Just an Old Fashioned Cape and Islands Christmas!

Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard are the places to get away from the hustle and bustle of the malls and settle into a slower pace of church fairs, and Holiday Strolls featuring horse-drawn rides, hot cider (or better yet, chocolate) and carolers on lovely Main Streets of yesterday. Take a break from all the commercialism of the Holiday season and enjoy some old-fashioned Holiday magic in the spirit of family, friends and community.

A Seaside Christmas in Orleans: Events kick off on November 24 with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving for breakfast at the Orleans Yacht Club and then heading off to Snow's Home & Garden to meet the children. Check out Snow's extensive model train displays - sure to fascinate both young and old. Then stroll by candlelight to the Village Green for the annual tree lighting. On December 7, Mrs. Claus is back for carols at the annual Lighting of the Windmill in East Orleans. The Events in Orleans continue all holiday season long with chowder festivals, arts & crafts, entertainment, performances, music and holiday gathering.

Visit Brewster for the Holidays with special events on November 30 - December 2. The events begin Friday evening with the Wreath and Tree lighting at Drummer Boy Park, followed by Brewster Band in concert at the Brewster Baptist Church. On Saturday, enjoy the many shops and restaurants of Brewster and pick up your raffle tickets with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Cape Cod Children's Place a child care and family resource center who serves families in Brewster and surrounding towns. Don't miss the Gala Family Holiday Party at the Cape Cod Natural History Museum on Sunday.

Falmouth offers more fun with Falmouth's Holidays by the Sea Weekend! On the evening of November 30, make a joyful noise at the Holiday Carol Sing at Nobska Lighthouse. On Saturday December 1, head over to the dock at Falmouth Harbor for the arrival of Santa by Sea as he sails into the harbor. Don't miss the lighting of the village green! Known as Southeastern Massachusetts’ largest holiday parade, the 49th Annual Falmouth Christmas Parade steps off at noon on Sunday December 2. The parade features many walking groups, theme decorated floats, marching bands, live animals, costumed characters and of course Santa Claus. Also, Falmouth Historical Society's “All Through the Houses: Christmas at the Falmouth Museums on the Green” runs November 30 – December 9, 2012. Check out the 300 nutcrackers from a private collection now on display in the Education Center!.

The most popular Christmas Stroll event is the Nantucket Noel Christmas Stroll. Now, in it's 39th year, the stroll runs November 30 through December 2. The Nantucket Noel fun starts on Friday with the Friends of Nantucket Public Schools 30th Annual Christmas Stroll House Tour. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on Saturday via a Coast Guard vessel, where they then join in a festive parade up Main Street. Carolers, bell ringers and student choirs as well as other performers entertain all who are wandering Main Street. Make sure to hop aboard the Nantucket Sleigh Ride, boarding in front of the Whaling Museum on Saturday. Back this year is a European-style "Christmas Market" with 15 non-profits offering foods and gifts. Don't miss the 19th Annual Festival of Trees running throughout December at the Whaling Museum.

Christmas in Edgartown is a Vineyard tradition. This year's events run Friday December 7 through Sunday December 9. Watch the annual parade, and then look for unique gifts at the annual Arts and Crafts Fair at the Edgartown School. Grab some food at the 28th annual Chowder Contest on Saturday. Don't miss the MVRHS Minnesingers Annual Holiday Concerts held at The Old Whaling Church on Friday and Saturday. Lighting of the Christmas Tree on the Village Green, complete with Christmas Carolers, takes place on Saturday at 4:30. Too much fun to mention here, so visit edgartownboardoftrade.com for a complete listing of events.

Harwich offers Christmas in Harwich events starting on Friday November 30, with the Harwich Port Stroll at 5:30 pm. Tree Lighting, Santa's arrival on a fire truck, horse-drawn carriage rides, all make for a magical New England evening. On Saturday, a pancake breakfast, bazaars, sing-a-longs, exhibits and open houses fill the day along with the East Harwich stroll in the afternoon.  Sunday offerings include a Service of Lessons & Carols at Christ Church Episcopal; a Free Christmas Concert with The Sentimental Journey Band and a "Classical and Contemporary Christmas Music and Carol Sing-A-Long" at the First Congregational Church - all are welcome!

Sandwich Holly Days, a month long event that transforms the town into a winter wonderland, provides family friendly events that support the local stores, restaurants and museums. All Aboard! - the Polar Express has Sandwich departures on Dec 1 & 2. For a breakfast treat to please even the pickiest of eaters, have Pancakes with Santa on December 8. Check the Holly Days Booklet for a complete event schedule of concerts, caroling, tree lighting, craft fairs, Polar Express train rides, wine & food tastings, and much more!

Several local groups are performing music, dance, and theater! Favorites include... Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra's Annual "Holiday Pops Spectacular" - note: order tickets early as this show will sell out! Coastal Dance Company is dancing the 27th Annual Nutcracker Gala, Cape Cod's original and longest running full length Nutcracker production (one weekend only Dec 7 - 9 at Barnstable High School). Cotuit Center for the Arts presents, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka - show runs 3 weekends. Local actors and actresses take the stage at Harwich Junior Theatre for a 4 week run of Seussical, The Musical. Celebrate the majesty of the winter season on Saturday, December 8 with Cape Cod Community College's "Music on the Eve of Winter" - concert includes a mix of jazz and seasonal favorites by the 4C's Jazz Combo and the Select Chorus, also this year's show features Egyptian Dance performed by the Middle Eastern Dance Class - A donation of non-perishable food to help support local food banks is your ticket to the concert. The West Parish Music Board presents "JOY TO THE WORLD - A Celebration of Holiday Music", featuring Choir & Hand-bells and Audience Carol Sing. Check out Cape Cod Music for additional concerts!

And it's NOT all over by a long shot... See our post on Chatham for all the events there including First Night. Barnstable is filled with activities including Hyannis Main Street and Waterfront Christmas Stroll on Dec 1.  More events Cape Cod wide - include the amazing 3rd Annual Glassblower's Christmas in Sandwich, Gardens Aglow Celebration of Lights at Heritage Museum and Gardens, and Mashpee's 12 Days of Christmas. The Cape Cod Enchanted Village features a magnificent display of more than 100,000 lights and entertainment at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa. Check out AllCapeCod's December calendar and the Cape Cod Chambers' Recapture the Spirit of Christmas listing of events for even more!

As always, for wonderful places to stay on the Cape check out AllCapeCod.com Lodging; for Nantucket see AllNantucket.com, and for Martha's Vineyard visit AllVineyard.com. Come enjoy a Christmas of yester-year on The Cape and Islands!