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It’s holiday time, and regardless of which holiday you celebrate, chances are it involves friends, family and traditions. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the holiday celebrations around Central Mass., while giving you a peek into holiday traditions of the past.
Denholm’s for the Holidays
Saturday, Dec. 10; 7:30-11 p.m.
Denholm Building
484 Main St., Worcester
$65-$125 call 508-754-8760 for tickets
With gilded escalators, festive window displays and a wide array of fashions, Denholms once was Worcester’s largest and most modern department store. Experience the building once again lit up for the holidays and relive the golden days of shopping in downtown Worcester. You’ll see Deholm’s decked out for the holidays; enjoy hors d’oeuvres, dessert and a cash bar; and watch the Vintage Showcase with James Hogan, guest designer.
Worcester’s Festival of Lights
Friday, Dec. 2; 5-9 p.m.
Worcester Common
455 Main St., Worcester
www.worcesterma.gov
Sam James, who appeared on Season 3 of The Voice, will headline Worcester’s annual Festival of Lights this year. There will also be a performance by the cast of the Hanover Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, children’s choral performances, a demonstration by the Northstar figure skaters, horse-drawn wagon rides, performances by the combined choruses of Goddard and Quinsigamond schools, the Quadrivium Ensemble from Burncoat High School, the Doherty Madrigal and Worcester’s first food truck rodeo. The tree lighting will be at 6:45 p.m., followed by visits with Santa on the plaza. The Oval will be open for free skating at 5:30 p.m. Skate rentals are $3.
Worcester JCC Hanukkah Concert
Sunday, Dec. 11; 3-5 p.m.
Worcester JCC
633 Salisbury St., Worcester
Free
www.worcesterjcc.org
A wonderful holiday concert everyone can enjoy! Free and open to the public, the Worcester JCC will host a Hanukkah Concert featuring Hankus Netsky and The Hebrew National Salvage Project presenting “Lost and Found: Jewish Musical Treasures.” The program includes Hassidic melodies, klezmer dance tunes, Yiddish folksong, pieces from the Yiddish theater and other Hanukkah classics. The ensemble includes pianist and arranger Hankus Netsky, vocalist and actress Miryem-Khaye Seigel, bassist Kirsten Lamb and percussionist Grant Smith. Hebrew National Salvage is known for its active role in rescuing extraordinary Jewish musical treasures that have been otherwise neglected, discarded or overlooked and using them as a point of departure for compelling traditional and contemporary musical presentations. Their members have been major activists in the revival of Eastern European Jewish musical culture. To RSVP, call or email Nancy Greenberg at (508) 756-7109 x232 or ngreenberg@worcesterjcc.org.
First Night Worcester
Saturday, Dec. 31
Various locations in Worcester
35th anniversary commemorative button is $35
Buttons are $10 before Dec. 25, $12 after Dec. 25, $15 at the door, kids 7 and younger are free
www.firstnightworcester.org
First Night Worcester will celebrate its 35th anniversary New Year’s Eve. In addition to a robust line-up of nearly 80 First Night performances, there will be many activities around town to take advantage of, all free with a First Night button, including fireworks, skating on the Oval and the Kids Zone. Jillian’s Worcester will once again host a free pasta bar for First Night attendees as well as giving out free $10 gift cards to use in its game room. Other activities include open houses at the Joy of Music Program and the Worcester JCC. As in years past, a First Night button grants free access to the area’s leading cultural centers. Museum partners include the EcoTarium, Museum of Russian Icons, Old Sturbridge Village, Salisbury Mansion, Worcester Art Museum and the Worcester Historical Museum.
For the second consecutive year, First Night will have a free Apple mobile app to provide easy access to the event schedule with links to venues, performers, activities, sponsors and maps.
More Holiday Events:
Nov. 25-Dec. 11*
Stowe Farm’s Christmas Fun
Stowe Farm, Millbury
www.stowefarm.com
Nov. 25-Jan. 8*
Winter Reimagined
Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston
www.towerhillbg.org
Nov. 26-Dec 11*
Sorry Wrong Chimney
Stageloft Repertory Theater, Fiskdale
www.stageloft.org
Dec. 1-4
Festival of Giving Trees
LaSalle Reception Center at Notre Dame Chuch, Southbridge
www.sparklingtrees.com
Dec. 2
Holiday One-Acts Festival
Gateway Players Theatre Arts Barn, Southbridge
gatewayplayers.org
Dec. 2-23*
Christmas by Candlelight
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
www.osv.org
Dec. 2-30*
Candlelight Tours At Home for the Holidays
Salisbury Mansion
40 Highland St., Worcester
www.worcesterhistory.net
Dec. 3
Handel’s Messiah
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
www.musicworcester.org
Dec. 3-11*
Holiday Open House & Living Gift Market
Heifer International Learning Center at Overlook Farm, Rutland
www.heifer.org
A Christmas Journey
EcoTarium, Worcester
www.ecotarium.org
Dec. 4
Holiday Shopping Boutique
Worcester JCC, Worcester
www.worcesterjcc.org
stART at the Station
Grand Hall at Union Station, Worcester
www.startonthestreet.org
Dec. 9
Boston Pops Holiday Concert
Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, Worcester
www.thehanovertheatre.org
Dec. 10
Yule Time Wizard Market
Higgins Building, Worcester
www.newizardschool.com
Princeton Arts Society’s Show & Holiday Marketplace
Princeton Center Building, Princeton
www.princetonarts.org
Children’s Holiday Party
Worcester Public Library, Worcester
www.mywpl.org
Holiday Pops Concert
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
www.masymphony.org
Dec. 11
The Nutcracker
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
www.mechanicshall.org
Holiday Concert
Worcester Art Museum, Worcester
www.worcesterart.org
Dec. 17
A Christmas Carol
Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, Worcester
www.thehanovertheatre.org
Dec. 20
A Christmas Celtic Sojurn with Brian O’Donovan
Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, Worcester
www.thehanovertheatre.org
* Check website for specific dates and times.
