Merry Mingle Returns to the Commander’s Mansion with Holiday Characters, Train Rides & a Tree Lighting

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Please join us for The Merry Mingle on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. at the Commander’s Mansion! Enjoy festive outdoor activities including a toy chest drive with Watertown Veterans’ Services benefiting the Whooley Foundation, meet-and-greets with holiday characters, train rides, artificial snowball fight with Watertown Recreation, and the Christmas tree lighting at 7:30 p.m., and more! Guests can also visit the reception tent for games and musical performances, including the WPS All City Chorus and Orchestra. Inside the mansion, guests can create River of Light lantern-making with the Public Arts and Culture Committee, listen to seasonal storytime with the Watertown Free Public Library, and visit Winter Holidays Around the World vignettes on the second floor.

Holiday Celebration at Arsenal Yards Includes Black Friday, Character Extravaganza & Hannukkah Celebration

Arsenal Yards has a lineup of events for the Holidays. (Courtesy of Arsenal Yards)

The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards. HOLIDAY EVENT SCHEDULE

Annual Gift Drive & Black Friday Celebration

Friday, November 28th 12pm – 3pm

Guests are encouraged to bring unwrapped gift donations to the River Green, to support the Watertown Boys & Girls Club & the Whooley Foundation, run by the Watertown Police and Fire departments. In addition, we will have a DJ, crafts, Santa, and more holiday cheer! Character Extravaganza

Wednesday, December 3rd 4:00 – 6:00pm

This is a day not to be missed at AY with meet & greets with all the holiday characters!

See the Thanksgiving Hours for City Hall, the Library & the Senior Center

City buildings will close early on Wednesday and will remain closed through the Thanksgiving. Some will be closed on Friday, as well. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. Watertown City Hall, Parker Building*, and Senior Center will be closed from 12:30pm November 26 through November 28, 2025. * Inspectional Services, and Zoning and Code Enforcement will be closed from 11:30am November 26 through November 28, 2025.

Residents Wanted to Serve on Several Boards, Including Health, Zoning, Planning, Council on Aging

Watertown City Hall

Multiple City boards seek members, including the Board of Health, Community Preservation Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Licensing Board, Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, and the Council on Aging. See more information about the boards and how to apply in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following boards and committees:

The Board of Health fulfills its duties under MGL 111, 26-33 and other sections including enforcement of the state Sanitary and Environmental Codes, reporting diseases dangerous to the public health, and enforcement of other applicable state and local laws and regulations. The Board of Health determines the health needs of the community and the health services available to the community in terms of the size and characteristics of the population, specific health problems, and environmental conditions. Candidates should have a background in public health, medical, or related field.

How to Shop Local in Watertown on Small Business Saturday

The Watertown Business Coalition encourages the community to shop, eat, and spend locally on Nov. 29 — Small Business Saturday. See more info in the announcement from the WBC, below. Small Business Saturday is THIS Saturday, November 29th! This holiday tradition, backed by American Express, celebrates small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Northeast Health Services Opens Offering Life-Saving Mental Health Care Clinic in Watertown

The new Northeast Health Services clinic on Pleasant Street in Watertown. (Photo by Mario Joseph Forgione)

An outpatient mental health care clinic opened in Watertown on Pleasant Street, with another near town on Soldier Field Road in Brighton. Both are part of Northeast Health Services and offering a variety of services. See details in the announcement from Northeast Health Services, below. Northeast Health Services, a trusted provider of outpatient mental health care throughout Massachusetts, has expanded access to quality mental health care with the opening of two new clinics in the Boston area.

Parking Restrictions, Lane Shifts for Work on Man Holes, Drainage on Mt. Auburn Street

From Nov. 24 to 26, drivers will see lane shifts and parking restrictions on two stretches of Mt. Auburn Street as crews raise man holes and install drainage. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Raising Buried Structures

Crews will be raising buried utility structures, such as manholes and valve boxes, within the newly paved area along Mount Auburn Street between Lloyd Road and Boylston Street.

Lane Closure Near High School Project for Drainage Installation

Drainage will be installed along Russell Street and Broadway for the Watertown High School project. There will be lane closures from Monday to Wednesday this week. See info provided by Vertex, Watertown’s project manager, below. Please be aware that a drainage liner will be installed on Monday 11/24 from Russell St along the lower portion of Broadway to the drain manhole at 24 Broadway. The duration of this work is expected to take 3 days and will require a one lane closure on Broadway from Monday, 11/24/25 thru 11/26/25.