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Header Photos
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lockwise from top left: The Working Waterfront Festival, New Bedford MA; The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston MA; Hilltop Orchards, Richmond MA; FreshGrass Festival at MASS MoCA, North Adams MA; Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth MA
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Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more!
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Making Memories & Starting New Traditions!
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For many of us, November marks the beginning of the h
oliday season, when families come together with good food and amusements, most notably during Thanksgiving. Massachusetts proudly celebrates the iconic American holiday with parades, feasts, reenactments, and
more. Cultural happenings abound for lovers of art, cuisine, and sports with events like Franklin County
Cider Days, the
Boston Jewish Film Festival, Harvard-Yale Football Game,
Paradise City Arts Festival, and Parade of Big Balloons. For inspiration and fall fun ideas, visit
massvacation.com/fallfun.
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Featured Region: MetroWest
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Arts comes in 2 and 3 dimensions when talented and creative groups come together. At the 25th semi-annual Fountain Street Open Studios Weekend in Framingham, more than 50 artisans open their doors November 12 and 13, 11 am to 5 pm, at the largest artist cooperative outside of Boston. Painters, photographers, illustrators, sculptors, jewelry makers, and fiber artists will fill the hallways with their art, with a special emphasis on holiday gifts.
The following weekend, Paradise City Arts Festival returns to Marlborough, bringing together 175 outstanding American artists and master craft makers to exhibit at Metro Boston's most exciting juried fair. Sculpture and paintings are displayed alongside one-of-a-kind home furnishings, dazzling jewelry, and fashion fit for a holiday gala. This semi-annual show on November 18-20 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center is a destination for decorators and discerning homeowners as well as a favorite source for special gifts.
Find more information on MetroWest.
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Nantucket Island
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Nantucket Noel begins Thanksgiving weekend with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Caroling November 25! The countdown begins at sunset, 150 trees come alive in a blaze of light & festive carols fill the air! Magically Santa arrives via Coast Guard, leads a parade up Main street. The reindeer games begin as the Town Crier announces the 43rd annual Christmas Stroll December 2-4. Then, Disco Dance the night away with friends and family at the Nantucket New Year's 5th annual ball, December 31st! Find more information on
Nantucket Island.
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North of Boston
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Get into the holiday spirit as you navigate through the whimsy and beauty of the second annual
Sea Festival of Trees! Held November 19-December 4 at the Blue Ocean Music Hall, the festival features holiday trees decorated by local businesses, families, student groups, and individuals. Presented by The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, the festival also includes music, great food, raffles, and so much more! Proceeds from this event benefit Anna Jacques Hospital and the Salisbury Beach Partnership. More information is available by
clicking here. Photo by Harkins Photography. Find more information on
North of Boston.
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Plymouth County
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Illuminate 2016 will take place on Saturday, November 19th in Plymouth as part of America's Hometown Thanksgiving Weekend! The events that took place in Plymouth Colony almost 400 years ago will resonate across the globe as the seeds upon which this nation was sown. Illuminate Thanksgiving will kick off at 4 p.m. at the Hedge House on Water Street in Plymouth with an inspirational program filled with live music, inspiring words, and illuminated art. Following the program, downtown Plymouth shops and restaurants will illuminate their windows with festive displays and offer special entertainment, programming and more! Find more information on
Plymouth County.
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Southeastern Mass
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 "TIMELINE: Celebrating the Narrows" is a photographic, video, audio and narrative exhibition that tells the incredible story of the Narrows Center for the Arts. Celebrate two decades of the acclaimed performing and visual arts organization with a strong community focus. The exhibit will be open from November 5 to January 1;
click here to learn to more about the Narrows and
click here to stay up to date with all the happenings in Southeastern Massachusetts. Find more information on
Southeastern Massachusetts.
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The Berkshires
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Fresh and delicious local food is what holiday dinners are all about. Berkshire Grown offers Holiday Farmers' Markets just before Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus two additional markets in January and February in both Great Barrington and Williamstown. Find the freshest, most mouth-watering, locally grown and produced foods and gifts including fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, breads, yarn, and more! Bring the whole family and enjoy live music, lunch, and fun children's activities.
Find more information
on
The Berkshires
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Greater Merrimack Valley
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Lexington Symphony's Annual Holiday Pops: Kick off the holiday season with family and friends on Friday, December 2nd with this annual musical tradition! Celebrate the sounds of the season with
Lexington Symphony and the New England Tenors at Cary Hall, Lexington.
Two performances: Kids POPS at 4 pm and Evening POPS at 7:30pm. Tickets always sell fast for this holiday tradition. A great gift and memorable event for friends, families, colleagues. Tickets available at the door day of performance until sold out: Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA. Order early to guarantee your seats at
lexingtonsymphony.org. New this year: Group Discounts for 8 or more. Call 781-523-9009 Find more information on
Greater Merrimack Valley.
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Central Massachusetts
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Begin your holiday celebrations in Central Mass with performances, events, and festivals from all genres! Music Worcester presents
Igudesman & Joo's And Now Mozart, a hilarious mix of music and pop culture, on November 13. Then experience the traditions of an early 19th-century New England Thanksgiving at
Bounty: Thanksgiving Traditions at Old Sturbridge Village during November weekends. Christmas traditions begin shortly after as The Worcester Center for Crafts brings 60+ fine craft artists and their work to the
Holiday Festival of Crafts on November 25-27 and Vaillancourt Folk Art presents the one-man performance of
A Christmas Carol with Gerald Charles Dickens that same weekend! Find more information on
Central Massachusetts.
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Franklin County
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'Tis the season, the apple season! The
22nd Annual CiderDays in Franklin County will be held November 4-6. Enjoy cider, hard or sweet...we have lots of both! Workshops in Shelburne Falls, two Cider Salons at Berkshire East, Harvest Dinner at Warfield House and Orchard Tours throughout the area. Also enjoy cooking demos, tastings and pairings. Some events are ticketed, others free. Don't be disappointed, reserve now at CiderDays.com or call 413-773-5463. Find more information on
Franklin County.
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Greater Boston
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From November 1-January 1, Greater Boston celebrates a nine-week holiday festival, when over 125 theater, dance, music, comedy and family performances- with thousands of half-priced tickets are made available! Seasonal favorites include traditional and contemporary
Nutcracker ballets,
A Celtic Christmas Sojourn,
Handel's' Messiah,
Christmas Revels,
The Black Nativity and
Holiday Pops. Discounted dining deals and many free festivities are also part of this holiday gift. Tree and menorah lightings, BLINK! at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Holiday Strolls and of course the beloved First Night (& now First Day) all contribute to what makes the holiday season in Boston so memorable! Give the gift that won't be re-gifted by purchasing discounted tickets at
MayorsHoliday.com or at
ArtsBoston Booths at Copley Square and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Find more information on
Greater Boston.
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Cape Cod
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Start the holiday celebration with
Sandwich Glass Museum's 7th Annual Glassblowers' Christmas! Beginning November 14th, hundreds of unique glass ornaments made by some of the region's finest glass artists will adorn the trees. The
Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown on November 23rd is a Cape Cod holiday tradition, and the spectacular
Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich will wow you Fridays through Sundays from November 25-December 18. Find these festive events and more, along with accommodations packages and shop-portunities, at
ChristmasonCapeCod.com. Find more information on
Cape Cod.
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Greater Springfield
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Equine Affaire - North America's premier equine exposition and gathering. The "Affaire" offers a unique celebration of the horse, with unparalleled entertainment, education and shopping opportunities. November 10-13, Eastern States Exposition, W. Springfield.
The Last Waltz Live - Not a "tribute show" but an all-star live musical recreation of The Band's 1978 classic concert film with local, regional and national artists. Featuring Peter Newland of FAT and many other area favorites! November 11, Symphony Hall, Springfield. Find more information on
Greater Springfield.
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Johnny Appleseed Country
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The 2016 theater season is winding down - but before the curtain falls, you won't want to miss these fall shows! Revisit the popular TV characters of the '60s, The Addams Family, in a new musical at the
Barre Theater. Be prepared to laugh at the Mel Brooks hit
The Producers, presented by the
New Players Theater Guild in Fitchburg. And be sure to visit the newly-renovated
Theatre at the Mount for the enchanting and irresistible
Mary Poppins, opening on Nov. 25. It's time to light the lights in Johnny Appleseed Country! Find more information
on
Johnny Appleseed Country.
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Martha's Vineyard
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 The
Vineyard Artisans Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Festival will be held Friday, November 25 and Saturday November 26 from 10 am to 4 pm at Agricultural Hall on 35 Panhandle Road in West Tisbury. This holiday art show by Islanders features many holiday gifts, such as one-of-a-kind winter hand-made sweaters, hand-made soaps, Island lavender, and fine crafts, including leather and vintage material bags, wood butcher block cutting boards, and so much more. Cost: $2 parking fee. More info at
vineyardartisans.com. Find more information
on
Martha's Vineyard.
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Mohawk Trail Region
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Escape this digitized world with a weekend in Colrain. Buck the trend, buy direct! See work made by hand and meet the artists at the
13th Annual Crafts of Colrain Studio Tour, Saturday-Sunday, November 12-13 from 10 am to 5 pm The tour showcases 16 artists and craftspeople living and working in Colrain, welcoming you into their workplaces. Brochure and map, restaurants and B&Bs at
craftsofcolrain.com. Find more information on
The Mohawk Trail Region.
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