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.
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
- Lego club, grades K-6, Saturday, Nov. 29, 1:30 p.m.
- Write stuff, grades 4-6, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 3:45 p.m. Share writing in a small group.
- Baby and toddler disco party, ages 0 to 3+ and their grown-ups, Thursday, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m. Dance and have fun with your child; includes flashing lights and noise.
- 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.
Teen programs
- Teen advisory board, grades 7-12, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m. Help shape collections and programs for teens.
- Teen after-school movie and treat, grades 6-12, Thursday, Dec. 4, 3 p.m.
- Teen maker day, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 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.
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.
- Fall music series concert, Bruce Gertz Quartet. Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.
- Create a 3-D 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, 2-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.
Christmas fair at St. Benedict Center
St. Benedict Center and the Immaculate Heart of Mary School will hold a Christmas fair Saturday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in MacIsaac Hall at 271 Still River Road. Experience the true spirit of Christmas with gifts, crafts, cookies, music, food, raffles, games, and old-fashioned cheer. Free parking and admission.
Make collaged holiday ornaments
Fruitlands Museum will host a holiday crafting event Saturday, Nov. 29, 1 to 3 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Using the Victorian art of decoupage, create a unique ornament decorated with winter motifs, perfect for hanging on the tree, giving as a gift, or making any space more festive, all while enjoying some festive, bubbly refreshments. Members $36, nonmembers $45, ages 21 and older.
Tree lighting at Devens
Join the Devens community for the annual tree lighting Thursday, Dec. 4, 4 to 6 p.m., at 100 Sherman Ave., Devens. Enjoy holiday music, refreshments, and a visit from Santa Claus, plus photos with Santa and small gifts for children while supplies last. Donations to Toys for Tots and to the Loaves and Fishes food pantry will also be accepted.
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.
December Fest in town center
December Fest will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, 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 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 at 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.
Holiday artisan market at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will hold its annual holiday artisan market Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Shop for high-quality 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.
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.
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 sites.google.com/site/harvardpto/solstice-event. Proceeds benefit Harvard schools resources and curriculum enrichment.
Sullivan performs 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.
Save the dates
- Saturday, Dec. 13: Army-Navy game watch party at Fort Devens Museum
- Sunday, Dec. 21: Messiah sing at Unitarian Universalist Church.
OUT OF TOWN
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ plays in Gardner
Theatre at the Mount will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” weekends through Sunday, Dec. 7, at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner. Fridays and Saturdays curtain at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Special sensory friendly performance Saturday, Dec. 6., 2 p.m. This lively and family-friendly musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber brings the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors to vibrant life on stage. For tickets and information visit mwcc.edu/campus-life/tam/shows.
Holiday pops for kids
The Lexington Symphony Orchestra will present their holiday pops program for children Friday, Dec. 5, 4 p.m., at Cary Hall, 1605 Mass. Ave., Lexington. Sponsored by the Russian School of Mathematics, the program will feature Massachusetts’ first Poet Laureate Regie Gibson, the Lexington Children’s Chorus, the New World Chorale, and special guest, Santa Claus.
Find tickets and additional information at lexingtonsymphony.org.