Holiday Happenings

Celebrate the twinkling magic of the holidays at ZooLights, when the Stone Zoo flicks the switch on Thanksgiving and keeps the lights on through December 30.

No matter what your religion, culture or set of beliefs, the holiday season comes to life when you have a family. Take some time to enjoy it with these seasonal events and activities we've dug up for you. C'mon, play hookie and have some fun this year!

Nov. 7: 22nd Annual Christmas Festival/ Gingerbread House Competition. Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston. 12 - 7 p.m. Features the work of more than 350 American master craftsmen, and will highlight the 15th Annual Gingerbread House Competition. Revenues from the sale of Gingerbread Houses will benefit Rosie's Place. A $12; S$10, free for children under 14. 617.385.5000, www.christmascraftfestival.com.

 

Nov. 8: Brahms Requiem, Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on Christmas Carols at St. Paul's Cathedral, Worcester. 7:30 p.m. Celebrating its 35th season, Salisbury Singers will perform one of the most famous choral works ever written, the Requiem by Johannes Brahms.The work will be performed in English by more than 100 singers with full orchestra in the Worcester's majestic, reverberant St. Paul's Cathedral. The chorus will also treat audiences to Vaughan Williams' holiday prelude of traditional British carols. A$25, S$22, Y $10 under 12. www.salisburysingers.org.

Nov. 14 - Jan. 4: Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville USA, Carver. Step aboard a heated narrow gauge train and thrill to the sight of more than seven million twinkling holiday lights spread throughout the two- mile round trip. Weekends Nov. 14 - 30 then daily Dec. 1- Jan. 4. $12. 508.866.8190, www.edaville.com.

Nov. 15 - Jan. 4: Berkshire Museum's 24th Annual Festival of Trees, 9 South Street on Route 7 in downtown Pittsfield. Celebrate the holiday season in "green" style as you delight in an eco-savvy and eco-fabulous enchanted forest of more than 200 trees, creatively decorated with natural materials and reused, recycled, repurposed, and reclaimed objects. Mon. - Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. from noon to 5 p.m. The galleries are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and hours end at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 31. A$10, Y$5 ages 3 to 18. $5NMpp. Children under 3 free. 413.443.7171 www.berkshiremuseum.org.

Share the memory of Christmas past at Mystic Seaport's Lantern Light Tours, beginning on November 29.

Nov. 21: Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker. Springfield Symphony Hall, Springfield. 7:30 p.m. 413.788.7033. www.Nutcracker.com or www.symphonyhall.com.

Nov. 27 - Dec 30: Celebrate the Season at Stone Zoo's ZooLights 2008, Stoneham, 5 - 9 p.m. A beloved holiday family tradition returns to Stone Zoo when ZooLights opens on Thanksgiving. This winter wonderland attracts thousands of visitors each year who get into the holiday spirit by strolling along tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Visit with Santa (photos available through Dec. 23). Also view fairy tale characters and dancing plush animals.$4pp plus admission (children under 2 are free). Santa photos and carousel rides are available for an additional fee. www.stonezoo.org.

Nov. 28 - 30: The Nutcracker at the Hanover Theater, Worcester. This home-grown production is the collaborative artistic effort of the Youth Ballet Company of Ballet Arts Worcester joining with the live music of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. $20-$30. www.thehanovertheatre.org.

Nov. 28-30: Nutcracker at New Hampshire's Palace Theater, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, NH. Fri., Nov., 28 (7:30 p.m.); Sat., Nov., 29 (11 a.m.); Sat., Nov., 29 (4 p.m.); Sat., Nov., 29 (7:30 p.m.); Sun., Nov., 30 (1 p.m.); Sun., Nov., 30 (4 p.m.). Performed by Southern New Hampshire Dance Theatre with professional guest artists. $17 - $46 depending on adult/senior/child status and section. All sales are final, no refunds or exchanges. www.palacetheatre.org, www.snhdt.org.

Nov. 28 - Dec. 28: Heritage Museum & Gardens Sixth Annual Spectacle of Lights, Sandwich, 5-9 p.m. Sugar Plum Fantasies is the theme this year, as the Heritage will be lit up with millions of lights, and its beautiful garden landscapes spectacularly transformed for the holidays. Two larger-then-life nutcrackers guard the entrance to the J. K. Lilly III Automobile Museum, where you can enjoy all that the museum has to offer. Bring your camera for family photos with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Take a holiday stroll outside with your family through the wonders of the Candy Cane Maze, by the Lollipop Garden at the Windmill, past a magical castle outside the American History Museum, and the Gum Drop Forest. Your final stop will be Santa's Cottage at the Art Museum, where you can walk through the Enchanted Forest, ride the glittering carousel, visit Santa's toy workshop and, of course, have your picture taken with Santa. A$10; Y $5, under three free. 508.888.3300, www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org.

Nov. 29: Lowell City of Lights Parade. Kick off the holiday spirit with Lowell's annual holiday parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall. The City of Lights Parade will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus costumed characters, bands, clowns and an assortment of illuminated floats. This year's theme is "The Brighter, The Better." 978.970.4257, ci.lowell.ma.us.

Nov. 30: The Nutcracker. The Opera House, Boston, 1 p.m. Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker is must-see holiday event for the whole family. $75- $125. www.bostonoperahouse.com.

Nov. 30: Soweto Gospel Choir "African Spirit" Holiday Program, Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 3 p.m. Tickets are $35-$25 and are available by calling Celebrity Charge: 617-482-6661, online at www.celebrityseries.org, or at the Symphony Hall box office, 301 Mass. Ave., Boston.

Dec. 5 - 7: Macy's Enchanted Trolley Tour & Tree Lightings, City Hall Plaza, Boston. 5 - 8 p.m. Trolley leaves from City Hall Plaza to Various Boston Neighborhood and is free to all! Dec. 5: 5:30 p.m., West Roxbury, Roche Center; 6:15 p.m., Readville, Wolcott Square; 6:45 p.m., Mattapan, Mattapan Square; 7:15 p.m., Dorchester, Codman Square; 7:45 p.m., Dorchester, Adams Corner. Dec. 6: 2:30 p.m., Jamaica Plain, J.P. Monument; 3:15 p.m., Jamaica Plain, Hyde Square; 3:45 p.m., Roxbury, Dudley Plaza; 4:15 p.m., South End, Boston Center for the Arts; 5 p.m., Brighton, Oak Square. Dec. 7: 1 p.m., South Boston, West Broadway; 1:45 p.m., Chinatown, Harrison & Beach St.; 2:30 p.m., North End, Paul Revere Mall; 3:15 p.m., Charlestown, Thompson Square; 4 p.m., East Boston, Central Square. Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events. 617.635.3911

Dec. 5 - 14: Miracle on 34th Street. Riverside Theatre. 45 Fairmount Ave., Hyde Park. This hilarious, tender, and heartwarming show for the entire family is a Christmas classic. A $23, A$20, Y$15. www.riversidetheatreworks.org.

Dec. 5-21: Jose Mateo Ballet Theater's production of The Nutcracker. The Spingold Theatre, Brandeis University, Waltham. Tickets $15-$50. 617-354-7467, www.ballettheatre.org.

Dec. 5 - Jan. 4: 13th Annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children's Literature at Concord Museum, Lexington Road and Cambridge Turnpike, Concord. For book-loving families, the 13th annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children's Literature presents trees of all shapes and sizes decorated with charm and inspiration from acclaimed classic and contemporary children's books. This year, long-time favorites such as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Snowy Day serve as inspiration. Family Trees offers an opportunity to discover some new titles including the delightful United Tweets of America and enjoy classics such as Howard Pyle's The Story of King Arthur and His Knights and Nancy Drew's Mystery of the Old Clock. A $15; S $10; Y $6 (4-18).Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m. 978.369.9763, www.concordmuseum.org.

Dec. 6 and 13: This holiday season, Gore Place, the historic Governor Gore estate in Waltham, will offer a Children's Tea. The Great Hall of the mansion will be transformed into a 19th century tea room offering a special children's menu, entertainment, and a visit from Santa. There will be one seating each day at 10:30 a.m. $25 pp. Gore Place is located at 52 Gore Street, just off Route 20 (Main Street) near the Waltham/ Watertown: 781.894.2798, www.goreplace.org.

Dec. 6: The Back Bay Ringers, Boston's leading community-based handbell ensemble, will present a free family concert at Wellesley Hills United Congregational Church at 2 p.m. Back Bay Ringers' free family concert in Wellesley is fast becoming a holiday tradition for Metrowest families. Last year's event drew nearly 200 families to this interactive, free event. www.backbayringers.org.

Dec. 6 & 7: The 19th Annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas, Stockbridge. The town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell's painting of the village during the holidays, becomes a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights, as the town celebrates the holidays through a series of activities, with highlights including a holiday readings, house tours, caroling, and a holiday concert. Capping off the weekend is a recreation on Sunday of the scene depicted in Main Street at Christmas, complete with vintage automobiles parked in the spots occupied in the painting. The day's activities include horse drawn rides, a visit from Santa, Roger the Jester, lunch at the Christmas Food Booth and much more. Visit www.stockbridgechamber.org for full details.

Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21: Christmas Traditions by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge. 5 - 9 p.m., Fri. - Sun. Dec.12, 13, 14 and Dec. 19, 20, 21. Experience the magic of a candlelit New England Village at Christmas time on six special evenings in December. Escape the modern holiday frenzy and learn about the history of holiday traditions. Sample chestnuts roasting on an open fire, taste gingerbread, sip hot mulled cider, enjoy caroling, horse-drawn sleigh rides (snow permitting), and make a holiday craft or ornament. Meet Father Christmas and bring cameras for a photo with Santa Claus. At each event, period music, carols, and holiday songs will be performed by a variety of area schools, church and civic musical groups. Learn the history of how chestnuts and fruitcake become associated with Christmas, the significance of the Yule log, and the history of Christmas cards, exchanging gifts, hanging stockings, Christmas trees, mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, candy canes and more. A $14; under 3 free. 800.SEE.1830, www.osv.org.

Dec. 13 - 14: Children's Gift Day at Sweetwilliam Farm, 153 North St., Upton. Children make their own gifts to give their parents, relatives or teachers; jewelry ornaments and holiday decorations range in price $1 - $4 each. For more information or directions call 508.529.2000 or visit www.sweetwilliamfarm.biz.

Dec. 19: Chorus Pro Musica: Christmas in the Southwest. Old South Church, 645 Boylston St., Boston, 8 - 10 p.m. Featuring Conrad Susa's 'Carols and Lullabies, Music of the Southwest' for chorus, harp, guitar and marimba. With our traditional candlelight procession, brass chorale and carol sing-along. Betsy Burleigh, conductor. $25-$45; discounts for seniors + students. 617.267.7442, www.choruspromusica.org.