Tag: lobster pot tree

Holiday Half Dozen on Cape Cod

Cape Cod Central Railroad offers magic this holiday season via the Polar Express.

by Jeff Shaw

The following information was compiled from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Cape Cod Chronicle and Cape Cod Times. 

BOURNE – All aboard! Magic is in the air on the Cape Cod Central Railroad’s Polar Express, where passengers will sing carols over cookies and hot cocoa. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a festive trip to meet Santa. Trains depart out of the Buzzards Bay depot from late November through December.

BREWSTER – The Brewster Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the annual “Brewster for the Holidays.” The festivities include a month’s worth of celebrations throughout Brewster, ending on Dec. 23. The tree lighting at Drummer Boy Park kicks off the jolly-good time on Dec. 5. 

A sight to behold – Lobster Pot Tree – at the ‘tip of the world.’

CHATHAM — Christmas by the Sea returns on December 12-14, downtown Chatham transforms into a winter wonderland; you’ll find homemade cookies, strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa Claus at the Kate Gould Park bandstand, a tree-lighting ceremony and festive promotions at local shops.

FALMOUTH – The Falmouth Holidays by the Sea weekend gets a rousing start with Christmas caroling at Waterfront Park on Water Street in Woods Hole Village on Friday, December 5 at dusk. Or take the trolley from Woods Hole Village to Falmouth’s historic Nobska Light to have your picture taken with Mrs. Claus as you are serenaded by The Brass Ring ensemble. There’s nothing quite like a rendition of “Jingle Bells’ as you watch the sun set over Vineyard Sound to get you in a festive mood.

Holidays by the Sea is THE theme in most Cape Cod towns this time of year.

HARWICH – The Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas In Harwich weekend gets underway on Friday, Dec. 5 with the Harwich Port Christmas Stroll and includes caroling, a tree lighting and the arrival of Santa. There will be events in East Harwich, Harwich Center and West Harwich on Saturday and more events on Sunday. 

PTOWN – There is quite possibly nothing more quintessential New England than a Christmas Tree made entirely out of lobster traps. Provincetown’s Lobster Pot Tree is made using over 100 of them – all borrowed from local lobstermen – and is accentuated by 3,000+ LED lights and colorful buoys. Visit Provincetown’s Lopes Square anytime during the holiday season to capture it for an Instagram-worthy post!

There is so much to do on Cape Cod during the holidays. Let it snow!

December 2, 2025

Catch the Holiday Spirit on Cape Cod

The lobster trap Christmas Tree in Provincetown. Photo credit: Ptown Tourism.

by Jeff Shaw

The holiday season is upon us! And Cape Cod is a wonderful place to experience authentic Christmas cheer, “where modern amenities and Victorian charm casually coexist.” (Boston Magazine)

So in an effort to spread some Christmas cheer, check out these holiday events on Cape Cod. You may just catch the holiday spirit!

Christmas by the Sea, Chatham

Christmas by the Sea weekend, December 13th – 15th, is full of events that have leapt right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The celebration kicks off on Friday night with a children’s light parade that escorts Santa down Main Street on a fire truck to the tree lighting ceremony at Sears Park (intersection of Seaview and Main Streets). 

Activities continue in shops up and down Main Street as well as free horse & carriage rides and visits with Santa in the Chamber Information booth (next to Yankee Ingenuity gift shop). Saturday brings plenty more events in the businesses around town, including a special movie screening for the little ones at the Chatham Orpheum Theater and Breakfast with Santa.

Christmas Parades, Falmouth, Hyannis & Mashpee

Christmas Carolers in Falmouth. Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

Falmouth has one of the state’s largest Christmas parades (Sunday, December 8), featuring floats, costumed characters, marching bands, Clydesdales and plenty of Christmas cheer. 

Also that weekend is Hyannis’ highly anticipated harbor lighting and illuminated boat procession through Hyannis Harbor (December 7). 

Also, Mashpee’s Christmas “Season of Illumination” Parade on Saturday, December 14th is sure to dazzle as the Cape’s only nighttime walking parade featuring colorfully lit floats.

Gardens Aglow, Heritage Museum and Gardens, Sandwich

Gardens aglow! Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich celebrates the season with over nine miles of holiday lights. Stroll through the illuminated grounds, while also taking time to pose with Santa in a 1914 Ford Model T, take a ride on a vintage carousel, roast marshmallows, and participate in a reindeer scavenger hunt. 

Drive through Sandwich and try to spot all of The Giants, over two dozen illuminated sculptures along 6A.

Polar Express, Cape Cod Central Railroad, Bourne & Hyannis

One of Santa’s little helpers. Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

All aboard! Magic is in the air on the Cape Cod Central Railroad’s Polar Express, where passengers will sing carol over cookies and hot cocoa. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a festive trip to meet Santa. 

Trains depart out of the Buzzards Bay depot from late November through December.

Lobster Pot [Christmas] Tree, Provincetown

There is quite possibly nothing more quintessential New England than a Christmas Tree made entirely out of lobster traps. Provincetown’s Lobster Pot Tree is made using over 100 of them – all borrowed from local lobstermen – and is accentuated by 3,000+ LED lights and colorful buoys. Visit Provincetown’s Lopes Square anytime during the holiday season.

The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce also has their picks of ways to catch the holiday spirit on Cape Cod!

What is your favorite holiday event or activity on Cape Cod?

December 2, 2024