A Family Tradition. A Spiritual Pilgrimage. A Million Reasons to Rejoice.
Every year, as winter begins to take hold of New England and the days grow shorter, something extraordinary begins to unfold in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Each evening, at 5:00 p.m., just as the sun slips below the horizon, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette comes alive with a spectacle that draws hundreds of thousands from across the country and around the world: The La Salette Christmas Festival of Lights. With more than one million dazzling lights, various spiritual offerings, and joyful family activities, this beloved tradition has become a seasonal cornerstone for families and pilgrims alike.
From Saturday, November 22, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026, the grounds of the Shrine are transformed into a wonderland of faith and beauty. This year’s theme, drawn from Romans 13:12, is “Rejoice in Hope: The Night is Far Gone, the Day is at Hand.” It is an invitation to all who seek light in darkness, joy in struggle, and hope in a weary world.
Why the Lights Draw People Back Year After Year
The La Salette Christmas Festival of Lights isn’t just about the Christmas lights—it’s about what these lights represent. For many, it’s a memory carried from childhood, a place where generations gather. For others, it’s a first encounter with the wonder and mystery of Christmas made real through art, sound, and sacred atmosphere.
“We had such a wonderful time! We’re now going to make it a family tradition.” — Visitor, 2024
“Very nice and spectacular display of lights. I highly recommend 100% to visit it at least once.” — First-time attendee
“Always a great light display. It gets bigger and better every year.” — Returning guest
What started as a small display more than seven decades ago has grown into the largest religious Christmas lights display in New England, spanning 100 acres of walkable, accessible paths. But the real power of the event lies not in its scale, but in its spirit.
A Festival That Welcomes Everyone
All are welcome here: believers and seekers, families and individuals, children and elders. The Shrine staff and volunteers go above and beyond to create a space that feels warm, safe, and sacred. Admission is always free, a decision rooted in La Salette’s mission of reconciliation and radical hospitality. Friendly greeters, ample parking, and thoughtful signage make the experience smooth and memorable.
A Global Encounter with the Christ Child: The International Crèche Museum
Few experiences at the Shrine match the depth and breadth of the La Salette International Crèche Museum. Often called a hidden gem, the museum features one of the largest collections of nativity sets in North America, with nearly 2,000 crèches from over 100 countries.
Each nativity scene offers a unique artistic and cultural interpretation of the Incarnation, from hand-carved olive wood sets from Bethlehem to colorful fabric figures from sub-Saharan Africa. Visitors can explore how diverse cultures celebrate the same sacred story: the birth of Jesus.
The museum is also home to two exquisite collections of Santons from Provence, France, and a custom-built Presepio recreating the Christmas traditions of the Azores, designed by the museum’s late founder, Fr. Manuel Pereira, M.S. (1939–2022). His legacy lives on through the careful curation of Fr. Bernie Baris, M.S., and artist Alicia Crespo, whose work brings reverence and beauty to every corner of the exhibit.
In 2023, a new permanent installation was added: “Judea, Jerusalem, and Galilee at the Time of Jesus” — an immersive display that transports visitors to the historical setting of the Gospels.
Museum Hours:
- Regular Season: Sat.-Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Christmas Season: Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Admission: Free-will donations welcome
Guided tours (for groups or individuals) are available by appointment and must be scheduled at least one week in advance.
Contact: Fr. Flavio Gillio, M.S.
Website: www.lasaletteattleboroshrine.org
Email: lasaletteshrinedirector@gmail.com
Phone: +1-508-222-5410
Joyful Family Activities
The Festival is deeply spiritual, but also delightfully joyful. Kids and adults alike will find themselves laughing and playing amidst:
- Photos with Santa – a highlight for families and a memory to last a lifetime
- Carousel rides, a cheerful hayride, and the immersive Ride to Bethlehem
☕ Hospitality & Comfort
When you need a break from the chill, head into the warm cafeteria or snack bar, where hot cocoa and fresh food await. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop, full of seasonal, Catholic, and handmade items that make meaningful Christmas gifts.
Planning Your Visit
Whether you’re a solo pilgrim, a parish group, or a busload of children, students, adults or members of a parish, the Shrine welcomes you with open arms.
For help planning:
- Phone: +1-508-222-5410
- Email: shrinesecretary@lasalette-shrine.org
- Web: www.lasaletteattleboroshrine.org
Festival Hours & Directions
Address:
National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette
947 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703
Festival Hours:
Open daily from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Admission: Always free
A Final Invitation: Come and See the “Light.”
At the heart of this extraordinary festival is a simple but profound truth: Christ is the Light that no darkness can overcome. In a season that often becomes rushed, noisy, and commercialized, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette offers something different—a moment to breathe, to pray, to laugh, and to rejoice.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, this year, come and walk beneath the lights. Come with wonder. Come with questions. Come with hope.
Because at La Salette, it’s not just lights on trees— It’s the Light of Christ shining in the heart of every visitor.
