Christmas pageant and tree lighting
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 4:30 performance. All are welcome.
Immediately following the second performance of the pageant, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the town’s Christmas tree will be lit, with caroling for all on the Common, accompanied by the Nashoba Valley Concert Band.
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.
- 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.
- Sensory playtime, all ages, best for under 6. Saturday, Dec. 20, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Teen programs
- 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
- Brown bag book club, Wednesday, Dec. 17, noon.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups, Thursday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
- Monday afternoon at the movies, Monday, Dec. 29, 1 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.
- 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.
- Snapology winter vacation program, “Science of Superpowers,” Monday, Dec. 29, through Friday, Jan. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No class Jan. 1.
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 thecanontheatre.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, including 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.
Choral music at Bromfield
The Bromfield School winter choral concert will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m., in the Cronin Auditorium.
Learn to make sourdough
The Goose and Hen farm will offer a class on sourdough bread baking Saturday, Dec. 20, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at 85 Old Littleton Road. Make European-style sourdough bread with simple ingredients and no kneading. Participants will leave with an in-progress loaf plus additional sourdough starter. $30 per person, $35 if you’re making gluten-free bread. Email kerry.thegooseandhen@gmail.com if interested.
The ‘Messiah’ sing
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, 9 Ayer Road, will hold a community sing of Handel’s “Messiah” oratorio Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m. Bring your own score or buy one at the door, and join professional soloists and orchestra in the 61st year of this annual event. Non-singers are also welcome to come and listen. Suggested donation $25, but no one is turned away.
Save the date
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026: Fruitlands’ New Years Day hike
Friday, Jan. 23, 2026: Warner Free Lecture. Dan Boudillion and Strong Bear Medicine, “Nashobah Praying Indians: A Living People, A Living Landscape.”
OUT OF TOWN
TubaChristmas in Ayer
Tuba players from all over New England will gather at the Ayer Town Hall, 1 Main St., Ayer, on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m., for the annual TubaChristmas concert. Sing along to carols and songs and enjoy the spirit of the season. Directed by former Bromfield School band director Tom Reynolds.
Film screening ‘Where Are You, Adam?’
The documentary film “Where Are You, Adam?” will be shown at the Icon Museum and Study Center, 203 Union St., Clinton, Monday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. Filmed at the Docheiariou Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece, the film observes the daily life of monks, their inner world, and their perseverance in a place so unique that it seems not bound by time. For more information and tickets visit iconmuseum.org/event/film-screening-where-are-you-adam.
Boston Tea Party commemoration
The 252nd anniversary of the Boston Tea Party will be marked Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6:15 p.m., at Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston, with a live reenactment of the Meeting of the Body of the People. See history come to life as Revolutionary figures like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere grapple with the decision to take action against British tyranny.
The fully immersive reenactment recreates one of the most consequential public meetings in American history, held in the very room it occurred. Visit revolutionaryspaces.thundertix.com/events/255582 for tickets and information.