Holiday Fun

This year visits with Santa are going to be a little different. Find him in-person (though expect him to social distance and wear a mask) at these locations and events.

And would it be 2020, if you couldn’t Zoom with Santa? Virtual Santa events listed too.

Be sure to click each link for registration and payment details. We’ll be updating this page with more Santa sightings as we learn of them. If we’re missing your favorite Santa event, email it to us at [email protected].

VIrtual Events

Ongoing
Virtual Zoom Visits with Santa – 12/1-12/14/20 – Ice Queen Cosplay Princess Parties
Custom Santa Visits, Pre-recorded Messages from Santa and More – Santa Boston
Virtual Santa Visits – JingleRing
ZOOm with Santa – Stone Zoo

December 12
Virtual Royal Sleigh Ride with Santa – Ice Queen Cosplay Princess Parties

December 15
Virtual Story Time with Mrs. Claus – Ice Queen Cosplay Princess Parties

December 17
Santa’s Nice List – Virtual Live – Ice Queen Cosplay Princess Parties

December 24
TRACK SANTA LIVE! & Bedtime Story – Children’s Artist Simon Hetherington

In-Person Events

Ongoing
Lights. Camera. Santa! at the Northshore Mall, Peabody. Open during Mall hours, from November 27 – December 24, 2020. Reserve your magical moment with Santa online. 

Private Family Holiday Parties with Santa – Smolak Farms, Andover

December 10
Santa Claus Returns To Hammond Castle, Gloucester – Purchase tickets (required)

December 11
Santa Claus Returns To Hammond Castle, Gloucester – Purchase tickets (required)

December 12
Breakfast with Santa, Danversport Yacht Club – Purchase tickets (required)

December 19
Santa Home Visit, by Room to Bloom Beverly – Purchase tickets (required)
Holly Days, Stevens Estate, North Andover – Make a reservation (required)

December 20
Holly Days, Stevens Estate, North Andover – Make a reservation (required)

A brightly lit Christmas tree signals the start of the holiday season. With many annual, town tree lightings cancelled this year, you can count on one of these local light shows to cheer your family up!

We’ll be updating this page with any additional light shows as we learn of them. If we’re missing your favorite location, email it to us at [email protected].

Winter Lights on Cape Ann, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Manchester
North Shore Holiday Light Show, Crescent Farms, Haverhill
Castle Hill Illuminated: The Longest Night, Crane Estate, Ipswich
ZooLights, Stone Zoo, Stoneham
Holly Days, Stevens Estate, North Andover

Want to shop in-person to pick out the perfect gifts for the kids in your life? It may seem like your only options are Target or Walmart, but don’t forget about these awesome, local businesses that sell great gifts for kids.

1. Hip Baby Gear, Marblehead
2. Henry Bear’s Park, Ipswich (Read our review of this store.)
3. Wenham Museum Gift Shop, Wenham (Read our review of the museum & gift shop.)
4. Learning Express – Lynnfield & Beverly
5. 4 Beach Gifts & Goodies, Manchester-by-the-Sea
6. 2 Donkeys Toy Shop, South Hamilton
7. Roost & Co – Salem & Beverly
8. Bookshop of Beverly Farms, Beverly Farms
9. Mud Puddle Toys, Marblehead
10. The Merry Lion, Wakefield
11. LEGO® Store, North Shore Mall, Peabody
12. Cuddlefish, Manchester-by-the-Sea

And check out our 2020 Local Holiday Shopping Guide for more small businesses to shop with!

Read the full post on 25 fun holiday books for both Christmas and Hanukkah here. Make bedtime festive for the whole family!

1. Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht; illustrated by Jarvis
2. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson; illustrated by Jane Chapman
3. Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne
4. This Is Christmas by Tom Booth
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
6. The Broken Ornament by Tony DiTerlizzi
7. Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares
8. The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore; illustrated by Charles Santore
9. Little Robin’s Christmas by Jan Fearnley
10. How Winston Delivered Christmas: A Christmas Story in Twenty-Four-And-A-Half Chapters by Alex T. Smith
11. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
12. The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup ; illustrated by Matt Tavares
13. A World of Cookies for Santa: Follow Santa’s Tasty Trip Around the World by M.E. Furman; illustrated by Susan Gal
14. Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift by Dara Goldman
15. Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
16. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle
17. Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale by Gloria Koster; illustrated by Sue Eastland
18. Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker
19. Hanukkah Cookies With Sprinkles by David Adler
20. All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins; illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
21. Brian the T-Rex and the Christmas Gifts by Beatriz Rare
22. The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler; illustrated by Jill Weber
23. Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin
24. The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser; illustrated by Nancy Cote
25. The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt; Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
    

Visit our Amazon Idea List to shop all of these books.

(This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these links I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support! ) 

USPS Shipping Deadlines to the U.S.
(for delivery by December 25)
First Class Mail – Friday, December 18, 2020
Priority Mail – Saturday, December 19, 2020
Priority Mail Express – Wednesday, December 23, 2020

FEDEX Shipping Deadlines to the U.S.
(for delivery by December 25)
SmartPost Services – Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Ground – Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Home Delivery – Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Express Saver – Monday, December 21, 2020
2 Day Services – Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Overnight Services – Wednesday, December 23, 2020

UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines to the U.S.
(for delivery by December 25)
Ground – Friday, December 11, 2020
3 Day Select – Monday, December 21, 2020
2nd Day Air Services – Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Next Day Air Services – Wednesday, December 23, 2020