The weekend (12/6/13-12/8/13): Singing, dancing, crafting, snacking, socializing and shopping (Updated)

Above: Santa is scheduled to fly into Southborough by helicopter this weekend, weather permitting. Folks can greet him at St. Mark’s field, then head over to Kindergroup’s popular annual Santa Day.
(Photo by Chris Wraight)

The first weekend of December is typically Southborough’s busiest of the year.

This one’s no exception. (Attested to by the flock of signs at the corner of Rte 30 & 85!)

Christmas celebrations, performances and sales abound. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, there’s still the ARHS musical, which looks like a can’t miss.

Check out these 18 highlights. (Click on flyers to enlarge and links for related posts.)

Friday, December 6, 2013:

• [I’ve been updated this is ON, despite forecast!]: Girl Scout Holiday Sing-along and Gift Drive (7:00 – 7:45 pm) @ Community House lawn: All town Girl Scouts and families are invited to the annual tradition of singing Christmas carols and holiday songs. The Southborough Fire Department will be collecting unwrapped gifts for children of all ages (infants-teens). Donations will benefit Southborough Youth and Family Services, Southborough Food Pantry, and Salvation Army Framingham.

• ARHS’ Musical – Damn Yankees (7:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School: Tickets to the play cost $10 and can be reserved through ARHStickets@gmail.com.

• Westborough Community Chorus: Holiday Joy (8:00 pm) @ Sarah Gibbons Middle School, 20 Fisher St, Westborough: The chorus includes several Southborough residents. This is their annual holiday show, complete with visit from Santa. $12, Seniors/kids $9.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

• Annual Kids Shop (9:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ Woodward School, cafeteria : Cub Scout Troop 92 provides a safe haven for kids to do their own holiday shopping for family members without parents’ prying eyes. Shop from toys, puzzles, ornaments, candles, mugs, picture frames, date books, socks, games, calendars, tools, work gloves, bird feeders, flashlights, kitchen supplies, fleece blankets, pet toys, and more. Free Wrapping. Gift Baskets. Homemade cookies for sale.

• Southborough Library’s Holiday Open House (10:00 am – 3:00 pm): The annual holiday celebration sponsored by The Friends of the Southborough Library. Enjoy holiday music and free baked treats while mingling with Friends.

• Christmas Bazaar (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s Parish House: Free admission. Handcrafts, white elephant, toy room, basket raffle, silent auction, and baked goods. Lunch sold 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. The secondhand clothing shop, The Bargain Box, will hold its annual “Bag Sale”; purchase as much clothing as you can fit into a bag at a fixed price.

• Friends of Southborough Library’s Bags and Books Sale (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ Southborough Library : Gifts for book lovers of all ages: Canvas book bags, gently used books, and fun reading and writing materials for kids. One free book per child.

• Chestnut Hill Art and Gift Sale (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) @ 10 Chestnut Hill Road: Shop for holiday gifts, meet local artists and artisans, and enjoy some Holiday cheer. Raffle of items from contributing artists.

• Southborough Library’s Annual Tree Decorating Party (10:30 am – 12:00 pm): All children are invited to come to the Library’s annual Christmas Tree Decorating Party. Make decorations (materials will be provided), decorate the tree, and enjoy refreshments! No registration necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

• Santa Day (12:00 – 3:00 pm) @ Community House: Weather permitting, Santa flies into Southborough on helicopter at noon. After he lands on the field at the corner of Rte 85 and Rte 30, he crosses over for Southborough Kindergroup’s annual event. From 12-3 at the Southborough Community House, children can sit on Santa’s lap and share their Christmas wish lists. Admittance is $5/child, or $10/family, photo included. Crafts, refreshments, and live music. (Note: Each year there’s a risk that gusting winds will prevent the helicopter from landing. Never fear, Santa would still come to town, just through ground transport – like a town fire engine.)

• ARHS’ Musical – Damn Yankees (7:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School: Tickets to the play cost $10 and can be reserved through ARHStickets@gmail.com.

• Westborough Community Chorus: Holiday Joy (8:00 pm) @ Sarah Gibbons Middle School, 20 Fisher St, Westborough: The chorus includes several Southborough residents. This is their annual holiday show, complete with visit from Santa. $12, Seniors/kids $9.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

• Senior Center’s Wayside Inn Brunch and Show Bus Trip (11:15 am – 4:30 pm) : Senior Center bus trip. Brunch at Wayside Inn followed by trip to Martha Mary Chapel for a dramatic reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The bus leaves the Senior Center at 11:15 am. Brunch is at noon. The show is from 2-3:30. The bus is expected to return to the center between 4 to 4:30. Suggested donation of $30 for Friends of COA members and $40 for non-members. Please pre-register: Call the Senior Center at 508-229-4453.

• Fay School Admission Open House (1:00-3:30 pm) @ 25 Middle Road: Learn about their PreK-9 program and hear perspectives from faculty, division heads, parents, and students. Take part in Fay’s mini fair to learn more about the departments,programs, and activities that interest you most. Campus tours led by students and parents. For a detailed schedule, click here.

• Westborough Community Chorus: Holiday Joy (2:00 pm) @ Sarah Gibbons Middle School, 20 Fisher St, Westborough: The chorus includes several Southborough residents. This is their annual holiday show, complete with visit from Santa. $12, Seniors/kids $9

• The Northborough Area Community Chorus’ 42nd Annual Christmas Concert (3:15 – 4:15 pm) @ Trottier Middle School: A program conducted by Anthony Volpe with piano accompanist David Rose of traditional & secular pieces, Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and much more. Santa will pay a visit. Supported in part by the Marlborough, Northborough, & Westborough Cultural Councils. Tickets are $5.00. For more information, phone 774-249-2497.

• Handel’s Messiah (3:30 PM) @ Pilgrim Congregational Church: The Messiah Community Chorus’ annual holiday performance of selections from Handel’s Messiah. Performance is with a full orchestra, chorus and soloists. Admission is $15pp ($40 max per family) or $10 for students/seniors. Preferred seating for $30pp or $50 for 2. Proceeds benefit local food pantries and other outreach programs.

• Lessons and Carols (5:00-6:30 pm) @ St. Mark’s School in the Belmont Chapel, 25 Marlboro Road: Formal Anglican service featuring St. Mark’s choir, soloists, and instruments. This is a popular first come-first served event and seating is limited. Doors will open at 4:30 pm.

For more details or future dates, check the Event Calendar.

Update (12/6/13 5:35 pm): Friday night’s Girl Scout Caroling is on!