- Tewksbury (37 miles)
- Lowell (38 miles)
- Peabody (39 miles)
- New Bedford (39 miles)
- Salem (40 miles)
- Fitchburg (40 miles)
- Dracut (41 miles)
- Newport (41 miles)
- Danvers (42 miles)
- Beverly (42 miles)
- Beverly Cove (43 miles)
- South Kingstown (44 miles)
- North Andover (45 miles)