It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! If you’re looking for holiday cheer, the 2025 Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives map–celebrating homes spreading cheer with Christmas lights and holiday yard displays–is just starting to twinkle.
From rookie illuminations to mad merry marvels and every spirit of the season, look for more glistening additions in the days to come here on GMG and a printable map (2025 is not live, yet. Peruse past years here.) What creative magic have some favorites dreamed up for this year? Before December 1, I noticed angels were trending, so that’s an early “I spy” for 2025 drives. Maybe add one to your window 🙂
Shout out to Margaret Harvey and Central Grammar for a welcome request and deadline!
photo block: Here are a few of the decorated Gloucester houses twinkling everywhere you go. With every passing year, a faithful regular may dim, while a new home joins the enchantment. It never gets old. Thanks to all who share their festive gifts of light on winter nights.
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Here are all the images of the Gloucester homes added to the Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2024 edition and the Google online and printable map or scroll below. Enjoy an abundance of creativity from our neighbors’ displays–religious and secular, traditional and one hit wonders, minimal and ornate, and everything in between. This is the 8th year in a row—and the 5th accompanied by a map with photo. Please note: you might want to increase the brightness on your display if you have it set low. Images can be clicked and enlarged. They aren’t set to their highest resolution. **For the 2024 edition there are only two posts**. For past year maps, search Good Morning Gloucester 2023, 2022 and so on; or here
Image Block Batch 2 . Post 2 of 2 for the Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2024 edition.
random order
2024 Map Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives
A selection of Gloucester’s decorated homes in 2024. Photos were posted on Good Morning Gloucester in 2 separate batches. Map is current as of 12/22/2024
Image Block Batch 1 (reposting here):
For the 8th year in a row—and the 5th accompanied by a map with photos—enjoy a selection of Gloucester’s houses decorated for the season. Addresses so far: downtown, Reynard, Finch, Washington, Spruce, Goose Cove Lane. Photos will be posted on Good Morning Gloucester in separate batches.
ROADS WORTH A RIDE AND ICONIC SCENIC STOPS
Concentrated neighborhood blocks include *Elizabeth Road *Finch Lane *Goose Cove Lane *Harrison Ave. and Crestview *Hartz St. *High Popples Road *Reservoir Road *Reynard Street *Essex Ave/Rt. 133 Kent Circle to Essex
Mad Merry Solos: Abbott Road; 7 Cherry Hill Road; Concord Street; Lendall (turn off Harrison Ave.); 8 Spruce; Starknaught Heights; 326 Essex Ave.
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 each and every year.
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Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2024 edition is off. More merry neighborhoods, pictures and map coming soon.
Image block: For the 8th year in a row—and the 5th accompanied by a map with photos—enjoy a selection of Gloucester’s houses decorated for the season. Addresses so far: downtown, Reynard, Finch, Washington, Spruce, Goose Cove Lane. Photos will be posted on Good Morning Gloucester in separate batches.
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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.
The 2023 ‘Mad Merry Highlights’ Tour
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
FOUR ‘New England Traditional’ HighLights
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
In addition to the area’s rewarding drives past cheery homes, beautiful seasonal tree lightings and festive sparkling downtowns are bustling with activities.
2023. Annual events (days and times differ year to year)
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. 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
Understandably there is no Middle Street Walk 2020, so Middle Street looks different this season. There is an endearing Dinosaur visiting. Ho Ho Ho ha ha ha!
Joan of Arc WWI memorial statue by Anna Hyatt Huntington in backfun fact- building behind dino corner of Middle & Wash. Streets was one place artist Edward Hopper roomed in for Gloucester visits
Awesome – Hope & Joy house vibe is visible on descent Centennial Drive to Blvd
This is the sixth and final in a series featuring Christmas lights on 200+ decorated homes throughout neighborhoods in Gloucester Massachusetts for the 2020 season. Festive displays range from draped garland lights & wrapped trees to elaborate tableaus. Gloucester is beautiful! Streets that are covered in this post:
Magnolia area of Gloucester including Magnolia Ave., Hesperus Ave., Western Ave., Linden Ave., Lowe Drive
downtown Gloucester blocks including: Centennial Drive, Maplewood Ave., Prospect St., Riverside Ave. block, Washington St., Gloucester Avenue, Mystic Avenue, Madison Avenue (w/ Madison Sq. and Ct., and Springfield St.)
neighborhood additions: nearby Elizabeth Road; Abbott Road; East Gloucester- Mt. Pleasant area and East Main; and West Gloucester – Essex Ave.
MAGNOLIA AREA
Downtown
CENTENNIAL DRIVE ADDITIONS
Centennial Drive – Approach to Hope & Joy house
Abbott Road | East Gloucester additions
West Gloucester additions
Follow links to see scenes from other Gloucester neighborhoods (or follow through to the end of the post and look for/select page 1,2)
Update 5- Magnolia, downtown, additions to E. and W. Glouc. (this post)
Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Gloucester Massachusetts map 2020. Photos have been added to the Google maps: tour by car or keyboard!
FAQ – how to print
The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. If you want to print the map see below: (1) navigate to the map page URL and (2) click on the three dots menu bar on the upper right. Pull down and select “print” PDF as of 12/7/2020
Scenes of Annisquam: Annisquam Village Hall; Annisquam Bridge; white lights and wreaths and trees at junctions. Followed with en route detours off Washington Street via Cherry, Spruce, Gee, Finch Lane, Reynard, Holly Street | Goose Cove Lane (near Willow Rest), Dennison
en route
Washington Street plus detours via Cherry, Spruce, Gee, Finch Lane, Reynard, Holly Street | Goose Cove Lane (near Willow Rest), Dennison
animated happy Santa waving from a car– off Holly St.:)dog in bay
Print out
The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. If you want to print the map see two pictures below: (1) navigate to the map page URL and (2) click on the three dots menu bar on the upper right. Pull down and select “print” PDF as of 12/5/2020
The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. If you want to print the map see two pictures below: (1) navigate to the map page URL and (2) click on the three dots menu bar on the upper right. Pull down and select “print”. PDF as of 12/3/2020 here
NEW photos in this post include: the second stretch of Essex Avenue from Richdale heading up to Farnham’s; Portuguese Hill neighborhood; don’t miss Happy Santa indigo up on Perkins; Harrison; and sweet charm of Hartz. Check the map for updates. Still to come: East Gloucester, Annnisquam, Lanesville, Magnolia.
What a gift our neighbors have shared for the community! There are so many festive houses in Gloucester it’s easy to plan multiple merry excursions.
For families and friends, eyespy challenges could switch nightly. Can you find a Santa? A peace sign? Snoopy?
How about a Bring the Cuddlies Christmas Light Tour- children can help their toy friends see out the car window. This one may be a given: Happy to share photos of your precious travelers :).
Pick a specific route by color lights or house style.
Bring art supplies to sketch a view.
Older homes make it fun to wonder about what it was like in the past. For families that like Old Timey winter scenes–imagine New England Little Women, Little House on the Prairie, Winslow Homer, and Currier& Ives– pretend the car is a sleigh or horse and buggy. Find some dress up attire that looks vintage (or go all out and find some duds at Bananas). Add a hot water bottle for the feet. A towel or blanket can wrap around like a hand warmer muff. For fans of Louisa May Alcott, point to Braewood* on Essex Avenue (across from Pauline’s gifts) and Rocky Neck, where she stayed on Gloucester holidays. Picture a winter skating rink in front of the UU Church on Middle Street. *For more about the history of Braewood and Alcott in Gloucester, search “Braewood” in this prior post.
For the train and dinosaur train enthusiasts, all aboard! The express car might even time with the T or train.
Switch off date night driving so the passenger can enjoy a festive eggnog.
These are special outings just outside your door. Don’t miss them!
Illustration for Louisa May Alcott Jack and Jill, 1880 – distant town and harbor suggestion of Gloucester from a property like Braewood at the timehappy Santa indigo
More photos
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When I was a girl, my family, like many other families, considered every nocturne drive a chance to look for Christmas lights. Of course we carried on this tradition with our own children. The magic of the season is so easy to find in neighborhoods throughout Gloucester and all of Cape Ann. Coasting past classic New England home styles decorated for the holidays– while driving along bends and dips in the roads by charming coves– is sheer visual delight. There is a surprise around every corner.
Plus the season’s early nightfall is most welcome for little ones’ bedtime enchantment. Throw on some comfy holiday attire and toss in a thermos of hot chocolate to make it an extra special treat for the youngest, and the young at heart, and the perfect outing for social distancing in this year of Covid. Repeat visits are encouraged because there’s so much to see and more added every day.
Last year readers asked for a map. Here are some of the homes spreading cheer NOW with their Christmas lights and holiday yard displays, and it’s not yet December 1, 2020! Is your favorite friendly seasonal character out there? Or favorite color lights twinkling bright? I’ll continue to update the map and photographs, including specific requests and location recommendations from GMG readers.
Holiday lights & cocoa drives Gloucester Mass as of November 30, 2020
FAQ HOW TO PRINT THE MAP- Two steps: First click the empty rectangle to be taken to the map page. Once at the URL for the map page, click the three dots for the pull down menu and select “print”.Here is the PDF option in the horizontal format as of Dec. 2.
So looking forward to sharing photos of winter lights for some merry drives and cocoa nights this holiday season! Were you planning to go big on lights or take a break this year? Hopefully this post may convince some readers on the decorated home & yard fence to GO FOR IT! Please treat the community to some creativity and smiles. The city and neighboring towns of Cape Ann have some special holiday light plans in the works thanks to Discover Gloucester’s First Annual Winter Lights Display on Cape Ann. Check out all the businesses and organizations readying light displays and local shopping!
What I wrote in 2019 still holds true in 2020: “If you’re wondering about holiday lights near you, in addition to the city’s beautiful seasonal trees and sparkle downtown, rewarding drives through Gloucester neighborhoods abound.”
These local homes were shining bright and it’s only the week before Thanksgiving. GRAB SOME HOT CHOCOLATE AND GO! The drives are festive, free, and social distancing safe for all. Perfect for 2020.
I’ll add more photographs of merry lights and displays as days go by and maybe a map if there are enough. Which houses and streets will be most lit up in 2020? Which ones not to miss?
‘Tis the Season. Gloucester’s Annual Lobster Trap Tree
2018
Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree adorned with hundreds of “ornaments”- buoys hand-painted by local children– is no doubt the sweetest and charming tree around.
I thought this Scotland effort was a pretty kindred spirit. Like Gloucester, the smaller* town of Newburgh, Fife, loves celebrating art by local children for their Annual Christmas Lights Display. A public appeal for funding this year surpassed its goal.
*Gloucester population 30,000 | Newburgh population 2100
Our village Christmas lights are designed by the local primary kids and they are the single best thing about the festive season. pic.twitter.com/kDhfLk3Dcb
Due to Covid-19 precautions, Cape Ann Art Haven buoy painting started early this year.
“It’s buoy painting time! We are instituting reservations for buoy painting. We will be open Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. starting November 7th. For health and safety reasons, we will have a maximum of 10 people at any one time. Masks will be required as well as social distancing. Please sign up on our Events page or click the reservation button below and come paint!”
So looking forward to sharing photos of winter lights for some merry drives and cocoa nights this holiday season! Were you planning to go big on lights or take a break this year? Hopefully this post may convince some readers on the decorated home & yard fence to GO FOR IT! Please treat the community to some creativity and smiles. The city and neighboring towns of Cape Ann have some special holiday light plans in the works: First Annual Winter Lights Display on Cape Ann. Check out the businesses and organizations readying light displays!
What I wrote in 2019 still holds true in 2020: “If you’re wondering about holiday lights near you, in addition to the city’s beautiful seasonal trees and sparkle downtown, rewarding drives through Gloucester neighborhoods abound.”
These local homes were shining bright and it’s only the week before Thanksgiving. GRAB SOME HOT CHOCOLATE AND GO! The drives are festive, free, and social distancing safe for all. Perfect for 2020.
I’ll add more photographs of merry lights and displays as days go by and maybe a map if there are enough. Which houses and streets will be most lit up in 2020? Which ones not to miss?
‘Tis the Season. Gloucester’s Annual Lobster Trap Tree
2018
Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree adorned with hundreds of “ornaments”- buoys hand-painted by local children– is no doubt the sweetest and charming tree around.
I thought this Scotland effort was a pretty kindred spirit. Like Gloucester, the smaller* town of Newburgh, Fife, loves celebrating art by local children for their Annual Christmas Lights Display. A public appeal for funding this year surpassed its goal.
*Gloucester population 30,000 | Newburgh population 2100
Our village Christmas lights are designed by the local primary kids and they are the single best thing about the festive season. pic.twitter.com/kDhfLk3Dcb
Due to Covid-19 precautions, Cape Ann Art Haven buoy painting started early this year.
“It’s buoy painting time! We are instituting reservations for buoy painting. We will be open Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. starting November 7th. For health and safety reasons, we will have a maximum of 10 people at any one time. Masks will be required as well as social distancing. Please sign up on our Events page or click the reservation button below and come paint!”
Here are a few more twinkling neighborhood lights in Gloucester, Massachusetts, from December 2019, including a few GMG reader requests and tips following the “merry drives and cocoa” post part 1.
(you can double click the photos to enlarge and pinch and zoom)
There are plenty of local homes decorated with white lights only or candles in every window aglow with single color bulbs. I love these, too, but my phone camera not so much.
photo caption below- I’ve always been in love with holiday lights. Personal distinction or traditional inspiriation- I’m grateful for all creative cheer each year. Decades ago ca.1970s, this home and yard (on Lowell Street between Peabody and Lynnfield) was trimmed all in pink lights. Just pink.
photo caption below: Decorated Saugus condos just off Rt. 1 and homes off surrounding streets if you happen to be in that neck of the woods.
(Saugus condos just off Rt.1)
Home is best! Gloucester lobster trap tree lighting photo from FOB Margaret
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If you’re wondering about holiday lights near you, in addition to the city’s beautiful seasonal trees and festive sparkle downtown, rewarding drives through Gloucester neighborhoods abound. These local homes were shining last week. Can you guess which street was most lit up? Grab some hot chocolate and go!
With each new day, more merry lights brighten December nights. Did we miss a street?
Answer- Reynard Street is dazzling and concentrated. (See if you can spot the back fence illuminated with fish shapes when you go. Neighborhood kids could set up a hot chocolate stand 😉 easy. Walk or drive with the great complete street work by the City DPW.) Other streets with decorated homes: Maplewood, road into Annisquam (coming from Gloucester look off to second story star shining off Goose cove), Rt. 127, Abbott, and)
Combine it with Middle Street Walk! Mark your calendars: December 14th
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Good Morning Gloucester 