With the holiday and winter season rapidly approaching, you may be wondering which winter events are happening in the Greater Merrimack Valley area.
While you may want to spend most of your time cuddled up inside by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa to warm your belly, there will also be a few exciting events worth bundling up and exploring this winter season.
Today, we’ll be highlighting the Lowell City of Lights Parade and taking a brief early look at a few more upcoming winter events happening over the next few months.
The City of Lights Parade Returns to Lowell, MA on Saturday, Nov. 27
After having to cancel last year’s festivities due to the pandemic, in a way, making 2020 the year without a Santa Claus in Lowell, MA, the City of Lights Parade returns on Saturday, November 27th.
To many, the annual event in Downtown Lowell kicks off the holiday season in a night filled with many holiday-themed things to do in the Greater Merrimack Valley. Typically, the event brings over 10,000 people together to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.
So, in honor of this cherished local tradition, let’s go over just a few of the things you can experience at this year’s event.
Experience A One-Of-A-Kind Holiday Parade
Starting at Jackson Street at 4:30 pm and ending at City Hall, the City of Lights Holiday Parade is a holiday extravaganza taking over the downtown area.
Event-goers can expect marching bands, incredible and festive holiday floats, musical performances, and much more, including a specially-designed parade sleigh taking Mr. And Mrs. Claus through downtown to help light up City Hall.
Join The Holiday-Themed Festivities!
There are also plenty of Christmas, winter, and holiday-themed festivities and activities happening across the event.
Family-friendly activities include:
- The Festival of Wreaths contests and raffle,
- St. Anne’s Holiday Concert,
- Photos with Santa Claus,
- A wreath decorating workshop at the Pollard Memorial Library,
- A holiday performance from the Gentlemen Songsters,
- And of course, all the hot chocolate you can drink.
These are only a few of the many all-ages events happening during the City of Lights Parade. You can find a more detailed breakdown on the Lowell City of Lights official website.
It’s also worth noting that masks will be required for all indoor events.
Other Upcoming Merrimack Valley Winter Events
Eileen Ivers A Joyful Christmas (Sunday, Dec. 12)
Celebrate the story of Christmas at Eileen Ivers A Joyful Christmas performance on Sunday, December 12th, starting at 3 pm at Lexington’s Cary Memorial Hall. Ivers brings her extensive years of musical experience and Irish-American inspiration to perform a festive mix of traditional Wren Day songs, poems, and electrifying, up-on-your-feet music.
Lowell Winterfest (Saturday, Feb. 19 – Sunday, Feb. 27)
Similar to the Lowell City of Lights Parade, the city’s annual Winterfest will return on Saturday, February 19th through Sunday, February 27th. At this event, winter festivities will be available all week long. These family-friendly winter-themed activities include:
- Live music,
- Food vendors,
- Various fun outdoor games and other activities, such as ice skating,
- A soup competition from local restaurants,
- A winter market featuring local arts & crafts, fashion, and foods,
- An all-you-can-eat chocolate festival (yum!)
- And, of course, much more.
We will be sure to check back in with a full breakdown of things to do at Winterfest as the event draws near.
