TURNERS FALLS — Kicking off the most wonderful time of the year, “It’s a Wonderful Night” returns in full swing on Friday.
The annual festival, to be held from 2 to 8 p.m., will feature performance art, local vendors, crafting workshops and a visit from Santa Claus. This year is highlighted by the in-person return of “Welcome Yule,” a stage production performed at the Shea Theater Arts Center that weaves together English, Scottish and Celtic traditions.
“It sounds cheesy, but this is a time of year that we all get to be kids,” said Suzanne Lomanto, director of RiverCulture, Montague’s arts and business programming organization.
Friday’s first event, a workshop for children on making winter bird feeders, will be held at the Great Falls Discovery Center from 2 to 5 p.m.
At 4 p.m., pop-up shopping will begin at both the Brick House Community Resource Center and the Hired Hand Signs Studio at 34 Third Street. The Brick House Pop-Up Shop will feature 10 vendors selling jewelry, fine art, potholders, coffee, woodcutting, upcycled wares and more. The Hired Hand Signs Studio space, which will also be open in a similar capacity on Friday, Dec. 16, at the same time, will feature work from sign painter Jess Marsh, as well as holiday gifts, do-it-yourself ornaments and a pinball shootout.
“It’s a really lively night in town with some new shopping options,” LoManto said.
Saint Nicholas will be escorted to Spinner Park by the Turners Falls Fire Department at 6:30 p.m. There, he will collect letters from the “magic mailbox” and kids can meet him for a warm drink.
LoManto said she is particularly excited for the 38th annual “Welcome Yule” performances and the “warm, cozy vibes” they will bring to the village. The event was limited last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, exchanging live performance for a video presentation, but is back to being held in person this year.
“Personally, I’m thrilled that they’re back,” LoManto said. “If people haven’t seen ‘Welcome Yule,’ they really should. It is one more step toward feeling like we’re done with this COVID thing.”
“Welcome Yule,” a festive family-friendly show, includes music, dance, songs and stories that weave together English, Scottish and Celtic traditions of Yule (winter solstice), Hogmanay (Scottish New Year’s celebration), a bit of Robert Burns, and Imbolc (the feast of Saint Brigid, Ireland’s patroness saint who raises fallen winter and brings forth new life in spring).
Showtimes are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, as well as 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available online at sheatheater.org, by emailing reservations@welcomeyule.org for will-call tickets or at the door. Tickets are also being sold at Amherst Books in Amherst, Broadside Bookshop in Northampton and World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield. The cost is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and children, and children younger than 5 years old are admitted for free. More information can be found at welcomeyule.org.
Lastly, LoManto said there are “always a few surprises” that accompany It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls. Those curious about what this year’s magic is, though, will have to attend and find out.
Sage Green Botanicals is also hosting a Yule Bazaar on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to an event announcement, the “collaborative event will feature a wide array of botanical vendors.” Additionally, attendees may enjoy an elixir by Great Falls Harvest and hear live music by James Bird. The event will take place at 50 Third St.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.