Don't miss out on the top holiday highlights in Wellesley! Find all the must-see events in our guide. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, our guide unlocks the festive spirit of Wellesley.
One of the season's highlights is the Mass Hort Festival of Trees, where beautifully decorated trees fill the space with a warm glow, creating a picturesque holiday atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Festival of Trees at Elm Bank features unique themed trees that incorporate local artistry and traditions. And the WinterLights at the Bradley Estate is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing stunning light displays amidst the serene landscape. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Wellesley
- Festival of Trees at Elm Bank
- Mass Hort Festival of Trees
- Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland and The Festival of Illumination (Mendon)
- Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge)
- WinterLights at the Bradley Estate (Canton)
- La Salette Shrine Christmas Festival (Attleboro)
- Wellesley Square Holiday Stroll
- North Shore Holiday Light Show (Haverhill)
- Lancaster Celebration of Lights (Lancaster)
- Wellesley Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
See these and even more events listed below!
Wellesley Holiday Light Displays
Mass Hort Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Holiday tree raffle with themed, decorated trees.
Description:
The Mass Hort Festival of Trees features dozens of decorated trees with fun themes, donated by local organizations and families. Guests can explore the Garden at Elm Bank, enjoy holiday lightscapes, and experience Snow Village with model trains through various festive villages.
Where: Wellesley | More Info: Mass Hort Festival of Trees
WinterLights at the Bradley Estate
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light displays with festive music and seasonal treats.
Description:
WinterLights at the Bradley Estate features hundreds of thousands of energy-efficient LED holiday lights, festive music, and seasonal treats. The event offers a perfect family outing with handcrafted desserts and hot drinks, blending new displays with beloved classics.
Where: Canton | More Info: WinterLights at the Bradley Estate
Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland and The Festival of Illumination
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with extensive light displays and themed exhibits.
Description:
Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland and The 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: Southwick's Zoo Winter Wonderland and The Festival of Illumination
La Salette Shrine Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Diverse cultural interpretations of the nativity story in a festive light display.
Description:
The La Salette Shrine Christmas Festival features over 400,000 lights spread across 10 acres, celebrating the spiritual essence of the holidays with a diverse array of cultural interpretations of the nativity story. The festival includes an International Creche Museum, Christmas concerts, and opportunities to meet Santa. Admission is free, with optional free-will donations.
Where: Attleboro | More Info: La Salette Shrine Christmas Festival
Lancaster Celebration of Lights
What to Expect:
One-mile LED light display with a 90-foot Christmas Tree.
Description:
The Lancaster Celebration of Lights features over 1 mile of roadway transformed into a glittering display of over 1 million LED lights, including a 90-foot Christmas Tree and a 300-foot multi-colored tunnel.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Lancaster Celebration of Lights
North Shore Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with giant characters and expansive winter scenes.
Description:
The North Shore Holiday Light Show in Haverhill, MA, features hundreds of dazzling, larger-than-life holiday-themed displays synchronized to music, creating a vibrant and immersive experience with colorful light tunnels and giant characters.
Where: Haverhill | More Info: North Shore Holiday Light Show
Wellesley Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Live music performance by the Fireside Barbershop Quartet.
Description:
The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra presents a holiday concert featuring the Fireside Barbershop Quartet, performing music arranged by Mark Latham and Chris Ten Eyck. The program includes works by Tchaikovsky, Coleridge-Taylor, Anderson, Prokofiev, Strauss, and Corelli, along with traditional sing-alongs.
Where: Wellesley | More Info: Wellesley Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments and festive decorations.
Description:
At Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village, relish old traditions and create new ones by watching demonstrations of classic Christmas projects, strolling through the decorated Village and Christmas Tree Trail, listening to stories and live music, and sampling sweet treats.
Where: Sturbridge | More Info: Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
Wellesley Holiday Giving Opportunities
H.O.M.E. Store at Wellesley Village Church
What to Expect:
Community-driven essential item collection and distribution.
Description:
The H.O.M.E. Store at Wellesley Village Church is a community-driven event where members gather to collect and distribute essential items to those in need. It is a collaborative effort to support local families and individuals during the holiday season.
Where: Wellesley | More Info: H.O.M.E. Store at Wellesley Village Church
Wellesley Other Holiday Activities
Wellesley Square Holiday Stroll
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities with carolers and shopping.
Description:
Wellesley Square Holiday Stroll features shopping, carolers, and family-friendly activities in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Wellesley | More Info: Wellesley Square Holiday Stroll
Tree lighting in Wellesley Square
What to Expect:
Annual tree lighting ceremony with carolers and family-friendly activities.
Description:
The annual tree lighting ceremony in Wellesley Square features a festive atmosphere with carolers, family-friendly activities, and holiday shopping. The event is held at the Wellesley Fire Station 1 on Central Street.
Where: Wellesley | More Info: Tree lighting in Wellesley Square
Festival of Trees at Elm Bank
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with decorated trees and model train exhibit.
Description:
The Festival of Trees at Elm Bank features dozens of decorated trees with fun themes, donated by local organizations and families. Guests can explore the Garden Lightscapes, enjoy seasonal treats, and see the Snow Village model train exhibit. This event is a celebration of the holiday season with perfect photo opportunities.
Where: Wellesley | More Info: Festival of Trees at Elm Bank
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Natick (3 miles)
- Needham (3 miles)
- Newton (5 miles)
- Waltham (6 miles)
- Framingham (6 miles)
- Framingham Center (7 miles)
- Dedham (7 miles)
- Watertown (8 miles)
- Norwood (9 miles)
- Jamaica Plain (9 miles)
- Belmont (9 miles)
- Brookline (9 miles)
- Arlington (11 miles)
- Cambridge (11 miles)
- Lexington (11 miles)
- Somerville (12 miles)
- Milton (12 miles)
- Canton (12 miles)
- Boston (13 miles)
- South Boston (13 miles)
- Medford (13 miles)
- Winchester (13 miles)
- Marlborough (14 miles)
- Everett (14 miles)
- Woburn (15 miles)
- Malden (15 miles)
- Chelsea (15 miles)
- Acton (15 miles)
- Quincy (15 miles)
- Burlington (15 miles)
- Stoughton (15 miles)
- Franklin (16 miles)
- Milford (16 miles)
- Randolph (16 miles)
- Stoneham (16 miles)
- Melrose (16 miles)
- Braintree (16 miles)
- Revere (16 miles)
- Billerica (18 miles)
- Wilmington (18 miles)
- Wakefield (18 miles)
- Saugus (19 miles)
- Mansfield (19 miles)
- Reading (19 miles)
- Weymouth (19 miles)
- Brockton (20 miles)
- Easton (21 miles)
- Westford (21 miles)
- Chelmsford (21 miles)
- Shrewsbury (21 miles)
- Tewksbury (22 miles)
- South Peabody (23 miles)
- Woonsocket (23 miles)
- Lowell (23 miles)
- Cumberland (24 miles)
- Attleboro (24 miles)
- Peabody (24 miles)
- Salem (25 miles)
- Dracut (26 miles)
- Worcester (26 miles)
- Danvers (27 miles)
- Lincoln (27 miles)
- Beverly (28 miles)
- Beverly Cove (29 miles)
- Leominster (29 miles)
- North Andover (29 miles)
- Smithfield (29 miles)
- Pawtucket (29 miles)
- Taunton (29 miles)
- Methuen (30 miles)
- North Providence (32 miles)
- Fitchburg (33 miles)
- Providence (33 miles)
- East Providence (34 miles)
- Nashua (34 miles)
- Middleborough (34 miles)
- Salem (34 miles)
- Johnston (35 miles)
- Haverhill (35 miles)
- Cranston (36 miles)
- Gloucester (39 miles)
- Derry (40 miles)
- Merrimack (41 miles)
- Gardner (41 miles)
- Derry Village (41 miles)
- Warwick (42 miles)
- Fall River (42 miles)
- Bristol (43 miles)
- West Warwick (43 miles)