Above: Santa Day is coming soon. It’s just one of several holiday events to make sure are in your calendar. (photos by Beth Melo)
Thanksgiving is almost here. That means the biggest weekend for holiday celebrations is around the corner and event organizers are eager for residents to mark their calendars.
Already, I’m aware of more than two dozen special events related to December holidays* (including shopping). This is mostly events in Southborough. But I also included concerts for community choruses and singing groups in our area that include Southborough singers.
As I post more details on these events, I’ll insert links below to dedicated posts. I’ll also update the list if I learn of more events.
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Holiday Shopping Fair and Photo Shoot (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) @ Southborough Community House, 28 Main Street: Shop from more local artists and craftspeople and buy gifts for the holiday season. While you are there, have your holiday photoshoot. For details, see dedicated post.
Friday, November 25, 2022
Gulbankian Holiday Open House (6:00 – 9:00 pm) @ Gulbankian Florist, 40 Mt Vickery Rd: Drop in for holiday music and free refreshments. (Masks required). Enter the raffle of gift baskets featuring local businesses. The event is combined with a sale on gifts and holiday decor. For details, see dedicated post.
Saturday, November 26, 2022
Small Business Saturday: I encourage residents to support Southborough businesses on this day (and year round). Click here for my Shop Local directory.
Sunday, November 27, 2022
DIY Rustic Wooden Box workshop (3:00 – 4:30 pm) @ Gulbankian Florist, 40 Mt Vickery Rd: There is a registration fee and attendance is limited. For details, see dedicated post.
Thursday, December 1, 2022
DIY Holiday Wreath Workshop (6:30 – 8:00 pm) @ Gulbankian Florist, 40 Mt Vickery Rd: There is a registration fee and attendance is limited. For details, see dedicated post.
Friday, December 2, 2022
Girl Scout Holiday Sing-along (6:30 – 7:30 pm) @ Community House Lawn: Event for all families in Southborough. Kick off lighting up the Community House for the holiday season with an old-fashioned holiday sing-along with some modern touches. For details, see dedicated post.
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Annual Kids Shop (9:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ St Anne’s Church Parish Hall, 20 Boston Road: An annual Southborough tradition. Boy Scout Troop 92 provides a safe haven for kids to do their own holiday shopping for family members without parents’ prying eyes. While waiting, adults can enjoy a bake sale and coffee. For details, see dedicated post.
Art and Gift Sale (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) @ 49 Lynbrook Road (L’Abri Fellowship): Local artisans and craftspeople will be selling holiday gifts. This event is free and open to the public. Includes jewelry, fine art, natural body care, textiles, and ceramics. For details, see dedicated post.
Christmas Bazaar (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 27 Main Street: Featuring the White Elephant, jewelry, toy, and craft sales, a silent auction, kids games and activities, basket raffle, a lunchtime Café, and more. All proceeds benefit the church’s Youth Group Annual Mission Trip and the Southborough Food Pantry’s Fuel Assistance Program. For details, see dedicated post.
Holiday Book Sale (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ Southborough Library: The Friends of the Southborough Library will be holding a special book sale upstairs. One free book per child. For details, see dedicated post.
Holiday Tree Party (10:30 am – 2:00 pm) @ Southborough Library: Kids are invited to enjoy refreshments and make ornaments to hang on the library holiday tree. For details, see dedicated post.
Santa Day (12:00 – 3:00 pm) @ Community House: See Santa arrive by fire engine. Then join him and Southborough Kindergroup at the Community House for activities and refreshments before kids share their wishes with Santa while posing for a picture. For details, see dedicated post.
“A Wish for Peace” WCC Holiday Show (8:00 pm) @ Gibbons Middle School, Westborough: The Westborough Community Chorus will perform its annual Holiday Show, with audience singalong and a visit from Santa. For details, see related post.
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Gingerbread House Building Workshop (11:30 am) @ Pilgrim Congregational Church, 15 Common St: Build gingerbread houses while listening to festive music and drinking hot chocolate. Proceeds will benefit the Southborough Food Pantry! (RSVP by November 30.) For details, see related post.
The True Story of Santa Claus (11:30 am – 1:00 pm) @ St. Anne’s Parish stage, 20 Boston Rd: The public is cordially invited to a staged reading play of “The True Story of Santa Claus”, followed by a party with pictures with “Santa”, Nativity Gingerbread House Making, Candle Wreath Making, and more. For details, see dedicated post.
NACC Christmas Concert (2:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional, Northborough: The Northborough Area Community Chorus will perform its annual Christmas Holiday Show. Expect a visit from Santa. For details, see related post.
“A Wish for Peace” WCC Holiday Show (2:00 pm) @ Gibbons Middle School, Westborough: The Westborough Community Chorus will perform its annual Christmas Holiday Show, with audience singalong and a visit from Santa. For details, see related post.
Make Your own Porch Pot (3:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Gulbankian Florist, 40 Mt Vickery Rd: There is a registration fee and attendance is limited. For details, see dedicated post.
Messiah Community Concert (3:30 pm) @ Pilgrim Congregational Church, 15 Common St: The annual concert performing selections from Handel’s Messiah. For details, see dedicated post.
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Lessons and Carols (6:45 pm) @ Belmont Chapel, St. Mark’s School: The public is invited to attend the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas with new and traditional Christmas anthems and congregational caroling. For details see dedicated post.
Wednesday, December 7
Ladies Night Out and Boxwood Trees (6:00 – 9:00 pm) @ Southborough Community House, 28 Main St: With the holiday music playing, join Gulbankian Florist’s DIY Boxwood Tree workshop. These are fun and easy to make, and extremely long lasting. There is a registration fee and attendance is limited. For details, see dedicated post.
Thursday, December 8, 2022
DIY Holiday Table Runner (6:30 – 8:00 pm) @ Gulbankian Florist, 40 Mt Vickery Rd: There is a registration fee and attendance is limited. For details, see dedicated post.
Lessons and Carols (6:45 pm) @ Belmont Chapel, St. Mark’s School: The public is invited to attend the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas with new and traditional Christmas anthems and congregational caroling. For details see dedicated post.
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Virtual DIY Healthy Gifts (2:00 – 3:00 pm): Virtual workshop offered by the Southborough Public Library. Learn how to make healthy, homemade delicious & decadent desserts
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Rescheduled to January 29th – NAHS Winter Wonderland (10:00 am – 12:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School Cafeteria, 79 Bartlett St. Northborough: Algonquin’s National Art Honor Society is hosting a free community event (but donations are appreciated). Enjoy crafts, hot cocoa, a story station, and holiday cheer. For details see dedicated post.
Fill a Cruiser (1:00 – 5:00 pm) @ Public Safety Building, 32 Cordaville Road: Southborough Police Asssociation is seeking donations for the Southborough Food Pantry in their 2nd annual collection drive for the holidays. For details, see dedicated post.
Interboro Community Band Winter Concert (2:00 pm) @ Westborough High School, 90 W Main St: A free symphonic concert for the public featuring “Contemporary Selections and Holiday Favorites” from the regional band’s repertoire. For details see dedicated post.
Youth Christmas Caroling (2:30 – 4:30 pm) @ St. Anne Parish, 20 Boston Road: Depart from St. Anne’s to local venues. (They will be joining the United Parishes of Southborough on this special outing.) For details, see related post.
AVM Messiah Sing (3:30 pm) @ First Church, 37 High Street, Marlborough: Assabet Valley Mastersingers regional chorus will perform the Christmas portion of Handel’s oratorio and the “Hallelujah Chorus” with audience participation and organ accompaniment. $10 admission. For details, see related post.
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Holiday Centerpiece Workshop (6:30 – 8:00 pm) @ Gulbankian Florist, 40 Mt Vickery Rd: There is a registration fee and attendance is limited. For details, see dedicated post.
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Christmas Pageant (6:15 – 7:30 pm) @ St. Anne Parish, 20 Boston Road: The evening begins with a 5:00 pm family Mass, followed by a dinner theater play highlighting the beginning of the Gospel of St. John, and the infancy narratives from the Gospels of St. Luke & St. Matthew. Please bring a small gift to donate to Seniors in Need. For details, see related post.
Holi-gay Party (7:00 – 9:00 pm) @ Pilgrim Church, 15 Common St: Saturday Pride Identity Art Project hosted by Southborough Safe Spaces (A social group for LBGTQ+ youth of all faiths in grades 6-12 and their allies.) This event is for grades 6-12. Bring a gift for swapping (priced about $10) and an appetizer or dessert to share. For more details, click here.
Sunday, December 18, 2022
O’ Antiphon Vespers & Ornament Making (6:45 pm) @ St. Anne Parish, 20 Boston Road: The ancient liturgy will immediately follow the 5:30 pm Mass liturgy. It will feature Gregorian chant highlighting the Great O’Antiphon,”O Adonai,” a tradition dating back to the 8th Century. O’ Antiphon ornament making follows in the Parish Hall. For details, see related post.
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
ARHS Holiday Concert (7:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School Auditorium, 79 Bartlett St, Northborough: The school’s annual Christmas concert traditionally brings together both instrumental and vocal groups. For details see dedicated post. (Sorry, I had accidentally included a link from last year. This year’s details are now posted.)
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Gingerbread Cookie Decorating (4:00 – 4:30 pm or 4:30 – 5:00 pm) @ Southborough Library: Each participant (ages 6+) will get to decorate their own gingerbread cookie. Pre-registration is required. For details, see related post.
Thursday, December 22, 2022
FESTIVAL OF Lessons & Carols (7:00 – 8:00 pm) @ St. Anne Parish, 20 Boston Road: The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century. Listen to nine Scripture lessons followed by a carol/song that reflects the message and a brief prayer. The Festival in church will be followed by Christmas cookies & libations in the parish hall. Please bring a small gift to donate to Seniors in Need. For details, see related post.
Friday, December 23, 2022
NSBORO Schools early dismissal for Holiday break: Public Schools of Southborough and Northborough start the winter break with an early dismissal. School doesn’t resume until January 3rd.
Saturday, December 24 & Sunday, December 25, 2021
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day religious services @ Southborough churches: Stay tuned for my annual dedicated post listing Christmas Masses, Candlelight Services, Carols, Pageants & Celebrations at the seven churches in town.
*I didn’t include Southborough Senior Center events that already have full registration with waitlists.
Updated (11/15/22 3:36 pm) I added in the December 4th Messiah Community Chorus Concert.
Updated (11/22/22 3:36 pm) I added in the December 21st Gingerbread Cookie Decorating event and Small Business Saturday
Updated (11/28/22 5:03 pm) I added the December 11th Interboro Community Band Winter Concert. Plus, I updated that the Girl Scout sing-a-long isn’t just for Girl Scouts.
Updated (12/2/22 5:11 pm): Due to the weather Santa will arrive at Santa Day by Fire Engine.
Updated (12/5/22 12:46 pm): I learned about two more community events on December 11th — NAHS’ Winter Wonderland and Southborough Police Association’s Fill a Cruiser.
Updated (12/8/22 3:08 pm): I added multiple St. Anne’s youth events.
Updated (12/14/22 3:08 pm): I just learned that the NAHS event on 12/11 was rescheduled to 1/29.
Updated (12/16/22 10:46 am): I just learned that about the Holi-gay party on the 17th.
