24 Winter Activities to Do with Your Family in New England
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24 Winter Activities to Do with Your Family in New England
Here is our list of 25 winter activities in New England that will get you in the holiday spirit and keep your weekends full of fun new experiences.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTNew Englanders are fortunate enough to be able to experience all winter has to offer; we can cut down our very own Christmas trees, visit large tree lighting ceremonies and take full advantage of the fresh powder on our mountains!
There are also great community events that can be incorporated into your holiday traditions like the Black Stone Valley's own Polar Express.
"One thing that we love about Black Stone Valley is the outdoor recreation, it's a great spot to experience wintertime activities," says James Toomey, Director of Marketing Black Stone Valley Tourism Council. "It's a wonderful experience for this time of year now through December 21st we have the Black Stone Valley Polar Express - it's our 15th year doing it and continues to get bigger and better. The 10th anniversary celebration of the movie is tomorrow and we were chosen by Warner Bros. to host - Chris Van Allsburg will be in town today and Thomas Kinkade's son - it's just a family event that people really look forward to - a lot of memories are made."
New England is also fortunate enough to have many villages where you and your family can learn about the history and earlier traditions of Christmas brought over by the Puritans and other settlers.
And don't forget about the many First Nights we can attend without getting stuck in Times Square! Boston, MA, Burlington, VT, and Portsmouth, NH, all ring in the New Year with beautiful ceremonies and generate plenty of fanfare!
This year, bring your family out to the greatest festivites the season has to offer and hopefully you will be inspired to incorporate these events into your holiday traditions.
24 Winter Activities in New England
Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA
They will be hosting their annual Christmas by Candlelight event
Enjoy Mrs. Cratchet’s Christmas dinner, chestnut roasting, gingerbread house building, sleigh rides and more at Old Sturbridge Village this year!
Photo: Old Sturbridge Village
La Salette Shrine
947 Park Street, Attleborough MA
Come experience a true wintertime tradition at the La Salette Shrine! The Shrine is dedicated to the village in France bearing the same name. La Salette is where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to two children in 1846 and the festival of lights commemorates this event.
La Salette is now in its 61st year and illuminations of the lighted tableaus begin at 5 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. daily until January 4.
Photo: La Salette
Polar Express
One Depot Square, Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Buy your ticket now for the Black Stone Valley Polar Express! Watch the popular book and film come to life before your eyes as you take a 90 minute train ride with Santa and the Conductor.
Rides will be available every Friday through Sunday with the final stop on Sunday December 21. There will be light refreshments and cookies made available, children are encouraged to wear pajamas.
Photo: Black Stone Valley Polar Express
Yankee Candle Village
25 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield, MA
Visit the indoor Yankee Candle Village in Deerfield and learn how to make candles in this beautiful winter wonderland.
They even have artificial snowfall indoors and visits from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus!
Photo: Yankee Candle Village
Public Skating
Greater Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI
Rent some ice skates and take the whole family out on the ice! Listen to Christmas music, grab some hot cocoa and bundle up for this favorite winter pasttime.
Photo: Alex and Ani City Center
Ski Ward
1000 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA
Go tubing, skiing or snowboarding on the different terrains of Ski Ward.
New to the moutain? You can alos learn how to ride with lessons from their instructors or perfect your technique if you happen to be more experienced. And don't forget to take the whole family out to Slopeside Bar and Grill after a long day in the snow.
Photo: Ski Ward
Christmas by the Sea
36 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME
Ogunquit, Maine is home to an annual smattering of holiday events known as Christmas by the Sea that takes place from December 12- 14. Join the town in a family scavenger hunt, raffles for Frozen and Lego play sets, and shop sales.
There will also be a Polar Plunge, wine tastings, and even a gingerbread decorating class. Be sure to bring old books, and a toy to participate in their Charity Book Drive and Toys for Tots Drop-Off.
Photo: Christmas by the Sea
Christmas in Edgartown
Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard
Head down to Martha’s Vineyard to enjoy the holiday celebrations at Christmas in Edgartown.
This tradition is 33 years in the making and gives locals and visitors a full weekend of festivities including a Great Chowder Contest, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, the Lighting of the Lighthouse at the Harbor View Hotel and a Christmas Parade! The event will run from December 12 - December 14.
Photo: Christmas in Edgartown
Inn to Inn Holiday Cookie
Intervale, New Hampshire
The Country Inns in the white Mountains host their Inn to Inn Holiday Cookie and Candy Tour every year.
Bring your sweet tooth to their 18th annual tour which will include a tour of all the decorated inns, signature holiday cookies and candies (with recipes) and a chance to win a $250 gift certificate for a getaway at the inn of your choosing! Vote for the best cookie and the winner inn will receive $500 to the charity of their choice.
Photo: Inn to Inn Holiday Cookie and Candy Tour
Zoo Lights
149 Pond St, Stoneham, MA
Zoo New England will be putting on its annual Zoo Lights - a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and festive decorations.
See the animals that live at the zoo including reindeer, and visit santa in his castle. The event will run daily from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. until January 4.
Photo: Zoo New England
Holiday Pops
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA
Holdiay Pops is a concert filled with food, sing-a-longs and a visit from Santa Claus!
Have a hot meal and some holiday cookies as the Boston Symphony Orchestra plays holiday classics for you and your family.
Christmas in Salem
211 Lafayette St., Salem, MA
Go on a tour of the most historic homes in Salem, Massachusetts during the Christmas in Salem celebration. The homes have been professionally decorated for your viewing pleasure and there will be wine tastings for the adults!
The tours choose a different neighborhood each year and will be walking around the Victorian residences in South Salem. There will also be food tastings, and opportunities to shop for seasonal gifts and decorations!
Photo: Christmas in Salem
First Night Burlington
First Night Burlington
230 College St., Burlington, VT
First Night Burlington will feature "Global Sounds" an installment within the event that will feature musical stylings from artists from all over the world including a Tibetan floutist and guitarist and a throat-singing quartet.
Come share in the culture and art of the performances with your family as you ring in the New Year!
Photo: First Night Burlington
First Night Hartford, CT
1028 Blvd., West Hartford, CT
Join First Night Hartford for it’s 26th year of celebration! The multi-venue event will include performances by aerialists, Circophony Youth Circus, the Connecticut Academy of Irish Music, and Crafts and tours at Bulter McCook House.
Don’t forget to stay for the fireworks starting promptly at 6 p.m. with a second showing at midnight to ring in the New Year!
Photo: First Night Hartford
King Pine Ski Area
Route 153 East Madison, NH
Get out this winter with the whole family at King Pine Purity Spring Resort.
Learn to ski or take to the terrain for a great way to see the mountain and get in some exercise.
You can even go snow tubing or ride a horse-drawn sleigh around the sprawling trails of the resort and ski lodge.
Photo: King Pine Purity Spring Resort
Rudolph the Musical
270 Tremont St., Boston, MA
Rudolph the Musical will be performed from December 9-14 at the Wang Theatre.
There will be a family brunch to follow the final showing on December 14 to support Support Citi Performing Arts Center’s nonprofit mission.
Get your tickets here.
Photo: Citi Performing Arts Center
The Velveteen Rabbit
527 Tremont St., Boston, MA
Boston Center for the Arts will have an adaption of Margery Williams' The Velveteen Rabbit playing now through December 18.
The show will feature live actors playing alongside puppets for a whimsical tale about the power of a child's imagination. Share this classic story with your whole fmaily this winter!
The Nutcracker at PPAC
220 Weybosset St., Providence, RI
From December 19 - 21 The Nutcracker returns to Providence Performing Arts Center.
Come watch the Festival Ballet perform this beloved Christmastime classic. The set will include dancing dolls, a growing Christmas tree and cultural dances from around the world!
Photo: PPAC
Plimouth in December
137 Warren Ave., Plymouth, MA
Plimouth Plantation will be hosting many events this winter including a Wreath Making Workshop, a costumed reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and a Breakfast with Santa!
Come learn about the Plimouth settlers and take a candlelit walk through the plantation on December 14, where guests will be treated to caroling, crafts, and holiday treats from their bakery.
Photo: Plimouth Plantation
Gardens Aglow
67 Grove St., Sandwich, MA
Gardens Aglow will feature festive holiday light and decoration displays out of Heritage Museum and Garden in Sandwich, MA.
Come see their Holiday train, a model railway that travels throughout the Special Exhibits Gallery, music and dance performances, and holiday crafts, carousel rides and marshmallow roasting for the kids! tickets can be purchased online (online) and the event will run every weekend in December from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Photo: Gardens Aglow
Boston Common Frog Pond
Boston Commons, Boston, MA
Take an ice skating lesson at Frog Pond in Boston Common.
The public ice rink also has a cafe nearby so that you can enjoy a little exercise and replenish with some comfort food and - of course- some hot cocoa!
Photo: Boston Common Frog Pond
Woodstock's Wassail Weeke
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock's Winter Wassail Weekend will be returning to Vermont this winter with tours of historic home, decorations and a glimpse into life in 19th century Vermont.
The highlight of the week is the Wassail Parade with costumed horseback riders in period clothing and a visit from Santa! The celebration wil take place from December 12-14.
Photo: Woodstock's Winter Wassail Weekend
Santa’s Holiday Express
38 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH
Take a ride on Santa’s Holiday Express with his mischievous elves!
There will be a round trip ride to Conway as you take in the holiday fun and meet Santa to discuss what you’ll be receiving in your stocking this year!
Photo: Santa’s Holiday Express
Save the Bay Harbor Seal
142 Long Wharf Dock, Newport, RI
Save the Bay Harbor Seal Tours will allow you to learn about the wild seals that live in Narragansett Bay.
The one and two- hour excursions will educate and amaze you as you get to watch the seals in their natural habitat and learn why their territory needs to be preserved. Binoculars provided.
Photo: Save the Bay
