Here we are, Weston, accelerating into end of year fun, family and friends. While the Owl is not a fan of darkness at 4:45 pm, it seems somehow that the town has leveled up on colorful and fun lighting this year. The light-up green reindeer on Merriam makes my evening, and a friend’s driveway lined with white-lighted tree trunks makes Highland a highlight of the trip to get the Owlets from track at 5 pm.

Besides the Weston lights, there are the big bucks lighting displays at the zoos, gardens and as of last night, the Boston Common. The Tree for Boston was lit last night–a story that I love every single year. Thank you, Nova Scotia! Apparently Frog Pond is having a tough pandemic, however, and skating this year will be on a temporary rink. With luck, we’ll have some semi-rural skating this season at College Pond. Embrace winter.

Here are some of the nearby highlights for this weekend. Lots and lots of local shopping and markets…

All weekend:

The Umbrella Winter Market, Concord: Featuring dozens of Umbrella Studio Artists, regional Guest Artists, annual “Off-the-Wall” show with small works under $300 (in-person and online), Ceramics Program holiday sale, “New Directions” gallery exhibition, live music, Arts Education info table, prizes drawing, and more. Friday 1-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10-5. For admission into the event, all attendees (of all ages) MUST provide proof of full vaccination by showing an original vaccination card, a photo of the card, a digital vaccine record, or proof of current negative test.  For more information, please see https://theumbrellaarts.org/studio-arts/winter-market. The Umbrella is located at 40 Stow Street, Concord.

Family Trees Holiday Event at the Concord Museum: Check out the 26th Annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature with 32 fanciful trees and wreaths of all shapes and sizes, decorated with original ornaments inspired by acclaimed children’s books. For more information and the 2021 Family Trees Booklist click here. 10 am-4 pm, Tuesday – Sunday. Event goes until January 2. The Concord Museum is located at 53 Cambridge Turnpike in Concord.

Gallery Twist Illuminations, Lexington. Beautiful art gallery in a home. New show opens Friday December 3 and runs through January 2, opening night celebration is Saturday, December 4. For more information, please see http://www.gallerytwist.com. Gallery Twist is located at 1963 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington.

Fruitlands Museum Holiday Open House and Craft Fair, Harvard. Saturday and Sunday, December 4-5. At this festive holiday market, shop for your family and friends while supporting local artisans. Find vendors spread through the museum shop building and wayside gallery, shop high quality handmade local crafts: Jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, fiber arts, photography, mixed media, and much more! Artisan Market access is included in your Museum admission. Special for the occasion, we are including Gallery admission in the Grounds-only pricing. Admission is Free for Members, $10 per Car for Non-Members, and includes access to the outdoor Market, Grounds, Trails, Art Gallery, Native American Gallery, and Wayside Gallery. T

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Land’s Sake Cut Your Own Christmas Tree. 10am-2pm. Cut down your favorite tree (in a designated area–can’t just go all Rambo out there), and take it home to enjoy for the holiday. There are also farmstand favorites and holiday gift baskets available for sale! Trees are approximately $75 each. Bring work gloves, a saw if you have one, rope to tie the tree to your car, and be sure to wear clothes that will keep you comfortable and warm. Come to Land’s Sake Main Office: *27 Crescent St. (*enter 25 Crescent St. if using a GPS. Crescent St is off of Rt. 20/Boston Post Road and Land’s Sake (Melone House) is all the way down a long, winding driveway)

Golden Ball Tavern Holiday Traditions: Come out to see the exterior decorations at the Golden Ball Tavern. For fifty years, the Country Garden Club has decorated the Tavern–last year and this year are exterior decorations only. Stop by to admire the Garden Club’s handiwork and learn more about the Golden Ball Tavern from 1:00 to 3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th. Special history talks focused on holiday traditions in the colonial era will be held at 1:30pm and 2:30pm. 662 Boston Post Road.

Winter Carnival and Tree Lighting: Weston Town Green, 2-4 pm. The Scavenger Hunt is coming to an end so you’re down to the last few difficult ones. Rumor has it that the gingerbread in Bros is the hardest to find. Fortunately this is not Jumanji and you’re not going to lose a life to a hippo or anything. Regardless of your hunt successes, come on out to join the community around the town green, the firepits, and the brand new Most Excellent Tree at Knox Park. Thank you, Women’s Community League!

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Weston Forest & Trail Association Monthly Walk-Sears Land and the Melone Homestead. Join Weston Forest & Trail Association and trustee Diana Chaplin, tour leader extraordinaire, on Sunday, December 5th, 2021 at 2 PM to explore the Sears Land and Melone Homestead. Enjoy a special holiday treat and explore remnants of the old Sears Estate. Walkers will walk over the river and through the woods leaving right from town green. Meet at 2 pm near the watering trough at the intersection of doom.

Golden Ball Tavern Holiday Traditions: For fifty years, the Country Garden Club has decorated the Tavern–last year and this year are exterior decorations only. Stop by to admire the Garden Club’s handiwork and learn more about the Golden Ball Tavern from 1:00 to 3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th. Special history talks focused on holiday traditions in the colonial era will be held at 1:30pm and 2:30pm. 662 Boston Post Road.

Wellesley Square Holiday Stroll, Wellesley. Ooh, lots to do and see and shop local. Looks like Rudolph will be strolling around as well, and Santa is going to appear and make your tiny tikes cry in all the photos (wait, that was just mine, once upon a time). There is also a scavenger hunt, carol singing and a tree lighting. Sounds familiar. Noon-6 pm. For more information, check out the website here: https://shopwellesleysquare.com/holiday-stroll-2021/

Celebrate Newton Holiday Craft Fair 2021, Newton. Back for its 18th year. 10 am-4 pm at Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road. Unique handmade items from more than 50 local artisans. Enjoy live music while you shop. Admission is $5 with kids under 12 free. Celebrate Newton is produced by the Newton Cultural Alliance, an advocacy non-profit supporting over 30 local arts and culture organizations. For event and exhibitor information visit celebratenewton.com.