Do you know these 5 South Shore holiday traditions? Name your favorite

Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger
Updated ·3 min read

QUINCY − Every family has its own traditions for the holiday season, whether it involves gifts, food, decorations, music, get-togethers or all of the above.

But some holiday traditions are shared among families, sometimes for generations.

Here are five that will bring back old memories for some people and might create new memories for others.

The Enchanted Village started at Jordan Marsh department store in Boston.
The Enchanted Village started at Jordan Marsh department store in Boston.

THE ENCHANTED VILLAGE

Before the rise of the suburban shopping mall, holiday shopping usually meant a trip "in town" to the department stores along Boston's Washington Street in what is now Downtown Crossing. It was a chance for window shopping, walking over to Boston Common to see the lights and decorations, or entering the Jordan Marsh department store to see the animated figures of the Enchanted Village.

Jordan Marsh was absorbed into Macy's in 1996, but the Enchanted Village is still around. The figures were purchased by Jordan's Furniture (not to be confused with Jordan Marsh) in 2009 and are on display at its store at 100 Stockwell Drive in Avon through Jan. 1. Admission is free, though there are ticketed attractions such as The Tube, where, if you are least 40 inches tall, for $3 you can slide down a big mountain in a colorful inner tube. It’s like a backyard hill without the snow. For more information: jordans.com.

Edaville Railroad's Festival of Lights in Carver goes back to the 1950s.
Edaville Railroad's Festival of Lights in Carver goes back to the 1950s.

EDAVILLE

All aboard for a ride on the state's only steam-powered train through cranberry bogs decorated with displays containing more than 250,000 holiday lights. Edaville Railroad's Festival of Lights goes back to the 1950s, with the exception of a few years when the park was closed in the 1990s. There are also vintage amusement rides and offerings from local businesses and crafters, and Santa welcomes visitors. Tickets start at $12.95 and the festival runs through Dec. 31. It's at 5 Pine St. in Carver. For more information: edaville.com.

SANTA FLIGHTS

For nearly a century, Santa has traded his sleigh and reindeer team for more conventional aircraft for an early visit to lighthouses and U.S. Coast Guard installations up and down the coast. Santa will arrive by helicopter in Hull Village around noon Dec. 9, depending on weather conditions. He will bring gifts for the children of Coasties at the Point Allerton Station and candy canes for children at the Hull Lifesaving Museum.

The Flying Santa tradition began in 1929, when aviation pioneer William Wincapaw delivered small gifts to the keepers at a dozen Maine lighthouses. It was taken over by maritime historian and Patriot Ledger columnist Edward Rowe Snow after Wincapaw died in 1947. The Friends of Flying Santa Inc. was formed in 1997 to carry on the tradition. Santa has made the trip each year except 1942 due to World War II, and now travels from Maine to New York.

Many local groups perform Christmas music. And some will be on the radio.
Many local groups perform Christmas music. And some will be on the radio.

HOLIDAY MUSIC

Christmas music has become a staple of radio station playlists, with some stations going all-Christmas as early as Veterans Day. But Marshfield station WATD does it a little differently. Since the station signed on in 1977, it has recorded the holiday concerts at South Shore high schools and airs them on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

WATD founder and owner Ed Perry, of Duxbury, said the idea for the concert broadcasts came from a station he formerly owned in Falmouth. They were searching for ideas that involved students to get people to tune in to the then-overlooked FM band.

"Something to give kids recognition for doing something good," Perry said.

For more information: 959watd.com. Search for "Christmas."

Along Main Street in Hingham, almost all Christmas lights come in one color: white.
Along Main Street in Hingham, almost all Christmas lights come in one color: white.

HINGHAM'S WHITE NIGHTS

It's not a coincidence. Some say it's an understanding among neighbors. Along Main Street in Hingham, a road first lady Eleanor Roosevelt once called the most beautiful Main Street in the nation, almost all Christmas lights come in one color: white. A recent spot check along Route 228 found white lights outside houses and on window candles, with a couple of small exceptions. The color scheme has also carried over to nearby areas, such as the downtown business district.

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: 5 South Shore Christmas traditions not to miss