Fairhaven—a compact, six-block patchwork of 17 red-brick Victorian buildings and contemporary architecture inspired by the 19^th century—is a charming canvas for a holiday festival. The Village was one of four pioneer settlements along the bay. Founded in the 1800s, Fairhaven has survived booms and busts, welcoming prospectors in the 19^th century, hippies in the ‘70s, and entrepreneurs and artisans in more recent years. Today, the Village is a thriving hub of art galleries, cocktail bars and brew pubs, restaurants, and locally owned shops.

For years, Fairhaven’s holiday celebrations were subdued. Neighbors and business owners would string lights and welcome local families for visits with Santa (or the Grinch). There was a community tree lighting. Then, in 2009, the Fairhaven Village Inn began to offer free horse-drawn carriage rides, which many families have since made a part of their annual holiday tradition.

Last year, volunteers with the Historic Fairhaven Association saw the potential of an old-fashioned holiday celebration in the Victorian-era Village. They officially grouped the home-spun events under the banner of Fairhaven Winterfest and began to dream of bigger things.

Leading the effort is the association’s executive director and local artist Scott Ward. It’s a perfect job for Ward, who, as a child, never wanted to stop believing in Santa. “I remember being 8-years-old, sitting in the backseat as we drove home from my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve, and listening to the radio as the announcers tracked the progress of Santa’s sled,” he says. “Even though I knew Santa wasn’t real, I wanted him to be. I wanted the magic.”

Ward and Fairhaven Winterfest volunteers are conjuring that child-like wonder by continuing traditions such as visits with Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus), a Victorian mailbox where children can post letters to Santa, a 5 p.m. November 24 tree lighting followed by a carol sing-along, and free carriage rides each weekend through December 21. They’ve amplified the magic with new attractions, including a firelight stroll on December 14th, 5-8pm and the annual 'Dropping the Holiday Yule Log' on December 20th, 6-7pm, and a December 21 caroling competition.