Community Corner

This Weekend in Charlestown: Holiday Stroll, Open Studios and More

Patch offers a few ideas for what to do in the area Dec. 1-2.

The calendar is jam-packed this weekend in Charlestown, with tons of fun ways to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

Santa Claus will kick off things on Saturday, Dec. 1 with a visit to Preservation Park (across from Thompson Square) at 10 a.m., part of Charlestown Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Holiday Stroll.

Throughout the day, until about 4 p.m., businesses and organizations around the neighborhood will offer special deals, tastes, activities and more as part of the stroll. Visitors can check off each place on the official Holiday Stroll Map and drop it into Santa’s map box back at Preservation Park for a chance to win raffle prizes.

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Here's a quick look at some other events going on this weekend in Charlestown—click on the title for more details:

Saturday, Dec. 1

— StoveFactory Gallery & Studios; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Painters, sculptors, photographers and artists working in a variety of mediums will open their studios to the public, with many pieces available for purchase.

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Women’s Club of Charlestown's Holiday Fair—Knights of Columbus; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop from a variety of handmade gifts and other items.

• Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour—Children’s tour ($5) leaves from Preservation Park (across from Thompson Square) at 10:45 a.m. Adult tours ($10) leave from Warren Tavern Restaurant at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Make Christmas Cards for the Troops—One Thompson Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Knights of Columbus from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join members of the Townie Association in creating homemade holiday cards and writing a personal message to a solider/sailor serving overseas. 

Constructing Holiday Tradition—USS Constitution Museum; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Create a free weatherproof ornament to decorate the holiday tree on board Old Ironsides.

• 1812 Bicentennial JAVA Battle Commemoration—USS Constitution Museum; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Explore a special exhibition of artifacts and images from the battle, including the wooden leg used by a surviving Constitution crewmember.

• “Become a Boston Ballerina” Book Signing—Meet Charlestown author Mary Dowdle at Olivia Browning between noon and 2 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 2

Constructing Holiday Tradition— USS Constitution Museum; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Create a free weatherproof ornament to decorate the holiday tree on board Old Ironsides.

• — StoveFactory Gallery & Studios; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Painters, sculptors, photographers and artists working in a variety of mediums will open their studios to the public, with many pieces available for purchase.

Holidays in the Navy Yard—10 Third Ave.; 3-4:30 p.m. Continue the commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812 with period dancing by the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers, music, and children's stories read by National Park Service rangers in the historic Commandant's House in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Toys for Tots Open House—Warren Tavern Restaurant; 4-8 p.m. Bring an unwrapped toy donation and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a visit from Santa and lots of giveaways.

Don’t see your event here? Make sure to add it to the Charlestown Patch calendar so we can help spread the news! Log in to your free account (or sign up now), click on “Events” in the blue navigation bar and then click “Add an Event.” Questions? Email becca.manning@patch.com


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