Holidays by the Sea Weekend 2015

Hallamore Clydesdales are Back for Falmouth’s Holidays by the Sea Weekend

By Mary Moran
Photography by Bill O’Connell

Every year in Falmouth, the community gathers to celebrate “Holidays by the Sea,” a fun-filled weekend with festive activities for the whole family to enjoy as the holidays approach. This year, the celebration begins on Friday December 4th. and ends on Sunday December 6th. with the 52nd annual Christmas Parade.

Holidays by the Sea Parade in Falmouth, Cape Cod.

Holidays by the Sea Parade in Falmouth, Cape Cod.

Doll Collection

Doll Collection at Highfield Hall.

Holidays at Highfield Hall“, will be on display from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Top designers and decorators have transformed the elegant rooms, of this beautiful Victorian mansion, into enchanting glimpses of holiday gathering and giving celebrations in other countries. There is a gift shop and a British Tea shoppe. Bill Hendel’s extensive International Creche collection will be on display. In addition the traditional train room returns with large Lionel electric freight and diesel trains. Admission for adults is $5. and children are free.

Holidays by the Sea Weekend Starts Friday, December 4, 2015

Nobska Lighthouse

Nobska Point Light

From 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. carolers meet at Historic Nobska Lighthouse on Nobska Road in Woods Hole to join in with a festive old-fashioned seasonal sing along. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the conclusion.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

The third annual Jingle Jog 5k & Elf Run start off the day. The races begin at 9:30 & 9:45 a,m. Participants run in seasonal attire including jingle bells as they run beside the ocean in Falmouth.

At 10:30 a.m. Seafaring Santa sails into Falmouth Harbor. He docks at the head of the harbor on Scranton Avenue.

From 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. it is back to Nobska Light House where one can tour the light house tower and visit with Santa at 12:30 p.m.

From 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Falmouth Historical. Society’s will present, “Christmas traditions” in the Federalist era Dr. Francis Wicks House at 55 Palmer Avenue will be decorated for the holidays and open to the public. Admission is $5. for adults and children are free. Family activities are planned from 4:00 – 8:00 pm.

Holidays by the Sea Weekend Evening at Palmer House Inn

Palmer House Inn decorated for the holidays.

Falmouth Jewelry Shop Holiday Decor

Falmouth Jewelry Shop Holiday Decor

From 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. the Holiday Stroll begins on Main Street and the Queens’s Buyway shops on North Main Street, next door to the Palmer House Inn. There will be wondering carolers to put you in the Holiday Spirit. All of the stores will be open and many are prepared with complimentary gift wrapping. For those of you who work up an appetite while shopping, our fine restaurants will be open and ready to seat you with good cheer.

At 7:00 p.m. the lighting of the Village Green will take place. Immediately following the lighting The Falmouth Brass Choir will lead caroling before a special visit from Santa.

Holidays by the Sea Weekend at the Palmer House

Holidays at the Palmer House

Sunday, December 6th.

From 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. The Falmouth Historical Society’s stately Dr. Francis Wicks House will be open to the public. Each room will feature a different tradition such as, “A Christmas Carol”, the history of Santa, and gift giving, Christmas trees and chocolate. A doll house display from the museum’s collection will be on view in the Hallett Barn Visitor Center. The museums gift shop will also be open.

Hallamore Clydesdales

Hallamore Clydesdales

The 52nd annual Falmouth Christmas Parade begins at 12:00 noon. The parade makes its way down Main Street to the Village Green. This event is known as Southeastern Massachusetts’s largest holiday parade. It will feature theme decorated floats, marching bands, live animals. costumed characters and of course Santa.

Hallamore Clydesdales

Hallamore Clydesdales

In addition, once again, with the generous help from the Falmouth Village Association and Main Street’s Eastern Bank, the Falmouth Christmas Parade will be hosting some magnificent guests, The Hallamore Clydesdales. Along with their signature orange wagon, these fine specimens are returning to proudly trot along and ring in the holidays with us. If you didn’t get a chance to see these beautiful horses in prior years, now is your chance. They are owned by the Hallamore Corporation (est. 1898). The Hallamore Clydesdales are an 8-horse “hitch” residing in Lakeville, Massachusetts. These rare beauties are hand-picked from the world’s leading breeders in the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. What makes these horses so special is their grand yet graceful presence. On average, a Hallamore Clydesdale weighs in at about 2,200 pounds and is approximately 18 ½ hands tall. The general Clyde population ranges from 1,600 to 2,200 pounds and from 16 to 19 hands in height, proving that the Hallamore’s are clearly at the top of their class. The unforgettable orange wagon that the Clydesdales proudly haul through the streets is almost as impressive as the horses themselves. The wagon was built in 1899 by the Studebaker Company that was based in Chicago, Illinois, making it over 115 years old. Don’t let its age fool you; this wagon is sturdy enough to carry up to 5 tons! What really makes this wagon unique is the fact that there are only 3 others like it, left in the world and we are lucky to see it close up, being hauled by the beautiful, giant.

Hallamore Clydesdales

Hallamore Clydesdales

Hallamore Clydesdales

The Clydesdale breed originated in Scotland as a heavy draft horse for hauling. The horses were needed not only for hauling heavy harvested crops but also to carrying coal from the Scottish mines. The new breed’s positive and successful reputation spread quickly throughout Scotland and Northern England. The breed’s cartoon-like coloring, which is commonly a light-brown body and white lower extremities, make the horse appear to be wearing white boots which makes the Clydesdale a bold and memorable breed. It’s massive size and undeniable strength is what has made the Clydesdale enduring.

Come join us at the Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast, Palmer House Inn for a memorable beginning to your Christmas Season. Our 1901 Queen Ann Victorian is at its most beautiful during the Christmas season.

More Holidays by the Sea Weekend Links


Cape Cod's Stowe Room, A

Harriet Beecher Stowe room

Cape Cod's Roosevelt Room, B

Cape Cod’s Roosevelt Room, B

While all of the bedchambers at the Palmer House have their own romantic charm suitable for relaxation after the most wonderful day of festivities on Cape Cod, we recommend the Harriet Beecher Stowe room, the Theodore Roosevelt room or the Emily Dickinson room. These rooms feature comfortable king beds, fireplaces, jetted tubs for a relaxing stay before and after your day.