Christmas, Holiday Events In Barnstable: Tree Lighting, Winter Stroll

BARNSTABLE, MA — There is no shortage of things to do in Barnstable to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Tree lightings in Barnstable include the annual West Barnstable lighting, which is scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m. The lighting will take place at the West Barnstable Village Green.

Barnstable will also host a winter stroll on Dec. 7, according to officials.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; the Target Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis; and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. One to catch in Massachusetts is the Gillette Stadium 'Magic Of Lights' display.