Editor’s note: The Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine was cancelled in 2020 due to safety concerns from COVID-19. While it’s uncertain yet whether the festival can return this year, I’m posting photos from a previous event to relive the experience. Hopefully this tradition can return in 2021.

Photos by Cheryl Landes

The Festival of Lights at Our Lady Fatima Shrine in Holliston, Massachusetts, is among the smaller holiday displays in New England but worth a visit. Displays include whimsical elves, angels spreading joy, carolers singing outside a chapel, a giant globe, and Nativity scenes.

There’s also a cross-section of sequoia tree from northern California believed to be more than 3,000 years old. A plaque at the display lists significant years in Catholic history, and numbers on rings on the log indicate how big the tree was on each date.

The festival is held nightly in early to late December. Admission and parking are free.

The grounds and church are currently open daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Practice distancing and wear masks.

Check for updates at the shrine’s webpage.

Holliston is six miles south of Framingham and 30 miles southwest of Boston.