Cape Cod holidays & events, season by season

What's happening on Cape Cod this holiday season?

Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027. The big dates in order, Bourne to Provincetown. ✓ Confirmed means the organizer has published 2026 dates. Expected date follows the event's usual timing and isn't announced yet; we update these as organizers publish.

1. November 2026

   • Sat Nov 21
     Eastham Turnip FestivalEastham ✓ Confirmed

     Turnip bowling, the Blessing of the Turnips, Wampanoag singers and dancers, plus 'Taste of Turnip' specials at restaurants from Harwich to Wellfleet. At the Swift-Daley Complex.

   • Thu Nov 26
     ThanksgivingCape-wide

     Dinners out, takeout, pies and community meals, with every order deadline.

     Thanksgiving guide →
   • Nov 27 – Dec 27
     Gardens AglowSandwich ✓ Confirmed

     Heritage Museums & Gardens lit up for timed-entry evening walks, with the 1908 carousel and Santa. Select nights; book ahead.

   • Sat Nov 28
     Santa arrives by boat in OrleansOrleans ✓ Confirmed

     Santa arrives by the Harbormaster's boat at Town Cove Dock at 8:15am, then Breakfast with Santa at the Orleans Yacht Club.

   • Fri Nov 27
     Mashpee Commons tree lightingMashpee ✓ Confirmed

     The Commons' annual tree lighting opens the holiday season, 3:30–5pm.

   • Sat Nov 28
     Small Business SaturdayCape-wide

     Shop-local weekend on Main Streets from Hyannis to Chatham and Orleans.

   • Sat Nov 28
     Lobster Pot Tree LightingProvincetown ✓ Confirmed

     The town's tree built from lobster traps, lit at the foot of MacMillan Pier with carols, 5–6pm.

2. December 2026

   • Dec 4 – 6
     Falmouth Holidays by the SeaFalmouth ✓ Confirmed

     Santa sails into Falmouth Harbor, the village stroll and Village Green lighting, then the 63rd Christmas Parade on Sunday, Dec 6.

   • Dec 4 – 6
     Christmas in HarwichHarwich ✓ Confirmed

     Friday: the Doane Park tree lighting at 5:30pm, the Harwich Port stroll, Seven Trees for Seven Villages and Santa by fire truck at 6:15pm.

   • Fri Dec 4
     Brewster windmill & tree lightingBrewster Expected date

     Drummer Boy Park lights up to start a month of 'Brewster for the Holidays.'

   • Dec 4 – 6
     Holly FollyProvincetown ✓ Confirmed

     Provincetown's holiday festival: market, sing-alongs and the Jingle Bell Run.

   • Fri Dec 4
     Hanukkah begins at sundownCape-wide

     Public menorah lightings in town squares across the Cape.

   • Dec 4 – 5
     Hyannis HolidayHyannis ✓ Confirmed

     A Friday Sip & Shop on Main Street, then the Love Local Holiday Fest and Hyannis Holiday on Saturday.

   • Sat Dec 5
     Hyannis Holiday Boat ParadeHyannis Expected date

     Lit-up boats circle the inner harbor and Santa comes ashore.

   • Sun Dec 6
     Yarmouth Port Christmas StrollYarmouth Port ✓ Confirmed

     Music, carolers and Santa along Route 6A, 1–4pm, then the tree lighting on the Village Green at 4:15pm.

   • Dec 11 – 13
     Christmas by the SeaChatham ✓ Confirmed

     A Friday night stroll and tree lighting on Main Street, Breakfast with Santa on Saturday and entertainment all weekend.

   • Sat Dec 12
     Mashpee Holiday Stroll & Chamber ParadeMashpee ✓ Confirmed

     The holiday stroll at Mashpee Commons from 1pm, followed by the Chamber parade.

   • Sun Dec 13
     Dennis Village Holiday StrollDennis Expected date

     Victorian carolers, trolley rides and a pop-up artisan show at the Cape Cod Museum of Art.

   • Sun Dec 13
     Sandwich Town-Wide StrollSandwich ✓ Confirmed

     New for 2026: the village stroll goes town-wide, with businesses across Sandwich hosting entertainment and giveaways, 11am–4pm.

   • Dec 26 – Jan 1
     First Light ProvincetownProvincetown ✓ Confirmed

     A week of New Year's events, with a harbor drone show and a Jan 1 plunge.

   • Thu Dec 31
     First Night ChathamChatham ✓ Confirmed

     The 36th alcohol-free, arts-filled New Year's Eve: about 20 venues, a Noise Parade and early fireworks. Buttons required.

3. January 2027

   • Fri Jan 1
     Polar plunges & First Day HikesCape-wide

     Plunges in Harwich, Provincetown, Yarmouth and Mashpee, or a free guided walk on conservation land in a dozen towns.