Tag: Holiday Lights and Cocoa drives

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

Posted on by Catherine

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.

PRINTABLE | Seek & Find Mad Merry Highlights 2023

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND COCOA DRIVES 2023 map and Mad Merry Highlights printableDownload

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

Posted on by Catherine

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 🚗☕🎄

Posted on by Catherine

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.

‘Tis the Season of Jambalaya Horns Holiday Caroling on Cape Ann 2023 schedule

Posted on by Catherine

See the 2023 flyers below. Follow http://www.jambalayahorns.com to see the upcoming schedule for these joyous outdoor events (and/or cancellations as sometimes happens with the weather!) Gloucester Ladies Night Main Street! Mens Night! And several more: They’re bringing the party music of the season all around Cape Ann.

Check out Brassfed Nation https://brassfednation.com/ for the indoor brass blasts. The December gigs at Shalin Liu sold out fast. Hammond Castle has one. **Venmo tip jar donations by the QR code on the posters**.

15 secs Ladies Night 2022

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

Posted on by Catherine

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

Wowza! Kent Circle Gloucester Tree Lighting 2023

Posted on by Catherine

Nov. 26, 2023 – in this 400+ anniversary year the Kent Circle tree lighting is lit

Added to Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2023 🙂 which is just getting going with a few early elves. 350+ homes were featured in 2022. Compare Kent Circle lighting through the years. Link to archive maps here.

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

Posted on by Catherine

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

Mark your calendars!

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. 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

Lobster Trap Menorah is shining Happy Hanukkah 2022! Temple Ahavat Achim #GloucesterMA 🕎

Posted on by Catherine

Happy Chanukah 2022

Reminder – Menorah lighting celebration is tomorrow, Tuesday Dec. 20th, 2022, 5:30-6pm

Day | Night photos: Lobster trap menorah is up. The 3rd candle will be lit in sequence tomorrow. The shamash candle raised in the center is lit first, to help light the others.

Spectacular Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives past 350 #GloucesterMA Houses. Batch 4 Mapped 2022. And a couple #RockportMA 🚗☕🎄

Posted on by Catherine

Last UPDATE – 2022 That’s a wrap

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.)

Lobster trap tree

and buoy ornaments inside and out

Walk inside – video (15 secs)

GIF – Gloucester Lobster Trap Tree

Tree in Kent Circle

Tree in Dock Square

GIF – House on Essex Ave.-Rt. 133

Annual merry dazzler Rt. 133

Map

Batch 1 photos and gifs published 12/5 here

Batch 2 photos and gifs 12/9 here

Batch 3 photos and gifs 12/13 here

Holiday Lights Cocoa Drives #GloucesterMA Houses 2022 – Merry and Bright Batch #3 Mapped🚗☕🎄

Posted on by Catherine

UPDATE

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**

Holiday Lights Cocoa Drives #GloucesterMA Houses 2022 – Merry Batch 2 Mapped 🚗☕

Posted on by Catherine

Finch Lane

UPDATE

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 O’Maley), 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

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.

2021 Map here

2020 Map here

Animation/GIFs

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/

Dec. 10, 2022

Jul Fest Spiran Lodge, Rockport, MA 9am – 1pm

Dec. 20, 2022

Temple Ahavat Achim’s Lobster trap menorah lighting – Hanukkah 18-26 — celebration Dec. 20 5:30-6pm

mini lobster trap tree – Finch Ln

Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives past Gloucester Houses 2022 Map #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄🌟⛄

Posted on by Catherine

6th annual Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Gloucester, Massachusetts – the web-based digital map on Google is now LIVE!

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 you’re looking for holiday cheer any day of the week, you can’t 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.

2021 Map here

2020 Map here

Santa Boating. Harrison Ave is mad festive. Another 100 homes added! HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND COCOA DRIVES 2021 MAP 🚗☕🎄✨⛄#GLOUCESTERMA

Posted on by Catherine

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

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is holiday-lights-and-cocoa-drives-2021-gloucester-ma-copyright-c.-ryan.jpg


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.

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”)

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.

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

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND COCOA DRIVES 2021 MAP 🚗☕🎄✨🪔⛄🕎 #GLOUCESTERMA homes! 5th year

Posted on by Catherine

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?

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.

Cape Ann Veterans Services pretty holiday lights display

Posted on by Catherine

Cape Ann Veterans Services building and grounds wrapped in lights

Two more – courtesy photos of Cape Ann Veterans Services shared with GMG

And more hope (courtesy photos shared with GMG) – another house one can view from Centennial and visible from Cape Ann Veterans Services

Yes, Joan, there is a dinosaur

Posted on by Catherine

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 back

fun fact- building behind dino corner of Middle & Wash. Streets was one place artist Edward Hopper roomed in for Gloucester visits

**The Sun newspaper editorial board response to “Is there a Santa Claus’ query from an 8 year old was published September 21, 1897 on page 6 (Library of Congress). Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Also twinkling nearby (Middle, Pine, School & Proctor, Chestnut)

More lights? Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map- tour from your car or keyboard.

p.s. Perkins St. extravaganza completed

gif

gif

Map additions- Perkins and Ledgemont