Looking for things to do during Thanksgiving week? Not only can you spend the most American of holidays where it all began; from period celebrations at Plimoth Plantation to the Parade of the Big Balloons in Springfield, you can also get a sneak peak at the upcoming Christmas season.

GREATER BOSTON

Thanksgiving Dining in Boston

November 26

Thanksgiving Day feasts abound in Boston where you’ll find all the trimmings in addition to gourmet delights such as Harvest Pumpkin Bisque with Roasted Pecans, Pan Roasted Duck with Cranberry Molasses Sauce, Ricotta Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce and Sage, Apple Cranberry Tart with Pumpkin Gelato and Cinnamon Spiced Popcorn, Hot Mulled Apple Cider and more!

Throughout Boston

NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY

16th Annual Methuen Festival of Trees

November 21-December 5

Visitors are invited to attend the Festival and view the 200+ trees donated by individuals, businesses, organizations, and school groups from Methuen and several Merrimack Valley communities.  The proceeds from the Festival of Trees provide funding to preserve our heritage and the monuments that make Methuen so unique.

Valley Office Park, Methuen
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Home For The Holidays

November 21

Tour several beautiful homes in one of Cape Ann's most beautiful neighborhoods.

Gloucester
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City of Lights parade & Holiday Arts Stroll

November 28

Celebrate the coming holiday season in Lowell with festivities including family activities, music and a hot chocolate competition as well as a holiday parade featuring local and regional floats and marching bands.

Downtown Lowell

SOUTH OF BOSTON

Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation

November 26

Celebrate the quintessential Thanksgiving experience at Plimoth Plantation. Be among the thousands who make the annual pilgrimage to the museum to share in the holiday spirit. Visitors will explore the Plantation's multiple sites, which include the Wampanoag Homesite, the 1627 English Village, the Crafts Center and Mayflower II.

Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth
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America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration

November 20-22

A classic hometown parade with marching bands, festive floats and fife and drum corps. The parade travels through Plymouth center and the waterfront.

Plymouth

CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

Holidays At Heritage

November 27, 28, 29, December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

Heritage will once again join in the spirit of the holidays by presenting a multi-day community event to celebrate the season. Visitors will stroll the lighted paths, explore the Hart Family Maze Garden and several lighted vignettes created by the area's premier landscape companies. Christmas trees decorated by community partners will also adorn the grounds.

Heritage Museums & Gardens, Sandwich
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Annual Holiday Festival
November 27-28

The largest Holiday Art Show on the Vineyard with over 85 Island Artisans. Balsam wreaths and ceramic ornaments to start off the holiday season and gifts galore from the Islands finest artists and craftsmen. Fine jewelry, glass, ceramics, fine art, clothing, book arts and much more.

Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury
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Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument

November 25

Watch as one of the most recognizable landmarks on Cape Cod is illuminated with 5000 lights. The lights go on at 6:00pm followed by entertainment and refreshments.

Provincetown

CENTRAL MASS

Thanksgiving Day at Old Sturbridge Village

November 26

To mark one of just a handful of holidays on the early New England calendar, Old Sturbridge Village re-creates various activities from an early New England Thanksgiving Day, including cooking at the hearth, demonstrations of 19th-century table manners, a Thanksgiving sermon, and after-dinner entertainment.

Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
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Fireplace Feasts

Check website for dates

Relax by the fire or lend a hand as dinner is prepared for you 18th century style. Stir the chowder as it bubbles in the cast iron cauldron. Watch your prime rib turning as the only known Roasting Jack still operating in America rotates slowly over a crackling fire of cherry logs.

Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield
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Annual Thanksgiving Harvest Festival

November 21-22

Shop at more than 20 business and farms who offer everything for your Thanksgiving table.

Red Apple Farm, Phillipston
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WESTERN MASS

Shaker Supper

November 28

Enjoy a beautiful evening in the Shaker City of Peace. Relish a hardy shaker dinner in the candlelit 1830 brick dwelling and delight in the beautiful sounds of Shaker music in the meeting room. Guided tour available.

Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
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A Season of Thanks

November 28

Members of the Society of the 17th Century offer a taste of what English life was like at the time of the first Thanksgiving. Meet re-enactors dressed in period clothes as they demonstrate a range of traditional crafts. See the fruits of the fall harvest prepared in open hearth cooking demonstrations. Included with general admission.

Historic Deerfield, Deerfield
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Parade of the Big Balloons

November 27

A Springfield tradition for the whole family. This wonderful parade features giant helium balloons led by the 75ft “Cat in the hat” along with marching bands, a visit from Santa, and plenty of fun for all ages.

Downtown Springfield
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Lenox Thanksgiving Antique and Vintage Collectible Show

November 27-29

Lenox Village will celebrate Thanksgiving in New England with an “Antique and Vintage Collectible Show” at the Historic Lenox Town Meeting Hall. The Lenox Chamber of Commerce is helping the environment of the future by recycling the past with “Treasures and Memories of Olde”. Festivities begin on Friday November 27th, with an “Early Buying Cocktail and Hors D’oeuvres” from 5pm -8pm, featuring a “Silent Auction” to benefit the Chamber and local food pantries. The show on Saturday and Sunday will run from 10am till 4pm and will feature Country and Victorian Furniture, Vintage Jewelry and Collectibles, china, glass, art works, silver, pottery and glass.

Lenox Town Hall, Lenox

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