Discover the charm and cheer of Shrewsbury this holiday season with our expert guide. For Shrewsbury natives and newcomers alike, our guide illuminates the path to festive fun.
Popular events bring the season to life, such as the Festival of Lights at Worcester Common, where twinkling lights and festive displays create a captivating atmosphere for all ages. Another highlight is the Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village, featuring historical reenactments and warm ambiance that transport visitors back in time. And the Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is something you definitely don't want to miss, as enchanting light displays weave through beautifully landscaped gardens. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Shrewsbury
- Festival of Lights at Worcester Common (Worcester)
- Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge)
- Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination at Southwick Zoo (Mendon)
- Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (Boylston)
- Holiday Shows at The Hanover Theatre (Worcester)
- Handel’s Messiah at Mechanics Hall (Worcester)
- Merrimack Valley Ringers Handbell Concert at Worcester Art Museum (Worcester)
- Yuletide Market/Light the Common
- Harvard Square Holiday Fair (Cambridge)
- Sturbridge Tree Lighting (Sturbridge)
See these and even more events listed below!
Shrewsbury Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Lights at Worcester Common
What to Expect:
Interactive light sculptures and live music performances.
Description:
The Festival of Lights at Worcester Common features numerous lighting displays, ice skating, food vendors, community organizations, and live performances, including a headline performance by Michelle Brooks Thompson, a finalist on NBC's "The Voice."
Where: Worcester | More Info: Festival of Lights at Worcester Common
Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
What to Expect:
Immersive winter light display with diverse activities.
Description:
Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill features a breathtaking winter light display with over a quarter million lights, immersive experiences, and popular favorites like s'mores, seasonal drinks, and a model train. Colorful landscapes and life-long memories await this winter.
Where: Boylston | More Info: Night Lights at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination at Southwick Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with synchronized light and sound displays.
Description:
Southwick Zoo's Winter Wonderland and Festival of Illumination feature over 4 million illuminated lights and handcrafted displays, including enchanting polar bear and singing penguin exhibits. The event transforms the zoo into a vibrant holiday spectacle with custom-made lanterns and various themed exhibits.
Where: Mendon | More Info: Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination at Southwick Zoo
Shrewsbury Holiday Markets and Shopping
Yuletide Market/Light the Common
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday market and lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Yuletide Market and Light the Common is a festive holiday event hosted by the Shrewsbury Town Center Association, featuring a holiday market and the lighting of the town common. The event brings together people of all ages to celebrate the holiday season with local vendors, decorations, and community spirit.
Where: Shrewsbury | More Info: Yuletide Market/Light the Common
Harvard Square Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and crafts from New England and beyond.
Description:
The Harvard Square Holiday Fair is a premier holiday shopping event featuring dozens of vendors selling unique gifts, crafts, and seasonal items. This juried fair showcases a diverse range of wares, including prints, pottery, photography, candles, jewelry, books, and more. It has been a beloved tradition since 1986, offering a high-energy marketplace with a great selection of beautiful and affordable gifts.
Where: Cambridge | More Info: Harvard Square Holiday Fair
First Parish of Bolton Annual Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday market with local vendors.
Description:
The First Parish of Bolton Annual Holiday Bazaar features handmade crafts, jewelry, baked goods, themed baskets, and more. It is a community-driven event where local vendors showcase their unique items, and attendees can enjoy a variety of festive offerings.
Where: Bolton | More Info: First Parish of Bolton Annual Holiday Bazaar
Holiday Market at Maynard Elks
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday shopping with volunteer opportunities.
Description:
The Maynard Elks Holiday Market offers a variety of seasonal items and gifts, with opportunities to help others and socialize with the community.
Where: Maynard | More Info: Holiday Market at Maynard Elks
Shrewsbury Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
What to Expect:
Historical Christmas festivities with live music and demonstrations.
Description:
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village features historic interpreters, sleigh rides, music, and demonstrations of classic Christmas projects. Stroll through the decorated Village and Christmas Tree Trail, listen to stories and live music, and sample sweet treats.
Where: Sturbridge | More Info: Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
Holiday Shows at The Hanover Theatre
What to Expect:
World-class holiday performances with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory presents a variety of holiday shows, including A Christmas Carol and ELF The Musical, featuring timeless music, lavish costumes, and spine-tingling special effects. These productions bring internationally recognized performers and popular Broadway shows to Central Massachusetts, enriching Worcester’s cultural landscape.
Where: Worcester | More Info: Holiday Shows at The Hanover Theatre
Handel’s Messiah at Mechanics Hall
What to Expect:
Annual performance of Handel's Messiah by one of America's oldest and longest-running choral ensembles.
Description:
The Worcester Chorus, directed by Chris Shepard, presents an annual performance of Handel's Messiah at historic Mechanics Hall. This event is a holiday tradition for many families and choral music fans in the Greater Worcester community and beyond. The chorus will be joined on stage by vocal soloists and the Worcester Festival Orchestra.
Where: Worcester | More Info: Handel’s Messiah at Mechanics Hall
Merrimack Valley Ringers Handbell Concert at Worcester Art Museum
What to Expect:
Unique blend of handbell music and artistic acoustics.
Description:
The Merrimack Valley Ringers present an engaging handbell concert at Worcester Art Museum, featuring dynamic performances and a diverse repertoire.
Where: Worcester | More Info: Merrimack Valley Ringers Handbell Concert at Worcester Art Museum
Shrewsbury Other Holiday Activities
Sturbridge Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Interactive activities with Santa and holiday raffle.
Description:
The Sturbridge Tree Lighting Ceremony features Santa, Holly the Elf, balloon making, DJ Music Matters, and local performances. It includes a coloring contest and a holiday raffle benefiting the Cops & Kids Toy Drive and Wings of Freedom animal rescue.
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!
- Worcester (5 miles)
- Marlborough (9 miles)
- Framingham Center (14 miles)
- Milford (15 miles)
- Framingham (15 miles)
- Leominster (16 miles)
- Natick (19 miles)
- Acton (19 miles)
- Fitchburg (20 miles)
- Wellesley (21 miles)
- Franklin (22 miles)
- Woonsocket (23 miles)
- Westford (24 miles)
- Gardner (24 miles)
- Needham (25 miles)
- Waltham (25 miles)
- Newton (26 miles)
- Cumberland (27 miles)
- Lexington (27 miles)
- Smithfield (27 miles)
- Norwood (27 miles)
- Chelmsford (27 miles)
- Watertown (28 miles)
- Belmont (28 miles)
- Dedham (28 miles)
- Billerica (29 miles)
- Lincoln (30 miles)
- Arlington (30 miles)
- Burlington (30 miles)
- Jamaica Plain (30 miles)
- Brookline (30 miles)
- Canton (31 miles)
- Lowell (31 miles)
- Mansfield (31 miles)
- Woburn (31 miles)
- Winchester (31 miles)
- Cambridge (31 miles)
- Somerville (32 miles)
- Medford (32 miles)
- Wilmington (32 miles)
- Tewksbury (33 miles)
- Attleboro (33 miles)
- Milton (33 miles)
- Dracut (33 miles)
- North Providence (33 miles)
- Stoughton (33 miles)
- Pawtucket (33 miles)
- Boston (34 miles)
- Stoneham (34 miles)
- South Boston (34 miles)
- Malden (34 miles)
- Johnston (34 miles)
- Everett (35 miles)
- Nashua (35 miles)
- Melrose (35 miles)
- Reading (35 miles)
- Easton (35 miles)
- Chelsea (35 miles)
- Randolph (36 miles)
- Wakefield (36 miles)
- Providence (36 miles)
- Quincy (36 miles)
- Revere (37 miles)
- Braintree (37 miles)
- East Providence (38 miles)
- Saugus (38 miles)
- Cranston (38 miles)
- Brockton (38 miles)
- Weymouth (40 miles)
- Methuen (40 miles)
- Ludlow (40 miles)
- North Andover (41 miles)
- Merrimack (41 miles)
- Coventry (41 miles)
- Amherst (41 miles)
- South Peabody (42 miles)
- Taunton (42 miles)
- West Warwick (43 miles)
- Salem (43 miles)
- Peabody (43 miles)
- Warwick (44 miles)
- Danvers (44 miles)
- Salem (44 miles)
- Derry (45 miles)