Lighting of the Common, Festival of Trees Kick Off Holiday Season Tonight!

Tewksbury will officially kick off the 2012 Holiday Season on Friday, Nov. 30 with the 25th Annual Lighting of the Common.

The event coincides with the annual Festival of Trees at the Tewksbury Public Library and the annual Pie Social at the Tewksbury Congregational Church.

Lighting of the Common

The Lighting of the Common begins at 7 p.m. and features music by "The Swinging Seniors," a greeting by Board of Selectmen Chairman David Gay and the reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Library Director Dianne Giarusso.

And, of course, the highlight of the event for the younger Tewksbury residents will be the arrival of Santa Claus! Jolly Old Saint Nick will arrive by fire engine, courtesy of the Tewksbury Fire Department.

Santa will then oversee the spectacular lighting of the trees on the Town Common.

Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees will begin Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library. Dozens of Christmas Trees, decorated by businesses and non-profit groups from throughout the community, will be on display. Residents not only can enjoy viewing the trees, they can vote on their favorites!

The event will also include a fun, family concert from Steve Blunt at 6:30 p.m. and Christmas Carols from the Merrimack Valley Chorus at 7 p.m. There will also be refreshments, winter crafts and even a scavenger hunt.

The Festival of Trees will continue throughout the Holiday Season, giving residents plenty of opportunities to view the trees and vote.

Pie Social

What would the Holiday Season be without delicious, homemade pies?

The 10 East St., will host its annual Pie Social on Friday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. Don't fill up on dinner, you'll want to leave plenty of room for pies!

A slice of homemade pie plus coffee or cocoa is just $4 per person.

Many items from the TCC Christmas Fair (which will be held from 9am-2pm on the Saturday, Dec. 1) will be available for sale during the Pie Social. Buy a fresh wreath for your door or take home some handcrafted specialties like baked goods, wood crafts and knit items.