November 10, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
From St. John’s Holiday Boutique and the Hingham Holiday Fair to Christmas in the Square among other downtown holiday festivities and the annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting, and more – there are lots of fun activities to enjoy throughout the coming season.
Many of these events provide a fun-filled opportunity to get a start on holiday shopping – or to treat yourself! – as well as decorating ideas and to catch up with friends and neighbors.
The 25th St. John’s holiday boutique and the 17th Hingham Holiday Fair are happening on Saturday, Nov. 22. Be sure to stop by both!
HHS fair will feature 90 artisans and small businesses
The Hingham Holiday Fair at Hingham High School will offer a wide variety of more than 90 new and returning exhibitors – talented artisans and home-based business owners – featuring holiday and home decor, gifts for all ages (and also for dogs!), gourmet treats, hostess gifts, local authors, raffles, and food trucks – all adding up to a festive day for all ages. In addition, nearly 40 HHS student organizations will be selling their products, including HHS clothing and memorabilia.
The $5 cash entry fee includes one raffle ticket. The hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A portion of funds raised through the fair are donated each year to Dana Farber Cancer Research through the Pan-Mass Challenge.
Event Manager Lisa Lavieri brought the fair to HHS 17 years ago. The HHS Senior class advisors and office staff assist every year. “Senior class parents also join the team to help with promoting and staffing the event, while also adding festive decorations,” Lavieri told the Hingham Anchor.
“The team would not be complete without one of my sisters coordinating the large raffle activities on the day of the event and several current and retired Hingham Public Schools teachers who bring such an amazing level of support to make the fair a success!” she said.
Parking in available in the near and far lots, with golf cart transportation available from the far lot. For more details, go to http://www.hinghamholidayfair.com/ or Facebook at The Hingham Holiday Fair at Hingham High School.
St. John’s Holiday Boutique: ‘unsurpassed shopping experience’
The also not-to-be-missed St. John’s Holiday Boutique – known as “an unsurpassed holiday shopping experience” – will offer a curated selection of amazing vendors — from homemade jam and sweets, soap, and party supplies to fine art, exquisite hand-crafted jewelry, books, and outdoor apparel. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santa will pay a visit from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for visits and photos with happy children who are eager to share their wishlists with the jolly fellow.
The cafe menu will include coffee, tea, sweet treats, and lunch items.
“This is my ninth year helping to organize the Holiday Boutique, and I’m especially excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary!” Alexis Lefort told the Hingham Anchor. “Over the years, the Boutique has become a beloved Hingham tradition – a festive way to kick off the season while shopping from unique, high-end vendors in a beautifully decorated church. We’re thrilled to welcome back many favorite returning vendors and to introduce a wonderful lineup of new artisans and local businesses, each bringing something special to this milestone year. It’s the perfect way to start the holidays and support local makers!”
One hundred percent of door proceeds – an optional $3 donation at the door – benefit the Cohasset Appalachian Service Project, a home-building ministry serving some of the poorest people in our country. A number of St. John’s parishioners plan and attend this trip each year.
For further details, visit https://www.stjohns-hingham.org/holiday-boutique/.
‘Hingham for the Holidays’ features Christmas in the Square
The traditional Christmas in the Square event — hosted by the Hingham Downtown Association — kicks off the season in Hingham Square and the surrounding area Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 9 p.m. as part of the month-long “Hingham for the Holidays” celebration.
This much-looked-forward-to annual event will feature a visit from Santa, an ice sculpture, hot cocoa, a holiday movie, candy canes, food trucks, a holiday movie, a tunnel cap “Snow Show,” live performances, and an opportunity to stop by local shops to see what they have in store for the holidays.
Other Hingham for the Holiday events include special events 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 cut-outs sponsored by Wilder Memorial Nursery School, and extended shopping hours.
Other special events include a Holiday Sneak Peak Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the festively decorated downtown area. Shops will feature trunk shows, holiday treats, and special promotions.
Support local businesses during Small Business Saturday Nov. 29 – from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more details about Hingham for the Holidays and surrounding activities, visit https://discoverhingham.com/holly-jolly-hingham/.
Library hosts guitar Christmas concert
Hingham Public Library will host the annual Boston Classical Guitar Society Concert featuring highly-acclaimed classical guitarist John Muratore’s Christmas music Sunday, Dec. 7, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Whiton Room. Admission is free.
For more information, visit https://hinghamlibrary.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=12732&month=11&year=2025&day=6&calType=0.
Merrie Market features treasures, silent auction
This year’s Old Ship Merrie Market at Hingham Community Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. will feature gift baskets, jewelry, holiday decorations, a treasures table – featuring vintage, antique, new land gently-used items, and framed art – handcrafted gifts, stocking stuffers, a caricature artist, potted bulbs, a silent auction, baked treats, and more. Mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec. 13.
Go to https://oldshipchurch.org/let-freedom-ring-houses-of-worship-across-the-country-will-ring-their-bells-for-freedom-on-april-18th/ for more details.
South Shore Baptist Church to host live nativity
The community is invited to a “Miracle on Main Street” event at South Shore Baptist Church, 578 Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m., featuring an interactive live nativity, petting zoo, crafts, face painting, and a food truck. The entry fee is food pantry donations. The event will take place rain or shine.
Menorah lighting
The community is invited to the annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 5 p.m. at Hingham Community Center. All are welcome. There will be complimentary hot cocoa, donuts, Chanukah dreidels, and gelt.