Contact: Lisa Simmons, MOTT
617-973-8508
Vicki Cimino, Connelly Partners
617-521-5428
For Immediate Release
BOSTON, December 1, 2011 - – The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) invites you to spend the holidays in the Commonwealth for an experience that is full of lights, festive lodging, and delicious libations. The Bay State’s celebrations are rich with history, gleaming with joy, and great fun for all ages.
For more information, visit massvacation.com and "Like" us on Facebook at Visit Massachusetts (http://www.facebook.com/VisitMassachusetts) and "Follow" us on Twitter @VisitMA (http://twitter.com/VisitMA) and find us on Google+ by searching “Visit Massachusetts” within the Google+ search bar.
Below is a sampling of holiday activities across the state:
Holidays in the Hub
68th Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting: December 1, 2011
Boston’s Mayor officiates this cherished tradition, which includes lighting the city’s official Christmas tree and performances by local and national entertainers. Also of course, children can meet Santa. Let the shopping begin!
First Night Boston: December 31, 2011
Featuring more than 200 events throughout Downtown Boston, this New Year’s celebration is the oldest and largest of its kind in North America. Colossal ice sculptures dot the city’s landscapes while performances, festivals, parades, and midnight fireworks usher one million people into the New Year.
It’s a Winter Wonderland at The Liberty Hotel
Don’t hibernate this winter when you can get out and play with The Liberty’s luxurious Winter Wonderland Package. The package includes overnight accommodation, two VIP passes to Boston Common’s Frog Pond Ice Skating Rink, two hot chocolates or twisted toddies in The Liberty Bar, a complimentary in-room movie, and breakfast for two at CLINK. The Liberty is located in Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood; rates start at $349.
A Coastal Christmas
Nantucket Christmas Stroll – December 2-4, 2011
Crisp sea air spiced with wood smoke drifts through a historic village’s cobblestoned streets festively lined with decorated trees and warmly lit shops, while church bells chime familiar carols… the holiday season on Nantucket is magical. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on Saturday via Coast Guard vessel and are escorted up Straight Wharf by the Town Crier to a waiting horse and carriage.
All Aboard the North Pole Express!
The Daniel Webster Inn & Spa, located in historic Sandwich on Cape Cod, has partnered with Cape Cod Central Railroad to present the North Pole Express Package. With rates starting at $247, the package includes overnight accommodation, $25 towards breakfast at the Daniel Webster Inn’s dining room, two tickets on the North Pole Express, and $100 in dining, lodging, spa, and shopping certificates.
Lights… Like You’ve Never Seen Before
Old Sturbridge Village – Christmas by Candlelight: December 2-4; 9-11; 16-18, 2011
Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas with an enchanted evening of gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, music, dance, and a sleigh ride. Friday & Sunday ~ $12 OSV Members, $14 Non-members; Saturday ~ $13 OSV Members, $15 Non-members.
Edaville Christmas Festival of Lights: November 25-January 1
During the Christmas season, Edaville is transformed into a winter wonderland. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. $18 adults and kids (Ages 2-64); $16 seniors, under 2 are free.
Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield, MA: November 23-January 1
One of New England’s single most popular holiday destinations, “Bright Nights” features tree lighting displays that go beyond the average wreath and string-of-popcorn – rather, “Bright Lights” displays breath taking tree lighting displays that are designed on a yearly basis. $18 per vehicle during weekends.
Home Grown for the Holidays
Berkshire Grown Holiday Farmers Markets, Williamstown and Great Barrington: December 17
Everything you’ll need for your holiday meals! Offering artisan produce, cheese, eggs, meat, poultry, bread, pies and other baked goods, plus pickles and jams. Entertainment will feature live music and pre-order pickups will be available.
Hingham Holiday Farmers’ Market: Old Derby Academy, Main Street, Hingham, December 10
Celebrate the local harvest all season long! The Hingham Holiday Farmers’ Market features local farmers and vendors offering the best ingredients available for your holiday meals.
Red Lion Inn’s Home Grown for the Holidays Package
The Red Lion Inn, located in quintessential Stockbridge, offers the Home Grown for the Holidays Package throughout December. The package includes overnight accommodation, a locally sourced gift basket featuring homegrown micro brews, drink vouchers and breakfast for two, and a ten percent discount to the Inn’s Gift Shop. Rates from $200; available Sunday through Thursday.
Pick-Your-Own at a Massachusetts Tree Farm
For a complete list of tree farms, visit the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association
Western Massachusetts: Ioka Valley Farm – Hancock, MA
Open weekends from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the energetic may cut their own tree right from the field, or fresh-cut trees are available for purchase at the farm stand.
North of Boston: Evergreen Farm – West Newbury, MA
Providing an authentic farm experience, this classic "choose and cut" Christmas tree operation offers 50 acres of scenic beauty, a historic colonial house, barns, and horses.
Cheers to a New Year!
First Night Worcester 2012
The largest New Year’s Eve arts-based celebration in Central Massachusetts; First Night Worcester is a day-long celebration featuring music performances, dance, visual installations, comedy, and whirled class arts. A $15 button provides admission to the festivities.
First Night New Bedford
Ring in the New Year with street entertainers, music acts, art, and fireworks at the Annual First Night New Bedford held at participating venues throughout the downtown area.
About MOTT
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure-travel destination. An integral part of the state’s economy, tourism generates more than $915 million in state and local taxes and $14.4 billion in travel related expenditures and supports 121,500 in-state jobs. Web site: http://www.massvacation.com/
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- Where to Go
- Things to Do
For New England's largest theme park, head to Six Flags New England in Agawam. Experience the "Glow in the Park Parade", an all new nighttime spectacular with dramatic state-of-the-art floats, cirque-style music and thousands of sparkling lights! The Dept. of Conservation and Recreation presents Park Passport, a program where families are encouraged to continue to visit parks statewide in an effort to fill their passport with stamps from all the parks.
- Plan Your Trip
- 50 Under $50
- Getting Around
State and regional resources, including air, land, and water transportation; Boston public transit info; detailed info on travel to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island
