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. Below you will find events happening over the Thanksgiving holiday from the weekend before to the weekend following Thanksgiving.

GREATER BOSTON

Thanksgiving Dining in Boston
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
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Zoolights
November 25-January 1 (Closed Thanksgiving)
5:00-9:00pm
A beloved holiday family tradition returns to Stone Zoo when ZooLights opens on Thanksgiving. This winter wonderland attracts thousands of visitors each year who get into the holiday spirit by strolling along tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Upon entering the Zoo, guests will visit Yukon Creek, which not only features dazzling holiday lights but is also home to bald eagles, porcupine, lynx, a gray fox and a pair of reindeer. Children will want to make sure they visit with Santa, who awaits their arrival in Santa's Castle.
Stone Zoo, Stoneham
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Annual After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets
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Thanksgiving Dinner at the Royal Sonesta

NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY

18th Annual Methuen Festival of Trees
November 19-December 3
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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Thanksgiving Grand Buffet
November 24
Spend Thanksgiving at the beautiful seaside Emerson Inn by the Sea in Rockport. From noon-5pm, enjoy a delicious 3-course meal with your family for only $45 per person, $22.50 per child (ages 3-10). Tax and gratuity not included.
Emerson Inn by the Sea, Rockport
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8th Annual Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run
November 24
Work up your appetite on Thanksgiving morning at the largest road race on the North Shore! All proceeds go to Boys & Girls Club and Salem Park & Recreation Youth programs.
Salem
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Thanksgiving Day Buffet Brunch
November 24
Buffet brunch will be served throughout the hotel from 11am - 7pm. $40.95/Adults; $16.95/Children 12 and under and Under 3 are free. Reservations are required. Please call 978-825-4311.
Salem
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Lowell City of Lights Parade and Holiday Arts Stroll
November 26, 2011 11 am - 8 pm
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. 978-970-4257
Downtown Lowell

SOUTH OF BOSTON

Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation
November 24
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 18-20
A classic hometown parade with marching bands, festive floats and fife and drum corps. The parade travels through Plymouth center and the waterfront.
Plymouth
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Harvest Dinner with the Pilgrims
Wednesday November 23, Friday November 25, Saturday November 26
5:30pm
Your Pilgrim hosts, residents of 1627 Plimoth, will spice up your dinner conversation with tales of England, old and new. Discover the table manners and recipes that traveled across the Atlantic with the Pilgrims, and find out about what happened at the famous harvest celebration of 1621. For reservations call 800-262-9356 ext. 8353, 8364, or 8365. Call early as these popular dinners sell out quickly.
Plimoth Plantation
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Pilgrim Progress & Ecumenical Church Service
Thursday, November 24
10am
Begins at the Mayflower Society House (North St.) to Plymouth Rock, along Water St., up Leyden St., to Town Square (beginning of Main St), then to Burial Hill. The church service follows at the First Parish Church in Town Square. Call 508-746-2590, or 508-244-2869 for more information
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The National Day of Mourning
Thursday, November 24
12 Noon
Held at the Massasoit Statue on Cole's Hill (Water St.), across from the Plymouth Rock, where participants honor Native ancestors and their struggles. For more information visit

CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

Annual Thanksgiving Festival
November 25-26
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 23
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
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The Holidays at Highfield
November 25, 26 & 27; December 2-4, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
A family-fun event with musical performances and refreshments (see website for schedule). New this year: model trains, including The Polar Express. View the magnificently restored mansion decorated in holiday finery. Upstairs rooms showcase a collection of international crèches, small art works, and the Highfield Gift Gallery featuring a selection of artisan-made wares, jewelry, children's items, hand-knit sweaters, pet goodies and more. Docent-led group tours are available through advance arrangement. Details at , or call 508-495-1878, ext. 303.
Highfield Hall, Falmouth
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Holiday Open House
Fri. Sat. and Sunday, Nov. 25, 26 and 27th
Visitors will find a feast for their eyes and enjoy holiday décor from a Cape Cod Christmas theme& Traditional Christmas to Glitter and Glitz. We offer finished pieces and supplies to make your own. Hot Cider and Goodies Will Also Be Served. If you love Mother Nature, you’ll love this store.
Harvest of Barnstable
89 Willow Street
Yarmouthport
508-362-4595
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LAMBERT’S COVE INN
Serving both a traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner and several additional entree options including braised lamb shanks, local bay scallops and a magnificent salmon dish. Come enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner in this quaint country setting on Martha’s Vineyard. Lodging options available for those who wish to make a weekend of it on the island!
Reservations required by calling 508-693-2298
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A Seaside Christmas in Orleans
November 26
8 to 10 am - Pancake breakfast at the Orleans Yacht Club with Mrs. Claus. ($5 adults, $3 children)
10 am - Santa arrives by boat at the Orleans Yacht Club
10:30 am - Children meet Santa at Snow's Home & Garden
12:30 to 3:30 pm - Old fashioned hay rides from Orleans Auto Center on West Rd. ($2 per person. Children in lap no charge)
4 pm - Gather at Snow's Home & Garden for the traditional candlelight stroll. Candles for the adults, glow sticks for the kids (while they last)
5 pm - Stroll proceeds to the Village Green with caroling and the annual tree lighting
6 pm - Warm up with complimentary clam chowder at the United Methodist Church just across the street.
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Festival of Wreaths
Wednesday, November 23; Friday, November 25; Saturday, November 26; and Sunday, November 27, 2011 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Take a chance and bid on one of the many stunning wreaths made by Nantucket artists, designers, and merchants for this annual silent auction. Free admission.
Peter Foulger Gallery, 15 Broad Street, Nantucket
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Thanksgiving Artisans Collective Show
Friday November 25, Saturday, November 26 2011 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Shop local and get unique handmade gifts for the holidays! The Nantucket Artisans Collective is a group of artists and artisans who live and work on Nantucket. This is a unique opportunity to visit with, and purchase art from the participating local artists. High quality Nantucket-made pottery, jewelry, textiles, fine art, and gifts galore.
Preservation Institute, upstairs at 11 Centre St.
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Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday November 25, 2011 5:00 PM
Watch as the tree light in town are turned on. Performance by island high school acappella groups and community caroling around the large tree at upper Main Street.

CENTRAL MASS

Thanksgiving 1830's-style at Old Sturbridge Village
November 24-27
This Thanksgiving, costumed historians at Old Sturbridge Village demonstrate hearthside cooking in early New England - roasting turkeys in a tin kitchen and also before the fire suspended on skewers and string to evenly rotate the meat. 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. The Thanksgiving Day menu includes turnip sauce, stuffing, pies and Marlboro Pudding. Proper 19th century table manners required eating from one's knife. After dinner, the men will demonstrate a target shoot, the 1830s entertainment equivalent of today's Thanksgiving Day football games.
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 19-20
Shop at more than 20 business and farms who offer everything for your Thanksgiving table.
Red Apple Farm, Phillipston
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Chocksett Inn Thanksgiving Buffet
November 24th
Menu available online
11:30am-3:30pm
59 Laurelwood Rd, Sterling
978-422-3355
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Publick House Thanksgiving Day Feast
Menu available online
On the Common, Route 131, Sturbridge
508-347-3313
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Wachusett Village Inn Thanksgiving Buffet
10:30 - 3:30pm
Menu available online
9 Village Inn Road, Westminster
978-874-2000
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Vienna Historic Inn Thanksgiving Buffet
Menu available online
14 South Street, Southbridge
508-764-0700
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Buca Di Beppo Thanksgiving Italian Style
Call Jayme Iarussi for group reservations: 508-792-1737
7 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury

WESTERN MASS

A Season of Thanks
November 25
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 25
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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Annual Midnight Madness
November 25, 2011
Lee Premium Outlets will open at midnight the day after Thanksgiving for the Annual Thanksgiving Sale featuring Midnight Madness! Visit our website for weekend hours and to download weekend offers and specials.
Lee Premium Outlets, Lee
413.243.8196
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Traditional Shaker Supper
November 26, 2011
A guided tour begins at 4:00pm with interpreters in period attire present an introduction to Shaker life as you view the Village's premier collection of Shaker furniture and artifacts in selected buildings. After a cider and cheese reception in the spacious kitchen of the historic Brick Dwelling dinner is served by candle light in the Believers' Dining Room. The menu varies, and includes soup, entrees, accompaniments, and desserts selected from The Best of Shaker Cooking by Amy Bess Miller. The main course is served buffet style so you may savor an assortment of Shaker flavors.
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
413.443.0188
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Colonial Thanksgiving Party
November 26, 2011
A benefit for the museum from 4:00 – 7:00pm with live music, refreshments and a silent auction.
Bidwell House Museum, Monterey
413.528.6888

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