Saturday is 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 (preview Friday, Dec. 8, 6 to 8 p.m.) and Santa’s Café with soup, sandwiches, and snacks. Santa arrives by firetruck between 10:15 and 10:30 a.m. and will be in the café until 1:30 p.m.
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.
Children’s programs
- 3-D paper snowflakes, ages 7 and up, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m.
- Book Buddies, grades 1 to 4, Thursday, Dec. 14, 3:45 p.m. Teen volunteers mentor young readers.
- Children’s literature book discussion for grownups, Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Picture books and “Picture This: How Pictures Work,” by Molly Bang.
- Write Stuff, grades 4 to 6, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 4 p.m
Teen programs
- Teen advisory board, grades 6 to 12, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 3 p.m. Help shape the library’s teen collections and programs.
- Teen treats program: grades 6 to 12, Thursday, Dec. 21, 3 p.m. Decorate cookies and cupcakes.
Adult program
- 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.
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
Harvard’s Ecumenical Christmas Pageant will take place Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Harvard Unitarian Church, 9 Ayer Road, at 4:30 p.m. (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. There will be hot cocoa and cookies at the Harvard Congregational Church, 5 Still River Road after the tree lighting . All are welcome.
Carols and Christmas tree lighting
On Sunday, Dec. 10, the town’s Christmas tree will be lit, with caroling, accompanied by the Nashoba Valley Concert Band, at the Town Common starting at approximately 5:15 p.m. The Harvard Family Association will have a table near the tree with hot chocolate.
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.
WBN holiday celebration
The Women’s Business Network holiday party will be Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road. Guests are welcome to attend; RSVP to Deb Oliva at dboliva@charter.net by Dec. 12. WBN is a local volunteer-run networking group of women in small businesses, professional practices, nonprofits, and the arts who meet monthly for mutual support, education, and networking.
Holiday plays
A festival of holiday short plays will be performed Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street. The plays are “Bûche de Noël,” by Gayle Hudson; “8 Candles and a Shamas,” by Bob Eiland; “Home for the Holiday,” by Karla Sorenson; “Frosty,” by Ellen Sullivan; and “Please Go Home for the Holidays,” by Erin Enwright. Admission is $15; reserve tickets at fivesparks.org/event/festival-of-holiday-plays/.
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
‘A Christmas Carol’
The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St, Worcester, will present Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 16 to 23. On Sunday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m., the cast will present a sensory-friendly performance at which those affected by autism or other sensitivities can attend free of stress or self-consciousness. There will be a pre-show concert featuring the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, the largest and most versatile theater pipe organ in New England. Tickets for this performance are $16, $26 and $31. For more information, please contact the box office at 877-571-7469 or visit TheHanoverTheatre.org.
