46th Annual Nantucket Noel 2019 of Winter Nights & Holiday Lights Underway Nov 29-Jan 1

Nantucket Island’s month-long (November 29, 2019 to January 1, 2020) Nantucket Noel is a venerable tradition.

Nantucket Island’s month-long (November 29, 2019 to January 1, 2020) Nantucket Noel is a venerable tradition. With the influx of visitors and return of islanders with homes here for the holidays, Island population swells along with the intense feeling that something very special is about to happen. And, to be sure, Nantucket Noel and its dazzling Christmas Stroll Weekend remind us of every reason why Christmas season is so special to us all.

This year’s theme is Winter Nights & Holiday Nights — a reminder that, on Nantucket, the winter holidays commence with the Tree Lighting and continue for 33 days through The New Nantucket New Year’s Event and The Nantucket Hotel’s Anchor Drop on New Year’s Eve.

Nantucket Noel’s magic begins on Friday, November 29, 2019 with the annual Tree Lighting & Community Caroling Ceremony at the top of Main Street (which will be closed to vehicular traffic). Islanders, visitors and others convene in holiday spirit, gleefully anticipating the Town Crier’s countdown to the illumination of more than 150 balsam holiday trees. After the balsam trees are ablaze with light, rounds of traditional holiday carols spontaneously break out in song with the remarkably colorful and energy-efficient LED lights in the background. Caroling is led by Nantucket High School’s renowned a cappella group Accidentals & Naturals.

Nantucket Noel 2019’s festivities — including the incomparable signature event Christmas Stroll Weekend (December 6-8, 2019) — commence first at dusk on November 29 with the annual Tree Lighting & Community Caroling Ceremony presented by Stop & Shop. This much anticipated tradition features more than 150 majestically attired balsam Christmas trees lining the side perimeters of cobblestoned Main Street and adjoining byways. The 46^th Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend (December 6-8, 2019), presented by The Steamship Authority, is the following weekend.

“The Steamship Authority is pleased to again sponsor the Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend” said Kimberlee McHugh, Steamship Authority’s Director of Marketing. “We look forward to transporting many visitors to and from Nantucket during the festivities. If you haven’t already done so, please book your ferry reservations online at www.SteamshipAuthority.com or call 508-477-8600. On behalf of all of us at the Steamship Authority, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.”

Christmas Stroll Weekend is truly an inspiring event comprising the ultimate holiday imaginings of every child, teenager and adult! Every nuance of Christmas past, present and future is rolled into one weekend here on Nantucket. Nantucket presents the Christmas of everyone’s dreams for all to experience and participate in year after year.

On Saturday, December 7, everyone awaits the arrival of Santa Claus himself! Promptly at 11:45AM, when Nantucket’s Town Crier, in full regalia, will ring in the 46^th Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend presented by The Steamship Authority. The Crier then leads the procession to Straight Wharf to meet Santa, who arrives via Coast Guard cutter. Santa — held aloft on his nautical sleigh (minus the reindeer, of course!) — will greet his enthusiastic fans before riding to the Discovery Room at the NHA Whaling Museum on Broad Street to meet with the hopeful children who will regale Santa with their ‘wish lists.’

After Santa Claus’ departure to the Discovery Room at the NHA Whaling Museum, a full day of holiday activities and events including strolling Victorian carolers, bell ringers, local talent of every description, Main Street’s Magical Talking Tree, the Christmas Marketplace, styled after the authentic holiday markets of Europe, and other traditional holiday activities will be on offered for every member of the family! Grown-ups are as enthusiastic as the little ones about Nantucket Noel events and, especially, Christmas Stroll Weekend.

“From Downtown Nantucket across the entire Island, there is a feeling of anticipation as the Christmas holidays unfold. Commencing with the Tree Lighting and continuing through Stroll Weekend and Nantucket New Years, the joy and tradition are amazing,” said David Martin, President & CEO of Nantucket Chamber.

“Nantucket evolves into a living ‘snow globe,’ evocative of every wondrous emotion and memory of Christmas holidays past and present. Holiday bells, the twinkle of holiday ornaments on trees and Christmas carols complete the spell. Nantucket presents the Christmas of a lifetime, every year, with its Nantucket Noel, Christmas Stroll and Nantucket New Years,” Martin continued.

To encourage shopping local for the holiday season and promote the sustainability of Island commerce, the Chamber continues its popular Holiday Red Ticket Program, with participating Chamber member businesses giving out one red ticket for every $25 purchase.  The program commences on November 1^st, with merchants dispensing one red tickets for every $25 spent. On Double Red Ticket Days, December 14^th, merchants will dispense two red tickets for every $25 spent.  At 3pm on December 24^th, five lucky winners of $1,000, one luck winner of $5,000, and one extra-lucky winner of a surprise prize valued at $1,000 will be chosen at random from the multitude of tickets filling the enormous bed of a Don Allen Ford truck parked outside the Pacific National Bank at the head of Main Street. A list of participating merchants can be found at www.nantucketredtickets.com.

The month of December draws to a close with the new Nantucket New Years on December 31, 2019. More details to follow on this day full of events. In 2018, Nantucket Hotel hosted a Countdown to 2019 at its first-ever complimentary ‘Anchor Drop’ from the top of The Nantucket Hotel. The tradition will continue this year with a Countdown to 2020. Gather outside the Hotel at 5:00PM for an Anchor Drop or an Anchor Drop at 12:00AM, both with hot chocolate for all.

 

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Black Friday? Bah, Humbug! Celebrate ‘Bright Friday’ With Opening of Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, NY

A Dickens Christmas festivities in Skaneateles, NY (photo by Kimberly Rossi).

The magic of the holiday season returns to Skaneateles, New York with the 26th edition of Dickens Christmas.

Enchanting holiday shoppers as it brings “A Christmas Carol” to life, Skaneateles’ iconic street theater production opens Nov. 29 and runs weekends through Christmas. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with a limited show (noon to 2:30 p.m.) Dec. 24.

Suspend disbelief: you are in the year 1842.

Queen Victoria has arrived in town with Charles Dickens, whom she has commissioned to write a Christmas story. During their monthlong stay, Dickens gains inspiration from a bevy of now-familiar characters, including Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the Spirit of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Jacob Marley, along with finishing school girls, pickpockets and other villagers.

New to this year’s production is Washington Irving, author of such tales as “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” in town to welcome Dickens and the Queen.

Each week, the story unfolds as Dickens and his entourage interact with cast members and passersby.

“The real magic of our little Christmas party is the human connection we make when we look each other in the eye and wish each other well,” says producing director Jim Greene, who plays Dickens. “For the past 26 years, we’ve had the opportunity to revel in the greater gift of simply caring for one another.”

Dickens Christmas draws more than 20,000 visitors each year. It is produced by Scarlett Rat Entertainment and presented by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Skaneateles-area business community.

Highlights of this year’s season include:

• World’s Smallest Christmas Parade. Nov. 29, starting at noon at the Skaneateles Village Hall on Fennell Street, proceeding east to Jordan and Genesee streets and arriving at the Hannum House porch in time for the 12:10 p.m. grand opening.

• Midday Revels—Christmas carol sing-along—2 p.m. every day at the gazebo. Twelve groups form, representing the 12 days of Christmas. The groups vie for attention, and at the end, Queen Victoria awards a silver teasel to the most spirited performer. Winners have been known to wear their coveted silver teasels throughout the season.

• Trunk shows—lighthearted versions of Dickens’ new story, performed with help from the audience—12:30 p.m. at the gazebo and 3 p.m. at the library each day.

• Horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides around the village, departing from the Sherwood Inn, provided by Rt. 80 Quarry Ridge Stables. Wagon rides are $3; carriage rides are offered for a $20 donation.

• Magic shows, performed by the Very Peculiar Prestidigitating Packwoods, 1 p.m. Sundays at the Skaneateles Library.

• A snowman-building contest in Clift Park Dec. 21 (weather-permitting). Bring your own supplies and creativity! Queen Victoria will judge the entries at 2:45 p.m. First prize is a $50 gift certificate from the Sherwood Inn; second prize is a Dickens mug and cocoa.

• “It’s A Wonderful Life! The Radio Play,” presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at Auburn Public Theater. Tickets are $10.

• Free refreshments, including roasted chestnuts, figgy pudding, and Byrne Dairy eggnog served by the Girl Scouts (Saturdays only).

For children, Mother Goose will read holiday stories, and Father Christmas will hand out treats from the porch of the Masonic Temple.

“While you’re in town, be sure to visit our unique shops and restaurants—the perfect complement to a holiday outing,” says Hilary Fenner, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “And stop by the Chamber, at 22 Jordan St., for commemorative scarves ($15 with an embroidered logo, $10 without), mugs ($10 with cocoa, $8 without) and ornaments ($5).”

Paid parking is available in the municipal lot between Jordan and State streets; free parking is available in the lot adjacent to Ace Hardware/Skaneateles Town Square on Fennell Street and at the Austin Park Pavilion, at the corner of Jordan and Austin streets. A horse-drawn wagon will shuttle between both locations and the village. Tickets for the shuttle, which runs 11:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., are $3 per person each way, $10 per family (maximum of six people). Shuttle riders will receive a coupon for a free ornament from the Chamber.

For more information on Dickens Christmas, go to www.skaneateles.com, call (315) 685-0552, or follow the event on Facebook (Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce or Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles).

 

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New Orleans Hosts 200 Holiday Events for 29th Annual Christmas Festival

The 2013 Christmas New Orleans Style celebration features over 200 quality holiday events, coordinated by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Activities include free concerts and cooking demonstrations, as well as tours, Reveillon dinners, custom attractions, and great shopping. The joy is spread over more than a month of festivities from November 16 through Twelfth Night, January 5, 2014.

“Once again, this year’s calendar is filled with magical events, events,” said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. “From the Preservation Resource Center’s annual home tours, to a new light display along Convention Center Boulevard coordinated by the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center, visitor and locals alike will find even more joy to the holidays.” 

Seasonal celebration highlights include:

• Papa Noel hotel rates discounted up to 30% at 53 area hotels and 5 bed and breakfast establishments
• Christmas Caroling by Candlelight in Jackson Square
• 15 Free Concerts at St. Louis Cathedral
• New ‘Christmas in the District’ light display
• Great Christmas Shopping with Many Discounts Around the City
• Carriage Rides through the French Quarter
• Preservation Resource Center ‘Holiday Home Tour’
• 48 Restaurants Serving Reveillon Dinners starting at $34
• 12 Holiday Cooking Demonstrations at the French Market
• Entertaining Historic Characters from ‘Louisiana History Alive’

“You can pick up our pocket-size guidebook from any hotel concierge while you are here,” said Marci Schramm, Executive Director of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. “and for those planning a trip, we have the ‘FollowYourJoy’ website, as well as a copy of the guidebook online.”

To learn more about Christmas New Orleans Style, and to see the 2013 CNOS guide book listing all scheduled events, visit FollowYourJoy.com or FQFI.org. Hotel reservations, including special citywide rates, can also be booked via direct links to hotels on FollowYourJoy.com.

For a schedule of events or more information on Christmas New Orleans Style, call (504) 522-5730 or visit http://www.FollowYourJoy.com.

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Bethlehem, Connecticut, Offers Festive Start to the Holiday Season

They call this little town in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut “Christmas Town” with good reason. Bethlehem’s 33rd annual Christmas Town Festival scheduled for December 6 and 7, is one of New England’s favorite ways to kick off the season. Wherever you turn, special treats are waiting, from the town green to the post office to the Abbey of Regina Laudis and the 1754 Bellamy-Ferriday House, and some of the distinctive attractions continue when the festival is over.

Bethlehem’s quaint town green, centered with a giant tree, is offers over 70 vendors with gift items, wreaths and foods for sale, strolling carolers and musicians. Santa is at the firehouse to pose for pictures and everyone is invited to climb aboard for hayrides offered in front of First Church. Collectors can garner this year’s unique limited edition Christmas Town pewter ornament, sold only during the Festival.

Bethlehem’s beautiful 18th century Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden is festively decorated and open for guided tours, hot cider and a scavenger hunt for children (9 Main Street North, www.ctlandmarks.org).

Hours for the Christmas Town Festival are Friday, December 6 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, see www.christmastownfestival.com or phone 203-266-7510, ext. 300.

Christmas Town Mailings at the Post Office

As you can imagine, the Bethlehem post office is especially busy in December serving the many who come every year to mail holiday cards with the special postmarks.  Visitors can select favorites among the “Christmas Cachet” designs, hand-stamp and mail these unique greetings to friends and family. The idea of the special stamps dates to 1938, when a local Postmaster, the late Earl Johnson, designed a “cachet,” a special rubber stamp featuring a tree and lettering that said “From the Little Town of Bethlehem, Christmas Greetings.” New cachets have been added almost every year since. Over 70 designs are now available and nearly 200,000 cards are mailed each year from this small post office.  Located at 34 East Street, the post office will have extended hours during the festival, Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Precious Crèches at the Abbey

One of Bethlehem’s not-to-be-missed jewels is open all month. The museum-quality 18th century Neapolitan crèche on view in a vintage barn at the Abbey of Regina Laudis includes hundreds of beautiful hand-carved figures. Made of wood, terra cotta, and porcelain, the figures portray the Holy Family, angels, the Three Kings, merchants and peddlers, children, peasants and farm animals.  This fabulous gift from artist and philanthropist Loretta Hines Howard is similar to the one Howard donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is prominently displayed every Christmas.

A second Crèche, The Lauren Ford Crèche, created by a favorite Connecticut artist, is displayed in a farm shed near the Lower Abbey Chapel. This charming rustic Nativity scene displays figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph dressed in typical New England garb.

The Monastic Art Shop on the property offers crafts, cheeses, jams, herbal teas, flavored vinegars, herbs and honey, and all created on site by the Abbey’s residents.

The Abbey of Regina Laudis, located at 249 Flanders Road, is open to visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.abbeyofreginalaudis.org

For more information, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, 860-567-4506, or visit www.visitwesternct.com.

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