Mad Merry Highlights Reveal 2023 | Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Map #GloucesterMA Homes

The last batch! Here are images of the final Gloucester homes added to the Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2023 edition, the Google online and printable map, and the 2023 Mad Merry Highlights Tour reveal. Whether they’re religious or secular, traditional or one hit wonders, minimal or ornate, by hand or by hire–; let’s admire the joy and creativity brought to their Gloucester designs and the spark they share from a little light on dark winter nights!

note: you might want to increase the brightness on your display if you have it set low.

IMAGES: As in deck the halls, doors, windows, roofs and yards with boughs of holly-holidays! Here’s the list of 20 (alphabetized by roads in Gloucester neighborhoods)

  • BAYVIEW
    • 7 Cherry Hill Road Impressionist Jewell
    • 18 Reynard Street Journey of Joy
    • 22 Reynard street White Lights Wonderland
    • 37 Reynard Street Red Lights Shimmer
    • 42 Reynard Street Blue Green Showstopper
    • 8 Spruce Road Ho Ho Holiday Spirit
  • EAST GLOUCESTER
    • 6 Abbott Road Aglow & Glistening
    • 2 Crestview Terrace (off Harrison Avenue) Christmas Corner
    • 6 Crestview Terrace (off Harrison Avenue) 1970s Animation Islands
    • 4 Elizabeth Street Frosty House
    • 12 Elizabeth Street Joyland House
    • 29 High Popples Road
    • 8 Lendall Street (off Harrison Avenue) Lights on Lendall
    • 12 Starknaught Road (off Witham) Starknaught Santa candy cane cheer
  • DOWNTOWN
    • Centennial & Washington St. Blue Angel
    • 6 Friend Court Santa Waving
    • 79 Perkins Street Indigo Traditional
  • MAGNOLIA
    • 357 Western Avenue Merry and Bright
  • WEST GLOUCESTER
    • 12 Concord Street Gingerbread Dazzler
    • 326 Essex Avenue Magical Delight

Images: DOWNTOWN. 57 Prospect St. at the RR & Maplewood buoy intersection; 158 and 160 Washington Street pair; Corner of Ashland Place & Washington St. (across from Poplar)

Merry Whimsy Highlights

Images: Have you seen…? The blue crescent moon rising over Rt. 128 between the rotaries is the OG hanging lights design–an annual beacon heralding the Seasons that’s inspired others; the magical lights reflecting Goose Cove; ‘Merry’ on Cherry hedge; Days pond’s tiny floating Santa; Santa and his reindeer flying in the sky (seen from Rt. 128)

ROADS WORTH A RIDE AND ICONIC SCENIC STOPS

Roads worth a ride: Essex Ave (Rt. 133) between Essex and Kent Circle in Gloucester; Finch Lane; Elizabeth Street; Harrison Ave (to Crestwood); Reynard Street, Reservoir Road, and High Popples.

Iconic Scenic Stops: Gloucester’s Christmas trees at Kent Circle and Lobster Trap Tree on Harbor Loop, the Lobster Trap Menorah on Middle Street and Rockport’s Christmas Tree in Dock Square are enchanting! (This year there are more homes illuminated on the drive into Rockport via Eastern Ave.)

Trends 2023

Images: the Red and Green color scheme!

Photo Batch #5 (last one for this season!)

Images: photo additions as of Dec. 14th to the Google map include the following streets: Reynard Street, Linden Road, Cherry Street, Finch Lane, Washington Street, Brightside Ave., Crestview Terrace, Decatur Street, East Main Street, Hartz, High Popples Road, Marina Drive, Western Avenue

2023 Map Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives

A selection of Gloucester’s decorated homes (about 250). Photos were posted on Good Morning Gloucester in 5 separate batches.

This is the last batch of photos for 2023. There are photos of about 250 homes. Some are added to the map in bundles on streets. There is at least one image for each map point. If I’ve missed one of the requests or a favorite let me know.

PRINTABLE | Seek & Find Mad Merry Highlights 2023

Sure is Twinkling Out there! Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Past Gloucester houses- Batch 4 🚗☕🎄

Magical routes are waiting for you! Another 100 or so homes were added to the Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives map as of December 8, 2023. 

photos caption: C. Ryan. Batch 4 selection of enchanting homes downtown, East Gloucester and West Gloucester down these roads in no particular order: Concord Street, Essex Avenue (Rt. 133), Washington Street, Beach Court, Gloucester Avenue, Middle Street, Fleetwood Drive, Prospect, East Main Street, Goose Cove Lane, Friend Court, Burnham Street, Perkins Street, Back Shore, High Popples Road, Highland Court, Mt. Pleasant Avenue. Plus a couple along Eastern Ave in Essex (Rt. 133) and Main Street, Rockport. (Pinch and zoom to enlarge photos and right click for info).

2023 Map Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives

More homes and neighborhoods will be added, so be sure to check back. Photos will be posted on Good Morning Gloucester in separate batches.

More to come. Roads not traveled include Magnolia, Annisquam…

Projector House Middle & Angle Streets

Frosty skating
Santa singing

Merry houses bring on winter charm. Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives #GloucesterMA batch 3 🚗☕🎄

December 5th and already there’s an abundance of merriment and creativity! Enjoy another 50 or so sparkling homes. The 2023 map has reached 100 homes with streets and turns still to explore.

photos caption: C. Ryan. Batch 3 selection of enchanting homes down these roads in no particular order: View from Rt. 128; Centennial; Cherry St. (just a couple); Cherry Hill Road; Eastern Ave; Elizabeth St. Frosty; Finch St. (just one–will circle back); Wolf Hill Road (and Glenmere); Grove Street; Harrison Ave.; Hartz (will circle back); Harvard St. (from Centennial); Lendall St. correction; Macomber inflatable characters way; Maplewood; Marsh St.; Washington St. up to Marsh

These additions (and a couple do-overs from other nights) were added to the Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives map as of December 5, 2023. (Pinch and zoom to enlarge photos and right click for info).

2023 Map Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives

More homes and neighborhoods will be added, so be sure to check back. Photos will be posted on Good Morning Gloucester in separate batches.

More to come. Roads not taken, yet :)!: East Gloucester, Washington Street past Marsh St. to Rockport, Annisquam, Lanesville, Magnolia, Rt. 133, W. Gloucester, and return trips for new sparkling additions or repeat visits.

Twinkling Homes Spreading Joy | Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Batch 2 #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄

Gloucester blocks and streets are merry and bright! The magic grows daily with houses decorated simply, elaborately and everything in between. One design trend is a duo light scheme that’s solely red and green. Don’t you think that homes from batch 2 will surely be contenders for the Mad Merry Highlights Tour in 2023?

photo caption: C. Ryan. Batch 2 includes photo series of twinkling homes seen on Abbott Road, Eastern Avenue, Elizabeth Road, Harrison Avenue neighborhood, Harrison Avenue to Crestview Ter., Lupine, Reservoir Road neighborhood, Reynard Street, Spruce Street, and Starknaught Heights; plus 2 Gifs. These additions were added to the Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives map as of December 1, 2023. (pinch and zoom to enlarge)

Gloucester’s lobster trap tree is built out in its temporary site on Harbor Loop, soon to be enlivened by buoys hand painted by children. The lighting ceremony is on Sat. Dec. 9, 2023.

First group of photos 2023 (click here) includes the pink house, the first house spotted sparkling for 2023. Alas, not more pink themes out there yet.

2023 Map Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives

For the 7th year in a row—and the 4th accompanied by a map with photos—enjoy snapshots of Gloucester’s decorated homes. More homes and neighborhoods will be added, so be sure to check back. Photos will be posted on Good Morning Gloucester in separate batches.

Archive of prior year maps see here

Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2023 #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄🌟⛄🕎

Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives is just getting going. This gem was spotted November 15th, the first of the season. Will Barbie pink be among the 2023 trends? Maybe. More homes and neighborhoods will be added, so be sure to check back. Photos will be posted on Good Morning Gloucester in separate batches.

photo caption (pinch and zoom to enlarge): For the 7th year in a row—and the 4th accompanied by a map with photos—enjoy snapshots of Gloucester’s decorated homes. Scroll down to see the first batch of twinkling houses that have been added to the Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2023 map edition as of November 25. Also, scroll down to a list of area ‘Mark Your Calendar’, not-to-miss, seasonal events.

2023 Map Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives

link here or google earth here

For prior year maps, see here

In addition to the area’s rewarding drives past cheery homes, beautiful seasonal tree lightings and festive sparkling downtowns are bustling with activities.

  • Nov. 25-January CAPE ANN: Cape Ann business store fronts are decked out. check out Winter Lights on Cape Ann
  • Nov. 26 GLOUCESTER: Gloucester tree lighting in Kent Circle and Santa parade
  • Dec. 1 ESSEX: A Very Essex Christmas Celebration. Santa arrives by boat.
  • Dec. 1, 2 MANCHESTER: Holiday Stroll; Christmas by the Sea and Santa by boat
  • Dec 2 ESSEX: Holiday market
  • Dec. 2 ROCKPORT: Christmas in Rockport. Santa’s arrival by lobster boat and Tree in Dock Square lighting
  • Dec. 2 & 3 GLOUCESTER: 2nd Annual Parade of Trees (fundraiser for Horribles Parade)
  • Dec. 3 GLOUCESTER (9am): Half Merry-thon & 5K race. Good Harbor Beach
  • Dec. 7 GLOUCESTER: Annual Ladies Night shopping
  • Dec. 8 ROCKPORT: Holiday shopping night
  • Dec. 9 IPSWICH: Jingle Bell walk
  • Dec. 9 ROCKPORT: Holiday wagon rides
  • Dec. 9 GLOUCESTER: extravaganza all day: Historic Middle Street Walk incredible program https://middlestreetwalk.org; Deck the Dock at Maritime Gloucester; Stacy Boulevard Chris Williams bronze planters dedication; Lobster Trap Tree lighting (4:30PM); and all in Gloucester’s 400+ anniversary year
  • Dec. 10 GLOUCESTER: Santa at sea Beauport cruiselines
  • Dec. 10 IPSWICH: Menorah lighting
  • Dec. 12 GLOUCESTER: Temple Ahavat Achim Lobster Trap Menorah Lighting
  • Dec. 14 GLOUCESTER: Men’s Night Shopping
  • Dec. 16 ROCKPORT: 78th annual Rockport Christmas pageant

Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Sunday December 1st

Gloucester’s annual Santa Parade and Kent Circle Tree Lighting is Sunday December 1st.

Parade begins at the State Fish Pier at 3pm and ends at Kent Circle for the tree lighting around 4:30pm.

Look for the Pink Elephant and donate an unwrapped toy to Toys4Tots.

Santa arrives at Kent Circle by fire truck and children are invited to sit on Santa’s lap.

Everyone at Kent Circle is invited to sign holiday cards to be sent to our troops overseas and to bring an unwrapped toy for children in need.

Free popcorn, hot chocolate and chowder provided by Lobsta Land, MileMarker One and The Gloucester Fund.

Music at Kent Circle by North Shore Bell Ringers.

Bring the kids and help celebrate the season with your friends and neighbors in Gloucester!

Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Tomorrow 3pm

Gloucester’s annual Santa Parade and Kent Circle Tree Lighting is tomorrow (SUN).

Parade begins at the State Fish Pier at 3pm and ends at Kent Circle for the tree lighting around 4:30pm.

Look for the Pink Elephant and donate an unwrapped toy to Toys4Tots.

Santa arrives at Kent Circle by fire truck and children are invited to sit on Santa’s lap.

Everyone at Kent Circle is invited to sign holiday cards to be sent to our troops overseas and to bring an unwrapped toy for children in need.

Free popcorn and hot chocolate provided by Lobsta Land and The Gloucester Fund.

Music at Kent Circle by the Docksiders, North Shore Bell Ringers and the Firemen’s Band.

Bring the kids and help celebrate the season with your friends and neighbors in Gloucester!