Chatham Celebrates Christmas By The Sea This Weekend

CHATHAM – A weekend full of events and activities is in store for the town’s annual Christmas by the Sea celebration, sponsored by the chamber of commerce and merchants association.

 The weekend begins Friday with the annual Light Parade. Participants will assemble at the community center at 5:30 p.m. and proceed down Main Street, led by none other than Santa Claus. Bring a flashlight or battery-powered candle and follow the Jolly Elf to the Sears Park triangle at the corner of Main and Seaview streets to sing carols, sip hot chocolate (courtesy of Chatham Bars Inn) and witness the lighting of the town tree at approximately 5:45 p.m.

 The annual holiday stroll follows, with most shops along Main Street open with seasonal refreshments, activities and raffles. Santa will hear children’s Christmas wishes in his workshop (the chamber of commerce information booth) from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and passengers can hitch a horse and carriage ride at the town offices from 6 to 9 p.m.

 Saturday starts off with Breakfast with Santa at the Wild Goose Tavern; tickets are required. A special benefit screening of “The Polar Express” will be held at the Chatham Orpheum Theater at 9:30 a.m. Admission for kids is $10, which includes a ticket, bag of chips, fruit gummies and a juice box. Adult admission is $5. All proceeds benefit the Chatham Elementary School PTO. 

 Holiday shopping happens throughout downtown all day, with live entertainment along Main Street from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Santa will be at his workshop at the downtown chamber booth from 1 to 3 p.m. for kids to drop in.

 The Cape Cod Music Society will present a special concert, “Christmas Around the World,” at 4 p.m. at St. Christopher’s Church.

 Holiday shopping continues on Sunday from 10 to 5 p.m.

 For a complete listing of what’s going on in local shops over the Christmas by the Sea weekend, visit chathaminfo.com.