Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Stoneham: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

STONEHAM, MA — There is no shortage of things to do in Stoneham to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Stoneham will gather this weekend for a rescheduled holiday tree lighting after the threat of bad weather postponed previous plans. The new tree lighting is set for Sunday, Dec. 4 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Stoneham Town Common.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place at the national level this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; the Target Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis; and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Parades in the Stoneham area may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades, lightings and other holiday events to catch here at home include:

• Malden Menorah Lighting
• Malden Lincoln Commons Tree Lighting
• Burlington Tree Lighting
• Wakefield Santa Tour
• Wakefield Holiday Lighting
• Reading Menorah Lighting
• Woburn Menorah Lighting
• Melrose Home for the Holidays

Larger holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in Massachusetts are:

• Zoo Lights at the Stone Zoo (Stoneham)
• Boston Common Lights (Boston)

Do you have a suggestion for an event that you feel should be added to this list? Email dakota.antelman@patch.com