Holiday artisan market
Fruitlands Museum will hold its annual holiday artisan market Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Shop for high-quality handmade local crafts, including jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, fiber arts, photography, mixed media, and much more. Free to members and to children ages 5 and under; $5 for nonmembers. Includes access to the museum gallery; members and guests enjoy an additional 10% off discount in the museum shop.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events,
visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/events.
Children’s programs
- Magic show with Ed Popielarczyk, ages 3 and up, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 12:30 p.m.
- Kids after-school movie, Thursday, Dec. 12, 3:45 p.m. Rated PG.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, Dec. 18. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4, 4:15, and 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday story time, ages 3 to 7, Saturday, Dec. 21, 10:30 a.m.
- Lego club, grades K-6, Saturday, Dec. 21, 1:30 p.m.
- Toe Jam Puppet Band, Saturday, Dec. 28, 10:30 a.m. For all ages.
- Sensory playtime, all ages, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m. Sensory exploration for young children and their caregivers.
Teen programs
- Teen advisory board, grades 7-12, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 3 p.m. Help the library shape its teen collections and programs.
- Teen maker program, grades 6-12, Thursday, Dec. 12, 3 p.m. Craft projects.
- Teen treats, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 3 p.m. Decorate goodies as penguins and polar bears.
Adult programs
- Cookbook Club, Thursday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. Browse a cookbook featuring the cuisine of a specific region or culture and bring a dish for potluck.
- Children’s literature book discussion for grownups, Thursday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Picture-book contenders for the Caldecott award.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Closed Sunday and Monday; open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Through December, Fivesparks is open Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Visit fivesparks.org for more information.
- Exhibit: “Destination: Nature 2024, Wild & Scenic” celebrating the Nashua River watershed. On view through Jan. 4, 2025.
- School early-release kids paperwhite potting class, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.
- Workshop: Creating luminous portraits on toned paper, Friday, Dec. 13, noon to 4 p.m.
- Annual holiday artisan fair, Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Painting with wool; mushroom scene for adults and teens. Saturday, Dec. 14, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Felted reindeer for adults and kids ages 10 and older. Thursday, Dec. 19, 6 to 7:45 p.m.
Toys for Tots
The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is accepting donations of new unwrapped toys through Friday, Dec. 6, at three locations in Devens:
- Fire station, 182 Jackson Road, anytime.
- Department of Public Works, 99 Buena Vista St., weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- MassDevelopment, 33 Andrews Parkway, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Harvard Police Department toy drive
The Harvard Police Department, in partnership with Clear Path for Veterans New England, will hold its annual “Fill the Cruiser” event Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 40 Ayer Road.
Help the department spread some holiday cheer by donating unwrapped items to support local veterans’ families. A donation box will stay in the lobby of the police station through Dec. 14.
Christmas fair at St. Benedict Center
St. Benedict Center and the Immaculate Heart of Mary school will hold a Christmas fair Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in MacIsaac Hall at 271 Still River Road. Enjoy baked goods and other great food while shopping for crafts, artwork, gifts, home goods, and more. Have a festive family photo taken, stroll through a display of Nativity scenes, or take the stage for Christmas karaoke. Free parking and admission.
Magnets for fusion energy
Join Commonwealth Fusion Systems for a presentation on magnet technology, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. at 117 Hospital Road, Devens. Erica Salazar, Senior Manager of Magnet Systems at CFS, will explain how magnet technology works, how it enables a commercially relevant fusion energy machine, and how that will deliver the transition to fusion energy. Afterward, meet members of the CFS team who can answer questions.
Space is limited and attendees must be 18 or older. Advance registration is required; visit cfs.energy/devens-campus/events.
Women’s Business Network
The Women’s Business Network will hold its holiday party Thursday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road. Guests and nonmembers are welcome; RSVP to Deb Oliva at dboliva@charter.net by Dec. 10. WBN is a local volunteer-run group of women in small businesses, professional practices, nonprofits, and the arts who meet monthly for mutual support, education, and networking.
December Fest in town center
December Fest will be held Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at 10 a.m. in town center with the following events.
- Congregational Church Christmas Fair, 5 Still River Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., begins with Santa’s arrival just before 10 a.m. and continues with Santa’s Cafe and the church’s festival of trees and wreaths.
- Harvard General Store’s festivities, at 1 Still River Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will feature hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and shopping that will feature locally made and unique gifts.
- Fivesparks Artisan Fair at 7 Fairbank St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will host artisans offering wares including pottery, glass, ornaments, art, cards, soaps, potted holiday bulbs, jewelry, and alpaca goods.
Army-Navy watch party
Watch the Army-Navy football game on the big screen, Saturday, Dec. 14, 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: two performances
Harvard’s Ecumenical Christmas Pageant will take place Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Harvard Unitarian Church, 9 Ayer Road, at 3:30 p.m. and at 4:30 p.m. Come celebrate the community and the season with the children’s choir and a theatrical Christmas story performance by Harvard children. There will be hot cocoa and cookies at the Harvard Congregational Church, 5 Still River Road, after each performance. All are welcome.
Carols and Christmas tree lighting
On Sunday, Dec. 15, the town’s Christmas tree will be lit, with caroling, accompanied by the Nashoba Valley Concert Band, on the Common starting at approximately 5:15 p.m.
‘A Christmas Carol Radio Show’
The Cannon Theatre will present “A Christmas Carol Radio Show” Friday through Sunday, Dec. 13-15, at 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens: Friday 7:30 p.m. curtain; Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. curtain. Enjoy this classic holiday tale performed in the style of a 1940s radio show, with sound effects, an a capella quartet, and actors doing all the voices. Great for all ages. Tickets at our.show/cannonchristmascarol.
Historical Society meeting, organ recital
The Harvard Historical Society will hold its annual meeting Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m., at the meetinghouse, 215 Still River Road, followed immediately by a recital by organist Gavin Klein playing the historic 1870 George Stevens pipe organ. All are welcome at both the meeting and recital.
Hanneke Cassel and Keith Murphy in concert
Harvard Friends of the Arts will present internationally acclaimed fiddler Hanneke Cassel and guitarist and singer Keith Murphy in concert Saturday, Dec. 21, in Volunteers Hall at the Harvard Public Library. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the program begins at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations welcome. Seating is limited; reserve seats online at harvardpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/13584322.
The ‘Messiah’ sing
The Harvard Unitarian Church, 9 Ayer Road, will present the 58th annual community sing-in of Handel’s “Messiah,” Sunday, Dec. 22, at 4 p.m. Attendees are invited to join the orchestra and professional soloists under the direction of Leon Burke. Suggested donation $20. Call 978-779-2876 for more information.
Save the date
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, townwide book read, “Defiant Dreams.”
OUT OF TOWN
Bach ‘Christmas Cantatas’ in Worcester
The Worcester Chamber Music Society will present the “Christmas Cantatas” by J.S. Bach Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 90 Main St., Worcester; preconcert talk at 7 p.m. A reception follows the performance. Tickets are available at worcesterchambermusic.org or by calling the WCMS office at 508-926-8624.
Wreath art
The Bolton Historical Society will hold their wreath festival and auction on Sunday, Dec. 8, noon to 4 p.m. Stop by the barn at 676 Main Street, Bolton to see what wreath artists have done this year.
‘Christmas by Candlelight’
Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, will present “Christmas by Candlelight” on various dates through Dec. 30, 2 to 8 p.m. Highlights include the decorated village, Christmas tree trail, model trains, nightly lighting ceremony, live music, and storytelling. Advance tickets are $36 for adults and $18 for those under 17. Visit osv.org/event/christmas-by-candlelight for a full schedule and to buy tickets.
