Christmas In Harwich Strolls Into Town Friday

 

 HARWICH – Christmas In Harwich promises to be another festive weekend with the Harwich Port Stroll, caroling, Santa’s arrival, music, fireworks, and trolley rides among the many activities.

The events get underway on Friday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. with the annual caroling led by the Harwich Elementary School Chorus in Doane Park. There will be a tree lighting in the park at 6 p.m. and Santa will arrive on a fire truck at the nearby chamber of commerce office at 6:15 p.m.      

New this year, according to Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cyndi Williams, are festive trolleys that will start at the chamber building in Harwich Port, loop through Harwich Center and back to the chamber office. On the trolley, the Monomoy Regional Middle School Chorus will lead a holiday sing-along, Williams said.

The Harwich Port stroll will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., while the trolleys will operate from 5 to 8 p.m. 

 Also new this year, local musicians who performed during Port Summer Nights will sing a mixture of holiday songs and covers from 6 to 8 p.m. Musicians include Kerosene Heater at Gibson Sotheby’s, Leah & Colleen at Shorebird Interiors, Joe Marino at Pilgrim Congregational Church, the Marino Sisters on the front steps of the chamber building, and Grace McWaters at Solis. The Harwich Town Band will perform inside TD Bank.

 Williams is encouraging people to visit the chamber Information center and The Grateful Mug for goodies and to bid on the Festival of Trees. All proceeds from the Festival of Trees will benefit The People’s Fridge of Harwich, she said. Public safety personnel will also be collecting donations at the chamber office as part of their “Homeless for the Holidays” fundraiser for The Family Pantry of Cape Cod.

Visit the Nativity Scene display and live piano music in the sanctuary of Pilgrim Congregational Church. Then enter Monbleau Hall as the cafe there will be serving burgers, hot dogs, french fries and drinks, and don’t miss the annual cookie sale. An extra special event is the Children's Christmas Shoppe, where children will be able to shop and wrap small gifts for 50 cents each. There will also be a Children's Cookie Decorating Table. 

The seven Christmas trees in the seven villages of Harwich will be lit up at 6 p.m. on Friday evening.

On Saturday in East Harwich Mrs. Claus will oversee cookie decorating from 10 a.m. to noon at Harwich Paint and Decorating, and Trevor the Juggler and the Ice Princess will join a stilt walker and handstand walker at Hinckley Home Center from noon to 2 p.m.

The Wequassett Resort and Golf Club will be holding a Merry Market from 1 to 5 p.m., and Santa will be arriving at 3 p.m. There is a lot of activity planned at the Wequassett on Saturday, including the fireworks, which are set to begin at 5:15 p.m. 

 In Harwich Center, the Garden Club of Harwich will hold its “Holiday Boutique” at the community center from  9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with fresh green wreaths, centerpieces, decorations and holiday sweets. A Holiday Market will be operating at the 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing the opportunity to shop among 50 creative artists while enjoying music and other activities.

The annual Christmas Concert at the First Congregational Church of Harwich Center will start at 3 p.m. Members of the Harwich Women’s Chorus will join the First Church Chorus in choral pieces with a theme of “love.” 

 In West Harwich, Cookies with Santa will take place at the Platinum Boutique Inn from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. It’s an opportunity to have photos taken with Santa and enjoy homemade cookies.

 On Sunday, the Wequassett Resort will also have a pajamas breakfast with Mrs. Claus.