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.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events, visit harvardpublic library.org/services/events.
Children’s programs
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesdays, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4, 4:15, and 4:30 p.m.
- GraviTrax challenge, ages 8 and up, Thursday, Dec. 5, 3:45 p.m. Build a marble raceway.
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.
- 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.
Teen programs
- After-school movie, grades 6 and up, Thursday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m.
- 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.
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 the complete schedule and 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 Artisan Fair, Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Interactive photo exhibit
An interactive photography exhibit that tells the story of how the Harvard community has welcomed two families who fled Afghanistan will be on display through Saturday, Nov. 30, at the library at 4 Pond Road. The photography is the work of 2024 Bromfield graduate Behishta Kabir and photojournalist Jodi Hilton. To view and hear the augmented reality images, bring a smartphone with earbuds and with the app ARTIVIVE installed.
Harvard Woman’s Club
The Harvard Woman’s Club will host a holiday program Monday, Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m., at St. Theresa Catholic Church. All are welcome to come and celebrate a variety of holiday traditions, music, and foods with friends in this interactive program to usher in the holiday spirit.
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.
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.
Holiday artisan market at Fruitlands
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.
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.
Harvard 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.
‘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.
Save the date
- Friday, Jan. 10, townwide book read, “Defiant Dreams.”
OUT OF TOWN
Wreath art
The Bolton Historical Society will hold their wreath festival and auction on Sunday, Dec. 8, noon to 4. Stop by the barn at 676 Main Street, Bolton to see what wreath artists have done this year.