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 ๐
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 theย Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2024ย 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 rowโand 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 Gloucesterโs 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 rowโand the 5th accompanied by a map with photosโenjoy 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: Gloucesterโs Christmas trees at Kent Circle and Lobster Trap Tree on Harbor Loop, the Lobster Trap Menorah on Middle Street and Rockportโs 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 rowโand the 5th accompanied by a map with photosโenjoy 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 rowโand the 4th accompanied by a map with photosโenjoy 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 rowโand the 4th accompanied by a map with photosโenjoy 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
Gloucester neighborhoods are shining bright! There are some 350 houses on the 2022 map. The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. A little light goes a long and welcome warm way. It’s dark so early now!
New homes mapped on December 14th,16th, &18th cover some of Gloucester’s main roads, mostly in West Gloucester, Magnolia, and along Rt. 127. Enjoy scenes from:
Rt. 133/ Essex Ave from Kent Circle tree past Little River to Rt. 128
Concord St.
Main Street – lobster trap tree
Magnolia Ave.
Western Ave.- Rt. 127
Thatcher R. – Rt. 217A by Long Beach Dairy Maid, thru Rockport, Tree in Dock Square, then Rt. 127-Washington St. loop Lanesville, Plum Cove, Bayview, Annisquam
(Scroll down to see photos. Pinch and zoom or double click depending upon your phone/desktop. On mine I double click and then have to select “Full size”. Scroll down to map.)
100 more homes mapped as of December 9, 2022. New streets (and/or newly lit homes on previously mapped streets), especially in East Gloucester, include:
Abbott Road, Abbot Place (off Harrison), Bass Ave., Brightside Ave, Chapel St., Crestwood Terrace (off Harrison), Davis St., Decatur St., East Main St., Grapevine Road, Green St., Harrison Ave., Hartz, Haskell, High Popples, Jacques Lane, Mt. Pleasant Ave., Perkins St., Rocky Pasture Rd., Skywood Terrace (off Harrison), Witham
GIFs
Map
**Raindeer are trending in East Gloucester**
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Gloucester nearing 200 sparkling homes added to the map so far. Batch 2 (this post) streets include :Arthur Ct., Carlisle Ave., Cherry St., Cleveland St., Collins Ave, Doane Road, Essex Ave, Finch Lane, Gloucester Avenue, Honeysuckle Road, Lupine, Maplewood (near Poplar bend), Marchant, Millet St., Montvale Avenue, Mystic Ave., Reynard, Riverside Ave., Sargent St., Shore Hill Road, Riverside Ave., Thatcher, Thornhill Way, Thurston Point, Warner St., Washington St (at Piraino), Washington St. (near Capt. Hooks), Wheeler Street, Whittemore St.
First Batch streets: Centennial Drive, Cherry St (near OโMaley), Crestwood Ter. – Skywood Ter. (off harrison), Derby St., Elizabeth Road, Essex Ave / Rt. 133 (between Kent Circle and Little River), Fleetwood Dr., Friend Ct., Green St., Grove St &Colonial, Grove near Maplewood, Hampden & Gaffney, Hodgkin St., Lendall St off Harrison, Lupine Lane, Maplewood at Derby, corner Mt Vernon & Oak St, Perkins St., Poplar St., Reservoir Road, Reynard St., Spruce St., Starknaught, Washington St. (between Azorean and the rotary)
countdown clock – Millet St.
More to come. photos: c. ryan, Dec. 6, 2022. Click or pinch and zoom to enlarge.
Map
Itโs easy touring whether by car or via smartphone, desktop, or preferred device. Grab a hot chocolate and go or view from home! Imagination and themed repeat visits encouraged.
Notes about the map: This map is great in the embed mode because when you scroll down, each house photo(s) pop up, with a big arrow that directs you to that one point. From a desktop, hovering or right clicking the house icons reveal the photos for each pinpoint. For those who prefer a paper copy โwhich doubles as a seek and find sheetโclick on the three vertical dots and then select โprintโ (horizontal mode best) from pull down menu. You can also google search Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Good Morning Gloucester.
Finch Lane twinkling tree, Thurston Point Rudolph with your nose so bright, Cleveland chatoyant
Beauty, light, and kindness
Tis’ the season of lights! Bright and colorful festivals of light illuminate dark nights heightening religious and secular celebrations and traditions around the world. October – February holidays include: Diwali, Bodhi Day, Lucia’s Day, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Year’s, Lunar New Year, Teng Chieh, and many more.
Reminder! tomorrow Dec. 10, 2022
Gloucester’s Lobster trap tree lighting 4:30pm culminates Gloucester’s enchanting Middle Street Walk (program here) all day 10-4:30pm! Holiday Delights 1pm at the Legion. https://middlestreetwalk.org/
Gloucester 100 sparkling homes added to the map so far. Streets include: Centennial Drive, Cherry St (near O’Maley), Derby St., Elizabeth Road, Essex Ave / Rt. 133 (between Kent Circle and Little River), Fleetwood Dr., Friend Ct., Green St., Grove St &Colonial, Grove near Maplewood, Hampden & Gaffney, Hodgkin St., Lendall St off Harrison, Lupine Lane, Maplewood at Derby, corner Mt Vernon & Oak St, Perkins St., Poplar St., Reservoir Road, Reynard St., Skywood Terrace off Harrison, Spruce St., Starknaught, Washington St. (between Azorean and the rotary)
Bright Nights and Sights.
If youโre looking for holiday cheer any day of the week, you canโt beat the New England charm of twinkling homes and neighborhoods in Gloucester, Massachusetts. For the 6th year in a row, enjoy a selection of seasonal lights and Christmas displays on Gloucester houses. Many streets join in together, glittering, and have for years. Every year is unique. With each passing new day more homes are decorated. Since 2019, the year’s curated selection –on average some 200+ homes– has been google mapped and each pinpoint has a photo(s).
Scroll down to see the first batch of photos for the 2022 map (as of December 4, 2022), and 2022 trends further down. More homes and neighborhoods will be added, so be sure to check back.
Photos: C. Ryan, Nov. 24, 28, and Dec. 4, 2022
2022 Trends
Trends so far? 2022 is looking like The Year of “JOY” signs, which by the way is an easy & cheery Ispy addition for Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives. Also, illuminated green sequined wreaths and evergreen kissing ball pairs framing doors.
2022 map
It’s easy touring whether by car or via smartphone, desktop, or preferred device. Grab a hot chocolate and go or view from home! Imagination and themed repeat visits encouraged.
Notes about the map: This map is great in the embed mode because when you scroll down, each house photo(s) pop up, with a big arrow that directs you to that one point. From a desktop, hovering or right clicking the house icons reveal the photos for each pinpoint. For those who prefer a paper copy –which doubles as a seek and find sheet–click on the three vertical dots and then select “print” (horizontal mode best) from pull down menu. You can also google search Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Good Morning Gloucester.
Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Map 2021 edition now features about 200 decorated residential homes with Christmas light displays in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Updated as of 12/11/2021
๏ปฟ
Trending 2021
Trends so far? Can you spot a snowman in the photos? Yes, yes you can! In Gloucester, Massachusetts, 2021 is showing super strong as the “Year of the Snowman”. More and more are popping up each day, all sizes and varied media. What a fun seasonal seek & find, countdown treat, or bedtime routine sweet repeat.
TRENDING – Holly Jolly Harrison AVENUE
Climb Harrison Avenue and enjoy the creative inspiration on every block. The resurfaced paving is a plus. On warm winter nights, this stretch and offshoots would be a great park & walk.
(Scroll down to see photos. Pinch and zoom or double click depending upon your phone/desktop. On mine I double click and then have to select “Full size”)
trending – Wrapped Trees
Wrapped trees are big this year, too. A Thurston Point twinkling annual reminds me of New York’s landmark Tavern on the Green, circa 1970s Warner Leroy Crystal Room reno. Little “Tavern on the Riverine” in Gloucester is inspiring a few more wrapped Thurston trunks in 2021. Who knows? Perhaps a Thurston trunk trail may become a neighborhood seasonal thing.
TRENDING – Whimsy
All over the map. Every neighborhood. Go!
More photos – many neighborhoods
100+ **new photos** added to the map include:
Concord Street; Eastern Avenue-Rt. 127; Essex Avenue-Rt. 133 and streets off of Essex Ave; Kent Circle; Harrison Ave. and surrounding streets; Hartz; Long Beach Road; Lupine Ln.; Main Street; Magnolia, various; Marina Drive; Mt. Pleasant Ave; Rockport Road; Thurston Point area; Washington Street; Western Ave-Stacy Boulevard; Witham area
To see the first 100+ #GloucesterMA 2021 house photos already posted 12/5/2021 on GMG click HERE
MAP Updated as of 12/11/2021
Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2021 map
The map is great in the embed mode because when you scroll down, each house photo(s) pop up, with a big arrow that directs you to that one point. From a desktop, hovering or right clicking the house icons reveal the photos for each pinpoint. For those who prefer a paper copy –which doubles as a seek and find sheet–click on the three vertical dots and then select “print” (horizontal mode best) from pull down menu. You can also google search Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Good Morning Gloucester.
5th year Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives #GloucesterMA map
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Gloucester is big on winter lights charm and New England architecture. Many neighborhoods join in together, glittering, and have for years. Every year is unique. Scroll down to see the first batch of photos for the 2021 map – as of December 4, 2021. More homes and neighborhoods will be added, so be sure to check back. This first week in December is twinkling less than last year at this same time. (By December 29, 2020, more than 250 illuminated homes were mapped.) Weather impacts planning and displays. Perhaps the mighty wind storms October 24th and 27th and November 11, 12, & 19 may have waylaid some early trimming prep. Could it be the supply chain clog?
Trending
Trends so far? 2021 is looking like “The Year of the Snowman”, which by the way is an easy & cheery Ispy addition for Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives. A Mandalorian holding a baby Grogu was new to the list of lawn inflatables.
How lovely to see Temple Ahavat Achim Lobster Trap Menorah back again!
2021 Map Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives
#GloucesterMA house photos Dec. 4, 2021: C. Ryan
GIF Wrap around down Perkins Portuguese Hill Gloucester MA
Lobster Trap Christmas Tree Main Street as of 11/20/2021
Before the lighting ceremony and hand-painted buoy ornaments. Town wreaths and banners were installed even earlier. 2021 lobster trap tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 11th ** new date** Due to the forecast, the event will move to Sunday, Dec. 12th.
Behind the scenes- deck the home prep STARTS EARLY
Bring on the ladders! Before Thanksgiving- some photos November 18th, 2021.
Mighty effort: the Blue Christmas and Red Trim dazzlers on Reynard were surprisingly bare November 18, 2021. Now they’re all decked out, too.
2021 Food Pantry Drive on Reynard
Open Door food pantry drive drop
2020
This is the 5th year of Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives. Here’s the 2020 map for comparison. More than 250+ homes were illuminated and over 100,000 map views were tallied in just a couple of weeks!
Notes about the maps: The maps are great in the embed mode because when you scroll down, each house photo(s) pop up, with a big arrow that directs you to that one point. From a desktop, hovering or right clicking the house icons reveal the photos for each pinpoint. For those who prefer a paper copy –which doubles as a seek and find sheet–click on the three vertical dots and then select “print” (horizontal mode best) from pull down menu. You can also google search Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Good Morning Gloucester.
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photo caption: Santa visiting sign at white lights home on Reynard St. Dec 17-23. 5:30-7pm (no pix with Santa)
Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Map 2020 edition features 250+ decorated residential homes with Christmas light displays in Gloucester. Massachusetts. The map was viewed more than 30,000 times within 7 days of going live this year.
MAP
Gloucester is tough to match for winter lights charm and show stopping homes. From Beach Court to Stage Fort; West Gloucester to East; Magnolia to Annisquam; and Portuguese Hill to Plum Cove- Gloucester is illuminated. Many neighborhoods join in together glittering, and have for years. With each passing new day more join in.
Concentrated streets include:
Essex Avenue is beautiful and long– and it’s good driving from both directions. I split it up into Essex Ave stretch between Causeway Restaurant and Richdale and
Essex Avenue stretch (between Richdale and Rt.128 and then to Farnham’s)
Elizabeth Road neighborhood block
Reynard Street neighborhood block and Spruce Street expansive, elaborate displays
Hartz street charming sweet little block
Finch Lane delightful little block
Annisquam for an old timey route, mostly white & gold lights with multi colored trees at turns on the road.
Mad Merry Highlights Tour
as in deck the halls, doors, windows, roofs and yards with boughs of holly-holidays! These 20 or so Gloucester homes are LIT! Bedecked, top twinkling in 2020 (alphabetized by road):
6 Abbott Road
Centennial Road – Hope 2x
12 Concord St (next to West Parish-near Essex Ave.)
4 Elizabeth Road (entire block, multiple homes)
326 Essex Ave (all of Essex Ave is great/multiple homes)
2 *Goose Cove Lane (end of block) & Holly Street
Grove (and Maplewood)
6 Harbor Road at Bass Ave
Hesperus Ave (all trees- next to Hammond Castle)
29 High Popples
9 Lowe Drive
22 Magnolia Ave and 124 Magnolia Ave
Luzitania Ave (off Friend St.)
79 *Perkins Street
Reynard St. whole block (#22 white lights; #42 blue house)
8 Spruce Road
15R Stanwood Ave
160Washington Street
6 Abbott Rd
Centennial – HOPE
Centennial & Emerson -look up to – HOPE
12 Concord (off Essex Ave.)
Elizabeth St block – Frosty projected on the belly
Elizabeth St block (neighbors merge their light displays)
326 Essex Avenue (from Kent Circle past Pauline’s, both sides)
This year’s trends include peace signs, illuminated words, melting multis, and a particular blue-green light (outlining windows in photo below).
Clear, mild nights make it easier to park, walk and linger. Snow and rain make for lovely routes, too.
photos below: Lanesville added, and homes missing from prior neighborhood batches
and pretty by day
Also **NEW** for 2020 — Gloucester with Manchester, Essex and Rockport (the Four Communities of Cape Ann) have collaborated to share beautiful Winter Lights on Cape Ann – 150+ businesses and organizations are merry and bright into January
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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
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Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Good Morning Gloucester 