Make your days merry and bright this season with a festive weekend in Sturbridge, MA.
Better yet, take the holiday stress off your hands altogether and make plans to spend them with us! From traditional meals roasted over an open fire, to ice skating under the city lights, you’ll find there’s no place like Sturbridge for the holidays.
Sturbridge makes it easy to cross names off your gift list, even for the most difficult-to-shop-for friends. Find seasonal decor, unique collectibles, and fun stocking stuffers at Sturbridge Flea Market , and be sure to browse Sadie Green’s dazzling array of sea glass and vintage-inspired jewelry. Fans of RC planes and model trains will love a gift from Hog Heaven Hobbies , while a hand-sculpted, kiln-fired statement piece from Sturbridge Pottery is perfect for the fine art lover in your life.
On a cold winter’s day, nothing will warm you up better than a piping hot bowl of soup or creamy New England chowder. Stop by the Soup To Nuts Café in Sturbridge Marketplace for a ladleful, or indulge in one of their famous baked quiches.
559 Main St, Fiskdale, MA 01518
https://www.facebook.com/SoupiesCafe/
This December, go back to simpler times and rediscover the true meaning of the holidays. Stop by Old Sturbridge Village to see how early Americans celebrated Christmas in the 1800s – during a time when the country was rapidly changing, and families had to make the most of what they had, including each other. Experience this cherished tradition of Sturbridge as you walk through the bustling town and watch its merry inhabitants tackle traditional holiday preparations, like wreath and ornament making, stocking knitting, and cooking for the Christmas feast! Enjoy an enchanting stroll through the decorated town and surrounding countryside on the Christmas Tree Trail. Then warm yourself up by an inviting bonfire, before going for an exhilarating ride in a horse-drawn carriage! Come join the festivities and see why Old Sturbridge Village has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families across New England.
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566
https://www.osv.org/event/christmas-by-candlelight-2022/
Are you looking for even more activities to do at Old Sturbridge Village? Consider entering Old Sturbridge Village’s Gingerbread House Contest. Come see the creativity of others or submit your own cookie creation to the contest from November 19th-23rd for a shot at gingerbread glory (categories include Family, Youth, Adult Non-Professional, and Adult Professional). All submissions will be featured online and in the OSV Visitor Center! Winners will receive a gift certificate to use on themselves or others and unlimited bragging rights.
For Contest Rules & Submissions: https://www.osv.org/gingerbread-house-contest/
Before you head to dinner, do your civic duty and help judge some holiday decorations. Light Up Sturbridge is a community-wide competition to find the town’s best, most impressive holiday display, as chosen by the townspeople. Grab some hot cocoa from Saw Dust Coffee House to keep you focused, and follow the map of participating houses provided on the town website. Then vote online and make your opinions known! Do you prefer a house with a thousand multi-colored lights? Or one with an army of blow-up Santas? Only you can decide. Registration opens November 1st, 2022, and judging will be done by public vote from December 2nd to January 19th.
https://www.sturbridge.gov/recreation/pages/decorating-contest-light-sturbridge-2022
After a long day outside, there’s no better place to warm up and chow down than Publick House, the iconic 18th century inn that overlooks the Town Common. Step back in time at the inn’s Historic Tap Room, where guests have been dining and socializing for nearly 250 years. WIth its original hardwood flooring and antique “post n’ beam” ceiling, this room oozes colonial charm; but the real attraction is the gigantic, six-foot-long fireplace, whose open hearth will warm even the coldest of travelers. Enjoy generous portions of traditional New England comfort food, like the Yankee Pot Roast, or reserve a table for one of their legendary holiday feasts (see below).
** Insider Tip: Holidays at Publick House
It’s been a stressful year, so why not let someone else handle the hosting, cooking, and clean up this year? Celebrate Christmas and New Years all at Publick House, where you can expect nothing but “good old-fashioned, home-cooked food” served in the “perfect ambience.” Tickets for their epic three-course Thanksgiving Dinner are on sale now – seating is limited so reserve your spot today!
277 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566
https://publickhouse.com/corporate-social-events/holidays-at-publick-house/
If you just indulged in a massive dinner at Publick House, chances are you don’t want to travel far to find a bed to collapse in. Fortunately, Publick House has an array of accommodations that are just as charming, quaint and comforting as their fireside dining. Relax and enjoy 21st century amenities in a delightful 18th century atmosphere.
There may be no place like home for the holidays, but with 250 years of hosting experience, Publick House is the next best thing (in fact, as you collapse on your bed, basking in the knowledge that you won’t have to wash a single dish or vacuum a single floor, you just might say it’s even better).
Tucked away on the shores on Cedar Lake, Sturbridge Host Hotel is perfect for those looking for a quiet, scenic retreat after dealing with the holiday hustle and bustle. As you take in the picturesque views along their private lakeside beach, you’ll feel miles away from it all (even though this hidden gem is really just a few minutes from Main Street and some of the best dining in the downtown area).
366 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566
https://sturbridgehosthotel.com/
Need a fun plan for New Years Eve? Ditch the crowds and huge parties and opt instead for a cozy Sturbridge getaway with a few of your closest friends! Host your own private mini bash in one of Sturbridge Host Hotel’s luxurious suites, which boast multiple rooms, a large private patio, and an outdoor fire pit. Cater your countdown with beverages from Tree House Brewing Company and food from Encrico’s Pizza or B.T.’s Smokehouse.
Treat yourself to a delicious, homestyle breakfast at Annie’s Country Kitchen, where they serve classic American comfort food, cooked to perfection, at an unbeatable price.
140 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566
https://www.anniescountrykitchen.com
Ice skating is a timeless holiday tradition, and there’s no better place for it than The Worcester Common Oval. Located just 25 minutes away in downtown Worcester, The Oval is well-worth the trip: at 12,000 square feet, it’s over 4,000 feet bigger than NYC’s famous Rockefeller Center. Rent a pair of skates, grab a treat from the snack stand, and let the holiday music and festive lights set the mood as you carve up the ice. The Oval is set to open for skating on Friday, November 25th, 2022!
455 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608
https://www.worcesterma.gov/worcester-common-oval/ice-skating
A newfound staple of the Sturbridge cafe scene, Saw Dust Coffee House serves up more than just cups of joe. If you need a hearty pick-me-up, you can stop by to fuel up on savory panini’s, quiches, sandwiches, fresh baked goods and much more!
371 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566
https://www.sawdustcoffeehouse.com
Get into the holiday spirit at Brush It Off, Sturbridge’s famous “paint and sip” studio. Stop by during the day for Open Paint hours, when you can paint your own custom ornament, figurine, and canvas masterpiece! Or simply reserve a spot in one of their group classes, where you’ll follow step-by-step professional instructions to paint a dazzling holiday scene.
559 Main St, Fiskdale, MA 01518
https://brush-it-off.com
For one last holiday hurrah, take a drive to Southwick Zoo, the largest private zoo in New England. Enjoy their annual Festival of Illumination from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle as you drive through the Frozen Forest. Afterwards, you can park your car and walk around Santa’s Enchanted Village, where you can enjoy yummy snacks, performances under the Cirque de Illumination tent, and a meet and greet with the big man himself! The Festival of Illumination will take place November 26th-January 2nd on Wednesdays through Sundays, and the Winter Wonderland will be open Tuesday 12/14, Monday 12/20, and Tuesday 12/21.
2 Southwick St, Mendon, MA 01756
https://southwickszoo.com/winter-wonderland/
On 600 acres of rolling farmland north of Sturbridge you’ll find the charming and historic Salem Cross Inn. A relic of the 1700’s, Salem Cross offers traditional American food, gorgeous views and impeccably fresh “farm-to-table” cooking. For a more casual dining experience, visit their on-site pub, the Hexmark Tavern, where you can rest by the open fire while savoring the Stew of the Day being cooked over its flames.
260 W Main St, West Brookfield, MA 01585
https://www.salemcrossinn.com
Make plans to enjoy Salem Cross’s popular Fireplace Feast. Which boasts a 1700 style colonial feast served in front of a roaring fireplace, featuring prime rib roasted on the only operating “Roasting Jack” in America, warm apple pie with whipped cream, and mulled wine or cider. For more information on these events, visit their website!
Fireplace Feast https://www.salemcrossinn.com/events/dining-events/fireplace-feast/
For more information on where to dine, go to: https://www.sturbridge.gov/businesses/pages/business-directory
Sturbridge has a number of lodging properties to accommodate all types of travel. Following is a list of accommodations in Sturbridge:
