There’s nothing like the Christmas season in a traditional New England community, and that is exactly why you should try to get to Sutton this weekend for the Chain of Lights Celebration.  The celebration runs from 10am to 5pm (although some of the churches end a little early for Saturday Mass) followed by a tree lighting and caroling on the common at 5:30 and a roast beef dinner at the Congregational Church next door from 5pm until 7pm.   You can come to town and grab one of the trolleys that will be running around to take you to the various businesses, community centers, schools and churches for the events.

It’s a really special time, one of the few days of the year you can get to the Sleighbell Farms Christmas Shop, which is worth the trip in and off itself.  Addionally, there are tours of the Vaillancourt Folk Art shop where they make the wonderful chalk art figurines (historical note, they are located in what was the original Fruit of the Loam Factory, in the Village of Manchaug, according to the National Park Service).

At the National Gallery and Gift Shop (I built their website…) they will have representatives from Jim Shore and from Byers’ Choice, the makers of the Carolers figurines.  A member for the New England Revolution Soccer Club will be signing autographs.   There will be crafts for the kids to do, while the adults can check out the great collectible deals.  You’ll want to check out the special deals they’ve setup for the Chain of Lights on their site.

Johhny at Johnny’s LJ says its “Not closest to Boston, but possibly the best…” of the local Christmas events.

There are three separate bus routes this year.  You can find out more about the participating locations by visiting the Chain of Lights page here.  There is a full brochure available here.

If you’re going to be going and use Twitter, why not use a #SuttonCOL hashtag?