Are grocery stores open on Christmas Day on Cape Cod?

Mostly no. Massachusetts' blue laws keep most stores closed on Christmas Day, including most supermarkets. Pharmacies, restaurants, hotels and gas stations may open. Plan your shopping for Christmas Eve or earlier.

Are CVS and Walgreens open on Christmas Day?

Some are, with shorter hours. In past years most CVS stores closed on Christmas Day while 24-hour stores stayed open, and Walgreens hours varied by store. Pharmacy counters often keep different hours from the store, so check your store's page before you go.

Are restaurants open on Christmas Day?

Some are. 4 places are serving Christmas Day dinner in this guide (from $95 to $225 for adults). Many local restaurants close for the day; the list below shows which ones have said so.

Can I buy wine or beer on Christmas Day?

No. Liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day in Massachusetts, so buy by Christmas Eve.

Is the post office, bank or town hall open?

No. Post offices, banks, town and state offices, schools and libraries close on Christmas Day. Most ATMs still work. For trash, check your town's transfer station hours.

Are movie theaters open on Christmas Day?

Yes, usually. Movie theaters open on Christmas Day in Massachusetts. Check showtimes before you go.

Do the ferries and buses run on Christmas?

Check before you travel. The Steamship Authority runs to the islands year-round, but holiday sailings can differ, so check the schedule. For CCRTA buses, call 508-775-8504 to ask about Christmas Day service.

Is Gardens Aglow open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

No. Gardens Aglow is closed Dec 24, 25 and 31. It reopens Dec 26 and 27, its last two nights.

When is Christmas 2026?

Christmas Day is Friday, December 25, 2026. Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24. Hanukkah runs from sundown Friday, December 4 to Saturday, December 12.

Where can I see Christmas lights on Cape Cod?

The main light displays are Gardens Aglow in Sandwich (Nov 27–29, Dec 2–6, 8–13, 15–23, 26–27 · 4:30–8:30pm); Holidays at Highfield in Falmouth (Thu–Sun 10am–4pm through Dec 20); Spectacle of Trees in Barnstable (Nov 27–28, Dec 3–6, 10–12 · 10am–6pm); Love in Lights at Love Farms in Dennis (Thu–Sun from Nov 27 to Jan 2); Seven Trees for Seven Villages in Harwich (Fri Dec 4 · 6pm). Many towns also light their trees at the early-December strolls.

Where does the Polar Express on Cape Cod leave from?

The Polar Express Train Ride leaves from the Buzzards Bay depot at 70 Main Street in Bourne, not Hyannis. Rides start Friday, November 20; standard matinee seats are $54 for children and $64 for adults.

When is Gardens Aglow open in 2026?

Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich runs 25 nights: Nov 27–29, Dec 2–6, 8–13, 15–23 and Dec 26–27, with entry from 4:30 to 8pm. It is closed Dec 24 and 25. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for ages 3–17 when bought ahead.

Where can kids see Santa on Cape Cod?

Santa visits include Santa VIP at Gardens Aglow in Sandwich (Selected Gardens Aglow nights · from 3:30pm); Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus in Orleans (Sat Nov 28 · seatings 8am and 9am); Gingerbread house parties in Harwich (Sat Nov 28 · 3–5pm · Fri Dec 4 · 5:30–7:30pm · Sat Dec 19 · 4–6pm); Santa Arrives by Boat in Orleans (Sat Nov 28 · 8:15am); Breakfast with Santa at Cape Cod Mall in Barnstable (Sat Dec 5 · 10–11am); Brewster Recreation Breakfast with Santa in Brewster (Sat Dec 5 · 8:30am). Many need a reservation.

How do you choose what goes in this guide?

Every listing is checked on its own website, menu, flyer or booking page, and we re-check them every week. Nobody pays to be listed. Places that ran last year but haven't posted 2026 details are shown in grey until they do.

Cape Cod Christmas 2026: Dinners, What's Open, Lights & Santa

Christmas Eve dinner

twenty-eight Atlantic at Wequassett, Harwich: Thu Dec 24 · $125++ a person
Belfry Inn & Bistro, Sandwich: Thu Dec 24 · Entrées $40–$60
Pelham House Resort, Dennis: Thu Dec 24 · seatings 4–7pm
Wild Goose Tavern, Chatham: Thu Dec 24 · Kids 10 & under $10
Cuvée Bistro at the Chatham Inn, Chatham: Thu Dec 24 · 5:30–9pm

Christmas Day dinner

twenty-eight Atlantic at Wequassett, Harwich: Fri Dec 25 · $150++ adult
STARS at Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham: Fri Dec 25 · 11:30am–6pm · $225 adult
Sacred Cod Tavern at Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham: Fri Dec 25 · 1–8pm · $95 adult
The Lantern Room at Sea Crest Beach Resort, Falmouth: Fri Dec 25 · noon–4pm · $95 adult

Christmas dinner to go & pies

Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham: Pick up Fri Dec 25 · noon–5:30pm at the valet circle · $450 · serves 4–6
The Dan'l Webster Inn, Sandwich: date not posted yet
The Casual Gourmet, Barnstable: date not posted yet
Hearth 'n Kettle, Yarmouth: date not posted yet
Marion's Pie Shop, Chatham: date not posted yet
Nauset Farms, Orleans: date not posted yet

Christmas lights

Gardens Aglow, Sandwich: Nov 27–29, Dec 2–6, 8–13, 15–23, 26–27 · 4:30–8:30pm · $30 adult
Holidays at Highfield, Falmouth: Thu–Sun 10am–4pm through Dec 20 · $25
Spectacle of Trees, Barnstable: Nov 27–28, Dec 3–6, 10–12 · 10am–6pm
Love in Lights at Love Farms, Dennis: Thu–Sun from Nov 27 to Jan 2 · $35 a person (ages 3+)
Lobster Pot Tree & the lit Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown: Lit nightly through December · Free
Seven Trees for Seven Villages, Harwich: Fri Dec 4 · 6pm

Santa visits & kids' events

Santa VIP at Gardens Aglow, Sandwich: Selected Gardens Aglow nights · from 3:30pm · $59 a person
Breakfast with Santa at Cape Cod Mall, Barnstable: Sat Dec 5 · 10–11am
Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Orleans: Sat Nov 28 · seatings 8am and 9am · $16 adult
Gingerbread house parties, Harwich: Sat Nov 28 · 3–5pm · Fri Dec 4 · 5:30–7:30pm · Sat Dec 19 · 4–6pm · $85 a house
Brewster Recreation Breakfast with Santa, Brewster: Sat Dec 5 · 8:30am · $12; age 2 and under free
Family dance party with Santa, Brewster: Sun Dec 6 · 11am · Free
Breakfast with Santa at the Wayside Inn, Chatham: Sat Dec 12
Seafaring Santa sails into Falmouth Harbor, Falmouth: Sat Dec 5 · 10:30am
Santa Arrives by Boat, Orleans: Sat Nov 28 · 8:15am · Arrival: no cost posted · breakfast $16 / $12
Holiday Open House & Santa's Workshop, Brewster: Sat Dec 5 · 1–4pm · Free (donations accepted)

Strolls & tree lightings

Brewster for the Holidays, Brewster: Fri Dec 4–6
Drummer Boy Park Christmas tree and windmill lighting, Brewster: Fri Dec 4 · 4pm
Osterville Christmas Stroll and Open House, Barnstable: Fri Dec 11
Tree Lighting Ceremony, Mashpee: Fri Nov 27 · 3:30–5pm
Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree, Provincetown: Sat Nov 28 · 5–6pm
Holly Days in Sandwich, Sandwich: Sun Nov 29–Sun Dec 13
Barnstable Village Winter Stroll, Barnstable: Wed Dec 2 · time not posted
Christmas in Harwich Weekend, Harwich: Fri Dec 4 from 5:30pm, plus weekend events
Falmouth Holidays by the Sea, Falmouth: Fri Dec 4–Sun Dec 6
First Friday – Holiday Edition, Orleans: Fri Dec 4 · 3–7pm
Holly Folly, Provincetown: Weekends Dec 4–6, 11–13, 18–20 & 25–27 · Ticketed per event · Jingle Bell Fun Run $45 ($70 with brunch)
Hyannis Holiday, Barnstable: Fri Dec 4 · 5–8pm & Sat Dec 5
Tree Lighting & Sing-Along, Wellfleet: Fri Dec 4 · time not posted
Art-tastic Holiday Open House, Barnstable: Sat Dec 5 · 10am–4pm · Free
Carols on the Green, Eastham: Sat Dec 5 · 4–5pm · Free
Hearthside Holiday Open House, Chatham: Sat Dec 5 · 1–4pm · Free
Santa Stampede 5K, Orleans: Sat Dec 5 · 10am · $45 pre-registered · $50 race day · 18 & under $20
Christmas Stroll Along Main Street, Barnstable: Sun Dec 6 · 4–6pm · Free (donations welcome)
Falmouth Christmas Parade, Falmouth: Sun Dec 6 · noon
Yarmouth Port Christmas Stroll, Yarmouth: Sun Dec 6 · 1–4pm · tree lighting 4:15pm
Christmas by the Sea, Chatham: Fri Dec 11–Sun Dec 13
Mashpee Holiday Stroll & Chamber Parade, Mashpee: Sat Dec 12 · from 1pm
Sandwich Town-Wide Stroll, Sandwich: Sun Dec 13 · 11am–4pm
Annual Holiday Caroling, Yarmouth: Wed Dec 16 · 7pm · Free (bring a donation for the Yarmouth Food Pantry)
Trolley to Christmas Town, Harwich: Sat Dec 19 & Sun Dec 20 · times not posted · Not posted

Shows, concerts & workshops

The Polar Express Train Ride, Bourne: From Fri Nov 20 · departs Buzzards Bay Depot · From $54 child · $64 adult
Holiday on the Cape, Barnstable: Fri Dec 4 · 4 & 8pm · Sat Dec 5 · 3 & 7:30pm · Sun Dec 6 · 1 & 5pm
A Candlelight Christmas, Chatham: Sat Dec 19 · 2pm · Sun Dec 20 · 2pm & 5pm · $31.65
Candlelight Holiday Pops, Dennis: Fri Dec 18 · 7:30pm
Brewster Band annual holiday concert, Brewster: Fri Dec 4 · 7pm · Free; voluntary offering
Christmas Around the World concert, Chatham: Fri Dec 4 · 7pm · $60 + $1.50 service fee
Bing the Holiday Hits with Jon Richardson, Provincetown: Fri Dec 4–5 · 7pm
Holly Dolly Follies, Provincetown: Fri Dec 4 · 8pm
A Soulful Christmas, Provincetown: Sat Dec 5 · 6pm
Holigays! Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Provincetown: Sat Dec 5
Songbirds of Cape Cod Holiday Concert, Yarmouth: Sun Nov 29 · 3pm · $15 online; $20 door
Holiday A Cappella Concert, Yarmouth: Fri Dec 4 · 7pm · $15 online; $20 door
Harmonies by Candlelight, Falmouth: Thu Dec 10 · 6pm
3 Days of Wicksmas, Falmouth: Thu Dec 17–19
The Very Unmerry Christmas Tour, Falmouth: Sat Dec 19 · 12:30pm
Create Cards and Gift Wrap, Dennis: Fri Dec 11
Harwich Town Band holiday concert, Harwich: Fri Dec 4 · 6pm
Carolers and Cocoa, Chatham: Fri Dec 4–18 · 5pm · Free
Holiday Wreath Decorating, Chatham: Fri Dec 4–5 · 4:30pm
Holiday Mixology, Chatham: Fri Dec 4–18 · 6pm
Holiday Teddy Bear Tea Party, Chatham: Sun Dec 6–13 · 1pm
Holiday Needlepoint Workshop with Frances Mary, Chatham: Sat Dec 12 · 2pm
Holiday Music Show: Joe Merrick and Trish LaRose, Chatham: Fri Dec 11 · 6:30pm
Holiday Brunch with a French Flair workshop, Truro: Sat Dec 5 · 10:30am

Holiday markets & tree sales

Wequassett Merry Market and fireworks, Harwich: Sat Dec 5 · 1pm
Dune at Wychmere Holiday Market with a View, Harwich: Sun Dec 6 · 11am
Eastham for the Holidays: Gift Local, Eastham: Wed Dec 2–30
Truro Vineyards Holiday Market, Truro: Fri Nov 27–28 · $5
The Canteen Holiday Market, Provincetown: Fri Nov 27–Dec 31 · 11am
Amplify POC Holiday Market, Barnstable: Sat Nov 28 · 2pm
Wreath sale and holiday market, Falmouth: Sat Dec 5 · 8:30am
Cape Cod Christmas Market, Mashpee: Fri Nov 27–Dec 12 · 11am · Free
Pilgrim Congregational holiday café and cookie sale, Harwich: Fri Dec 4 · 5:30pm
Annual Holiday Bazaar, Wellfleet: Fri Dec 4–6 · 5pm
The 204 Holiday Market and Cape Cod Makers Open House, Harwich: Sat Dec 5 · 10am
Garden Club Holiday Boutique, Harwich: Sat Dec 5 · 9am
Christmas tree sale at the Chatham Bars Inn Farm, Brewster: Nov 27–29, Dec 4–6, Dec 11–13 · Fridays noon–4pm, weekends 10am–4pm

Christmas Eve & Day services

Holy Trinity Parish · Christmas Eve, Harwich: Thu Dec 24 · pageant 3:30pm · Mass 4pm
Holy Trinity Parish · Christmas Day, Harwich: Fri Dec 25 · 8am and 10:30am

Giving & help

The Giving Tree at Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham: Daily through Dec 17
Marine Toys for Tots, Cape Cod, Barnstable: date not posted yet
Our Lady of the Cape · Christmas Day community dinner, Brewster: date not posted yet
Homeless for the Holidays toy and food collection, Harwich: Fri Dec 4 · 5:30pm
Sandwich Jingle Jog, Sandwich: Sun Dec 13 · 9am · $20 donation; under 10 free

The week after Christmas

Avant Glow early entry, Sandwich: Sat Dec 26–27 · 3:30pm · $75 a person
Nauset Model Railroad Club open house, Orleans: Saturdays through Dec 26 · 1–4pm · Free
Holly Folly Christmas weekend, Provincetown: Dec 18–20 and Dec 25–27 · Many events free

Christmas on Cape Cod

Coming up next

Is it open on Christmas?

Restaurants and attractions