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
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
Good Morning Gloucester 