Every holiday season, Seabrook turns into a small-town Christmas card. Jolly Days runs from the day after Thanksgiving through mid-December, with a tree lighting, Santa's Workshop, carolers, a roaming yeti, and magical snowfall moments, all in a town you can walk end to end. Here's how to plan a holiday weekend around it in 2026.
Jolly Days 2026 at a Glance
Jolly Days runs November 27 through December 19, 2026. It opens with the tree lighting on the Friday after Thanksgiving, continues with Saturday festivities, and closes with an illuminated holiday parade.
- Fri, Nov 27: Tree lighting in Meriweather Square at 5:30 PM, then Jolly Nights Live with Taproot Theatre at Town Hall at 6:00 PM
- Saturdays (Nov 28, Dec 5, 12, and 19): Santa's Workshop, Jolly Trail shopping, carolers, Yule the Yeti, and snowfall moments
- Sat, Dec 19: The illuminated Jolly Days Holiday Parade at 5:00 PM (lineup at 4:30)
- Nov 27 to Jan 1: The Winter Glass Float Find, with a new float hidden daily
💡 Tip
Confirm the schedule on seabrookwa.com before you go, since event times can shift with the weather.
A Jolly Days Saturday, Hour by Hour
Saturdays are the heart of Jolly Days. Start the morning with coffee and a pastry from Vista Bakeshop, then head into town for the festivities.
- 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM: Santa's Workshop with crafts and family activities
- 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Jolly Trail shopping with participating merchants
- 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM: Magical snowfall moments
- 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM: Roaming carolers and Yule the Yeti sightings
- 4:30 PM: Holiday music and festivities
- 5:30 PM: The illuminated magical snowfall moment that closes the day
Make It Thanksgiving Weekend
Jolly Days kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, so a long holiday weekend at the beach makes easy sense. Start Thanksgiving morning with the Seabrook Turkey Trot, a festive 3K run or walk from Town Hall at 9:30 AM. Skip the cooking marathon with a Thanksgiving Meal To Go from Seabrook Catering, $160 for four guests. Order by November 18 and pick it up on November 25. Then stay for the tree lighting on Friday night.
Holiday Shopping on the Jolly Trail
Seabrook's shops make it easy to knock out a gift list in an afternoon. Brooklets Toys offers free gift wrapping and can ship gifts home for you. Joie Des Livres has books and puzzles for every reader. At Lorraine's Candle Studio you can blend your own custom candle, and at Lips & Lids you can design a custom lip product or hat. Salt + Honey Apothecary is full of teas, oils, and self-care gifts, and The Salty Dog has stocking stuffers for the four-legged family.
On December 12, the Beachside Author Series welcomes Sheila Roberts, the bestselling author whose Christmas novels have been adapted by Hallmark and Lifetime, for a talk and signing of her new holiday novel at Town Hall.
Hunt for a Glass Float
From November 27 through January 1, a handcrafted glass float is hidden somewhere in Seabrook every day: along trails, streets, parks, and beach paths. A new clue goes up at 9:30 AM each morning in the Guest Services lobby. It's a lovely excuse for a winter walk. If you've already found one, Seabrook asks that you leave future floats for other families.
Book Early
Thanksgiving weekend and the Jolly Days Saturdays are among the busiest of Seabrook's off-season, so lock in your dates early. Staying in town means you can walk to the tree lighting and the parade and skip the hunt for parking, then come home to a fireplace and a hot tub.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Jolly Days in Seabrook in 2026?
Jolly Days runs November 27 through December 19, 2026. It opens with the Christmas tree lighting on November 27 at 5:30 PM, features Saturday festivities including Santa's Workshop and magical snowfall moments, and ends with the illuminated holiday parade on December 19 at 5:00 PM.
What time is the Seabrook tree lighting?
The 2026 tree lighting is Friday, November 27 at 5:30 PM in Meriweather Square, followed by Jolly Nights Live with Taproot Theatre at Town Hall at 6:00 PM.
Is Jolly Days free?
The tree lighting, parade, snowfall moments, and town festivities are community events. Some activities, such as the Turkey Trot and the Thanksgiving Meal To Go, require registration or purchase. Check the details for each event.
What is the Winter Glass Float Find?
From November 27 through January 1, a handcrafted glass float is hidden somewhere in Seabrook each day. A new clue is posted at 9:30 AM in the Guest Services lobby.
