All are invited to join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and City staff for Somerville’s 2022 holiday celebrations throughout the month of December.

Holiday Lighting and Santa Visit

We’ll kick off on Thursday, December 8, with the Holiday Lighting on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Cafeteria. All children who attend will receive a special gift from Santa and will have an opportunity to take a photo with Old St. Nick. Activities begin at 5:00 p.m. with live entertainment prior to the official lighting of the City Hall Concourse. Santa Claus will, as always, be escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments making his grand entrance atop a shiny red fire truck. Light refreshments will be served.

Menorah Lighting

On Sunday, December 18, a ceremonial Menorah Lighting event will take place on the City Hall Concourse beginning at 5:00 p.m. All members of the community are invited to join Mayor Ballantyne, Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz, and city staff for a brief ceremony and photo on the City Hall Concourse. A short informal program of traditional songs and sing-alongs will be performed, special gifts will be available for children, and light refreshments will be served. The Menorah will be lit each night of Hanukkah.

Illuminations Self-Guided and Bike Tours and Citywide Caroling

We are happy to announce that the Illuminations Tour and citywide caroling is back. As in recent years, the Somerville Arts Council will provide an online map featuring the best and brightest holiday displays. To access the map or sign up to be featured on the tour or to carol, visit somervilleartscouncil.org.

Important Illuminations Tour and Caroling Deadlines and Dates:

Deadline to be listed on Illuminations Tour, Monday, December 5: Both homes and businesses may sign up to be on the Illuminations Tour Map

Anticipated Illuminations Tour map launch, Thursday, December 8: We’ll release the map as soon as it’s done

Deadline to sign up for caroling, Monday, December 12: Plan to join us! Let us sing!

Citywide Caroling, Thursday, December 15: Citywide Caroling (rain date December 16)

Illuminations Bike Tour, Saturday, December 17: meet at Somerville City Hall at 5:45 p.m., depart at 6:00 p.m. (rain date Dec 18),

For more information on the city’s holiday events, please call 311 (617-666-3311 from outside the city).

— City of Somerville