Gymnastics Learning Center-574 Lake OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO locations: Street; Shrewsbury Senior Center-98 Maple Avenue; MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the minivan, please confirm your destination. Although we’ve done our best to assure accuracy at press time, things can and do change…
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1SATURDAY
Avidia Bank-23 Maple Avenue; Shaw’s Osco Pharmacy-White City Plaza. Thank you for your generosity to the needy children in our community. syfs.cfsites.org.
It’s A Wonderful Life. Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main St., Stoneham. Alone on top of a bridge that overlooks his beloved Bedford Falls, George Bailey has convinced himself that his life and his work has been for nothing. Can the small victories and common decency of one man change an entire town? George will find out when he’s visited by a guardian angel who will show him what life would have been like without him. See this new adaptation of a Christmas staple that adds back some of your favorite scenes, including the Charleston
and 2 p.m. Local businesses participating also include Whittier Farms, Keown Orchards, Eaton Confectioners, Sleighbell Christmas Tree Farm, and many more! The day’s festivities conclude at the Sutton Town Common where the Sutton High School band performs to welcome Santa and light the trees on the Sutton Common. valfa.com. Gingerbread House Workshop. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. This half-day workshop is for families and youth interested in making a festive Gingerbread House. Program fee includes: gingerbread house instruction (kits must be purchased below), a buffet lunch, 10% gift shop discount and an admission voucher to OSV (valid for one daytime admission between January & March). $15 per person $15 per kit. osv.org.
Blackstone Valley Polar Express. 175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. The trip includes a 90-minute excursion on the Providence and Worcester Railroad, a reading of The Polar Express, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a special gift from Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, holiday sing-a-long, and coloring book and crayons. Friday trains depart: 4 & 7 p.m., Sat. & Sun. trains depart: 1 and 4 p.m. Cost $35. blackstonevalleypolarexpress.com.
Diane Kelley Dance Studios Holiday Spectacular. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Dancing gingerbread men, twirling snowflakes, a kick line of reindeer and hot chocolate for everyone! Performed by students at Diane Kelley Dance Studios with guest artists. Tickets start at $26. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows. thehanovertheatre.org. 8th Annual Holiday Dance Spectacular. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. While you’ll see no toy soldiers battling mice in this holiday show, the Legacy Dance Company’s annual celebration has nevertheless become something of a tradition in the area. And for good reason: Legacy Dance Company along with Dance Inn Youth Intensive, About Time Tappers and Dance Inn faculty—have been sharing dance and merriment with holiday audiences for over 20 years. Shows at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. regenttheatre.com. Holiday Toy Drive. Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, 240 Maple Ave., Shrewsbury. Benefiting needy children served by Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services and the Worcester County Department of Children & Families. Please donate a new nonviolent toy to one of the following Shrewsbury
Caring for Christmas. The Mary Baker Eddy Library, 200 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. The Puritan settlers of New England, in the 17th century and beyond, paid little attention to Christmas, even shunning its celebration. By the end of the 19th century, it had become the most popular holiday of the year. How did all of that change? See for yourself as local actors and the New England Conservatory Children’s Chorus tell in narration and song the story of how 19th century Americans came to care for Christmas and the holiday season. The holiday program is also a chance to give to those in need. Although admission to this event is free, we will be collecting items for three local charities from Sunday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 16. Donated items are taxdeductible. mbelibrary.org/programs.
3MONDAY Holiday Colonial Lantern Tour. P.O. Box 3777, Plymouth. Take a special tour carrying an authentic candle-lit, punched-tin lantern as you stroll the historic district of America’s Hometown. Did you know that the celebration of Christmas was banned in the colony in the 17th Century? Learn about colonial customs and the evolution of the Christmas holiday in Plymouth. Meet at the John Carver Inn & Spa, 25 Summer Street. Caroling can be included if requested. Call 774-454-8126 for more information and reservations. $15A and $12C, seniors and AAA members. lanterntours.com. photo courtesy of blackstone valley polar express
Getting the Most from your Digital Camera Workshop. Mass Audubon Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St. (Route 16), Natick. Are you new to the world of digital photography or still don’t feel you’re getting the most from your digital camera? This workshop is designed to help you understand the features of digital cameras, and use the landscape and creatures of Broadmoor to practice techniques to help improve your digital photography. Preregistration required. Online registration available. massaudubon.org. Kids’ Shows: Ben Rudnick & Friends. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. Multiple award winners in family music, Ben Rudnick & Friends’ adventurous acoustic music and lyrically humorous style have won them fans of all ages. Whether on stage or record, the band’s formula of delivering interpretations of favorite, well-known songs combined with infectious original tunes is a winner. Concerts are community-building events; the recordings bring families together. Ben Rudnick and Friends make people happy and that makes them happy. The fun is contagious! Recommended for ages 3 and up. $10 A, $8 C. coolidge.org.
Admission: A$15, C$10, Family Four-pack (2 adults, 2 children): $45. For more information, call 508-7460012. plymouthantiquariansociety.org.
Hop aboard the Blackstone Valley Polar Express on 175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. dance above the pool floor. Shows at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $44. Call 781-279-2200 for more information. stonehamtheatre.org. Winter Wonderland Wagon Rides. Tihonet Village Market, 158 Tihonet Rd., Wareham. Free wagon rides travel through the cranberry bogs as riders try to find the magical elves hiding in the Elf Houses. Enjoy holiday music as you ride over the river and through the woods between the Old Company Store and Tihonet Village. Sing Carols and hear the story of how Santa really knows who has been naughty or nice. Each location will have crafts and free goodies for the kids. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 508-295-5437 for more information. tihonet.com. FREE Sutton Chain of Lights. Vaillancourt Folk Art, 9 Main St., Sutton. Since it’s inception the Chain of Lights has brought together a community-both residents and businesses. Connecting each business are trolleys that run continuously from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for no charge. In addition to some great Christmas shopping specials, and the gallery decorated with the splendor of the holidays, enjoy a Ukulele Christmas performance in Blaxton Hall. Rebekah and Sir Harry, having come up from New York City, will be performing at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m.,
2SUNDAY FREE Drop-In Family Day for “American Vanguards.” Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, 180 Main St., Andover. Drop-In Family Day for American Vanguards: Graham, Davis, Gorky, de Kooning, and Their Circle, 1927–1942. Families are invited to discover the vibrancy and playfulness of the paintings, sculptures, and drawings in the exhibition and to create artwork inspired by the exhibition. Stop by anytime between the hours of 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Call 978-749-4015 for more information. andover.edu/museums/addison/Pages/ default.aspx. Fairy Christmas at the Historic Hedge House Museum. Hedge House Museum, 126 Water St., Plymouth. The elegant 1809 mansion will be transformed into a fairy wonderland, featuring eight rooms decorated in an enchanting fairy theme with hundreds of handcrafted fairy and holiday ornaments. Learn about the habitat and lifestyle of fey folk in a special section devoted to fairy houses, and pay a visit to the Fairy Queen and her attendants in their glittering crystal throne room. noon to 7 p.m.
Art & Seek:Owls. Visual Arts Center, 963 Washington St., Canton. A drop-in program for 2-5 year olds and an adult. Each week is a different theme and will include a story, an activity and an art project. This week the theme will be owls. Whoo’s there? What owls live in Massachusetts. Let’s learn their calls and make an owl puppet. Registration not required. Adults free, Children $3M/$5NM. massaudubon.org.
4TUESDAY The Polar Express. 5 Pine St., Carver. Inspired by the Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved children’s book, The Polar Express comes to life at Edaville this Christmas! Take a magical ride to the North Pole where Santa will board the train, greet the children, and hand each their own first gift of Christmas. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served by costumed staff while pajama-clad guests enjoy a live reading and carols. 4 to 9 p.m. $30A or C. Children under 2 are free. edaville.com. Homeschool: Habitats/Forests. Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill St., Sharon. The Fall 2012 Homeschool classes will focus on the three main Habitats found at Moose Hill-Forest, Meadows, Wetlands. Explore these diverse habitats for signs of animal life, investigate some unique microhabitats found within our forests and meadows,and discover how these habitats change with the seasons. Sweep net for insects in September, search for fungi in October, trun over logs in November, and build a shelter to stay warm come December. The possibilities are endless at Moose Hill. 9:30 a.m. to noon. $20C /M and $25C/NM. Registration is required. Call 781-7845691 for more information. massaudubon.org.
5WEDNESDAY Extreme Sport: the Joust. Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Ave., Worcester. Skilled jousters were BAYSTATEPARENT 17