2020 has been quite the year. Since February, our life has been turned upside down with social distance guidelines, quarantine rules, and mask mandates across the country. We have adjusted our celebrations, big and small, throughout the year, to accommodate safety guidelines that keep all of us as safe and healthy as possible. With the holiday season upon us, we crave the nostalgia of all that the celebrations normally entail. Luckily, for locals, there are plenty of COVID-friendly activities that you can participate to ring in the holiday season.
Festival of Trees
Right in the heart of Wellesley, at the Gardens at Elm Bank, the home base of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the Festival of Lights is celebrating its twelfth anniversary. Mostly throughout the Hunnewell Building, dozens of decorated trees fill the area and light up the night. These trees are decorated and donated by local businesses, garden centers, and organizations from throughout the surrounding area. Visitors can purchase raffle tickets to choose the tree they would like to take home and all trees are raffled off at the end of the event. Trees can include anything from classic decorations to gifts and surprises. A second part of the event includes a Snow Village, where an entire room of the building is outfitted with model trains and villages with some iconic Boston favorites on display, like Fenway Park. This event runs through December 20th and advanced tickets can be purchased online.
Santa’s Workshop at the Y
If you have little ones who love all things Santa, this is the event for you. Taking place at the Old Colony YMCA in Stoughton, your little ones can create their own gingerbread houses, write letters to Santa, and even meet the big guy. You do not have to be a member of the Y to attend, they encourage all families to participate and offer three-time slots to choose from on December 19th.
Winter Solstice Ornament Workshop
Ornaments are synonymous with the holiday season, aren’t they? Whether gifting them or decorating your Christmas tree, they seem to be available in every color, shape, design, and size you desire. Why not create your own? This fun family-friendly event is located at the Concord Market and takes place around the warmth of their beautiful fireplace. Talk about a winter wonderland type activity. Using a mix of natural and recycled pieces, participants will make stars, cranberry wreaths, and mini evergreen trees. This event takes place on December 20th and is broken into two small events for best social distancing.
Zoolights at Stone Zoo
Holiday light displays seem to be on the rise as COVID-19 has changed the way we celebrate. If you’re looking to indulge in a major holiday lights display, consider Zoolights at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham. Their light exhibits, sprawling 26 acres, is a winter wonderland of lights. This is a walk-through event that allows you to be immersed in all the light displays, from lit tree-lined paths to lantern displays. As you stroll their Yukon Creek, you will encounter animal exhibits to include bears, a bald eagle, arctic foxes, and reindeer. This event runs through mid-January and tickets need to be purchased ahead of time, online, as there is a limit on capacity.
Even though the world is on a bit of a pause right now, your holiday celebrations don’t have to be. Choose events for your family that are safe and socially distanced but also provide fun and excitement for all ages. Remember to follow precautions and wear a mask on any big-group outing. Soak up the nostalgia of the season and indulge in some winter wonderland festivities to close out 2020.