Entertainment

A Variety of Holiday Events This Month at the Watertown Mall – Including Puppets!

By |

The Watertown Mall is proud to present holiday performances by local elementary and high school bands, choral and string groups as well as semi-professional music groups from the Greater Boston area throughout the month of December. After taking your picture with Santa at Santa’s Village, stay for the music and shopping! The following is an entertainment list for December. On Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2:00 pm, award-winning Rosalita’s Puppets is coming to the Watertown Mall!

Around Town

Hundreds Welcome Santa Claus at Tree Lighting on Watertown Square

By |

Hundreds of children and their parents waited eagerly for the fire truck that would deliver the man in red Friday night, and when he arrived fashionably late Santa Claus was mobbed. 

St. Nick came to Watertown Square for the Watertown Tree Lighting Ceremony, hosted by the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce. One side of the Watertown Delta was packed with people getting into the holiday spirit. Kids got on parents’ shoulders just to get a glimpse of Santa. A group of kids made use of the stump left after a 90+ year-old tree was removed this week, by turning into a stage for an impromtu caroling session.

Entertainment

Arsenal Project’s Holiday Events Feature New Rep Actors and Singing

By |

Head to the Arsenal Project this weekend for two free children’s holiday happenings – one featuring actors from the New Rep Theatre and the other has singers from the Watertown Children’s Theatre. On Saturday, Dec. 5, actors from New Rep’s holiday production – “The Snow Queen” – will read from the play. That will be followed by music and winter crafts for kids of all ages. There will also be a raffle for a pair of tickets to The Snow Queen!

Entertainment

Perkins School’s Free Holiday Concert is Open to the Public

By |

The Perkins School for the Blind will hold two holiday concerts at 3 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Dwight Hall, 175 North Beacon St. The Perkins School for the Blind orchestra, handbell ensemble, student chorus and chamber singers will perform holiday music featuring traditional and popular classical, barbershop harmony and seasonal carols sung in Spanish, Hebrew and Latin. The school will also host a marketplace with logo items and handmade gifts as well as refreshments from the Perkins bakery.

Around Town

See Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion Decorated for the Holidays

By |

Holiday lights, dancing and hot cocoa filled Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion during the recent Holiday Open House. The town-owned, historic home opened its doors on Dec. 18. Rooms were filled with Christmas trees, nutcrackers and other holiday items.

Santa Claus paid a visit and members of Ballroom in Boston danced on the first floor and attendees enjoyed hot cocoa and treats. The decorations, entertainment and refreshment were provided by Home Depot, Watertown Savings Bank, Cass the Florist, Dunkin Donuts/Riverside Management Group, BG Event Catering, AA Rental Center and Ballroom in Boston.

Charity

Whooley Foundation Provides Gifts for Watertown Kids in Need

By |

Each year, just before Christmas, the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station fills with toys destined for families struggling during the holiday season. The effort is the continuation of the work of the late-Sgt. John “Sonny” Whooley – a Watertown Police officer who made it his mission to make the children in the community a little happier, said Det. David Collins, who oversees the drive these days. Members of the Watertown Police and Fire departments do much of the work.

Business

Tufts Health Plan Drive Brings in Gifts for Hundreds of Children

By |

Employees of Tufts Health Plan donated nearly 300 gifts to give out to those in need. 

Each year, the names, ages and requests of children and adults in need are strung on Wish Trees at Tufts Health Plan, giving employees the chance to grant those holiday wishes. This year, the nearly 300 gifts donated by employees were given to clients of three local service organizations: the Cambridge Salvation Army, the Malden Salvation Army and Fernald Center of Waltham, according to the Tufts announcement. In addition, the estimated value of the gift contributions was matched with a cash donation by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.