Holiday Events Pack Barnstable Area This Weekend

BARNSTABLE, MA — It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays on Cape Cod, and this weekend will ratchet it up even further.

There's a packed schedule of holiday events across the Barnstable area, from Main Street in Hyannis to Cotuit Village and West Barnstable.

Town officials have organized a collection of events to put on the calendar this weekend. Here's what to know.

Saturday in Hyannis

The Main Street Stroll, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A yearly favorite on the Cape, visit the fan-favorite petting zoo and pony rides, vote for your favorite cookie in the streetwide Cookie Stroll and search for Santa’s reindeer in the Reindeer Roundup.

Enjoy live holiday music and get some shopping done before Santa arrives by antique fire truck at noon, when guests will have the chance to visit with the big guy from 12-1 p.m., and again from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Face painting, balloon twisting and flash tattoos are available for all to enjoy, and many shops and restaurants will offer specials on this day.

Love Local Fest: Holiday Edition, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 10th annual Love Local Fest Holiday Edition is a "grand display of local artistry and craftsmanship you can only find on the Cape."

Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Hyannis Village Green, 120 local makers, brands and eateries create an illuminating mix of holiday nostalgia, winter warmth and festive family fun.

The Hyannis Boat Parade, 4 p.m.

Spectators can enjoy hot chocolate, chowder and music while watching the parade in Hyannis Harbor at Bismore Park. Santa will cruise around the harbor before he arrives on dry land to visit and hear kids’ holiday wishes.

Free parking is available in the Barnstable Town Hall, South and North Street and Ocean Street public parking lots during the events. The rain date for the Love Local Fest, Main Street Stroll and Boat Parade is Dec. 3.

Cotuit on Saturday

Christmas in Cotuit

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., multiple venues around the village of Cotuit

• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Historical Society: "Bring the kids to paint a wooden ornament for your tree (until noon). Play lawn games and enjoy roasted marshmallows, cider, and s’mores around the firepit until 2 p.m."
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cotuit Federated Church: "The Women’s Fellowship Gift Basket sale (until 2:00) and the 22nd annual show and sale of small works by local artists and photographers. Give art for the holidays."
• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Artisan Craft Fair at Freedom Hall: "Artists, pottery, jewelry, wreaths, shell art, soaps, honey, and much more."
• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Winter Open House at the Cahoon Museum: "Explore amazing exhibits, try your hand at holiday art projects, and enjoy seasonal treats. Free admission."
• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. "Visit the Historical Society Gift Shop for new and unique items for the holidays. Twenty percent discount on home décor items."

Sunday in West Barnstable

West Barnstable Tree Lighting & Caroling, 5 p.m.

Traditionally, the Annual West Barnstable Village Tree Lighting is held at 5 p.m. on the first Sunday in December at the West Barnstable Village Green.

Friends and neighbors congregate at the tree to sing carols accompanied by trumpeter Jeremy Cadrin, and the arrival of Santa Claus on the West Barnstable fire engine. Immediately following the tree lighting, walk up the path to the historic 1717 Meetinghouse of West Barnstable for "The Christmas Story and Carol Sing" featuring a living nativity scene, the West Parish Hand Bell Choir, and Donna Murphy on the Mander Organ.

This is followed by an informal gathering in Jenkins Hall.

The holiday presentation is a collaboration of the West Barnstable Civic Association, the 1717 Meetinghouse Foundation and West Parish of Barnstable, United Church of Christ.