Please join us for a beloved Maynard tradition, the Lighting of Memorial Park!  Enjoy holiday caroling led by Interlude Music beginning at 5:45 PM followed by an exciting countdown to light up the park at 6:00pm and then the highly anticipated Santa sighting as he arrives on a Maynard Fire Truck!  Spend the remainder of your evening walking through downtown Maynard and taking in the sights and sounds of the holidays. Many downtown businesses will be open offering shopping specials, live music, light refreshments, and more. This is a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping done at the charming, distinctive shops in Maynard. You’ll be able to check off gifts on your list while helping to support our local businesses at the same time. We can’t wait to celebrate the holiday season with you!

More beloved Maynard holiday traditions:  On Sunday, December 7th, the 2nd annual Holiday Village will be held in Memorial Park beginning at noon and the 59th annual Holiday Parade will step off at 2:00pm and travel through downtown Maynard.  The official Maynard Menorah Lighting at Memorial Park will be held later in the month. (Date TBA).

Visit the Maynard Business Alliance website https://www.maynardbusinessalliance.org/events-calendar/2024-holiday-stroll
or follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maynardbusinessalliance/ for more details. 
For Maynard Holiday Village and Holiday Parade information visit https://www.lightuptheholidaysmaynard.com/
 

No admission charge. Donations gratefully accepted.
Location: Immanuel Church, 301 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA
Time: 7:00 PM

Hanneke & Mike play exciting original & traditional music drawing from Celtic, Americana, and Classical backgrounds & Christmas songs from Hanneke's album, "O Come Emmanuel". Their music is on the soundtrack of The American Revolution film by Ken Burns on PBS.

Emmanuel Orphanage is a home in rural Haiti for 40+ children. For the last 4 years, much of the country of Haiti - including the village where Emmanuel Orphanage is located- has been under the control of violent gangs. Amid it all, these children have survived and are being housed, fed, and educated through the contributions of generous partners. With the assistance of the non-profit Mission of Hope, we can provide both essential support and accountability.

Hanneke Cassel has helped redefine what it means to be a modern fiddler. Fusing musical roots from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton Island with Americana stylings, Hanneke’s playing has been described as “exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness.” Beyond the strings of her fiddle, it is Hanneke’s hugely generous presence and passion that round out her magnetism as a performer on the world stage of fiddle music.

Gracing stages across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India and East Asia, Hanneke has established herself as a prolific composer and versatile musician. Hanneke’s original material draws gracefully upon her personal experiences with love and loss, weaving together the joys and sorrows of life in times of celebration and hardship. Hanneke’s discography includes six unique solo albums that harness her magnificent presence. Melding more traditional fiddle music with her own compositions, Hanneke’s arrangements evoke the heart and showcase her talent as both a curator of tradition and an eloquent creator in her own right. Her list of accomplishments and awards is long. For additional information, check out her website at www.hannekecassel.com.

Mike Block is a Grammy® winning multi-style cellist, composer, singer, and educator with a passion for cross-cultural collaborations. Hailed as “one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene” by Gramophone, he was acclaimed by the New York Times for his "vital rich-hued solo playing.” In addition to his solo performances, Mike Block’s touring bands include Biribá Union, with Christylez Bacon (beatbox/guitar/rhymes) & Patricia Ligia (electric bass), the Mike Block Trio, with Joe K. Walsh (mandolin/vocals) & Zachariah Hickman (bass/vocals), a duo with Indian tabla player Sandeep Das, and Djékady, an American/African fusion band co-led with Malian balafon player Balla Kouyaté. Since 2005, Mike has been a member of the Silk Road Ensemble, founded by Yo-Yo Ma, with which he has been featured as a cellist and vocal soloist, contributed arrangements and compositions, and earned a 2017 Grammy® Award for Best Global Music Album.

Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, has earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer, and insightful educator. On December 6, he will take the stage at Parish Center for the Arts (PCA, 10 Lincoln Street) at 7:30pm to delivery some “Violin Fingerboard Mastery.” Bring your snacks and beverages for this evening of jazz music and more. Tickets range from $20-$25. Cabaret seating. For information about this and all upcoming concerts at the PCA, call (978) 692-6333 or visit pcawestford.org.
Growing up playing fiddle tunes with his family and classical music with local orchestras, Jason Anick developed a passion for improvisation, which led him to study jazz and classical music at Hartt Conservatory. In 2008, Anick started what would be a 10 year stint touring and recording with Grammy award-winning guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson while still a senior at Hartt.

A versatile musician and sought after side-man, Anick has also shared the stage with an array of artist like Stevie Wonder, Guster, Tommy Emmanuel, Hamilton de Holanda, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Celia Woodsmith, and Ward Hayden and the Outliers. With performances all over the world from China, Europe, and Japan and renowned venues like Carnegie Hall, Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note, Smalls Jazz Club, Scullers Jazz Club, Yoshi's, Iridium, TD Garden, Regattabar, NPR, and The Late Night Show, Jason has proven himself to be a leader in the ever-growing contemporary string world.

As a band-leader, Anick has launched a variety of musical projects over the years, including the Django Reinhardt inspired group Rhythm Future Quartet, an Americana-inspired Acoustic Trio, and a contemporary jazz ensemble with pianist Jason Yeager. His string of recordings (Sleepless, Tipping Point, United, Travels, Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends, Reverence, Sanctuary) has earned him praise from Downbeat Magazine as a "Rising Star in the world of jazz violin."

Anick is also a sought-after educator and published author. In 2022, he published his first educational book, “Violin Fingerboard Mastery” with Hal Leonard. Jason has also taught jazz violin and mandolin to students of all ages at string camps, workshops, and clinics around the world and regularly contributes educational columns to Fiddler Magazine.

For more information about the PCA and their season, visit pcawestford.org, email admin@pcawestford.org or find them on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram!
Direct ticket link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/12-6-25-jason-anick/J6PCZKBURHQ3M3OLVERRRE4I

Parish Center for the Arts
978-692-6333

It is with great pleasure that Groton Grange #7, with The Contra Banditos, host a One Time Holiday Contra Dance Extravaganza. We will be honoring our internationally celebrated 95 year old Barn Dance Caller, the "one and only", Mr.Dudley Laufman (read his Wikipedia page). The dance will be held December 6th, 7:30 to 10:30 PM, at the Groton Grange #7, 80 Champney St, Groton. All ages, beginner and experienced dancers, are invited. Dudley Laufman will be the caller. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $6 per person; family maximum is $20. PARK ON GRANGE SIDE OF CHAMPNEY ST. ONLY.
 

Symphony Pro Musica is proud to announce the opening concert of its four-part season honoring America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, a celebration of the nation’s spirit through the power of classical music.

Concert Series I will be held on Saturday, December 6th at 7:30pm at Hudson High School, Hudson MA, and on Sunday, December 7th at 3:00pm at Mill Pond School in Westborough, MA. There is a free, pre concert talk 45 minutes before the performance at each event and an after concert reception.

Central to the program is a performance William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 5, entitled “The Western Hemisphere”. SPM’s tribute is inspired by the hope and vision embodied in Still’s music—a call to move toward a future guided by compassion and fairness. William Grant Still, widely regarded as the first African-American composer to craft a truly American classical sound, is celebrated for his heartfelt melodies, vibrant rhythms, and vivid tone painting. This performance marks SPM’s inaugural presentation of a Still composition.

Complementing Still’s inspirational work are two masterpieces by Johannes Brahms: the stirring “Tragic Overture” and the iconic Piano Concerto No. 2. The latter is often cited as one of the five greatest piano concertos ever written, renowned for its depth, virtuosity, and emotional resonance.

Joining SPM for Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is acclaimed young American pianist Clayton Stephenson, praised by Gramophone Magazine for his “extraordinary narrative and poetic gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive.” Stephenson’s artistry promises to bring new life to this beloved work, offering audiences an unforgettable experience.

For tickets and more information about the concert: https://www.symphonypromusica.org/programs/2025-26-concert-i
For more information about SPM: https://www.symphonypromusica.org/ or call 978-562-0939.
 

The Nashoba Symphonic Band, David Wayne Bailey, Music Director, will present its first Chamber Music Concert of the 2025-26 Season on Sunday, December 7th at 2 pm in the auditorium of the Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 (GPS Green Road), Bolton MA. Admission is Free!

The concert features three performing groups comprised of members of the Nashoba Symphonic Band. The NSB Clarinet Choir will play the Overture to Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Mozart's Divertimento No.14 and Christmas Day, a medley of familiar carols by British composer, Gustav Holst. The Trombone Ensemble offers several selections, including music by Mendelssohn, Weber and Scott Joplin. Rounding out the program will be the NSB Chamber Players with Tower Music by Massachusetts-born Alan Hovhaness and Robert Nagel's Serenade for Winds.

Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Regional High School Friends of Music and supported, in part, by the kind grants of cultural councils in Bolton, Lancaster, Stow, Clinton, Ashby and Lunenberg, local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
 

If this Christmas brings feelings of hurt, sadness, or loneliness, please attend our Blue Christmas Service presented by UMCW’s Stephen Ministers. The service will be in the church sanctuary and will offer solace to those struggling or grieving this Christmas season. There will be live music from our Adult Choir and Bell Choir. Please consider bringing a friend going through a difficult time. Stephen Ministers are trained members of the congregation who provide confidential one-on-one care to support people who are hurting. Parking is available at the church, and the building is accessible for people with disabilities. The United Methodist Church of Westford is at 10 Church Street, Westford. Visit www.umcw.org or call 978-692-4176 for more information.
 

Are you a survivor or know someone who is a survivor of intimate partner violence? Please join the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable for the first program of our Survivor Series – Domestic Violence & Financial Abuse. Financial abuse is a pervasive form of control that can trap survivors in dangerous situations by limiting their access to money, employment, and financial independence. Join us for this one-hour webinar to learn more about the signs of financial abuse, barriers to accessing help, and how to support others who are survivors of IPV.

This program will be led by Gabriela Wells, Director of Intervention & Advocacy at The Second Step and Julie Youdovin, Outreach and Program Coordinator at Journey to Safety. This webinar will be on Zoom on Monday, December 8, 2025 from 7:00 - 8:00PM.
 
To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/U2MCPiAyTw-Yyv-c_XiQFA. If you have any questions, please contact: infodvrt@gmail.com.
 

Saturday, December 13, 2025, 4:00 pm
First Unitarian Church, Worcester, MA
and live-streamed at www.oldpostroad.org 
Sunday, December 14, 2025, 4:00 pm
Old South Church, Boston, MA
In-person Audience Tickets $10-$55, kids come free with an adult
Virtual Audience Tickets: $35 individual, $70 family, $10 students

Performances will be presented on December 13 at 4 pm at First Unitarian Church in Worcester and online, and December 14 at 4 pm at Old South Church in Boston.

The weekend’s concerts are the second program of the ensemble’s “Cross-Pollinations” season, celebrating inspiration among composers and across cultures in four programs exemplifying the ensemble’s signature programming of musical “rediscoveries” performed alongside beloved 18th-century works.  

Cold Chocolate is a genre-bending Americana band that fuses folk, funk and bluegrass to create a unique sound all their own, and they’re stopping by to the Parish Center for the Arts on December 12 at 7:30pm. Bring your snacks and beverages for this evening of jazz music and more. Tickets range from $20-$25. Cabaret seating. For information about this and all upcoming concerts at the PCA, call (978) 692-6333 or visit pcawestford.org.

Led by Ethan Robbins (vocals/guitar/mandolin) and Ariel Bernstein (vocals/percussion/banjo), the Boston-based duo released their fifth full-length album in the Fall of 2023. “We're growing as a band, and I think that shows in our songwriting,” says Robbins. “This album was a leaping off point for many more new albums to come, and that's an exciting prospect,” adds Bernstein. Cold Chocolate is currently on tour supporting their latest album, "Now That's What I Call Cold Chocolate, vol. 1."

Punctuated by tight harmonies and skillful musicianship, Cold Chocolate has quickly gained recognition for their original music and high-energy shows. The band has shared bills with Leftover Salmon, David Grisman, and Angelique Kidjo, and regularly performs at venues and music festivals across the country. Jason Verlinde of The Fretboard Journal who covered the band’s FreshGrass Festival set noted “there were plenty of magical moments… I will never forget [watching] Cold Chocolate perform.” Kathy Sands-Boehmer of No Depression raved, "[Ethan] feels the music in his heart and soul and it shows when he plays. Ethan becomes the music on stage. There’s an almost mystical connection between his guitar and the notes that flow out of it."
As for the band’s intriguing name and the story behind it, “it came from a childhood memory of mine,” says Robbins. “When my brothers and I used to visit my Grandfather in Wilkes Barre (PA), the whole drive there from DC we'd be in the backseat talking about the frozen Milky Way bars that awaited us in his freezer. I still remember pulling into his driveway after a six-hour drive. He'd come out to meet us--arms wide open for a hug--and the three of us would shoot right past him, headed straight for the freezer, where awaited us the King Size Milky Way Bars. So, in some ways, I dedicate the band name to my Grandfather's memory.”
The PCA Coffeehouse Series is generously sponsored by Rockland Trust.
For more information about the PCA and their season, visit pcawestford.org, email admin@pcawestford.org or find them on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram!
Direct ticket link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/12-12-25-cold-chocolate/208

Parish Center for the Arts
978-692-6333

The second of the season, the Parish Center for the Arts (PCA) is holding another Comedy Open Mic night on December 13 at 7:30pm! These mic nights are open to the public ($5 suggested donation), and all are welcome. You can bring your funny (if slots are available) and take the stage, or just come to watch (and laugh)! Each night will have different guest host; each night will have special guest comedians; and each night has 12 5-minute slots for local stand-up folks to sign up and present a set. It’ll be fun for all!

On December 13, we're excited to welcome host Julie Wesner. Wesner brings a deeply personal perspective to comedy, shaped by her own experiences with depression. Having navigated difficult chapters in her life, she channels that journey into a comedic style marked by raw honesty and emotional depth. Her willingness to be vulnerable on stage has connected powerfully with audiences who recognize themselves in her stories.
A fixture in the local comedy community, Wesner regularly performs at open mics and showcases, helping to elevate emerging talent and strengthen the scene. Her commitment to the craft shines through in every performance, where humor becomes both an art form and a path to healing.
Wesner's comedy stands as proof that our struggles can fuel creativity and purpose. Through laughter, she transforms pain into connection, offering audiences not just entertainment but a reminder of comedy's redemptive power.

Remaining Comedy Open Mic dates include February 7, 2026 with Wayne Russell; and June 20, 2026 with Jenny Fitz. For more information about the PCA's Comedy Open Mics, be it as an audience member or if you interested in a slot at the mic, email admin@pcawestford.org or visit pcawestford.org and click on Performances; Comedy! You can also find the PCA on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram!

Parish Center for the Arts
978-692-6333
 

The Rotary Club of Bedford is delighted to announce the return of a beloved community tradition: the Winter Holiday Breakfast, taking place on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Bedford High School.

This festive fundraiser is all about bringing neighbors together to celebrate the season and support the work of the Rotary Club of Bedford Foundation. Proceeds from last year’s breakfast helped make a lasting impact in our community, funding local projects such as:

• Youth Scholarships
• Equipment for the Lane School Science Center
• Hope for the Hungry Meal Packing Event
• Alarms for Seniors through the Bedford Fire Department

We also funded several international projects, including a clean water initiative in Kenya and a project supporting medical transportation in rural Ghana.

For just $10, this year's guests will enjoy a hot pancake breakfast with eggs, sausage, bagels, and all the fixings. Children can visit with Santa Claus, create seasonal crafts, and experience a celebration that recognizes all winter holidays—from Christmas and Hanukkah to Kwanzaa, Diwali, and the New Year.
“This event is about more than pancakes—it’s about community spirit,” said Club President Tom Pinney. “We’re excited to bring families and friends together in a way that celebrates our diversity while raising funds to support important causes.”

The Rotary Club of Bedford is also inviting local businesses and organizations to become event sponsors. Sponsorship not only helps strengthen community programs but also offers an opportunity to connect with hundreds of families who attend this cherished holiday tradition.
This year, we’re excited to add a festive entertainment program to make the event even more joyful and memorable. We are seeking community members and local groups who would like to share their talents—whether musical, theatrical, comedic, or otherwise—with the community. Details on how to sign up will be forthcoming.

The Winter Holiday Breakfast promises something for everyone: delicious food, festive entertainment, creative activities, and the chance to kick off the holiday season surrounded by community.
The Rotary Club warmly invites all families, friends, and neighbors to join in this joyful tradition.
For more information, visit https://bedfordmarotary.org/page/winter-holiday-breakfast.

The Friends of the Goodnow Library cordially invite you to a free presentation of Sleeping Beauty performed by the Tanglewood Marionettes. The program will take place on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 3 PM at the Curtis Middle School Auditorium, 22 Pratts Mill Road, Sudbury MA. Seating will be first come, first served. Free parking is available at the school. This program is another in a series of programs made possible by a generous bequest from Stella and Frank Ricciardi to the Friends of the Goodnow Library.

Tanglewood Marionette’s production of Sleeping Beauty begins with a brief demonstration of the art of puppetry. Through humorous interplay, the audience will learn about the various forms of puppets, from the simple glove puppet to the sophisticated marionette. Following the presentation of the story, there will be a question and answer session.

A classic tale which appeals to children of all ages, Sleeping Beauty begins in King Felix’s great hall with the celebration of Princess Aurora’s birth. The party goes awry when the wicked witch arrives and curses Princess Aurora. Will the curse come true? Will someone with a “true heart” appear? You will learn the answers when you see Tanglewood Marionettes’ presentation of this well-loved tale.

In the retelling of the tale, a painted storybook opens to reveal each scene. Beautiful hand-crafted marionettes are brought to life by a master puppeteer as the dramatic events unfold.
This program is recommended primarily for children from Pre-kindergarten through grade 2. Teens and adults will also enjoy not only the story, but also the artistry and technical elements of the program. Please join us for this very special family event.

Founded in 1993 by Anne Ware and Peter Schaefer, Tanglewood Marionettes is a marionette theater based in New England. Their repertoire consists primarily of classic tales performed by skilled puppeteers who have spent many years perfecting their art. They have toured throughout the United States.

In the event of inclement weather, please check for updates at the Friends of the Goodnow Library website: https://www.friendsofgoodnow.org/

The Boxborough Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee invites all to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 14 at 5 p.m. at the town menorah in front the Boxborough Fire Station, 502 Mass Ave. 
 
This year, the town will host a larger first night celebration to light the menorah with music, complimentary refreshments, and a craft table for kids.
  
The menorah lighting will continue at 6 p.m. on each subsequent night, December 15-21. The town invites Boxborough families to volunteer to lead the lighting. Interested in participating? Sign up by emailing the PCCC at pccc@boxborough-ma.gov and then invite your friends and neighbors to join you! 
 
It is the town’s second year hosting a menorah lighting in addition to the annual tree lighting. The town’s menorah was designed, built, and donated to the town last year by the Kollmann-Klein family. 
 
Parking for the menorah lighting will be available across Massachusetts Avenue at the Blanchard Memorial School. 

Sunday December 14th - 6:30pm
First Congregational Church
675 Old Post Rd
N. Attleboro, MA

Music, vocalist, readings, speaking your child's name, fellowship
Please bring a 5x7 photo of your child........

www.mylesabove.org 

The Chelmsford Children's Chorus is beginning its second season and starting to prepare for its winter concert.

Event Information:
The Chelmsford Children's Chorus "We Are Change" Concert
Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The Chelmsford Center for the Arts

Join us for our winter concert at 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts. Featuring our K-2 and 3-7 choirs!
We are excited to perform the world premier of We Are Change, a piece composed by CCC Singers & Jim Papoulis.
Doors will open 15 minutes before the performance.