Winter Activities We Love
Celebrate the Season
Local traditions light up the region each season, with holiday spectacles and wintertime wonder. Discover the go-to destinations and events that make winter magical in Central Massachusetts.
featured events and destinations
Christmas by Candlelight
Come experience the history of Christmas festivities at Old Sturbridge Village. Relish old traditions and create new ones as you watch demonstrations of classic…
Night Lights: Color Cascade at New England Botanic Garden
- New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
- Recurring daily
Immerse yourself in the magic of the season at New England Botanic Garden with a breathtaking winter light display that is unmatched in the region. This year…
Winter Wonderland
- Southwick's Zoo
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
This beloved festive tradition, perfect for family and friends, is set to shine brighter than ever before, featuring over 4 million illuminated lights and dazzling…
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
- 499 Mountain Rd.
- (978) 464-2300
Wachusett Mountain is a ski resort in located in the towns of Princeton and Westminster. With a summit elevation of 2,006 feet and a vertical drop of 1,000 feet…
Ski Ward Ski Area
- 1000 Main St.
- (508) 842-6346
Minutes from Worcester and less than an hour from Boston, Ski Ward is open year-round offering skiing, snowboarding and tubing in both the winter and summer along…
Worcester Common Oval
- 455 Main St.
- (508) 799-1175
The Worcester Common Oval offers year-round events and programming in one of the country's oldest and most historic parks. During the winter season, a…
Destination Shopping Experiences
Whether you shop 'til you drop during the holiday season, or start your new year visiting unique places, here's a short list of shops you can only experience in Central Massachusetts. From locally-made artisan goods and your new favorite apothecary, to a jewelry store unlike any other and a candy shop that will spoil you.
must-visit local stores
iLAH Cibis Jewelry
- 218 Franklin St.
- (508) 205-9788
iLAH Cibis Jewelry is a Worcester based indie jewelry brand. All of the pieces are designed and manufactured at their Franklin Street facility which is home to…
Bri's Sweet Treats
- 160 Green St.
- (774) 253-0472
Briana Azier, Owner of Bri's Sweet Treats boasts that "Bri's Sweet Treats is a business born and raised out of the ashes of the pandemic! I took a situation where…
Thyme Herbal Apothecary
- 277 Shrewsbury St.
- (508) 796-5040
We are here to empower you on your holistic health and wellness journey. Thyme is proud to offer a vast selection of over 200 bulk loose organic and sustainably…
Worcester Center for Crafts
- 25 Sagamore Rd.
- (508) 753-8183
The Worcester Center for Crafts is an experience, a place and a passion. Its Campus at 25 Sagamore Road are the places where you can experience the thrill of…
Vaillancourt Folk Art
- 9 Main St.
- (508) 476-3601
Founded in 1984, Vaillancourt Chalkware is recognized as the highest quality Christmas collectible in the market. In addition to the fine art quality chalkware that…
The O Shop
- 10 Richmond Ave
- (508) 762-9060
At The O Shop, we believe that bodies should be celebrated with properly fitting bras, lingerie, and items that make us feel fabulous. The boutique is located in the…
Tutti Quanti
- 538 Main St.
- (774) 241-0476
Tutti Quanti is an authentic Italian market, where you will find the highest quality imported Italian products, and personal service. We have amazing oils, vinegars…
Worcester Public Market
- 150 Green St.
- (508) 290-7579
The new Worcester Public Market will be a multi-vendor, food-oriented marketplace in the European tradition, featuring produce, meat, seafood, cheese, baked goods…
Indoor Things to Do With Kids
Whether it’s one of Worcester’s renowned museums or a trip to an entertainment complex, get the kiddos out of the house and into warm local spots.
museums and attractions families love
Worcester Historical Museum
- 30 Elm St.
- (508) 753-8278
Discover Worcester! Did you know that Worcester was the site of the first National Women’s Rights Convention and the first perfect game in baseball? The birthplace…
Samuel Slater Experience
- 31 Ray St.
- (508) 461-2955
Webster Museums Incorporated was founded in 2017 as a 501 (c) (3) to foster public knowledge about the history of the American Industrial Revolution in New England…
Worcester Art Museum
- 55 Salisbury St.
- (508) 799-4406
Founded in 1896, the Worcester Art Museum's encyclopedic 37,500-piece collection covers 51 centuries of art. Highlights include the Medieval Chapter House…
EcoTarium
- 222 Harrington Way
- (508) 929-2700
About the EcoTarium EcoTarium is New England’s leading museum of science and nature, an indoor-outdoor experience dedicated to inspiring a passion for science and…
American Heritage Museum
- 568 Main St.
- (978) 562-9182
The American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation which features the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection which explores major historic conflicts, ranging from…
Old Sturbridge Village
- 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd.
- (800) 733-1830
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original…
Worcester Railers HC
- 105 Commercial St.
- (508) 365-1750
Founded in 2016, the Worcester Railers HC introduced a new way to be a part of professional hockey in North America when they began to play in the ECHL in October…
Brush It Off Art & Pottery Studio
- 559 Main St.
- (774) 241-3444
Centrally located in Sturbridge MA, Brush It Off is a 4,800 square foot art studio in an Old Mill at the waterfalls with 5 rooms of FUN! Splatter Paint Room, Pottery…
Cold-Weather Celebrations
When it comes to hosting a birthday soiree in the winter, colder weather can mean getting creative. Central Massachusetts has options for every party-goer, from the adventure seeker to the hop sipper.
venue ideas for your group gathering
X-Golf Worcester
- 287 Grove St.
- (774) 389-4653
X-Golf Worcester is a year round destination for new and experienced golfers alike. We feature 9 state of the art golf simulators on which you can play any one of…
Live Action Escapes
- 415 Main Street, 3rd floor
- (508) 753-1856
Live Action Escapes Entertainment is a vibrant family owned business renowned for its in-house designed escape rooms that deliver immersive and innovative…
Escape Games
- 108 Grove St.
- -
Escape Games Worcester is a real live action escape the room game that offers a fully interactive experience. You and your teammates are locked in a room…
PickleballU
- 178 Main St.
- (774) 304-1008
PickleballU is a 6-court indoor pickleball facility in Sturbridge, MA. We offer memberships, pay as you play, leagues, events & more! Join us at PickleballU where…
Wormtown Brewery
- 72 Shrewsbury St.
- (774) 239-1555
Wormtown Brewery is Worcester's first micro-brewery. Best known for its Be Hoppy brew, Wormtown Brewery is located on Shrewsbury Street and features a tap room and…
Altruist Brewing Co.
- 559 Main St.
- (774) 241-8022
altruist :a person unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others. We believe that great beer has the power to do some amazing things. Great beer can…
Rushford and Sons Brewhouse
- 8 Grove St.
- (508) 603-1380
Rushford & Sons Brewhouse is a locally-oriented and community-focused nanobrewery in Upton center founded by childhood friend, Mike Rushford, Brian Goodman, and Eric…
