On Saturday December 6th, the Needham Merchants Association (sponsoring its annual stroll and entertainment), the Needham Business Association (sponsoring its annual Blue Tree Lighting), and the Community Center of Needham (sponsoring its annual entertainment and luminary parade), in conjunction with the Town of Needham, are hosting the first Needham Lights from 12:00-8:00 p.m. Please join us in the spirit of Community. There are many events being planned for the day; in addition to the Blue Tree Lighting, there will be activities and entertainment in the Town Hall and on the Common, including lantern making and crafts, face painting, balloon art, free light-up necklaces and bracelets, Irish dancers, a rhythmic gymnastics performance, magic show, a cappella group, lantern parade, Kids Night Out, and fire show. There will singers, minstrels, elves and Santa on the Common. Merchants and restaurants will be offering specials throughout the day and many will be open late for your shopping and dining pleasure. We want you to be comfortable so there will be a hot chocolate stand to warm up the strollers throughout the afternoon and early evening. Please bring all your friends and relatives to Needham Lights, in the spirit of Community, from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy this year’s special entertainment, activities and promotions sponsored by the Needham Business Association, Needham Merchants Association, the Community Center of Needham, and the Town of Needham. Please join us for an exciting fun-filled day of entertainment and activities, and, of course, shopping and dining. Here’s just a part of what we have planned for you:  

• Start at noon with lunch at one of our many great downtown restaurants. Several restaurants will be featuring special holiday treats for strollers, as well as special holiday items or fixed price holiday menus. A list of participants and what they will be offering will be available online at Discoverneedham.com and in an informational sheet at Town Hall.

 

• 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. Discover Needham and Shop Local First at our local merchants during their Holiday Stroll. Participating merchants will have the Needham Lights flyer in their windows. A list of participants and what they will be offering will be available online at Discoverneedham.com and in an informational sheet at Town Hall.

 

• 12:00-6:00 p.m., hot chocolate will be served outside on Chapel Street across from the Common. This event is hosted by the Needham Merchants Association and sponsored by Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital—Needham from 12:00-2:00 p.m., by Charles River YMCA from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and by Not Your Average Joes from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

 

• Many of the merchants will be decorating their windows for the holidays so enjoy the festive displays.

 

• 2:00-5:00 p.m. bring your children to enjoy Lantern making and other Crafts at Town Hall sponsored by the Community Center of Needham.

 

• 2:00-4:00 p.m. children can enjoy face painting at Town Hall sponsored by Muzi Ford & Chevy (hosted by the Needham Merchants Association).

 

• 2:00 to 4:00 children can also enjoy the balloon artist at Town Hall sponsored by Needham Dental and Dr. Kapoor (hosted by the Needham Merchants Association).

 

• 2:00 to 4:00 pick up your free light-up necklace or bracelet at Town Hall sponsored by Edward Jones and Craig Geddes.

 

• 2:00 p.m. the Greene-O’Leary School of Irish Dance will perform on stage in Powers Hall (sponsored by the Needham Merchants Association).

 

• 3:00 p.m. Rhythmic Dreams will present a rhythmic gymnastics performance on stage in Powers Hall (sponsored by the Needham Merchants Association).

 

• 3:30 p.m. enjoy the Magic Show on stage in Powers Hall (sponsored by the Community Center of Needham).

 

• 4:15 p.m. Needham’s own premier a cappella group Fermata Nowhere performs on stage in Powers Hall (sponsored by the Needham Merchants Association) and then will lead the Lantern Parade out to the Town Common.

 

• 4:30 p.m. the Lantern Parade leaves Town Hall for a stroll with lighted lanterns to the Common and the Blue Tree (sponsored by the Community Center of Needham).

 

• 5:00 p.m. Blue Tree festivities, sponsored by the Needham Business Association, get underway on the Common with a performance by Plugged In Singers. Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, John Bulian, Reverend Gary Shaw from the Carter Memorial Methodist Church and special guest, Charlie Baker, Needham native and Governor-Elect, will say a few welcoming words. Retiring Fire Chief, Paul Buckley, will light the Tree. Continue enjoying the musical styling of the Plugged In Singers while you await the arrival of Santa in style on a Needham Fire Truck.

 

• 5:45 p.m. Santa arrives on the Common and will be seated on Town Hall steps.

 

• 6:00 p.m. Fire Show on the Common sponsored by the Community Center of Needham.

 

• After 6:00 p.m. Enjoy a dinner out at one of the great downtown dining locations, many of whom will be offering special holiday or fixed price dinner options. Or continue your shopping at the wonderful stores open late for your convenience.

 

• 6:00-8:30 p.m. the Charles River YMCA will be sponsoring a Parents Night Out for its members at its Chestnut Street location so they can continue to enjoy shopping and dining. Details available at the Y.

 

• Please spread the holiday spirit by donating to the Needham Fire Fighters’ collection for Toys for Tots (a box will be at Town Hall for your donations of unwrapped new toys). 

 

• The Needham Merchants Association is also sponsoring a collection box for new adult hats, gloves and mittens benefitting the Needham Community Council at Black Sheep Knitting (1500 Highland Avenue). Donations may be dropped off starting on December 1st and continuing through to the 12th. 

So, please take advantage of this year’s Needham Lights starting at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6th in the Town Center (and beyond!). Enjoy a relaxed and rewarding experience. Take advantage of all the free entertainment and activities, do your holiday shopping right here, and dine in our wonderful restaurants, and give back to the business community which provides so much to us---shop, dine, Discover Needham First.