PHOTOS: Holiday Spirit Shines on Festival Night in Lexington Center

Locals enjoyed shops open late, strolling carolers, a visit from Santa Claus and more Friday night during the annual Holiday Festival Night in Lexington Center.

Holiday spirit hung thick in the crisp December air Friday evening as parents and children swarmed Lexington Center to take in all that the annual Festival Night had to offer. With the streetscape lit up like a card from Currier and Ives, shops and restaurants stayed open late and held raffles and sales. The Lexington Symphony performed a pair of holiday pops concerts at Cary Hall and  strolling carolers and standing musicians provided entertainment at other participating locations along Massachusetts Avenue. At about 6:30 p.m., Santa Claus, who traded in his reindeer for a fire truck, rode into the Depot for a ceremonial tree lighting. And, throughout the evening, Cary Memorial Library extended its hours and offerings to include madrigal …

• Photos (10)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 2

Extended hours ending, a First Friday Forum and, of course, the Holiday Festival Night are among the goings on today in Lexington.

1. Holiday Festival Night: Lexington Center will be live with holiday spirit from 4 to 9:30 p.m. tonight as the Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Festival Night. Highlights include strolling carolers, Santa, the tree lighting, Lexington Symphony Holiday Pops shows, goings on at Cary Memorial Library and dinner deals, sales and raffles at participating locations along Mass Ave. 2. Still Clearing Storm Debris? Today's the final day with extended weekday hours at the Hartwell Avenue Compost Facility, which is open and accepting storm debris from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Compost facility will remain open on a regular schedule weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, Dec. 23. Also, this is the last week for curbside yard waste pickup…

• Photos (2)
• Documents (1)

Festival Night to Feature a Lively Library

Lexington Center will be hopping with holiday spirit this Friday, Dec. 2, as Santa Claus comes to town, businesses stay open late, holiday music fills the air and Cary Memorial Library hosts music, dancing and local authors.

Wreaths, green garland and red ribbons have already appeared along Lexington Center, but the holiday season will really kick into high gear with the Festival Night this Friday. Decorations, songs, Santa and other signs of the season will be on display Dec. 2 as local organizations and merchants do their part to conjure up some holiday spirit. Strolling carolers, sales and a lighting ceremony are among the attractions along Massachusetts Avenue as the downtown business community stays open late for the Lexington Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Festival Night. The “holiday lighting ceremony” occurs in Depot Square at 6:30 p.m., but before and after there are plenty of other highlights, including the goings on across the street at Cary …

• Photos (2)