Christmas Feels Better Here
There’s something about Christmas in Rockport. Maybe it’s Santa arriving by lobster boat. Maybe it’s carols filling Dock Square, shop windows glowing along Bearskin Neck, or neighbors gathering for traditions that have been passed down for generations. Whatever it is, Christmas here still feels the way you remember it.
Santa Comes By Sea
Every first Saturday in December, Santa skips the sleigh and arrives in Rockport the only way that makes sense: by lobster boat.
Shop Small. Find Something Special.
Christmas shopping feels different in Rockport. Wander through Dock Square and along Bearskin Neck, where independent shops, galleries and makers fill historic storefronts with things you won’t find everywhere else. Take your time. Meet the people behind the counter. Find something unexpected.
A Ride Down Bearskin Neck
Bundle up and climb aboard. Horse-drawn carriages return to Bearskin Neck for a December weekend, carrying visitors through the heart of Rockport.
A Tradition By The Sea
On the final Saturday before Christmas Eve, Rockport gathers for one of its most cherished traditions. The story of the Nativity comes to life throughout the village, with costumed participants, live animals and familiar scenes unfolding against the historic streets of Rockport. Simple, beautiful and wonderfully unchanged, it’s a tradition that has brought generations together.
Stay for the Weekend
Christmas in Rockport is even better when you don’t have to leave. Stay at one of Rockport’s charming inns, wake up by the sea, and enjoy the village after the day-trippers have headed home. STAY IN ROCKPORT →
Eat & Drink
From cozy pubs and intimate dining rooms to coffee, cocktails and something sweet, Rockport has plenty of places to escape the winter chill. Pull up a chair, linger over a good meal, and enjoy the warmth of a small seaside town at Christmastime. DINE IN ROCKPORT →
Explore Rockport
Christmas is the reason to come, but Rockport gives you plenty of reasons to stay. Walk Bearskin Neck, visit our galleries, explore the harbor and discover a seaside village that feels especially magical in winter. EXPLORE ROCKPORT →
Coastal Yuletide Magic in Rockport
“There’s something about Rockport at Christmas. The lights come on, the shops stay open, and suddenly the whole town feels like home.”
“Christmas in Rockport feels like Christmas used to feel.”
“Christmas in Rockport has always felt like stepping back in time.”