The next few weeks are loaded with all kinds of fun holiday-related events. Santa Claus will be all over the area spreading his special kind of cheer. Organizations large and small will host, sponsor and otherwise take part in all manner of sing-alongs, toy drives, food drives, and holiday fairs.
Here is a sampling of those events.
Benoit Square Lighting
The North Fairhaven Improvement Association will be celebrating the annual “Lighting of the Square” at Benoit Sq. on Fri., 12/2 at 6:30 p.m., where Adams Street and Main Street merge. This will include singing Christmas carols, a visit from Santa on a fire truck and candy canes for all. Immediately following, Santa will be available to meet and have photographs taken individually with the kids inside the N.F.I.A. building across the street.
Everyone is welcome. This is a free event. Hope to see you there.
EFS Craft Fair
Back by popular demand! The East Fairhaven School Parent Teacher Organization is proud to present Winter Wonderland Craft Fair on Sat., 12/3 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at East Fairhaven School, 2 New Boston Rd., Fairhaven. FREE admission.
Featuring more than 20 vendors to shop from, drafts made by EFS children for their parents to buy, Fun activities for children, Bake sale, Gift wrapping
Christmas Concert
Ninth Annual Christmas Concert at Church of the Good Shepherd, 357 Main St., Fairhaven, Fri., 12/2, 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend, whether as a musician or a member of the audience. Thanksgiving offerings are welcome. Canned goods for the Shepherd’s Pantry would be greatly appreciated. Good Shepherd is looking for musicians to perform at the concert. Please tell your friends and family! If anyone would like to perform, let any Oxford Book Haven & Cafe worker know or call Kathy DeCosta at 508-245-2792.
In New Bedford
• Cove Street Neighborhood Group Tree Lighting: Fri., 12/2, at 5 p.m. at the park on the corner of Ruth Street and Salisbury Street
• AHA! Holiday Shop & Stroll: Fri., 12/2, 4–6 p.m. and Sat., 12/3, Noon to 4 p.m. Downtown New Bedford. Area residents are invited to stroll the festively decorated cobblestoned streets of the Whaling City’s downtown, to shop locally for holiday gifts, hear caroling, dine out, jump aboard fire truck rides, meet Santa, witness the city’s tree lighting and more. Visit http://www.ahanewbedford.org/ holiday-stroll.php
• City of New Bedford Official Christmas Tree Lighting: Sat., 12/3, at 4:30 p.m. Pleasant Street in Front of Main Library DowntownAt 4:30 p.m. Santa & Mrs. Claus will lead a parade up William Street to the Main Library. Features holiday songs, greetings from local elected officials and an appearance by Santa Claus! Finally, the ceremony will conclude with a spectacular surprise: You don’t want to miss this fiery hot finale! NB Community Services Department will also serve complimentary hot chocolate!
• Festival of Lights Celebration at Clasky Common Park, Sun., 12/4, at 5:00 p.m. Clasky Common Park at County and Pope Streets. Join the countdown celebration to illuminate festive displays of dazzling lights throughout Clasky Common Park. Members of the Parker Elementary School chorus will perform and Santa Claus is expected to join the celebration!
• Monte Park Tree Lighting, Mon., 12/5, at 5:30 p.m. Monte Park located at Acushnet Avenue and Cannon Street
Book Fair
Millicent’s Holiday Book Fair (an Old-Time Holiday event) Sat., 12/10. Millicent Library Auditorium, 45 Center St., Fairhaven (Walnut St. entrance).
Join the Friends of the Millicent Library at a book fair where 20 local authors will be signing and selling their books. A book makes a great gift! Use the handicap accessible Walnut Street entrance to the auditorium. Sponsored by Friends of the Millicent Library. For more information, email friendsmillicentlibrary@gmail.com.
Town Hall Shops
(An Old-Time Holiday event) Sat., 12/10, 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fairhaven Town Hall, 40 Center St., Fairhaven
The Town Hall auditorium is filled with tables of sale items from about 25 non-profit groups, school groups and churches. You’ll find gifts, holiday wreaths and centerpieces, baked goods, candy, ornaments, hand crafted items, T-Shirts, FHS items, Dinner for Two books, raffles, and silent auctions. There will be face painting by Heart Henna, children’s activities and music by students of Fairhaven Public Schools. Outdoors there will be coffee, cocoa, baked goods, soups, hotdogs, and popcorn. Accessible. Free. Sponsored by the Fairhaven Office of Tourism. Email FairhavenTours@aol.com or call 508-979-4085.
The Old Brick Church Fair & Luncheon
(An Old-Time Holiday event) Sat., 12/10, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 34 Center St., Fairhaven
The church will be alive with activity. Craft Vendors, Baked Goods, Cookies, Home Cooking, Vermont Cheddar Cheese, Chance Auction, Silent Auction, Coffee Shop and much more. The “Heavenly Treasures,” second-hand shop will be open all day. Lobster roll luncheon will be served from 11:00 a.m. until sold out. Chowder and hotdogs, too.. Accessible. Call 508-993-3368 or email firstcongfairhaven@gmail.com.
Cookies & Santa
(An Old-Time Holiday event) At Our Lady’s Haven, Sat., 12/10, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center St., Fairhaven
Our Lady’s Haven, built originally as the Tabitha Inn by Henry H. Rogers in 1905, will open its lobby to visitors, who will be treated to Christmas cookies, coffee and hot chocolate. Santa will be on hand to meet children and pose for photos. There will be Christmas items for sale. Sponsored by the Diocesan Health Facilities Organization. Accessible (via Laurel St. side entrance). Call 508-999-4561 or email lisag@dhfo.org.
Holiday Marketplace
(An Old-Time Holiday event) At Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green St., Fairhaven. Sanctuary Tours & Luncheon, Sat., 12/10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Luncheon at Harrop Center 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The parish house will be the site stress-free shopping with a variety of fine crafters’ booths, baked goods and holiday greens. Festive holiday music, a visit from St. Nicholas and a Christmas tree decorated with love will spread holiday cheer throughout the halls. Tours of the sanctuary will be given. Free Admission. Accessible. Next door in the Harrop Center a luncheon of soups and sandwiches will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until sold out. Call 508-992-7081 or emailofficeuufhvn@aol.com.
Craft Day
(An Old-Time Holiday event) Old-Time Holiday Family Craft Day, Sat., 12/10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Art on Center Inc., 15 Center St., Fairhaven
A great event for the whole family! Art on Center will be a part of the Fairhaven Old Time Holiday weekend. They will have a variety of fun holiday craft projects for artists of all ages. Stop in for hot chocolate and art you can take home! Call 774-206-1709, email info@artoncenter.org or visit http://www.artoncenter.org.
Town Hall Sing-Along
(An Old-Time Holiday event) Sat., 12/10, 6:00 p.m., Town Hall, 40 Center St., Fairhaven A community tradition! Sing carols on the steps of the Town Hall while waiting for the arrival of a jolly visitor from the North Pole. Then enjoy some hot chocolate. Sponsored by the Fairhaven Improvement Association. Free.
Holiday House Tour
(An Old-Time Holiday event) By the Fairhaven Historical Society Sun., 12/11, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Starts at Fairhaven Academy Building, 141 Main St., Fairhaven A holiday tour of historical houses and other buildings of interest. Tickets are $20 in advance, available at the Millicent Library or the Euro/ Phoenix store. On the day of the tour, tickets are $25. Call Ricky Goytizolo at 508-991-5675.
Service of Lessons & Carols
(An Old-Time Holiday Event) At Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green St., Fairhaven, Sun., 12/11, 4:30 p.m. The Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven presents a service of lessons and carols, with seasonal readings and music performed by Music Director Dwight Thomas and the choir of the UMC. All are welcome. Free. (Donations accepted.) Accessible. Call 508-992-7081.
Click here to download the entire 12/1/16 issue: 12-01-16-bonfire
