Westfield on Weekends (WOW) DecemberFest, Westfield's annual holiday celebration that mixes some popular traditional offerings with exciting new elements is in its planning stages. Information about Tree Jubilee and the exciting offerings at the Creative Arts Center will be listed here, so mark this webpage for the most up-to-date information!

Schedule of Events:

November 8, 2024

Downtown Music Series: Jazz at the Nook

An evening of Jazz at the Nook with Edward Orgill, saxophones; Wayne Roberts, bass; Bill Chapman, drums; and Scott Sasanecki, guitar; with special guest, Aaliyah Brown, vocals

7:30 pm: Hutgi's at the Nook - 8 Franklin Street, Westfield

7th ANNUAL TREE JUBILEE

Monday, November 18 - Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Roots Athletic Center, 181 Root Road

Westfield on Weekends 7th Annual Tree Jubilee begins on November 18th and is a special fundraiser that supports WOW's community programming. For the 4th year, it is taking place online, as well as at Roots Athletic Center, where visitors may view a wonderland of trees, wreaths and tablescapes donated by area individuals, businesses and organizations. Tickets may only be purchased and submitted online. Winners will be drawn on December 11 at 11:59 pm, notified on December 12 and may be picked up on December 14. All proceeds from this event help to fund future WOW events.

Click Here To Learn More
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ONCE UPON A WINTER'S DAY: A DecemberFest Gallery Installation

Saturday, November 30 - Saturday, January 14, 2025
WOW's Creative Arts Center, 105 Elm Street, Westfield

WOW's Creative Arts Center becomes a snowy forest that sparkles with hundreds of lights and greenery reflecting the magic of winter's day. Its walls offer the art of professional artists Marie Crane-Yvon, James Johnson-Corwin, Cathy Guidetti and photographer Jacob Fleron that echoes the glorious poetry of Robert Frost. The gallery space evokes the New England countryside as imagined by Johnson-Corwin and Westfield florist Colleen Shanahan of Colleen Shanahan Florals. The installation will provide a colorful backdrop for all the wonderful family activities at the Center, especially visits from Father Frost, a Fairytale Prince and Princess as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus.

COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING/ CAROLS AND COCOA/ SANTA'S ARRIVAL

Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 5 pm
Elm Street Plaza, Westfield

Small Business Saturday will feature the Mayor's Tree Lighting of the 20-foot community tree at a new location in downtown Westfield. A city tradition for decades, Mayor Mike McCabe will host the festivities that will feature caroling with the Westfield High School Show Choir and the WHS Pep Band. Hot chocolate will be provided by Mt. Moriah Lodge. To match its new location, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a very special arrival, followed by the opportunity for youngsters to visit with them. Prior to and after the festivities, attendees are encouraged to do some gift shopping at the many shops in the walkable city center and to discover the special menus available at Westfield's restaurants.

‍CREATIVE ARTS CENTER HOLIDAY LOTTERY BOARD

Monday, November 18 - Sunday, December 15, 2024
WOW's annual lottery wall is a fundraiser for all WOW community events. The drawing for the wall that features more than $250 worth of lottery tickets will be drawn Sunday, December 15th during the performance of The Uncommon Christmas Carol at the Westfield Senior Center. Tickets may be purchased at the Center or online HERE at WOW's website.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS TOUR

Saturday, November 30 - Thursday, January 2, 2025
Throughout Westfield neighborhoods

The 4th Annual Holiday Lights Tour offers families the opportunity to take a self-guided drive-by tour of the city's outdoor holiday displays. View the map here and on WOW's Facebook page, where Westfield residents may also register their homes and businesses. To join the tour register homes and businesses at Westfield on Weekends Facebook page or at the WOW website.

View this year's map of lights

DECEMBERFEST TRIO OF HOLIDAY CRAFT WORKSHOPS

Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 6pm - 9pm, Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 1pm - 4 pm & Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1pm - 5pm
WOW's Creative Arts Center, 105 Elm Street, Westfield

For anyone who wishes to be creative this holiday season, WOW will once again offer an opportunity. Presented by artisan Chris Lyons of Glass Visions of Springfield, the Intro to Mosaics workshop will explore the medium, while the Stained-Glass workshop participants will leave with their own stained glass suncatcher. The Intro to Papermaking class on November 21 rounds out the trio of programs. Lyons' classes and workshops have been a staple of arts programming at the Center for several years. Registration fees are $45 for Papermaking, $60 for the Mosaics workshop and $60 for the Stained-Glass workshop, including the materials needed.

For registrations and more information, call the Center at 413-579-5967 and/or register HERE.


4th ANNUAL CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY BALL

Friday, December 6, 2024 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
WOW's Creative Arts Center, 105 Elm Street, Westfield

The 4th Annual Children's Holiday Ball with the Tower Princess and her Prince will create memories for families Friday, December 6, as they host a gathering that celebrates diversity, friendship and respect. As part of the Center's popular Cupcakes, Cookies and Community series for children aged 3 to 8 years of age, the party will feature music, stories, songs, games, and holiday treats. Reservations may be made at the Center, by calling 413-222-4553 or purchase here. Tickets are $15 for one parent and one child.

UP CLOSE AND MUSICAL SERIES

WOW and Westfield State University once gain team up for the 2024 DecemberFest edition of their popular concerts series that celebrates the talented student musicians, alumni and faculty of the university, as well as regional and notional artists of note. This year's program spotlights jazz, Broadway, classical, pop, the saxophone and a classic operetta.

CONCERTS AT THE UNIVERSITY

Thursday, December 5; Sunday December 8, and Tuesday, December 10
Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, Westfield State University, 577 Western Avenue

This year's calendar of free holiday concerts produced with the Music Department of Westfield State as part of WOW's Up Close and Musical series will take place at the beautiful Dever Stage of Parenzo Hall throughout the month. They include a Student Musicians Recital (Tuesday, December 3 at 4 pm); "An Evening of Jazz" featuring:

Jazz Ensembles (Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm)
‍WSU Chorus in concert (Sunday, December 8 at 3pm)
‍Small Ensemble Evenings (Tuesday, December 10 at 7pm).

Die Fledermaus: The Bat's Revenge

Friday, December 13, 2024: Concert at 7 pm
WOW's Creative Arts Center, 105 Elm Street, Westfield

Critics have said that there has never been a funnier English version of Johann Strauss, Jr.'s comic operetta, Die Fledermaus than this one, reimagined by lyricist Josh Shaw as the madcap story of love gone wrong and right in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Recently performed by a talented cast at Westfield State, it has been adapted for WOW's Creative Art Center and is the University's holiday gift to downtown audiences, as part of WOW's free Up Close and Musical program. Seating is on a first come - first served basis.

HOLIDAY BINGO!

Monday, December 9, 2024 from 6pm - 7:30pm
WOW's Creative Arts Center, 105 Elm Street, Westfield

WOW's Monday Bingo series delivers a special holiday edition with treats, surprises and cash games that award the lucky winners with good fun and perhaps some unexpected pocket money for the season. All proceeds benefit WOW programming at the Center and beyond. Free admission.

SANTA'S FAMILY WORKSHOP

Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 12 PM - 4 pm
WOW's Creative Arts Center, 105 Elm Street, Westfield

Jolly Old Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus holds court in the window of WOW's Creative Arts Center, as part of Artworks of Westfield's festive Winter Walk (10am -noon). Children of all ages are encouraged to make a visit, take photos, create a holiday card and craft and marvel at the glowing lights of Once Upon a Winter's Day, the magical DecemberFest installation.

‍"An UNCOMMON CHRISTMAS CAROL" in performance

Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 2pm
Westfield Senior Center, 45 Noble Street, Westfield

For nine years, WOW entertained SRO audiences at Springfield's Bright Nights and at various venues in Westfield with its interactive fractured version of Charles Dickens' immortal tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and 3 ghostly visitors. WOW reunites original cast members, led by narrator Bob Plasse as Charles Dickens' unknown relative "Harvey," and George Delisle as "Ebenezer Scrooge." Tina Gorman of The Council on Aging joins the company of actors as "Mrs. Cratchit" of plum pudding fame. After a hiatus of several years this will be a special command performance that is the perfect winter's tale for all ages. WOW attests that it is a rollicking good time, while retaining its warm message of redemption and community. Admission is $20 for adults; $15 for members of the Senior Center and $5 for children. Ticket Link Coming Soon!

LATKES & LIGHTS

Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Elm Street Plaza, Westfield
Party at The Church of the Atonement, 36 Court Street following ceremony.

To celebrate the fifth night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Shahar Colt of the Ahavas Achim Congregation, with assistance from WOW and the City of Westfield, will offer prayers, songs and special words, as they light the menorah, the candles of which have been being lit each night December 25. The ceremony has a new location at Elm Street Plaza in the heart downtown. It will be followed by a Latkes and Lights party at the Church of the Atonement at 36 Court Street. All are welcome to attend.

Date: November 8 - December 13, 2024

Location: Various Venues In Westfield, MA

Click here for more information