stART shopping

stART at the Station 2009 takes over the Station – Union Station that is – on Sunday December 6 from noon to 5p.m. Union Station is transformed with over 120 local artists and crafters selling their handmade items, proving to be one-stop shopping for everyone’s holiday gift-giving needs! 2 Washington Square, Worcester. Free Admission, parking available in the Union Station Garage. startonthestreet.org/start-station.

Cirque wonders

Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria brings their magic to town on Wednesday, December 9 through Sunday, December 13. Cirque du Soleil brings its newest production, Alegría to the DCU Center for 7 spectacular performances. Featuring acrobatics, artisans and entertainers like you’ve never seen before. Tickets available at the Box Office, Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Adults: $95.75, $70.75, $55.75, $40.75; Children: $76.75, $56.75, $44.75, $32.75. DCU Center- Arena and Convention Center, Arena, 50 Foster St. Call 508-755-6800 or visit cirquedusoleil.com/alegria.

giving trees

Get the kids into the holiday spirit at Children’s Day during the Festival of Giving Trees at the beautiful La Salle Reception Center at Notre Dame Hall, 444 Main Street, Southbridge from 10a.m. to 5 p.m. Come and walk through an enchanted forest of 100 sparkling, holiday trees. Bring the family for some food & beverages, entertainment, balloons, face painting, puppets and Santa Claus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $3. sparklingtrees.com.

santapalooza

Rock out for the kids at Santapalooza - Rock For a Claus on Friday December 4 at the Lucky Dog. Featuring Oliver Gregory, a new solo acoustic act; The Sift (Best Experimental Band); Castine (Best Alt/Indie Band); DRG (Best Rock Band); and Shotgun Blues, a great new Guns n Roses tribute band. Cover charge is simple: an unwrapped toy or a $10 donation to Toys For Tots. 100% of all door charges will be going directly to the organization, and you can hand your donation directly to a Marine on hand to personally collect. Show starts at 7:30 p.m., and all bands get extra long sets – so get there early! luckydogmusic.com.

pop holiday
Blackstone Valley Community Concert Band will be presenting their 8th annual winter concert, “Holiday Pops” on Friday, December 4. The concert features a wide variety of musical selections celebrating winter and the winter holidays. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Northbridge High School, 427 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville. 508-278-7637, bvccband.org.

seasonal sounds
Worcester’s renowned soprano, Maria Ferrante, and keyboard artist, Will Sherwood, will present a unique Christmas Musical Event to benefit Jericho Road Worcester entitled Christmas Memories: A Musical Event on Friday, December 4. Musicians will premiere newly uncovered repertoire gems and present an array of fresh musical arrangements, along with Christmas favorites. A Christmas cookie and hot cider reception will follow. $10; $5 Seniors/Students; $25 Max per Family. 7:30-9:30 p.m. First Unitarian Church, Sanctuary, 90 Main St. 508-757-2708, ChristmasMemories.us.

Rutland trees

The Rutland Historical Society kicks off the Holiday Season with its 8th Annual Festival of Trees and More the weekend of December 4 – 6. The Festival begins on Friday evening, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. with a holiday concert by the Merrimack Valley Ringers followed by a Brownie Sundae Social at the Congregational Church ($5). On Saturday December 5 the spectacular Festival of Trees and More opens at 4p.m. in the Town Library, plus Santa’s Magic House will open at the Old Fire Barn. A Friendship Supper is served from 5-7:30p.m. over at the Congregational Church ($5 donation/ under 6 free). At 6:30 p.m. is the 19th Annual Lighting of Rutland’s Tercentenary Tree followed by a program in St. Patrick’s Church. On Sunday, December 6, the festivities continue from 1 to 4 p.m. with The Festival of Trees at the Library and Santa in his Magic House at the Old Fire Barn. Also during this time there will be rides on an Antique Fire Truck at the Old Fire Barn and Horse and Wagon Rides in front of the Library. Learn more by calling 508-886-6668 or at rutlandmahistorical.org.

Nutcracker arts
Don’t miss the seasonal tradition of The Nutcracker presented by Ballet Arts Worcester December 4 -5. This magical production is the collaborative artistic effort of the Youth Ballet Company of Ballet Arts Worcester joining with the live music of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. $24-$34; 7-10 p.m. Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St. 877-571-7469, thehanovertheatre.org.

bells a-ringing

Ring in the holidays with the Merrimack Valley Ringers on Saturday, December 5. Led by Karen E. Leonard, listen to the brilliant sounds of The Merrimack Valley Ringers, a premier New England handbell and handchime ensemble accompanied by flute, keyboard and percussion as they perform sacred and secular Holiday music. Free with Museum admission. 17 and under always free.. 2-3 p.m. Worcester Art Museum, Renaissance Court, 55 Salisbury St. 508-799-4406, worcesterart.org.

over knight
Family OverKnight on Saturday, December 5. Higgins Armory Museum asks: Have you ever wanted to spend the night in our castle? Now is your chance! Join them for an OverKnight Adventure to learn all about chivalry, heraldry, and the history of the knight-in-shining-armor. This exciting program is appropriate for children in grades 1 through 6. We require each child to be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Reserve today by contacting Rhonda Houle at 508-853-6015, ext 20, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . $50 per person (includes dinner and breakfast). 5:30 p.m.-9 a.m. Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Ave. Call 508-853-6015, higgins.org.

elder rock
Even the oldies like to rock, as witnessed by Rock for the Aged on Saturday, December 5. The evening features entertainment from 4 Bands: The Matt Shwachman Band, Article 19, Weight of Gravity and Jediah. Proceeds to benefit the Resident Activities Fund at the Jewish Healthcare Center, Worcester. $10. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. The Fifth Amendment, 90 Commercial St. Call 508-798-8653, jewishhealthcarecenter.com.

road trip

Country Roads Christmas hits the road Saturday, December 5 through Sunday, December 6. This holiday festival provides an opportunity to visit and shop in over 15 local country stores in the North Quabbin Region. Take a weekend drive down old New England country roads shopping at unique stores for one-of-a-kind gifts where folks are truly glad you came by! Complimentary refreshments are available at each stop. Pick up a free card for a chance to win great prizes from participating country stores. Check out CountryRoadsChristmas.com for more details. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

mansion holiday

At the Holiday Festival/Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 6, enjoy ballet dancers, Christmas carolers, musicians, refreshments, grand raffle, tree lighting, and Santa Claus. See the Mansion decorated in splendor for the holidays. Gift Shoppe open for holiday shopping. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Asa Waters Mansion, 123 Elm St., Millbury. 508-865-0855, asawaters.org.

acoustic xmas
Don’t miss WXLO’s Acoustic Xmas on Monday, December 7. Starring American Idol 2009 winner Kris Allen, contemporary superstars Barenaked Ladies, and featured performances from Ingrid Michaelson and Joshua Radin. You won’t want to miss this rare opportunity to see acoustic and semi-acoustic performances from some of today’s biggest stars in the intimate setting of beautiful Mechanics Hall. $49, $45, $39.50. 7-9 p.m. Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St. Call 508-752-0888.