Top 5: Christmas Destinations in New England

Christmas in New England is a magical time of year. New Englanders beat the chill with festive tree lightings, cozy sleigh rides and beautiful decorations celebrating the region’s historic charm. There’s no better place to celebrate Christmas than at these five festivals and events around New England, where the holiday cheer is at its height.

Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, Mass.

Every year, the Bavarian Christmas Village and Nutcracker Castle lights up the Yankee Candle outpost in Deerfield with holiday cheer. Throughout December, days are filled with special ways to celebrate, like indoor snow showers, Wax Works and a photo-op with Santa and Mrs. Claus. For a Christmas gift with a personal touch, you can create your own candle at the candle-making museum.

The Festival of Silver Lights in Meriden, Conn.

Without leaving the cozy comfort of your car, wind and weave through this magical park. Tune in to the station of Christmas carols as you drive around a beautiful light display, including reindeer and swans, showers of snowflakes and ornamented trees. You can also park your car and wander around the covered bridge and holiday shop for gifts and some hot cocoa.

Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth, N.H.

In 2014, Portsmouth’s month-long Christmas celebration — Vintage Christmas — turns 10 years old. Seasonal shows take over the 1878 landmark Music Hall Historic Theatre while free vintage trolley rides take you around downtown. The Strawberry Banke Museum also has a skating rink and time travel shop.

Christmas at the Newport Mansions in Newport, R.I.

The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House — national historic landmarks and icons of Gilded Age America — are dressed their finest during the holiday season. The mansions are adorned with enormous, dazzling Christmas trees and other decorations, and local pastry chefs create gingerbread replicas of the mansions to be put on display in The Breakers.

Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, Vt.

During the Christmas season, Billings Farm turns into your cozy, quintessential colonial New England celebration. You learn how the holidays were celebrated in the 19th century, and can create your own historic ornament to take home to the tree. On the weekend, you can join for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the museum grounds.