Saturday’s 65th Christmas Pageant highlights a season filled with family-friendlyholiday events in Rockport
This holiday season, plan to spend some time in Rockport, finding the perfect handmade gift for that someone special, enjoying strolling minstrels or attending this weekend’s Christmas Pageant, one of the oldest in New England, now in its 65th year. Holiday activities and special events continue in Rockport throughout the month of December, capped off by the 14th New Year’s Rockport Eve on December 31. This week will also be a great time for getting in some last minute shopping in a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful seaside setting.
Several exhibits continue through the end of December at the Rockport Art Association as well. This week’s event highlight is the Annual Rockport Christmas Pageant, beginning at 5 on Saturday. During the week, there are several evening school concerts (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday), Rockport Music’s presentation of David Benoit and the Charlie Brown Christmas Trio on Tuesday and the film “The Extra Man” on Thursday. On Saturday, there are several special events before the Pageant, including art gallery open houses and free performances by Alek Razdan and his band A-Train, and the North Shore Christian Men’s Choir with Lighthouse Brass. Following the Pageant, there will be a traditional church supper, a special benefit dinner at the Grand Cafe, and a free screening of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” at the Shalin Liu Center. As always, details are available at www.ChristmasinRockport.org and parking is free throughout the season.
Upcoming Events
DECEMBER 13
RMS CHAMBER MUSIC / ORCHESTRA CONCERT
at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, 7:30 p.m.
DECEMBER 14
RHS & RMS CONCERT BAND WINTER CONCERT
at the John Lane Performing Arts Center, 24 Jerden’s Lane, 7:30 p.m.
DAVID BENOIT AND THE CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TRIO
at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, 8 p.m. One of jazz’s most innovative pianists, David Benoit is regarded as a pioneer in the smooth jazz genre and has earned several Grammy nominations. Benoit’s passion for the music of “Peanuts” composer Vince Guaraldi has resulted in numerous projects and recordings related to “Peanuts”. $25, $37, $46.
DECEMBER 16
ROCKPORT MUSIC CINEMA SERIES PRESENTS “The Extra Man”
at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, 7 p.m. $9.50 ($7.50 seniors).
RHS & RMS CHORAL WINTER CONCERT
at the John Lane Performing Arts Center, 24 Jerden’s Lane, 7:30 p.m.
DECEMBER 18
CANDY- MAKING DEMONSTRATIONS
at Tuck’s Candy Factory, 7 Dock Square, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (See November 26 listing for details.) Raffle drawing today for 6-foot candy-cane!
SIXTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CRAFTS FAIR
continues at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport, 4 Cleaves Street, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (See December 4 listing for details.)
ALEK RAZDAN AND A-TRAIN
perform a free afternoon of jazz at Windemere Art and Antiques, 20A Main Street, 1 – 3 p.m.
FINE ARTS OF ROCKPORT OPEN HOUSE
43 Main Street, 1 – 4 p.m. (See December 4 listing for details.)
STOFFA GALLERY OPEN HOUSE
41 Main Street, 1- 4p.m. (See December 4 listing for details.) 978-546-7108.
NORTH SHORE CHRISTIAN MEN’S CHOIR AND THE LIGHTHOUSE BRASS
present a free Christmas concert at the First Baptist Church, 4 High Street, 3 p.m. A time of socialization and refreshments will follow.
65th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Dock Square and Main Street, 5 p.m. A torch-lit live re-enactment of the Nativity. (Inclement weather date December 19)
ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
at the Rockport National Bank, 16 Main Street. Stop in after the Pageant and enjoy some holiday refreshments.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT HAM & BEAN SUPPER
at the First Congregational Church, 12 School Street, immediately after the Pageant. A traditional ham and baked bean supper, served by the members of the church. $9 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Desserts and drinks included. For information call 978-546-6638 or 978-546-8021 (days), 978-546-3157 (evenings), or visit www.rockportucc.org. Open to the public.
CHRISTMAS TREE PRIME RIB DINNER
at the Emerson Inn by the Sea, One Cathedral Avenue, 5 – 9 p.m. 10% of all dinner sales to benefit the Christmas Tree Fund. Reservations recommended. $33. 978-546-6321.
ROCKPORT MUSIC PRESENTS “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, 7:00 p.m. Filmed in Rockport, this 1988 Emmy-winning made-for-TV film stars Hal Holbrook, Eva Marie Saint, Courteney Cox, and Peter Gallagher. Free
DECEMBER 19
FINE ARTS OF ROCKPORT OPEN HOUSE
43 Main Street, 1 – 4 p.m. (See December 4 listing for details.)
STOFFA GALLERY OPEN HOUSE
41 Main Street, 1- 4p.m. (See December 4 listing for details.) 978-546-7108.
ROCKPORT MUSIC CINEMA SERIES PRESENTS “The Extra Man”
at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, 2 and 5 p.m. $9.50 ($7.50 seniors).