Historical Society annual meeting
The annual meeting of the Harvard Historical Society will be held Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 215 Still River Road. The business meeting starts at 7 p.m.; at 7:30 the program, “Mozart and Marteney,” will feature oboes handcrafted in the style of Mozart’s era by late Harvard resident Eugene Marteney with Mozart-era music, social time, and refreshments to follow. Admission is free; donation suggested. Email curator@harvardhistory.org for more information.
At the library
The library is at 4 Pond Road. Visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/events for a full calendar of events. Register for all children’s programs at eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=Harvard.
Story times
- Mother Goose on the Loose, ages 0 to 2: Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Registration not required.
- Saturday story time, ages 3 to 7, Saturday, Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m. Registration not required.
Children’s programs
- Family movie night, rated PG: Friday, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m.
- Paws and Read, grades K through 6, Wednesday, Dec. 6. Appointments at 3:45, 4, 4:15, and 4:30 p.m. Read to therapy dogs.
- GraviTrax challenge, ages 8 and up, Thursday, Dec. 7, 3:45 p.m.
- Yo-yos, music, and more with Brett Outchcunis, Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. Best for grades K through 6.
- Lego club, grades K-6, Saturday, Dec. 9, 1:30 p.m.
- 3-D paper snowflakes, ages 7 and up, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m.
- Third-grade book group: Monday, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
- Fourth-grade book group: Monday, Dec. 11, 4 p.m.
- Fifth-grade book group: Tuesday, Dec. 5, 4 p.m.
Teen programs
- Teen maker program: grades 6 to 12, Thursday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m.
- Teen treats program: grades 6 to 12, Thursday, Dec. 21, 3 p.m. Decorate cookies and cupcakes.
Adult programs
- History of Nintendo: Saturday, Dec. 2, noon to 3 p.m.
- Cookbook Club: Monday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. Browse a cookbook featuring the cuisine of a specific region or culture and bring a dish to a potluck meeting.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Closed Monday; open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. through Jan. 6. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule and more information.
- Art exhibit: “Destination: Nature 2023.” Through Jan. 6. Check the website for holiday hours.
- Annual artisan fair, Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Winter crafting, snow people workshop, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- School early release felting, holiday sheep. Fifth- to seventh-graders, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1:45 to 3 p.m.
- Felted Santa or gnome, all ages, Thursday, Dec. 14, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
- Festival of holiday short plays, Saturday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. For all ages.
Game night at Unitarian Church
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church will host a free game night, open to all ages, Saturday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Fellowship Building, 7 Elm Street. A free pasta dinner will be provided, as will a large variety of board, party, card, and other games, with a poker room and a party games room. Call Greg Stoddard at 617-447-5491 or email gregstod@gmail.com with any questions.
Christmas fair at St. Benedict Center
The Immaculate Heart of Mary School Christmas fair takes place Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Saint Benedict Center’s MacIsaac Hall, 271 Still River Road. Gifts, crafts, music, raffles, and food will be available. Free parking and admittance.
Music at the orchard
On Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. the Harvard-based soft-rock duo the Silver Foxes will perform classic hits in the Carlson Orchards cider barn, 115 Oak Hill Road.
EVs in winter
The Green Energy Consumers Alliance will present a webinar, “Driving Through a Winter Wonderland,” Dec. 5, at noon. Learn what winter weather does to electric vehicles and get tips from EV owners. Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/5ym8u82x.
Devens tree lighting
The Devens Christmas tree lighting will be held Thursday, Dec. 7, 4 to 6 p.m., at 100 Sherman Avenue, Devens. There will be holiday music, refreshments, and a visit and photos with Santa Claus. Toys for Tots donations will be accepted.
December Fest
December Fest takes place Saturday, Dec. 9, with:
- The Fivesparks artisan fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7 Fairbank Street, featuring 24 artisans with ornaments, pottery, glass, jewelry, art, cards, scarves, alpaca goods, and potted holiday bulbs. No admission fee.
- Hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and locally made goods at the Harvard General Store, 1 Still River Road, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Congregational Church Christmas Fair at 5 Still River Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. , including the Festival of Trees and Wreaths and Santa’s Café.
Army-Navy watch party
Watch the Army-Navy football game on the big screen, Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Fort Devens Museum, 94 Jackson Road, Devens. The museum will open at 2 p.m. and the game will start at 3 p.m. There will be food from Marty’s Corner Café, cash bar, raffle, and game board. Admission to this fundraiser for the museum is $30 per person; tickets available at the museum or fortdevensmuseum.org/events.
Christmas pageant and tree-lighting
Harvard’s Ecumenical Christmas Pageant will take place Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Harvard Unitarian Church, 9 Ayer Road, at 4:30 pm. (Note that there is just one performance this year.) Come celebrate the community and the season with the children’s choir and a performance by Harvard children. After the 45-minute performance, people will gather for carol-singing on the Common, with accompaniment by the Nashoba Valley Concert Band, and for the lighting of the town holiday tree. The event wraps up with hot cocoa and cookies at the Harvard Congregational Church. All are welcome.
K of C supper
The Knights of Columbus are holding their curbside community supper on Saturday, Dec. 16, at St. Theresa Church, 15 Still River Road. Orders are due by Dec. 11. Proceeds go to local charities like Loaves & Fishes and Coats for Vets. Suggested donation for a complete dinner is $12. For more information, email kofc13764@gmail.com, or visit tinyurl.com/yz8y3ubs.
The ‘Messiah’ sing
The Harvard Unitarian Church, 9 Ayer Road, will present Handel’s “Messiah,” Sunday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. Attendees are invited to join the chorus and bring their own score or buy one at the door. Suggested donation $15; a section of seating will be reserved for mask wearers. Call 978-779-2876 for more information.
OUT OF TOWN
Art in Concord
The Umbrella Winter Market takes place Friday, Dec. 1, through Sunday, Dec. 3, at 40 Stow Street, Concord. The show and sale will feature the work of Umbrella Studio artists and guest artists as well as an “Off-the-Wall” show with small works under $350, a ceramics holiday sale, an arts education info table, and a prize drawing. Learn more at theumbrellaarts.org/studio-arts/winter-market.
