TURNERS FALLS — This Friday, the Turners Falls RiverCulture is hosting “It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls,” an event that will include a downtown tree lighting and holiday crafts for kids and families.
The event runs from 3 to 9 p.m. along Avenue A in downtown Turners Falls. Restaurant specials, live music, an appearance by Santa and holiday crafts are all part of the program.
Santa will arrive and light the tree at about 6:30 p.m. in Spinner Park at Avenue A and Fourth Street, and there will be live music and hot chocolate at the park and a “magic mailbox” where children can put wish lists. Children can make lists for Santa or greeting cards at the Montague Catholic Social Ministries on Avenue A from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
There will also be a kids’ craft activity from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Great Falls Discovery Center where kids can make winter bird feeders.
Suzanne LoManto, the director of RiverCulture, said it’s an annual event.
In addition to the downtown activities, the Shea Theater is hosting the 32nd annual Welcome Yule. Tickets are $12 and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. and also runs that Saturday and Sunday.
The event is the kick off for a holiday open door promotion with downtown businesses. Families or individuals can pick up game cards at the Black Cow Burger Bar during the event. Then beginning on Dec. 9, participants can go to participating local businesses and get stickers. Once a participant has 10 stickers, they submit the card by Dec. 23 for a raffle drawing to win gift certificates at local businesses.
For more information, visit www.turnersfallsriverculture.org.