Looking for holiday- and winter-themed activities? Check out these crafts fairs, tree lightings, holiday strolls, movies, music, and more.
In or close to the neighborhood
Framingham High School Holiday Marketplace, Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 am to 3 pm, Framingham High School. More than 75 vendors showcasing and selling unique gift items, plus FHS student organizations selling items to support their groups. This is the FHS parent/teacher booster club’s biggest fundraiser of the year. $5 admission for adults (18 and under free). Boston Events BBQ Kayem Trailer will be on site selling food.
Winterfest, Sunday, Dec. 3, 11 am to 3 pm, First Parish Church, 24 Vernon St. Holiday boutique with hand-crafted items, gingerbread house competition, crafts for kids.
Victorian Yuletide Cards, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2 to 7 pm, McAuliffe Library. All ages are invited to create your very own Victorian Yuletide card to hang in your living room or send out to friends or family. Drop in any time between 2 and 7.
Holiday Bazaar and Open Studios, Friday, Dec. 8 6 to 9 pm and Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 am to 3 pm, The Mill Contemporary Art, Mill 1 at Saxonville Mills, 2 Central St. More than a dozen artists and creatives are expected to open their studios for this event. Note: On Saturday, enter at 36 John H. Finley III Way.
Caroling on the Common, Sunday, Dec. 10, 4 to 5:30 pm, inside Village Hall, 2 Oak St. Framingham History Center and Voices of MetroWest host this free holiday celebration featuring caroling, holiday crafts, treats, and hot cocoa.
A Christmas Carol: Dramatic Reading with Helen Heinman, Monday, Dec. 18, 7 to 8 pm, online library event. An annual tradition where Charles Dickens’ masterpiece comes to life. Dr. Heineman will perform a dramatized reading enhanced by a slideshow of more than 205 illustrations. Info to register for the Zoom link.
Winter Solstice: Honoring the Dark; Trusting the Promise of Light, Thursday, Dec. 21, 7:30 pm, Edwards Hall, 39 Edwards St. or on Zoom. Open Spirit Center hosts an hour of gentle yoga, deep relaxation, and guided meditation on the longest night of the year. Free to attend, although donations to Open Spirit would be appreciated.
Craft Ladies: Winter Votive Holders, Thursday, Dec. 21, 7 pm, McAuliffe Library. Join the Craft Ladies for an Adult craft night and create a Mason jar votive holder, decorated for winter.
Friends of Framingham Trails New Years Eve Celebration on the Cochituate Rail Trail, Sunday, Dec. 31, 4:30 to 7:30 pm, in partnership with the city of Framingham. Groups will host fire pits and offer family-friendly activities. Modeled after similar events in Holliston and Natick, this event is still being planned. Know an organization that might be interested in hosting a free fire pit? Fill out the form.
Elsewhere around Framingham
City of Framingham Holiday Tree Lighting & Block Party, Friday, Dec. 1, 5 to 7:30 pm, Union Avenue from Concord to Proctor streets. Free hot cocoa and treats, music, a story walk, free books, and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected sometime after 6:15 pm. There will also be a Girl Scouts sing-along. Parking will be available at the Memorial Building, main library, Danforth Building, and Pearl Street Garage.
If you’re attending the Holiday Tree Lighting & Block Party, there’s also Framingham Police Fill the Cruiser nearby, Friday, Dec. 1, 5 to 7 pm, Framingham Police Department, 1 William H Welch Way. Bring a new unwrapped toy to donate. Donations will be given to local programs to assist those in need this holiday season.
Framingham Garden Club Holiday Greens Sale, Friday, Dec. 1, 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 am to 11 am, Cushing Maintenance Building off Winter Street (enter at Keefe Tech). Wreaths, baskets, centerpieces, mantlepieces, and more.
Diwali: Festival of Lights, Saturday, Dec. 2, 12:30 to 4:30 pm, Main Library, 49 Lexington St. Events include lighting of ceremonial lamp, a Rangoli competition, dance, songs, and music.
Framingham Rotary Holiday Craft Fair, Dec. 9, 10 am to 4 pm, Keefe Tech Regional Technical High School. Although not a juried event, the fair is intended for artists and crafters.
Jack’s Abby German Christmas Market, Dec. 9 -10 and Dec. 16-17, 2 to 6 pm Saturdays and 1 to 4 pm Sundays, 100 Clinton St. Featuring different local vendors each weekend. “Even if Christmas is not your thing, this is a fun, welcoming time for all to come support awesome local vendors and organizations who help make our community better!” the event webpage says.
Holiday Cookie Decorating (55+), Tuesday, Dec. 12, 1:30 pm, Callahan Center, 535 Union Ave. For those 55 and older. Presented by Casa De Ramana. Icing, sprinkles, frosting, and more! Festivities will include decorating a mix of gingerbread and sugar cookies, holiday cheer, hot beverages, and holiday music. Space limited, RSVP required.
Holiday Concert Featuring the New Sound Assembly Barbershop Chorus (55+), Thursday, Dec. 14, 1:30 pm, Callahan Center, 535 Union Ave. For those 55 and older. Celebrate the holiday season with this four-part a cappella singing harmonies at their best. Register by Dec. 13.
The Grinch Community Movie Screening, Friday, Dec. 15, 6:30 pm doors open, 7 pm movie, atac Theatre, 160 Hollis St. Free with RSVP.
Exhibit ‘A’ Holiday Market, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2 to 7 pm, 81 Morton St. With vendors including S & D Wreaths, ChopValue, Fern & Feather, and Little Dough Peep.
Community Kiln Holiday Fair, Saturday, Dec. 16, 11 am to 4 pm,10 Roxanna St. Raffles, around 25 vendors (mostly ceramics/pottery), holiday cheer. Cash recommended. Proceeds benefit Community Kiln, a South Middlesex Opportunity Council program.
Sea Glass Tree Workshop, Monday, Dec. 18, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Keefe Tech. Create 2 beautiful Sea Glass Trees up to 9 inches tall. Design either as year-round decor or holiday treasures, either to keep or give as gifts. Led by Lisa Young, owner of Coastal Craft Workshop. $65 tuition. 6:30-8:30 pm.
You can see most of these events and lots more non-holiday happenings in a searchable, sortable list at FraminghamEvents.com.
Nearby towns
Town of Sudbury Holiday Village, Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 am to 2 pm. Live music at Presbyterian Church, winter gift market at Town Hall, Festival of Wreaths at Sudbury History Museum, and more.
Natick Tree Lighting on the Common and Holiday Stroll, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2 to 6 pm. Tree lighting features crafts, caroling, a visit from Santa, and more, on the Natick Town Common from 2 to 5. The Holiday Stroll is from 3 to 6 pm with face painting, balloon twisting, and music in various shops in Natick Center.
Arts Wayland Annual Holiday Marketplace, Sunday, Dec. 3, 11 am to 5 pm, Wayland High School Commons, 264 Old Connecticut Path, Wayland. Items for sale from more than 30 local artisans and vendors.
Wayland Center Holiday Events, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2 to 5 pm. Grout-Heard House Museum, 12 Cochituate Road, decorated for the holidays, will serve refreshments; at 2:30 pm, a Wayland HS string quartet will perform, there will be other events. Wayland Free Public Library nearby at 5 Concord Road will also be serving refreshments and there will be a sing-along with local musician David Polansky at 3 pm. First Parish, 225 Boston Post Road, hosts an outdoor sing-along caroling fest at 4:30 pm with Sudbury Valley New Horizons Band, followed by cookies and hot cocoa.
Wayland Town Center Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting, Saturday, Dec. 9, 3-5 pm, tree lighting at 4:45. Tree lighting, guest appearance by Santa, Wayland Police & Fire, store giveaways. Wayland Town Center mixed-use community, 400 Boston Post Road, Wayland.
Sudbury Art Association Popup Holiday Market, through Dec. 24, 10 am to 6 pm daily except Thursdays until 8 pm. 39 Union Ave., Sudbury, upstairs above Carpet Carousel.
Not a pop-up, but note that Saxonville’s Framed in Time’s Artful Gift Gallery includes items from local artists, 2 Central St., Saxonville Mills, Framingham.
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