December Fest in town center
December Fest will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 10 a.m., in town center including:
Congregational Church Christmas Fair, 5 Still River Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., begins with Santa’s arrival by fire truck at 9:50 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 from their offerings of locally made and unique gifts.
Fivesparks Artisan Fair, 7 Fairbank St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will host artisans offering wares including ornaments, pottery, jewelry, art, cards, jams, table linens, beeswax candles, children’s books, scarves, soaps, and potted holiday bulbs.
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
- Exhibit: “Celebrations Around the World” features Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. On view through December in the children’s room.
- Family movie night, Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. Rated PG.
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3. Saturday, Dec. 6, 10:30 a.m.
- Bagels and books for fifth-graders, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m.
- 3D paper snowflakes, ages 7 and older, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 3:45 p.m.
- Wildlife Encounters Junior Zookeeper program, grades K-6, Thursday, Dec. 11, 3:45 p.m. Interactive live animal presentation.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, Dec. 17. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Kids after-school movie, Thursday, Dec. 18, 3:45 p.m. Rated PG.
Teen programs
- Maker day, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m.
- Teen treat workshop, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2:45 p.m.
- Teen Readers club, grades 7-12, Thursday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m.
Adult programs
- Cookie swap, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 to 3 p.m.
- Cookbook club, Monday, Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m. Australian cuisine, bring a dish for potluck.
- Brown bag book club, Wednesday, Dec. 17, noon.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups, Thursday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: “Becoming,” Judith Schutzman. On display through Jan. 3.
- Create a 3D stained glass angel. Sunday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to noon.
- Exhibit event: “Becoming,” artist talk and reception with Judith Schutzman. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2:30 to 5 p.m.
- Gingerbread showcase, registration deadline Monday, Dec. 8.
- Painting with wool, winter scene, two-part class. Wednesdays, Dec. 10, and Dec. 17, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Gingerbread showcase, competition and exhibit. Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14, noon to 4 p.m. Awards reception Saturday, Dec. 13, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Felt a reindeer, Friday, Dec. 19, 6:30 to 8:15 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. 6, 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. Donation boxes will be available in the lobby of the police station for a week before and after the event.
Scenic hike at Horse Meadows Knoll
Join the Sudbury Valley Trustees for a hike at Horse Meadows Knoll Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 to 11:15 a.m. The walk is a short but beautiful 1-mile loop, with uneven terrain and a steep section leading to the top of the knoll. Hikers will stop at several points along the route and discuss the evidence of human-induced changes to the landscape and discuss what makes a healthy forest. Register at svtprograms.funraise.org; scroll down to Dec. 6. Rain date is Sunday, Dec. 7.
Holiday artisan market at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will hold its holiday artisan market Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Shop for handmade local crafts, including jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood, textiles, note cards, candles, and much more. Free to members and to children ages 5 and under; $5 for nonmembers. Members and guests enjoy additional discounts in the museum shop.
A photographer will be available Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for photos with Santa. Photos are scheduled in advance; register at thetrustees.org/event/441931. Fees apply.
The market will open with a preview and Winter Wonderland Friday, Dec. 5, 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy a festive evening with music, cocoa, and hayrides, and see the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Free.
Harvard Woman’s Club holiday social
The Harvard Woman’s Club will host its annual Holiday Faire and social Monday, Dec. 8, noon, at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. Help usher in the holidays with appetizers, desserts, and some fun, interactive holiday crafts/projects. harvardwomansclub.wordpress.com.
Introduction to Zen Buddhist meditation
Linda Shinji Hoffman will conduct an introduction to Zen Buddhist meditation Monday, Dec. 8, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio, 38 Eldridge Road. Learn about posture, breath, how to hold awareness, and what to do as thoughts arise. After this introduction, there will be a guided meditation that will move participants into silence followed by an opportunity for questions. Free, but donations welcome. To register or for more information email lindahoffmanstudio@gmail.com.
Toys for Tots
The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is accepting donations of new unwrapped toys through Wednesday, Dec. 10, at three locations at Devens:
- Fire station, 182 Jackson Road, anytime
- MassDevelopment, 33 Andrews Parkway, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Department of Public Works, 99 Buena Vista St., weekdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Data collection and fusion energy
Join Commonwealth Fusion Systems Wednesday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m., at 117 Hospital Road, Devens, for a presentation on data collection and fusion machine operation. Ella Fox-Widdows, tokamak physicist, will discuss the SPARC machine, the types of data CFS plans to collect from it, and how that information will be used to operate the machine and optimize the conditions inside it.
Space is limited, register in advance at devenscommunity.com/news>>Devens Weekly News November 21, 2025, and scroll down.
Music at Bromfield
The Bromfield School instrumental winter concert will be held Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m., in the Cronin Auditorium.
The Bromfield School choral winter concert will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m., in the Cronin Auditorium.
WBN holiday celebration
The Women’s Business Network holiday celebration will be held Thursday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m., at the studio of Elaine Freitas Photography, 2352 Main St., Concord. All women in business or interested in having a business are welcome; sign up with Deb Oliva at dboliva@charter.net. Refreshments will be potluck, so please indicate what you will bring.
Solstice festival and lantern making
The Harvard Schools PTO will mark the winter solstice by gathering Thursday, Dec. 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the HES cafeteria at 27 Mass. Ave. Celebrate the change of season with food, drink, and music. Make a solstice lantern as a gift or keepsake. $15 per person, all ages welcome. Sign up at
harvardpto.org>>Solstice Event. Proceeds benefit Harvard schools resources and curriculum enrichment.
Parents’ night out
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church will host “Parents’ Night Out/Children’s Night In” on Friday, Dec. 12, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Fellowship Building, 7 Elm St. Children ages 4 to 12 are welcome for an evening of crafts and games, light snacks, and the movie “A Muppet Christmas Carol.” Please be sure children have eaten dinner before arriving. Fee $20 for the first child, $10 for each additional sibling, maximum $40 per family. Register with Liv Radue at dre@uuharvard.org. Limited to 20 children.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’
The Cannon Theatre presents “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” Friday through Sunday, Dec. 12-14, at 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. curtain; Sunday 2 p.m. curtain. Based on the classic holiday movie, the story is staged as a live radio broadcast, with live sound effects and an a capella quartet. Great for all ages. Tickets at thecannontheatre.org/its-a-wonderful-life-a-live-radio-play.
Holiday crafting at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will host a holiday crafting event Saturday, Dec. 13, 1 to 3 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Create your own needle-felted snowmen while enjoying festive, bubbly refreshments in the company of family and friends. No experience is required, and the instructor will provide all materials. Members $36, nonmembers $45, sign up at thetrustees.org/event/441930. Ages 21 and older.
Army-Navy watch party
Watch the Army-Navy football game on the big screen, Saturday, Dec. 13, 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. Cash bar. Tickets $25 per person, includes food. For tickets and more information visit fortdevensmuseum.org/events.
Sullivan to perform at Volunteers Hall
Harvard Friends of the Arts will present Harvard’s own singer/songwriter Erin Ash Sullivan Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., in Volunteers Hall at the library at 4 Pond Road. Doors open at 7 p.m. Free, though donations are welcome. Reserve seats at harvardpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/15565234.
Christmas pageant
Harvard’s Ecumenical Christmas Pageant will take place Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Harvard Unitarian Church, 9 Ayer Road, with performances at 3:30 p.m. and 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 the second performance. All are welcome.
Carols and Christmas tree lighting
On Sunday, Dec. 14, 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.
Save the date
Sunday, Dec. 21: Messiah sing at Unitarian Universalist Church.
OUT OF TOWN
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ in Gardner
Theatre at the Mount will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Friday through Sunday, Dec. 5-7, at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner. Friday and Saturday curtain at 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. Special sensory friendly performance Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. For tickets visit mwcc.edu/campus-life/tam/shows.
