Kick off the holiday season on Thursday, December 4, at 5 p.m. at the Christmas Tree Lighting on the City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.). Santa Claus will be escorted by the Somerville Fire Department, making his grand entrance atop a shiny red fire truck. After the tree lighting, head over to the Somerville High School cafeteria (81 Highland Ave.) for a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus and light refreshments. All children who attend will receive a special gift from Santa. Menorah Lighting takes place on Monday, December 15 (Rain date: December 16), 6 p.m., City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.) Activities: Music, words, treats, Menorah lighting, and gifts for children.

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The Somerville Museum invites you to Tavern Talk with Dan Breen: From Belmont Street to Brisbane. Wednesday, December 3, at 7 p.m., Aeronaut Brewing Company, 14 Tyler St., Join in for a presentation on Somerville’s own Rear Admiral Ralph Waldo Christie, and the technical glitches that drove his fellow submariners to distraction in the darkest days of World War Two.

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Each December, the city celebrates the season of giving by supporting local holiday gift drives. Check the city website (somervillema.gov/news) or sign up for the city e-newsletter at www.somervillema.gov/subscribe for details on how you can contribute.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Irene Bremis. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to Kevin McDevitt. We wish him a great day. Happy birthday to Dorothy Dervishian O’Malley, Lee Grassia Anderson, Peter Blaikie, Karen Fay, Deb Feeley, Rochelle Jennings, Gordon Crook, Jason Castle, Steve Prescod, Kat Rutkin, James V Avila, Rita VanSteensburg, Brian M. Conley, Nicholas Cubides, and Kristen Chiaraluce. We hope everyone has a great day. To all the others we may have missed, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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Support local businesses this holiday season. There are lots of ways to support small businesses, and not all of them require purchases. Sharing your favorite places with friends, showing support on social media, and even window shopping are all low-cost ways to support your local businesses. Learn more about shopping small this winter by visiting www.somervillema.gov/loyaltolocal.

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Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are conveniently offered at multiple locations across Somerville, improving access for all residents with no out-of-pocket costs. Visit https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations to see more clinics.

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Spa Day at the Center – Friday, December 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Holland Street Center. The Somerville High School Cosmetology Students will be joining the COA. Their services include: Manicures (regular or gel) – $5, Hair Styling (roller sets, curling iron sets, flat iron styling, any updo or braids.) – $5, Facials (basic and relaxing) – $10, Haircuts (we can spray hair with a water bottle) – $5 Space is limited with a maxi-mum of eight clients. They will be holding more days in January. RSVP to Mary Marshall by calling 617-625-6600, ext. 2316.

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COA Holiday Luncheon – Thursday, December 11, at the Dilboy Post, located at 351 Summer Street, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $10 per person. Lunch will be stuffed chicken, vegetables, and salad. Please reserve your spot by calling Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321. COA Holiday Party, hosted by Somerville’s Veterans Services and the Council on Aging. Tuesday, December 16, at the Holland Street Center, starting at 10 a.m. Join in for a crafting activity from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and for lunch at noon; don’t forget to wear your ugly sweater. Please reserve your spot by calling Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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The Connexion closet is accepting clothing donations, all seasons, all genders, and all sizes. The most wanted items are pants and jackets. You can drop off donations at Connexion, 149 Broadway. Please make sure you leave donations inside the building with a label that says, “For Connexion closet”. Need clothes? The Connex-ion closet opens Mondays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays 4 to 6 p.m. Want to donate and can’t drop it off? Email closet@connexionumc.org to coordinate a pickup. Questions email: clos-et@connexionumc.org.

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Somerville’s Teen Shoveling Program is back for the 2025/26 season, providing a paid opportunity for youth to assist local seniors and homeowners with disabilities in clearing snow after a storm. The program is available for teens aged 14 to 19 years old. All interested youths must submit an application. Youths aged 18 or 19 must also submit a CORI form. For questions and to learn more, visit somervillema.gov/shoveling, contact Daniel Harris at dharris@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2406, or 311 by phone (617-666-3311), email, text, mobile app, chat, social media, web, and more at somervillema.gov/311.

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Shop 50+ artisan, maker, and vintage vendors at Small Mart Holiday Markets on December 6 and 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crystal Ballroom, Davis Sq. Small Mart brings together over 50 artisan, maker, and vintage vendors offering unique, thoughtfully made gifts. You’ll find hand-printed art, cozy ceramics, standout vintage fashion, and locally crafted goods that make giving (and shopping) feel good.

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Davis Square Holidate takes place on Saturday, December 6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 409 Highland Ave., Somerville. Join over 20 local businesses celebrating the Holiday Season with special promotions, giveaways, and Holiday sales. Every purchase at a participating business will also give you the chance to win one of 4 gift packages worth more than $200 of local dining, shopping, and services.

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The Union Square Jingle Shop, Sip & Mingle takes place Sunday, December 7, 1 to 6 p.m. In Union Sq. Union Square businesses are decked with sparkling lights, dressed-up windows, and Instagrammable inflatables that are ready to help you be a holiday host with the most. Extreme weather date December 14.

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Join the Somerville Community Growing Center at the Union Square Jingle. The Growing Center will be open Sunday, December 7, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm for this festive neighborhood tradition (formerly the Holiday Stroll) offered by Union Square Main Streets. In your travels through the square, don’t forget to stop by the Growing Center for hot herbal tea and winter cheer. The Jingle will offer Instagram-worthy inflatables like at Fluff Fest, a storefront decoration contest, and the “Stroll the Square Challenge.”

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Somerville Illuminations begins Friday, December 12. Showcase and admire Somerville’s best and brightest holiday lights. Add your home or business by Thursday, December 11, to be featured on the online Illuminations map https://somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminations/. Illuminations Tour. Take a self-guided tour using the published map. Join the Illuminations bike tour on Sunday, December 13 (rain date: December 14) at 5:45 p.m. Meet in front of City Hall (93 Highland Ave.). Visit somervilleartscouncil.org/events/illuminations2025 to access the map and for more information.

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Tour any of Somerville Public Schools’ Prekindergarten to Grade 8 schools on Tuesday, December 9. Everyone is welcome to drop in at 9, 10, 11 a.m., or noon to tour the schools. January tour dates: January 8, 2026, 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m., January 27, 2026, 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. Learn more: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/tours

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For anyone in need of food resources, go to the Somerville Food Coalition’s website: www.https://bit.ly/4ocJ6NB. Free local pantries, community meals, community fridges, and more. Find more information at https://www.somervillema.gov/snap. Here are some locations where you can find free food at Somerville’s Community Fridges can be found at 35 Prospect St., Elizabeth Peabody House, 275-277 Broadway, St. Clements, across from 29 St. Clements Road. Donations are welcome at these locations.

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The Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., will host and manage the 16th Annual Somerville Winter Farmers Market (SWFM) every Saturday beginning November 1 through April 11, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This weekly market offers the best locally grown and regionally produced agricultural items, including vegetable produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, pastries, and sweets. In addition to cash, credit, and debit, SNAP / EBT is also accepted at the market. CAA raises funds to be able to provide a $15 match so that SNAP / EBT for every SNAP/EBT customer who spends at least $15 of their SNAP/EBT dollars at the market. The market is also participating in the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which allows qualifying customers to receive between $40 – $80 worth of free farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from participating HIP vendors. To learn more and for a complete listing of vendors, weekly specials, and live entertainment, please visit www.somwintermarket.org.

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Arts Editor, Doug Holder, for setting up a GoFundMe campaign for The Somerville Times. With the cost of printing going up and a lack of businesses having the resources to advertise, free papers feel the effect. We sincerely thank all who have already contributed and thank any future contributors. If you are interested in helping, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-somerville-times. Or if anyone is interested in advertising, please contact Bobbietoner@aol.com. We offer great discounts to help our advertisers be able to advertise. Thank you all so much for your support!

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The Somerville Museum presents Discover “Ring It On” at Market Basket in Somerville. A glimpse into modern life through digital video projection. By Barbara Jo, Nathan, Fash, and Olga Mesa. On view until December 6. Visit today (2 – 5 p.m.) or Saturday (12 – 5 p.m.). One Westwood Road. For more information, visit www.somervillemuseum.org.

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Through the generosity of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and under the direction of Mayor Ballantyne, the Council on Aging can provide Durable Medical Equipment at no cost to Somerville residents. Residents with a documented need for medical equipment must be over the age of 60 or have a permanent disability and must be otherwise unable to afford or access needed medical equipment. For additional information or for an application, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website, over to the right side, and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.