The Christmas season in New England is a magical time. From holiday strolls to Santa parades to elaborate Christmas village displays, there is so much for everyone to enjoy. Quaint New England towns go the traditional route by adorning their historic colonial homes in period decor. I decided to spend the month of December visiting unique holiday attractions across several New England States. Along the way, I made stops in several states for some tasty vegan Christmas sweets.
Coastal Maine is a scenic destination any time of year. The town of Freeport hosts a SparkleFest event each December. An evening parade with Santa kicks off the first weekend. Visitors may shop at the local stores and partake in other merry activities as well. A Talking Christmas tree is one of the main focal points of the evening. Children walk up to the popular tree and ask a question. The tree then responds, obviously with the voice of a human being hidden far from sight.
The walkway in front of the L.L. Bean mega-store is decorated to the nines with Christmas lights gracing the trees, bushes, and even the small pond to its side. Santa Claus greets children and adults alike.
Each and every half hour, a sound and light show leaves visitors oohing and ahhing at its spectacular holiday display. The mighty Christmas tree on the L.L. Bean campus turns various hues of blue, pink, red, yellow, and purple. Lights flash and flicker while they beam up and down the tree from top to bottom and diagonally synchronized to the beat of the music.
Rhode Island offers a couple of noteworthy Christmas events each year. The Illuminated Boat Parade takes place on Newport Harbor. Small craft and yachts decorated with Christmas lights cruise up and down the waterway while admiring guests stare in awe. Santa waves to the crowd from the boats.
A second visit to Newport was on my itinerary this past month. Gilded Age mansions residing on the ever so dignified Belleview Ave, were elegantly decorated for the Christmas holidays. Prior to my visit to the mansions, I had to make a stop at Wildflour Bakery(Wildflour Bakery) in the town of Pawtucket. I purchased two seasonal treats: a gingerbread scone and a chocolate whoopie pie filled with peppermint creme. Both were quite delectable!
During the evening of December 19th, a special event took place which offered a self-guided tour of two of the mansions, while performers sang and played glorious Christmas music on their instruments. A $35 ticket provided guests with Elms and Marble House mansion tours, including several holiday music performances. A heated trolley provided shuttle service between the two mansions.
My friend and I hopped off the trolley at the Elms mansion. A giant Christmas tree with its radiant white lights dazzles the front lawn of the mansion grounds.
Once inside, a group of carolers in Victorian attire sing classic Christmas songs.
A group of tenors belt out an array of beloved Christmas tunes in the sophisticated grand ballroom.
I strolled through each room that was available for guests to tour during the event night. The dining room displayed festive candles on the table and shiny large colorful ornaments on its cabinets.
Even the fancy fireplaces were adorned with holiday decorations and Christmas poinsettas.
We boarded the trolley for our next and final stop: the Marble House mansion.
This fine and regal mansion also showcased a majestic Christmas tree decorated with brilliant white lights on its front lawn.
The monumental staircase and lobby was trimmed with holiday finery.
To the right of the lobby is the Gold Room. The opulent room is embellished with 22 carat gold on its walls and ceilings. A wonderful jazz group performed lively Christmas tunes for the 6pm to 9pm evening event.
A splendid towering Christmas tree was the centerpiece in the stately library with its colorfully detailed stained glass windows.
The mansions event was a huge success. Guests enjoyed the impressive residences all decked out in Christmas decor, while listening to the musical performances and sipping on hot apple cider.
I also visited the state of Connecticut for a holiday experience. Settled in 1634; Wethersfield is the oldest town in the state of Connecticut. Three of its historic homes offer Christmas tours during December. The Webb Deane Stevens Museum is comprised of the three residences representing different periods of furnishings and lifestyle.
The Silas Deane house, built in the 18th century, was the residence of attorney Silas Deane. He was the legal advisor to Joseph Webb’s widow Mehitabel. Deane married her and when he became a widower, he then married Elizabeth Saltonstall Evards from a prominent local family. As a rising star in the political world, Deane built his home to accommodate his career and social clout. The home includes an impressive entrance staircase, a parlor with a brownstone fireplace, and a spacious kitchen with a dining area for large social gatherings. Deane represented Connecticut in the Colonial Congress and the events leading up to the American Revolution. He was involved in the treaties of alliance and commerce which Ben Franklin negotiated with France, that recognized US as an independent nation.
The second residence included in the tour was the Isaac Stevens House. Built in 1788 by tradesman Isaac Stevens, the house includes fine woodworking and paneling. First floor window shutters slide in place, making it unique for a residence. Isaac’s grandson’s widow married a captain named Steven Francis. The Francis descendants occupied the home for 170 years. The interior of the home showcases the furnishings and belongings of a middle class family from the 1820s and 1830s.
The third and final home on the tour was the Webb house. This is a preserved 18th century home built by successful merchant Joseph Webb. He built the home in 1752 after his marriage to Mehitabel. A large roof provided ample storage space for his trade goods. The home served as General George Washington’s headquarters during 1781. This is where Washington met with French commander the Comte de Rochambeau to plan the attack on Yorktown and the end of the American Revolution.
The Webb dining room displayed early 20th century Christmas decorations and holiday foods and sweets.
After my tour had completed, I drove north to the city of Manchester, Connecticut. Divine Treasures (Divine Treasures) is an all vegan chocolate shop. They make all of their chocolates in house. For the holiday season, they offer a wide range of chocolate Christmas treats. I purchased a box of chocolate and peanut covered popcorn, a chocolate mini snowman, an edible gold sprinkled chocolate Christmas tree, a chocolate Santa in red foil, a chocolate covered peppermint pretzel, and a small box of chocolates(toffee almond, panned almonds, nonpareils, and mello bar). The chocolatiers pay extra special attention to thoughtfully creating decorative little bundles of chocolate joy. Colorful gift boxes displaying holiday characters and cellophane bags tied with shiny gold ribbons are the perfect complement to these flavorful treats.
My own home state of Massachusetts has much to offer during the Christmas season. Although the Cape Cod region of southern Massachusetts is renowned for its summer season popularity, several of its towns offer splendid Christmas season activities. In Hyannis, the Enchanted Village at the Cape Codder hotel provides a whimsical outdoor wonderland. Glowing Christmas light displays and holiday characters such as snowmen and reindeer placed on the hotel’s back lawn, provide fun times for the delighted guest.
Carolers provide entertainment inside the hotel lobby before or after a visit to the Enchanted Village.
Gardens Aglow is yet another holiday tradition in the Cape Cod town of Sandwich. The Heritage Museum massive wooded grounds give rise to a Christmas paradise of shimmering bright lights in holiday forms. Christmas stars and candy canes even adorn the trees themselves.
Back home in the Boston area, an evening of holiday concert music was next on my agenda. However, I first paid a visit to Veggie Galaxy (Veggie Galaxy) in Cambridge for some Christmas treats. Veggie Galaxy’s vegan bakery offers festive cookies for the holiday season. Various holiday forms such as stars, Christmas trees, and candy canes are decorated with colorful sugar frosting. I purchased a $4 bag of three sugar cookies including a Christmas tree with green frosting and a red and white striped candy cane cookie. They are placed in a cellophane bag decorated with whimsical holiday symbols. The cookies with their yummy frosting were a delicious sweet treat!
What better way to end the Christmas events season, than by attending a holiday concert. After traveling locally around the New England region, this performance of international music was just what I needed as a world traveler. During those times when we are not traveling, a world music concert is the next best thing. Boston Camerata, a popular Early Music group, played traditional Mediterranean Christmas music, mainly from the 12th to 14th century. Music pieces from Spain, France, Morocco, Turkey, and Israel were performed. A Spanish guitar solo started off the evening.
A traditional trumpet played from the rear of the concert hall.
The singers and musicians then gathered together on stage for a spectacular performance of traditional pieces from the Mediterranean.
My visits to unique Christmas events in four New England states proved to be a joyous way of experiencing the Christmas season. And finding so many vegan Christmas treats along the way made these holiday excursions even sweeter.