Holiday Happenings

Nov 25, 2024

Get into the holiday cheer this season at various upcoming celebrations across town.

Sunday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and Nov. 24
Humans and alpacas alike can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on Nov. 23 and 24 at the Hill Crest Alpacas farm.
Visit the farm to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, create a craft in Santa’s Workshop and write a Christmas card to a soldier overseas.
Kids can also take a ride on the Holiday Barrel Train or on a pony. There will also be food, shopping, various vendors and other outdoor fun.

The event will take place at the Hill Crest Alpacas farm at 338 Old Fall River Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 29
Join the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust to burn off holiday calories during a post-Thanksgiving walk on Friday, Nov. 29.

The hike begins at 9 a.m. and volunteers will lead walkers through the Smith Farm Reserve on Smith Neck Road.

Saturday, Nov. 30

Dartmouth AAU Toy Drive
The Dartmouth Youth Activities Association and the Dartmouth AAU are teaming up for their annual toy drive on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Only new, unwrapped toys should be donated.

The toy drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crapo Field, located at 580 Russells Mills Road.

Holiday wreath sale
Purchase a holiday wreath on Sunday, Nov. 30.
Dartmouth Scout Troop 13G will be selling the wreaths at the Akin House at 762 Dartmouth Street.
The sale begins at 9 a.m. and will end when the last wreath has been sold.

Wreaths cost $20 and all proceeds will support the troop.

Sunday, Dec. 1
Start holiday shopping early this year by visiting the 3GenLove holiday craft fair on Dec. 1.
Over 100 artisans will be at the fair, as well as a concession stand and a raffle table.
All of the proceeds from the concession stand and raffle will be given to support Toys for Tots.
Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch and Elsa and Anna from Frozen will all be visiting the fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will also be face painting and the chance to get a glitter tattoo throughout the event. Cup of Jo Jo’s Coffee Truck will also be selling hot chocolate and coffee.

The event will be held at the Dartmouth High School at 555 Bakerville Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 3
Tune into some Christmas song classics, but be prepared to hear them like never before.
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Dartmouth Grange is hosting the Unlikely Strummers for a night full of holiday music favorites, all played on the ukulele.
In addition to the sing-along, there will also be refreshments.

The concert will be held at the Dartmouth Grange at 1133 Fisher Road and begins at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6
Padanaram’s annual holiday stroll is back for its 45th year. On Friday, Dec. 6 attendees will have the opportunity to meet Santa, have their face painted, see live entertainment, buy food from food trucks and listen to carolers. There will also be giveaways for kids.
The event starts at 4 and ends at 8 p.m., with the buoy tree lighting ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m.
 

Saturday, Dec. 7

Fill the Bus toy drive
On Saturday, Dec. 7 the Dartmouth Police Department is hosting its annual Fill the Bus toy drive.
Buses from Tremblay’s will be collecting the toys, which will primarily be given to kids in Dartmouth.
The police department is also working with the Council on Aging, which will be selecting toys to help grandparents who find financially providing for their grandchildren difficult.

The event is being held at Target at 479 State Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tea with the Grinch
Enjoy a cup of afternoon tea and a light meal inspired by Whos and Whoville and meet the Grinch himself on Dec. 7.
Food items include savory Whoville bites, such as the Grinch’s roast beef and cheese on sourdough bread, Cindy Lou’s chocolate chip scones and Mount Crumpit sweets, such as mini cannolis. 
Beverage options include black cinnamon spice tea, hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and Grinch green apple bubble tea with popping strawberry boba.
The event is being held at Killer B’s Gym at 718 Dartmouth Street.
The event begins at 2 p.m. and ends promptly at 4 p.m.
Registration is required for the event and costs $35 per person.

Guests can register on the Killer B’s Gym website.

Toy drive
The Tyler Joseph Leonard Memorial Foundation is hosting a toy drive on Dec. 7 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Only new, unwrapped toys should be donated. All donations will be going to two local organizations: Child & Family Services and Fostering Children’s Precious Moments.
The foundation will also sponsor a wish list for a local family in need.
Donations are also accepted anytime between Sunday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. if people would like to donate but are unable to attend the toy drive. Donations can also be made through Venmo, and a toy will be bought on the donator’s behalf.

The toy drive is being held at the Stackhouse Club Fairgrounds at 16 Faith Street. In the event of inclement weather, donations can be dropped off inside.

Christmas music concert
It’s never too early to listen to Christmas music.
Join a trio of musicians from the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 7 for an afternoon concert featuring classic holiday music, Christmas carols and other seasonal favorites.
The concert will take place at the North Branch Library at 211 Cross Road and will start at 1:30 p.m.
The event is being hosted by the Friends of the Dartmouth Public Libraries and is free and open to the public.

For more information, email fodl.libraries@gmail.com.

Christmas tree lighting
Get into the holiday spirit by attending the Town Hall tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 7.
There will be festivities for kids, including raffles, crafts and games. There will also be music, refreshments and more.
The ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 5:30 p.m.

The event’s rain date is Sunday, Dec. 8.

Sunday, Dec. 8

Brunch with Santa
Enjoy a brunch buffet with Santa this December to kick-off the Christmas season on Sunday, Dec. 8.
The event will start at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. at the Cask & Pig at 780 State Road.
There will be a carving station, cookie decorating with North Pole Patrol and a hot chocolate bar. Guests can also create a keepsake craft ornament.

Reservations are required to attend. Tickets cost $32.95 for adults and $18.95 for kids 12 and under.

Craft fair
Shop local this holiday season at the craft fair hosted by the Allendale Country Club on Dec. 8.
Crafters and small businesses will be set-up throughout the club and kids will have the chance to meet and take a picture with Santa.
All of the proceeds from the event and the raffle will be donated to Catholic Social Services and will go to support two teen shelters.
There will also be a raffle, which each local vendor donated a small item to. Tickets will cost $1 per item, $5 for seven items, and $10 for 15 items.
To get free raffle tickets, bring personal hygiene products, toothbrushes, body wash or deodorant to donate.
For those interested in becoming a vendor, send an email to Meloeventsnb@gmail.com.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1047 Allen Street.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Breakfast with Santa
Enjoy a breakfast with Santa surrounded by Harley-Davidsons.
The breakfast will consist of pancakes, bacon, sausage, coffee and hot chocolate.
On Dec. 14, Battleship Harley-Davidson is hosting a Christmas breakfast where kids will be able to meet Santa and take a picture with him, as well as play games and partake in fun activities.

The event begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. at 799 State Road.

Toy drive with Santa
Donate to a toy drive and meet Santa this holiday season on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Attendees should bring new, unwrapped toys for the toy drive, which will be donated to Gifts to Give.
Kids can meet Santa at the event, partake in some arts and crafts and enjoy holiday treats.
The event is being hosted by Century 21 and will take place at 980 Reed Road from 1 to 3 p.m.
 
Sunday, Dec. 15
Go back to school this winter to hear holiday tunes and make crafts with the Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society.
From 2 to 4 p.m. the Fall River Fipple Fluters, a group of amateur recorder players, will play holiday music and there will be crafts for kids.
There will also be caroling with Jim Bean from 4 to 4:30 p.m., as well as the reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.’
The event is free and will be held at the Russells Mills Schoolhouse at 1205 Russells Mills Road.
 
Friday, Dec. 20
Find the best ugly sweater to wear to an upcoming ugly sweater party on Friday, Dec. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.
There will be face painting, cookie decorating, a photo booth, crafts, games, music and dancing. Santa Claus himself will also be at the party.
Prizes will be awarded for the best ugly sweater, so guests are encouraged to go all out.
The event is being held at Killer B’s Gym at 718 Dartmouth Street.

Attendees can purchase tickets on the Killer B’s Gym website.

Saturday, Dec. 21
For their last event of the year, Round the Bend farm is hosting a holiday bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Over 20 vendors will be at the bazaar and items for sale will include children’s books, handcrafted wooden gifts, pottery, soaps and baked goods.
There will also be an opportunity for kids of all ages to make a wreath.
Farm-fresh lunch will also be available for purchase.
The bazaar is free and open to all and will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 92 Allen Neck Road.
 

Have a community holiday event planned? Email news@dartmouthweek.net and we’ll add it to this list.