Weekend Planner: Plenty of Chances to Meet Santa, for Kids and Pets

Get to Town Center early, and bring a toy!

On Friday, Tewksbury will host the Annual Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Town Common. This fun, FREE event will include:
> Marshmallow roasting on open fires
> Staging of a an ice sculpture donated by the Wilmington/Tewksbury Chamber of Commerce and its members
> Hot chocolate, warm cider, roasted nuts and other treats
> Balloon animals, carolers and crafts
> Writing letters to Santa, and of course …
> Meet Santa!

Please bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the local toy drive. Children in our community benefit from your generosity. Parking will be available at Town Hall, the Annex across the street and at Tewksbury Funeral Home (967 Main St.) Town Hall Avenue will be closed to through traffic. This event is put on with the generous support of the Town Manager’s office, Police Department, Fire Department and Department of Public Works.

Also on Friday, enjoy free photos with a professional Santa and a pie social from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Tewksbury Congregational Church, just across from the Town Common. You can get a photo with Santa in front of a backdrop of a fireplace and tree. Simply pick up a number and enjoy crafts, movies and activities while you wait. Your number will be called when it’s your turn.

Slices of pie, greenery and craft items are available for sale as well.

If dual Santas aren’t your jam, check out the Council on Aging’s Holiday Party at the Tewksbury Senior Center from 6 – 10 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. There will be music, a catered dinner and dancing to The Journey Men.

On Saturday, St. Williams will hold its annual Christmas Fair fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be 60+ themed baskets, a variety of raffles, professional crafters, Christmas plants, food, games and Santa will be back in town.

Also on Saturday, StellaDoggo Playcare at 1721 Main St. will hold a Holiday Open House from 2 – 4 p.m. with pet selfies with Santa — BYOCamera — and a donation drive for the Wilmington Animal Food Pantry.

Those who want to shop local crafters can drop into the popup Tewksbury Farm & Craft Market, which is open daily between now and Christmas eve from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Job Lot plaza, next to Papa Gino’s. Many crafters are returning from last year, with some new ones in the mix.

Sunday looks like a nice day to check out the Winter Tree Walk. Hopefully the decorations held up against yesterday’s rain and winds.

Finally, please consider stopping by the Library this weekend and choosing a tag from the Tewksbury Hospital Giving Tree to brighten the holidays for a resident of Tewksbury State Hospital. Gifts must be returned, wrapped, by Dec. 14.