Christmas Walk schedule approved, launching Marblehead’s holiday season

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The Select Board on Wednesday signed off on the full schedule for the 54th annual Marblehead Christmas Walk — authorizing decorations, traffic plans and the parade route, and setting the stage for a long weekend of lights, markets and community traditions.

The board approved the Chamber of Commerce’s requests for banners, wreath installations and temporary street closures as part of its consent agenda, giving organizers the green light to begin hanging decorations later this month.

Decorations and lights
— Christmas Walk banners will hang on Tedesco Street and, if feasible, across Washington Street at Pleasant Street, from Dec. 1–8.
— Roughly 150 wreaths and garlands will be installed throughout the business districts beginning the week of Nov. 24.
— Holiday lights at the Old Town House, 1 Market Square, and State Street Landing, State St., will turn on by Friday, Nov. 21.

Santa kneels to speak with children as families gather near Marblehead Fire Department Ladder 1 during a previous Christmas Walk celebration. **COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE**

THURSDAY, DEC. 5

Holiday shopping preview night
— Holiday Shopping Preview Night kicks off the Christmas Walk & Holiday Stroll weekend, with shops offering extended hours, promotions and early seasonal events.
— Holiday Open House at Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., 5–8 p.m.
— Sip & Style Holiday Event at Sistas Consignment, 86 Washington St., 5 p.m.
— Christmas Walk Market at MacRae's Sustainable Goods, 108 Washington St., 6–9 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 6

Annual tree lighting — National Grand Bank, 91 Pleasant St.
— 5:30–7 p.m.; tree lights at 7 p.m.
— Music, hot cocoa and festivities in the bank's Essex Street parking lot.
— Police Chief Dennis King may close Pleasant or Essex streets if crowds exceed capacity.

Lobster Trap Tree Lighting — Mud Puddle Toys, 1 Pleasant St.
— 7–8 p.m.

An Evening of Piano & Chamber Music — St. Andrew's Church, 135 Lafayette St.
— 7 p.m.; free concert featuring works by Beethoven, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and others.

SATURDAY, DEC. 7

Christmas Walk & Holiday Stroll

Santa's arrival
— Santa arrives by lobster boat at State Street Landing, State St., around 8:45 a.m.— Clark Landing parking lot, 111 Front St., closes at 8:30 a.m.

Fairs & markets
— CHOCOLATE Red Bow Fair, Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
— Artisan Market, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
— Artisan & Craft Fair, Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
— Brick Kitchen Christmas Market, Lee Mansion Brick Kitchen, 157 Washington St., 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
— Gingerbread Festival, Jeremiah Lee Mansion, 161 Washington St., 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
— Open Studio, Studio of Jonathan Sherman, 112 Washington St., 2nd Floor, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Parade
— Step-off at 11:45 a.m. from Clark Landing, 111 Front St.
— Staging begins at 10:30 a.m. on Front Street between the Boston Yacht Club, 1 Front St., and State Street; Darling Street also closes.
— Route: Clark Landing → Pleasant Street → Gerry Street → Atlantic Avenue → Washington Street → State Street → ending at National Grand Bank, 91 Pleasant St.
— Front and Darling streets closed 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
— Police Chief Dennis King urged participants not to throw candy.

Additional Saturday events
— Tea in the Tavern, Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., 1–4 p.m.
— "Songs of Joy," Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St., 7:30 p.m.
— Old North Festival Chorus, Old North Church, 35 Washington St., 8 p.m.

A costumed reindeer greets families beside an antique car decorated for the season during a past Marblehead Christmas Walk parade, hosted by the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce. **COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE**

SUNDAY, DEC. 8

Christmas Walk & Holiday Stroll

— Artisan Market, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
— Artisan & Craft Fair, Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
— Brick Kitchen Christmas Market, Lee Mansion Brick Kitchen, 157 Washington St., 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
— Gingerbread Festival, Jeremiah Lee Mansion, 161 Washington St., 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
— Brunch with Santa, The Beacon, 123 Pleasant St., 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
— Santa Paddle & Fundraiser, The Landing, 81 Front St., 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
— Ornament Make & Take, Hestia Creations, 13 Hawkes St., noon.
— Open Studio, Studio of Jonathan Sherman, 112 Washington St., 2nd Floor, noon–5 p.m.
— Tea in the Tavern, Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., 1–4 p.m.
— Old North Festival Chorus, Old North Church, 35 Washington St., 7:30 p.m

The magic takes work — we cover (happily so) the work
The Christmas Walk is one of those weekends when Marblehead feels most like itself — lights going up, streets closing down, neighbors gathering, traditions returning year after year.

Behind every banner, parade route and safety plan is a long chain of small decisions that shape how the community comes together. At The Marblehead Independent, we believe those decisions deserve clear, accessible reporting so everyone can take part.

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