Holidays 2023 – Greater Gardner MA

Ongoing Event: Holiday Toy Drive now through December 15th – at the Gardner Police Department lobby. Donate an unwrapped new toy in the GPD lobby for a boy or girl between the ages of 9 & 12 and make a local child’s Holiday Merry. All toys will be donated to the Gardner CAC.

Week of November 20th

Phillipston MA: Winter Lights at Red Apple Farm – 2^nd Annual winter Festival featuring 200,000 lights throughout the orchard. November 24^th through December 31^st. Complete Flyer, CLICK HERE.

Gardner MA – Small Business Saturday – Saturday November 25, 2023 – It’s Small Business Saturday in Downtown Gardner! Local shops, businesses, and organizations will be offering deals and in-store events. When you shop in Downtown Gardner, you help to stimulate the local economy. That’s good for you and good for your community. So kick off the holiday season by visiting and shopping at your favorite small businesses in Downtown Gardner.

Westminster MA – VFW Holiday Craft Fair – Saturday, November 25, 2023 9am to 1pm. Free to public. Raffle 3 Eaton Street, Westminster MA. Sponsored by VFW Post 7389 and AMVET Ladies Auxiliary Post 2012

Gardner MA – Ongoing Event – The Gardner Museum 18^th Annual Festival of Trees – November 8^th through December 2^nd, 2023 Wednesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm, Fridays 1pm 7pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-4pm – https://GardnerMuseumInc.com

Christmas Tree Sales -Farm at Evergreen Grove, 827 Green Street, Gardner (on Route 140) – Pick out the Perfect Tree, Feed and Pet the Ponies, Warm up to the Campfire, Listen to Holiday Music. Hours Thursday and Friday 3-7, Saturday and Sunday 8 to 5. – More details in graphic below

Athol MA – Santa Claus Parade – Downtown Athol Saturday November 25, 2023 4:15pm – FLYER CLICK HERE. – Santa Claus will arrive in Athol at 4:15 p.m. to line up to line up for the parade from Lord Pond Plaza to the Athol Town Hall where Santa will disembark from a fire truck to greet the children in Memorial Hall. The parade will consist of the Athol High School Marching Band, the Athol Police Department and the Athol Fire Department. And of course Santa will be riding right up there in the fire truck, along with his assistant, Mr. Dickens. Santa will be greeting children in Memorial Hall until 6:00 p.m. This is a free community event and is sponsored by the Town of Athol and Santa Visits You! That’s on Saturday afternoon, November 25. Happy Holidays!

Gardner MA – Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting – Sunday, November 26th at 4:00 pm. — The annual Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place annually on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. Local shops, businesses, organizations, and citizens come together to join the parade from City Hall to Monument Park for the annual tree lighting. Entertainment, caroling, sleigh rides, and refreshments are all part of the fun!

Gardner MA – Pictures with Santa – Sunday November 26 1-3pm – taking place at The Farm at Evergreen Grove, 827 Green Street, Gardner (on Route 140) – Proceeds to directly to farm and animals (operated by GAAMHA) $25 – to reserve email JHunt@GAAMHA.org – More details in graphic below

Hubbardston MA – Tree Lighting Ceremony – Sunday November 26, 2023. on the Town Common to kick off the holiday season. 5-5:30pm: Cookies, cocoa and caroling. 5:30pm. The town common is brightened up as all the Holiday lights are turned on.

Week of November 27th

Christmas Tree Sales -Farm at Evergreen Grove, 827 Green Street, Gardner (on Route 140) – Pick out the Perfect Tree, Feed and Pet the Ponies, Warm up to the Campfire, Listen to Holiday Music. Hours Thursday and Friday 3-7, Saturday and Sunday 8 to 5. – More details in graphic below

Winchendon MA – Winchendon Tree Lighting – Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 5pm —- GAR Park, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. – Join Santa in lighting the town Christmas tree in Winchendon. Bring the whole family and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas.

Barre MA – Christmas in Barre, Saturday December 2, 2023 9am to 3pm On the Barre Common and at surrounding businesses Free for families to attend, includes a Santa parade, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a kids’ Christmas obstacle course. Enjoy face painting at the Heritage Center, marshmallow roasting, crafts at the Library, and MORE! New event at Town Hall: Christmas in Barre’s Festival of Trees! Take a look at the many decorated trees, wreaths, and gift baskets donated by the generous members of our community! Like what you see? Purchase tickets and enter to win any items on display to take home! All proceeds from this event go directly back to Christmas in Barre for next year’s events. Most Christmas in Barre activities start at 10 a.m., but some locations open their doors sooner.

Athol MA – Athol MA: North Quabbin Lodge, 338 Main Street, Athol – Breakfast with Santa December 2, 2023 7-11am $12 adults, $6 children under 12, $6 Masons CLICK for FLYER

Ashburnham MA – Tree Lighting – Photos with Santa – December 1, 2023 5:30pm to 7:30pm Holiday Crafts, Holiday games, Santa parade. Ashburnham Tree Lighting.

Ashburnham MA – Ashburnham Arts and Culture Day, December 2, 2023. Shopping, learning, and viewing. New Dawn Arts Center hosting 3rd annual Winter Art Market at 84 Main Street -10am to 3pm. Creative Connections Gift Shop & Gallery at 56 Main Street open 10am to 6pm – event: gallery opening from noon to 2pm. —Stevens Memorial Library Quilted Christmas Card Workshop at 20 Memorial Drive from 10:30am to 12;30pm. Frederick’s Historic Piano Museum open house at 30 Main Street from 10am to 3pm.

Gardner MA – Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair – Saturday, December 2, 2023 Acadien Social Club, Parker Street, Gardner. Benefits Andrew Boucher Scholarship Fund. Bake Sale – 50/50 and Chance Auction – Something for Everyone.

Templeton MA – Town of Templeton Tree Lighting of the Villages – December 3, 2023. 3:30pm Caroling at the Gazebo. 3:40pm Participants line up at Wellington Road, Templeton. Parade starts at 4pm. Public Parking is available at the Library on Otter River Road. More fun at 6pm on the Baldwinville Common across from the American Legion. POSTPONED TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 10TH DUE TO WEATHER.

Gardner MA – Ongoing Event – The Gardner Museum 18^th Annual Festival of Trees – November 8^th through December 2^nd, 2023 Wednesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm, Fridays 1pm 7pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-4pm – https://GardnerMuseumInc.com

Week of December 4th

Gardner MA – Wednesday, December 6, 2023 6pm to 8pm – Winter Social at Levi Heywood Memorial Library, West Lynde Street, Gardner. Festive Crafts and Seasonal Cheer — Holiday Card, gift tag station, ornament and garland station, hot chocolate bar and treats table, selfie station. FREE. Crafts and activities are geared towards ages 10 to adult.

Hubbardston MA – Brunch with Santa – Sunday, December 9, 2023 at HCS Cafeteria. All are welcome from Hubbardston and any surrounding community. Brunch will consist of different kinds of kid friendly breakfast snack items along with plenty of coffee for adults. Crafts and fun activities to entertain the kids. $10 donation per family for entrance.

Ashburnham MA – 3rd Annual Holiday Concert at New Dawn Arts Center – Saturday, December 9th: 7pm and Sunday December 10th: 2pm. More information at NewDawnArts.org – FLYER on event, CLICK HERE

Winchendon MA – Spirit of Christmas & Holly Bazaar – Saturday December 9, 2023. at United Parish 39 Front Street, Winchendon MA. —- Spirit of Christmas: 10am to 4pm (upstairs) Holly Bazaar: 10am to 2pm (downstairs) Featuring their congregation’s Nativity scenes upstairs and join in the fun downstairs with their Attic Treasures, Bake Sale, Basket and Ticket Raffles, Kid’s Corner, and local vendors.

Gardner MA – Holiday Light Show and Toy Drive – Saturday, December 9, 2023 5-8pm at 250 Brookside Drive. The Schotanus Family and the Gardner Police & Fire Departments are making the invitation. Bring a new unwrapped gift to donate to the local Gardner CAC and help make a child’s holiday as bright as the light show. Gardner Police and Fire Departments will be there helping to collect toys.

Templeton MA – Town of Templeton Tree Lighting of the Villages – December 10, 2023. 3:30pm Caroling at the Gazebo. 3:40pm Participants line up at Wellington Road, Templeton. Parade starts at 4pm. Public Parking is available at the Library on Otter River Road. More fun at 6pm on the Baldwinville Common across from the American Legion. This event was postponed to this date from last Sunday due to weather.

Westminster MA – Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration, Sunday, December 10, 2023. Parks & Recreation Presents A Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration Sunday, December 10th – Starts at 5:00 PM on Academy Hill – Santa arrives @ 6:00 PM ♦ Take photos at the Gazebo – Carols by the Wesminster Elementary School Chorus @ 5:30 PM -Fire Pits ♦ Hot Cocoa ♦ Smores ♦ Christmas ♦ Movie – This event was postponed to this date from last Sunday due to weather.

Week of December 11th

Gardner MA – Sleighing, Singing, and Shopping – December 14th 5pm to 7pm – Sleighing, Singing, and Shopping – Every year, this is the last big holiday celebration and sale in Downtown Gardner. The full schedule will be posted in December.

Gardner MA – Happy Friendsgiving Community Dinner, Thursday, December 14^th 5:30pm Chestnut Street United Methodist Church, 161 Chestnut Street, Gardner. All are welcome. It is suggested that those planning to attend call the church at (978) 632-1978 so they are able to purchase enough groceries. “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”  John 13:34 Website:

Athol MA: Aces PTO Holiday Craft Fair, Aces Gymnasium, 1064 Pleasant Street, Athol Thursday,, December 14, 2023 5:30pm to 7:30pm Flyer, CLICK HERE.

Winchendon MA: Wreath Laying at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon Friday December 15, 2023 at 9am. Veterans will be honored

Winchendon MA: Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon Holiday Bazaar, Saturday December 16, 2023 from 10am to 2pm. Saturday, December 16, 10 am – 2 pm. Mark your calendars for a lovely day of cheer and shopping! Stroll through our decorated church perusing two floors of vendors. We’ll have hand-sewn and crocheted items, wood carvings, custom wreaths, chocolates, honey-based lotions, doggy treats, and more. Popular lines such as Pampered Chef, Scentsy and 31 Bags will be there. Enjoy a hot beverage and homemade cookie (or dozen) from our church cookie sale. Come away with something unique for you and yours

Hubbardston MA – 7th Annual Light Fight – First 3 weekends of December! Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights, 5-9pm each night. Dec. 1,2,3 + 8,9,10 +15,16,17Follow the map and check out all the entries and vote for your favorites. Want to enter? There are 3 categories to choose from, traditional/classic, Go Big or Stay Home, Brightest Bulb Business category. Deadline to enter is November 27th 2023. For complete details from the Town of Hubbardston website, CLICK HERE.

Winchendon MA – Snowbound Club Breakfast with Santa, Sunday December 17, 2023 8am to 11:30am at the Snowbound Club. Open to the Public. Delicious Menu with Great Prices. Held at the Snowbound Club, 130 Old Baldwinville Rd. Winchendon MA.

Week of December 18th

Week of December 25th

Gardner MA – Winter Ball at Perry Auditorium, Gardner MA – part of the Centennial Celebration – Saturday December 30th: 6pm to 10pm

Winter Ball Details

When: Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 6-10pm

Where: Gardner City Hall – Perry Auditorium

Entertainment: Live Music by Squires of Soul, Jazz Sextet and DJ Services by Perfect Mix Event

Food: Light Cuisine by Finicky Fork Catering Co.

Drink: Cash Bar by Gardner Ale House

Cost: $30 per person, tickets/space are limited but available through December 15th. (non-refundable) Available at City Hall, Mayor’s office; The Velvet Goose; and from Theresa.Thompson@heywood.org