November 24
Lowell City of Lights (Lowell | 2–10 p.m.)
Ring in the holidays in downtown Lowell with this year’s City of Lights parade and holiday celebration! Take the afternoon to stroll the city streets and enjoy live performances, holiday shopping, photos with Santa, and the crowd favorite — a hot chocolate competition! The daytime fun leads to the nighttime extravaganza — the City of Lights parade and city hall lighting — which marks the city’s official start to the holiday season!
November 27
Jingle Mingle Sip and Shop (Danvers | 6–9:30 p.m.)
Jingle, mingle, and dine with wine at the second Jingle Mingle Holiday Sip and Shop. Kick off your holiday in style with 16+ vendors and crafters; 50 randomly selected guests will receive a free swag bag with items and coupons from vendors. Wear your ugly sweater for a chance to win a gift card! And don’t forget BOGO pizza in the restaurant.
November 30–December 2 and December 7–9
SOWA Holiday Market (Boston | 11 a.m.–6 p.m.)
‘Tis the season for the 4th annual SoWa Winter Festival. Now over two weekends, join for the biggest winter shopping village and holiday festival in Boston. You’ll find the perfect handmade gifts, sip on winter cocktails, and discover the best of the SoWa Art + Design District. The SoWa Winter Festival is family friendly and free to attend.
December 1
Red Bow Fair (North Andover | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.)
For over 25 years the Red Bow Fair has attracted large crowds of enthusiastic holiday shoppers. The fair includes a variety of juried crafts, a silent auction, holiday greens, gift baskets, baked goods, quilt and wine drawings, used books and media, and the ever-popular luncheon.
December 1
Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair (Boston | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
This craft fair features 30 New England artists who will vend their unique offerings in the festively decorated chapel of historic Old South Church in Boston, located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay. Shop pottery, jewelry, felted wool, stained glass, photography, knitwear, soaps and potpourris, weaving, metal and wood work, and much more! This year, find that one-of-a-kind holiday gift or stocking stuffer that’ll be sure to wow!
December 2
Wellesley Holiday Stroll (Wellesley | 1–6 p.m.)
There’s nothing like it throughout all of the greater Boston area — 60 Wellesley merchants host events and savings, scavenger hunt winners get gift certificates worth about $850, and the Art Walk by the Wellesley Women Artisans has become just as much of a tradition as is this great event.
December 7
Downtown Haverhill Christmas Stroll (Haverhill | 5–8 p.m.)
Kick off the holiday season at the 2018 Christmas stroll! The event will include family-friendly activities like cookie decorating, ornament making, and live music with performances by local artists. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a ride on the Haverhill Bank Express Trolley or visit Santa’s Workshop to meet Santa and some of his elves. Enjoy the spirit of the season with holiday music performed by wandering carolers and a saxophone quartet. The highlight of the evening will be the official tree lighting with Santa in Washington Square.
December 14–16
CraftBoston Holiday Show (Boston)
Comprised of 175 exhibitors, CraftBoston Holiday is a highly regarded, must-attend event for artists, collectors, and craft enthusiasts. At the Hynes Convention Center in Boston’s Back Bay, CraftBoston Holiday is conveniently located in a fashionable, concentrated shopping district perfect for the holiday season. Come for the day to shop for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts, meet and support the makers, and learn about fine contemporary craft.
