November 13, 2026 By Carol Britton Meyer
From the popular Hingham Holiday Fair and St. John’s Holiday Boutique to the traditional Christmas in the Square celebration and the annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting, there’s plenty of holiday magic for all ages to enjoy throughout the coming season.
Many of these events offer a fun-filled opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping – or treat yourself! – find decorating inspiration, and catch up with friends and neighbors.
The 26th St. John’s Holiday Boutique and the 18th Hingham Holiday Fair are both happening Saturday, Nov. 21. Be sure to stop by both!
Hingham Holiday Fair will feature 90 artisans and small businesses
The Hingham Holiday Fair at Hingham High School welcomes the season with holiday cheer and abundant shopping opportunities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.
The event features more than 90 talented artisans and small businesses offering creative holiday and home décor, gifts for all ages (including dogs!), hostess gifts, a pop-up bookshop, HHS apparel and merchandise, and outstanding raffles. Food trucks will also be on hand, making it a festive day for all ages.
The $5 cash admission fee includes one raffle ticket. A portion of the funds raised is donated each year to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Pan-Mass Challenge.
Parking is available in the near and far lots, with festive golf cart transportation from the far lot.
For more information, visit www.hinghamholidayfair.com or the Hingham Holiday Fair at Hingham High School Facebook page. Both sites are updated frequently.
St. John’s Holiday Boutique: ‘unsurpassed shopping experience’
The also-not-to-be-missed St. John’s Holiday Boutique – described as “an unsurpassed holiday shopping experience” – will offer a curated selection of vendors featuring homemade jam, sweet treats, soaps, unique wreaths, seaside originals, luxury goods, monogramming, fine art, exquisite handcrafted jewelry, and outdoor apparel.
The Gourmet Café will serve coffee, tea, lunch items, and desserts. Boutique hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santa will also make a special appearance from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for visits and photos with children eager to share their holiday wish lists.
One hundred percent of the optional, modest door donations will benefit the Cohasset Appalachian Service Project, a home-building ministry serving some of the poorest communities in the country. A number of St. John’s parishioners plan and participate in this annual trip.
For more information, visit the St. John’s Holiday Boutique website and follow the boutique on Instagram and Facebook.
‘Hingham for the Holidays’ features Christmas in the Square
The traditional Christmas in the Square celebration, hosted by the Hingham Downtown Association, will kick off the holiday season in Hingham Square and the surrounding area Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., as part of the monthlong “Hingham for the Holidays” celebration.
This much-anticipated annual event will feature Santa arriving by fire truck at 6:30 p.m., candy canes, food trucks, live performances by students from St. Paul, Derby Academy, and Su Escuela, a DJ, and other holiday festivities. Visitors can also stop by local shops to discover the special items and gifts they’re featuring for the season.
Other “Hingham for the Holidays” activities include special events and festivities in downtown Hingham on Saturdays throughout the season, including horse-drawn hayrides, a menorah lighting, and pop-up events.
Downtown Hingham will also feature a Santa’s mailbox for letters to the North Pole, holiday character cutouts sponsored by Wilder Memorial Nursery School, and extended shopping hours.
Hayrides led by Clydesdale horses will be offered Saturday, Nov. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Dec. 5, 12, and 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information about “Hingham for the Holidays” and related activities, visit Discover Hingham. The website will be updated soon with the 2026 events.
Annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting
The community is invited to the annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting Saturday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hingham Community Center.
Everyone is welcome to join the ceremony and enjoy complimentary cocoa, doughnuts, Chanukah dreidels, and gelt.
New this year, the celebration will continue with activities and entertainment inside the Hingham Community Center immediately following the lighting.
Merrie Market features treasures and silent auction
This year’s Old Ship Merrie Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hingham Community Center.
The event will feature a treasures bazaar, silent auction, jewelry, beautiful holiday wreaths made by Old Ship members, a gingerbread house raffle, gift baskets, handmade crafts, baked treats, a gift card raffle, a caricature artist, children’s shopping, a café, and a craft corner.
For more information, visit Old Ship Church.
South Shore Baptist Church to host second live nativity
Step back in time to ancient Bethlehem at the second annual “Miracle on Main Street” event at South Shore Baptist Church, 578 Main St. (enter on Free Street), Saturday, Dec. 12, from 3 to 7 p.m., rain or shine.
Experience an interactive live nativity while exploring the Bethlehem Marketplace. Meet the town’s shopkeepers, follow the shepherds, pass by the crowded inn, and make your way to the humble stable at the heart of the Christmas story.
Then return to the present and enjoy a petting zoo, crafts, food trucks, and a complimentary photo booth.
Admission is free, but guests are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation to benefit the Hingham Food Pantry.
For more information, visit South Shore Baptist Church.
Library to host seasonal guitar concert
Hingham Public Library will host its annual Boston Classical Guitar Society Concert featuring acclaimed classical guitarist John Muratore performing seasonal and holiday music Sunday, Dec. 13, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Whiton Room.
Admission is free. For more information, visit the Hingham Public Library event calendar.