New England holiday events

If egg nog by the fireplace just doesn’t cut it for you this holiday season, New England has plenty more to offer (though it’s not always as warm). Check out these holiday activities for the whole family.

Santa Special

Essex Steam Train

<br>Essex, Conn.<br>
<br>Climb aboard vintage rail cars bedecked with festive holiday decorations for a one-hour ride through the scenic Connecticut River Valley. A steam locomotive pulls the train, and Rudolph and Pablo the Penguin will be aboard spreading holiday cheer. Children receive a small holiday gift from Santa’s elves and have their own photo-op with Santa.<br>
December weekends, 1, 2:30 p.m. plus 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, One Railroad Alley, 860-767-0103, $20-$40

Holly Folly Weekend

Holly Folly Weekend

<br>Provincetown<br>
<br>Touted as “the world’s only GLBT holiday festival,’’ this three-day event takes place all along Commercial Street, where shops and galleries offer holiday gifts you won’t find at the mall. Holly Folly also features holiday light competitions, toy drives, tree trimmings, cookie parties, photo-ops with Santa, singalongs, karaoke, seasonal food and drink, and a performance by the Boston Gay Men’s Choir at Town Hall.<br>
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 265 Commercial St., free parking in municipal lots, event prices vary

SoWa Holiday Market

SoWa Holiday Market

<br>Boston<br>
<br>This is a juried fair featuring over 80 artists and designers from all over New England. Located in the SoWa district in the South End, you are sure to find something for the most discerning hipster on your list. Choose from indie handbags, chic jewelry, fanciful (yet practical) pottery, baby clothes for Gen-Z infants, letterpress stationery, repurposed wool accessories, and more.<br>
Dec. 8-9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Institute, 41 Berkeley St., $5, free for children under 12

Old Fashioned Christmas

An Old Fashioned Christmas

<br>Bath, Maine<br>
<br>Bath’s Christmas Carol Trolley is part of a month of festivities. Every Friday evening in December, the trolley picks up riders at City Hall and takes them through Bath’s historic district. On Dec. 14, downtown merchants and restaurants stay open late and welcome visitors with festive holiday music and refreshments. Cast your vote for the best decorated storefront window and you might win a gift basket. Bath holiday events continue throughout December.<br>
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 5 to 9 p.m., free

Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour

Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour
<br>Jackson, N.H.
<br>
<br>Nothing says winter wonderland like a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a New England village. This tour starts at the Nestlenook Estate, where visitors receive a jingle bell and chocolate and mount a sleigh. Along the route to Jackson Village, local businesses dole out chocolate treats.<br>
Dec. 1, 2, 8, 15, 16 and 22, All aboard at Nestlenook Estate & Resort, 66 Dinsmore Road, $25, children on laps not taking chocolates are free

Cotton Mill Open Studio

Cotton Mill holiday sale
<br>Brattleboro, Vt.
<br>
<br>The three-day open studio and sale celebrates the arts and the spirit of the season with live music, trapeze artists, glass-blowing demonstrations, and dance performances. Think of it as a multi-ring circus located under one roof, a 145,000-square-foot renovated mill building. Shop for holiday gifts while meeting the artists who created them.<br>
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, open at 10 a.m., 74 Cotton Mill Hill, free admission and parking

Christmas at Newport Mansions

Christmas at the Newport Mansions
<br>Newport, R.I.
<br>
<br>Three of Newport’s grandest historic houses, bedecked in their finest Yuletide finery, are open for touring every day – except Christmas – from now through Jan. 1. Each mansion’s Christmas trees are decorated with period-style ornaments, and other wintry decorations cover the interiors. This season includes a 15-foot tall “tree’’ made up of 150 individual poinsetta plants in the Elms House.<br>
Nov. 17-Jan. 1, 424 Bellevue Ave., admission to all three houses is $28 for adults, $9 for children ages 6-17, free for children under 6.

Moo Shu Jew

Moo Shu Jew
<br>Boston
<br>
<br>Oy! On Christmas eve in Boston, what’s a poor member of the Jewish tribe to do? How about Jewish inspired stand-up and a pork-free Chinese banquet? Head to China Pearl in Chinatown for an evening of Moo Shu Jew. Featured comedians include Jon Fisch who has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, host, producer and creator Cory Kahaney from Comedy Central and HBO (pictured), Dan Naturman of Last Comic Standing, and comedy writer Joel Chasnoff.<br>
Dec. 24, 9 Tyler St., 617-531-4610, $65 for adults, $40 for under 39 in advance, $75 at the door.

Festival of Trees

Berkshires Festival of Trees
<br>Pittsfield
<br>
<br>Festive trees are decorated by community organizations, businesses, and schoolchildren and displayed at the Berkshire Museum through the holiday season. Several events accompany the festival on certain weekends.<br>
Nov. 17-Jan. 3, 39 South St., Muesuem admission is $13 for adults, $6 for children under 18.

Bright Nights

Bright Nights at Forest Park
<br>Springfiled
<br>
<br>Visitors can enjoy over 600,000 lights, along a 3-mile route through Forest Park. Popular exhibits include Seuss Land (in honor of Springfield native Theodor Geisel), Jurassic World, the Garden of Peace, Victorian Village, Toy Land, and North Pole Village. <br>
Dec. 5-Jan. 1, $18-$21 per vehicle.

Holidays by the sea

Holidays by the sea weekend
<br>Falmouth
<br>
<br>This event-filled weekend includes Santa’s arrival by boat in Falmouth Harbor, caroling at Nobska Lighthouse, lighting of the village green and the 49th annual Falmouth Christmas Parade Sunday at noon.<br>
Nov. 30-Dec. 2

Christmas by candlelight

Chirstmas by candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
<br>Sturbridge
<br>
<br>To experience Christmas from a simpler time, explore Old Sturbridge Village by candlelight. Activities include music, dance, snacks, a sleigh ride and chatting with Father Christmas.<br>
Dec. 7-23, Friday, Saturday and Sundays, 4-9 p.m., 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Friday/Sunday price: $12 for members, $14 for nonmembers. Saturday price: $13 for members, $15 for nonmembers.

Yuletide at Storrowton

Yuletide at Storrowton
<br>Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield
<br>
<br>This holiday festival includes tours of the 18th and 19th century buildings decorated for the holidays, craft demonstrations, Santa and caroling. For $5 guided tours of the buildings continue for the week following the festival.<br>
Dec. 1-2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1305 Memorial Ave., free.

Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas

Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
<br>Stockbridge
<br>
<br>The town that become famous in Norman Rockwell’s paintings of a small town at the holidays, comes to life. Stockbridge embraces its fame with a celebration including tours, caroling, food and a depiction of the painting including vintage cars.<br>
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 50 Main St., event ticket prices vary.

Midnight Merriment

Midnight Merriment
<br>Concord, N.H.
<br>
<br>Downtown Concord kicks off the winter shopping season in style with a celebration including merchants, restaurants, caroling, storytelling, tours and the tree on City Plaza.<br>
Dec. 7, begins at 5:30 p.m., South Main St.

Brookfield holiday sale

Brookfield holiday sale
<br>Brookfield, Conn.
<br>
<br>The 37th annual holiday sale features 140 vendors on three floors and is among the largest craft exhibitions in New England.<br>
Nov. 3-Dec. 31, Monday through Saturday hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday hours: noon to 4 p.m., 286 Whisconier Road

Victoria Mansion

Victoria Mansion holiday tours
<br>Portland, Maine
<br>
<br>The Victoria Mansion is a national historic landmark and features custom handmade furniture and decorative art, and original wall paintings. Local designers have decorated for the holiday season with the theme “The Gilded Age,’’ and visitors can explore the mansion on self-guided tours. It will be closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.<br>
Nov. 23-Jan. 6, open daily 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 109 Danforth St., $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors, $5 for children 6-17, free for under 6, $35 for a family of two adults and five children.

Candy Cane demonstrations

Candy Cane making demonstrations
<br>Stowe Village, Vt.
<br>
<br>Candy makers from Laughing Moon Chocolates in Vermont will be on hand for homemade candy cane making demonstrations every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 11 a.m. Or for $6, they will teach you how to whip up some of the holiday treats yourself. <br>
Nov. 21-Dec. 23, 78 South Main St.

Santa’s Big Party

Santa’s Big Party
<br>Candia, N.H.
<br>
<br>Charmingfare Farm is hosting Santa’s Big Party every weekend in December. First, visitors will take a 30-minute sleigh ride to the party location, then Santa and his elves will be on hand with cookies, hot cocoa and holiday activities. When partygoers are ready to leave, they will be taken to see Santa’s live reindeer.<br>
Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 774 High St., $17 per person, kids under 2 are free.