Santa and all his friends are making big plans to entertain and provide wonderfully gift shopping opportunities for Somerville residents over the next few weeks.

By Jim Clark

Somerville is gearing up for some very special celebrations and events as the holiday season approaches.

The annual tree and Menorah lighting at City Hall, the Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour, and a first-ever “Holiday Arts and Eats” Festival at Assembly Row, sponsored by Federal Realty Investment Trust, are among the highlights of this year’s holiday festivities in and around Somerville.

Starting things off this weekend, the Somerville Craft Fair rolls out its wares on Saturday, November 30, at the SHS Atrium/Field House.

Likewise on Saturday, the Local is for Lovers: Holiday Market will be taking place at the Art at the Armory, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Performance Hall.

The Christmas Tree  Lighting and Menorah Lighting Ceremony takes place Thursday, Dec. 5 on the City Hall Concourse, with a meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Highlander Café shortly thereafter.

The tree lighting ceremony will include entertainment by El Sistema Somerville, the Somerville High School Band and Orchestra, the Somerville Community Chorus, and grade four students from the Arthur D. Healey Elementary School. Santa Claus will be escorted by the Somerville Fire Department for the ceremony and will be posing with attendees for photos after the tree lighting. All children attending the event will receive a present from Santa.

More merriment takes place on Saturday, Dec. 7 as the Union Square Winter Craft Market gets underway. Presented by Union Square Main Streets, a variety of handmade products including jewelry, pottery, housewares, knitwear, toys, ornaments, perfume and more is there for your holiday shopping pleasure. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Union Square Plaza and inside Precinct.

Local artists will be opening their doors to the public on Saturday, Dec. 7 as well. Come by and visit the artists of the Washington Street Art Center as they open their studios to one and all. See works in progress, meet the artists and enjoy some homemade chili. 12-6 p.m. ”Threadbare” gallery reception 7-10 p.m. at 321D Washington St.

Then, resident and member makers show and sell their wares at Artisan’s Asylum Open Studios, also on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 12 Tyler Street.

And don’t forget to stop by Fall Open Studios 2013 at Vernon Street Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, noon – 6 p.m. at 6 Vernon Street.

The Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 14, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Residents and visitors are invited to the popular tour that takes them aboard trolleys to discover some of the most brightly decorated homes throughout the city for the holiday season. Anyone interested in having their homes featured on the tour should contact the Somerville Arts Council at 617-625-6600 ext. 2985 by Friday, Dec. 6.

Trolley Tour tickets will be available at the Blue Cloud Gallery, 713 Broadway, beginning Monday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. For more information visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org.

Additionally, the City of Somerville will join Federal Realty Investment Trust for its Holiday Arts and Eats Festival on Dec. 6, 7, and 8. The festival will feature food trucks, a large holiday market including 60 artists, a 21+ event on Friday night and family-friendly activities and live music all weekend long. It will be hosted under a large heated tent at Assembly Row. For more information and schedules, visit www.assemblyrow.com/events.

For more information on the city’s various holiday events, please contact Nancy Aylward at 617-625-6600 ext 2100.