Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming days. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.
Christmas Walk fun
Thursday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 8
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce kicks off its 53rd Christmas Walk. Here’s a quick look at some of the activities:
- Thursday, Dec. 5: Holiday shopping preview night
- Friday, Dec. 6: Christmas tree lighting across from National Grand. Live music begins at 5:30 p.m., and the tree is lit at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.: Santa arrives by lobster boat at Tucker’s Wharf and greets children.
- Saturday, Dec. 7, 11:45 a.m.: Christmas Walk parade steps off from Front Street
- Sunday, Dec. 8: Events and shopping around town
You can find the full schedule of Christmas Walk events HERE and in the Dec. 4 print edition of the Current.
Festival Chorus Christmas Concert
Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
The 44th annual Old North Festival Chorus Christmas Concerts — presented each year as part of Marblehead’s Christmas Walk — will be held at the Old North Church Meeting House, 35 Washington St. The chorus features more than 70 amateur and professional performers.
Highlights this year include: “Magnificat in D” by Jan Dismas Zelenka, “Vom Himmel Hoch” by Felix Mendelssohn, “International Carol Suites: Carols of the Americas” by Mark Hayes, “Bellringer’s Holiday (including the Ukrainian Bell Carol)” arranged by Randol Bass, “Christmas Day” by Gustav Holst and other seasonal favorites. Maria van Kalken, minister of music at Old North, will lead the orchestra and chorus. Tickets are $35. More info at onchurch.org/festivalchorus.
Gingerbread Festival
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Come see more than 100 locally and professionally made gingerbread creations on display at the historic Jeremiah Lee Mansion, 161 Washington St.
A panel of judges will vote on the best gingerbread houses in a number of categories, and the public can vote for the People’s Choice.
Want to enter a house into the contest? Registering a gingerbread house is free, and can be done here: mhdrec.wufoo.com/forms.
Admission to the festival is $5 per person or $20 per family.
Follen Angels at MLT
Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 p.m.
International cabaret and jazz recording artists, The Follen Angels, perform at Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St. The show will celebrate the storytelling of legendary composers George Gershwin and Cole Porter, spanning a rich musical history from Ella Fitzgerald to Lady Gaga.
Tickets at thefollenangels.com.
The Mike Havens Toy Drive
Thursday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m.
The Beacon Restaurant is hosting the Mike Havens Toy Drive featuring [pictures with Santa and live music with Funbucket at 8 p.m.
The toy drive is in memory of Michael Havens who worked for many years to host a toy drive each holiday season. People are asked to donate an unwrapped toy for local children in need. You can bring the toy the night of the event or you can drop toys at one of the donation locations around Marblehead (Shubie’s, Mud Puddle Toys, Marblehead Children’s Center, COA, VFW, Gerry5, The Beacon, Warwick Cinema). You can also make a monetary donation at thebeaconmarblehead.com.
Holiday Pops
Saturday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m.
Join Marblehead Harbor Rotary for the 2024 Holiday Pops concert at Abbot Hall. The program features Maestro Dirk Hillyer and the Hillyer Festival Orchestra with soloist Andrew Scoglio. A champagne reception begins at 7 p.m., followed by the concert at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from $45-$85. rotaryclubofmheadharbor.org.
Sew a selfie
Tuesday, Dec. 10, 3:30 p.m.
Children in third grade and up can learn how to sew by creating a selfie, a fabric picture of themselves. Kids will sew buttons, add details with two embroidery stitches (straight stitch and back stitch), and addhair with appliqué. Parents are welcome but not required to participate.
Register at abbotlibrary.org/events. This event is free.
A perky pairing
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Join Kim Larkin at Abbot Library, 235 Pleasant St., to learn everything there is to know about coffee and chocolate, the ultimate perky pair! This presentation covers coffee’s and chocolate’s interesting histories, benefits, cultivation, terminology, famous pioneers, best brewing and roasting methods and much more. Larkin shares her love of coffee and chocolate with a fun display of vintage coffee grinders and coffee pots, an interactive trivia quiz and, of course, plenty of samples, including espresso chocolate, bittersweet and a classic decaf Italian Affogato.
Registration is required and limited to 35 attendants. Please register at tinyurl.com/Coffee-and-Chocolate.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
