Charles River Watershed Association Hosting Screening of Dam Removal Documentary at Watertown Library

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The following announcement was provided the Charles River Watershed Association:

Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) will host a free premiere screening on Jan. 8 at the Watertown Free Public Library of its new short documentary, Reconnecting Rivers. 

Produced by CRWA and Turnaround Films, the documentary delves into the challenges posed by defunct dams on the Charles River – with a particular focus on Watertown Dam – and what is being done to address them. 

A panel discussion on the documentary and defunct dams on the Charles will follow the screening. Panelists include Watertown Councilor At-Large John Gannon; Beth Lambert, Director of the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration; Brad Chase, the Diadromous Fish Project Leader at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries; and CRWA Indigenous Consultant Hartman Deetz.

WEEKEND FUN: Gorky Exhibit, Free Mansion Tours, WHS Art Exhibit, Christmas Concert

This weekend’s solstice marks the point where days stop getting shorter and begin gaining sunlight. Hoorah! We are also in the middle of Chanukah, and Christmas is on its way, in case you hadn’t noticed. These December days are perfect for going to see art, especially if you want to procrastinate on your gift shopping. If you haven’t seen the Gorky show at the Armenian Museum, head on over this weekend.

Watertown Library’s Winter Concerts Begin on Dec. 7, See the 2025-26 Season’s Line-Up

The Winter Concert Series returns to the Watertown Library with a variety of artists playing classical, Latin American, and other music played by cellists, guitarists, and groups of musicians. See details in the announcement from the Watertown Library, below. The Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is thrilled to announce our 2025-2026 Winter Concert Series! You’re invited to join us December through March, one Sunday afternoon per month. As in previous years, our concert series features talented, local artists.

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.

WEEKEND FUN: South Asian Theater Festival, Llamas, High School Play, Poet Laureate, Singer at Pub

This weekend is full of theater, with the Mosesian Center for the Arts hosting a three-day South Asian theater festival, and Watertown High School presenting Little Women. On Friday, Massachusetts’ inaugural Poet Laureate will be appearing at Atrium School. Kids can see a flock of llamas on Saturday, while Johnny Malone will be playing at Conley’s on Saturday. OFF-KENDRIK | SOUTH ASIAN-AMERICAN THEATER FESTIVALFriday to Sunday, Nov. 21 to 23, various timesMosesian Center for the Arts

Off-Kendrik is organizing the fourth SAATh theater festival on November 21-23rd at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, Watertown.

Watertown Community Fridge Moving to New Location Behind Library

Watertown Community FridgeThe Watertown Community Fridge provides free food and meals to those who need it. It will move to a new location behind the Watertown Free Public Library on Nov. 10, 2025. The Watertown Community Fridge, which offers free food 24/7, will be moving to a new location. See details provided by the Community Fridge, below.

Election 2025: See the Library Trustee Candidate Q&As

The Watertown Free Public Library. (Courtesy of WFPL)

Watertown voters will be selecting three members of the Watertown Free Public Library’s Board of Library Trustees in the 2025 Watertown Election. Watertown News reached out to the candidates to find out more about them. See details in the Candidate Q&As. The Library Trustees oversee the budget for the Watertown Library and works with Library staff on how to spend the budget, as well as working on special projects and initiatives at the library.

WEEKEND FUN: Armenian Bazaar, Zine Fest, Comedy, Deep Listening Experience, Audio-Visual Exhibit

Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Artist-in-Residence Lia Pikus

This weekend’s fun starts on Friday with the St. James Armenian Church’s 78th annual bazaar. Go grab some shish, losh or chicken kabobs while your kids get face painted and you pick up your raffle winnings. On Saturday starting at 11 the library is putting on their impressive Zine Fest. You can participate as a writer, reader or just if you are zine curious.