WORCESTER – During a week filled with last-minute shopping and holiday festivities, there are many family-friendly events across Worcester County.
Below, see many events across the county, with several in Worcester, organized by category. Most are family-friendly.
Holiday & Lights
Wed, Dec 24, 2025 (Leominster) — Outdoor
“Christmas Eve at the Manger” Candlelight and Carols (Family-friendly • Outdoor)
- Time: 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Where: Monument Square, Leominster
- What to expect: Short candlelight + carols community gathering.
Wed, Dec 24, 2025 – Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Leominster) — Outdoor
Leominster Lights (Family-friendly • Outdoor)
- Time: Typically 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (as listed on the calendar entries)
- Where: Leominster (self-guided; citywide route/map)
- What to expect: Drive/walk a lights route using the official map.
Fri, Dec 26, 2025 (Worcester) — Outdoor — Free
Glow-in-the-Dark Park Pop-up at the Oval Ice Skating Rink (Family-friendly • Outdoor • Free)
- Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Where: Worcester Common Oval Ice Skating Rink, Worcester
Theater & Performing Arts
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Worcester)
- Time: Varies / TBD
- Where: The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory, 2 Southbridge St, Worcester, MA 01608
- What to expect: full-scale stage production of Dickens’ classic.
Fri, Dec 26, 2025 (Worcester)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Family-friendly)
- Time: Varies / TBD
- Where: Hanover Theatre, Worcester
Sat, Dec 27, 2025 (Worcester)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Family-friendly)
- Time: Varies / TBD
- Where: Hanover Theatre, Worcester
Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Worcester)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Family-friendly)
- Time: Varies / TBD
- Where: Hanover Theatre, Worcester
Comedy
Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Worcester)
- Time: 8:00 PM
- Where: Mechanics Hall, Worcester
- What to expect: Stand-up show (reserved seating; ticketed).
Live Music & Nightlife
Fri, Dec 26, 2025 (Worcester)
- Time: Doors 6:00 PM / Show 6:30 PM
- Where: The Palladium Upstairs, Worcester
- What to expect: Multi-band “dark holiday” live show night.
Sat, Dec 27, 2025 (Worcester)
Ugly Sweater Karaoke (Free)
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Where: Off The Rails, Worcester
- What to expect: Holiday karaoke party (ugly sweater theme).
Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Fitchburg)
- Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Where: The Pauper’s Pantry, Fitchburg
- What to expect: Brunch service with live jazz.
Wed, Dec 24, 2025 (Worcester) — Recurring weekly
The SPACE JAM — weekly open jam
- Time: 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM (Wednesdays)
- Where: Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St, Worcester, MA 01610
- What to expect: Open jam night—bring an instrument or just watch.
Trivia & Games
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Milford) — Free
Trivia Night @ PiNZ (Free)
- Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Tuesdays)
- Where: PiNZ Entertainment, 110 S Main St, Milford, MA 01757
- What to expect: Team trivia night at an entertainment venue.
Wed, Dec 24, 2025 (Worcester) — Free
Trivia at Wormtown (Free)
- Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Wednesdays)
- Where: Wormtown Brewery, 72 Shrewsbury St, Worcester, MA 01604
- What to expect: Brewery trivia night—bring a team or join one.
Museums & Arts
Sat, Dec 27, 2025 (Worcester)
Arms and Armor Up Close: The World of Armor (Family-friendly)
- Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Where: Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609
- Price: Free with museum admission
- What to expect: Up-close armor focus with interpretation/demos.
Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Worcester)
Artmaking: Create a Kamishibai Theater (Family-friendly)
- Time: 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
- Where: Worcester Art Museum (Studio 3411 / Higgins Education Wing), Worcester
- What to expect: Hands-on artmaking inspired by kamishibai paper theater.
Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Worcester)
Tour of “Lee Mingwei: Our Peaceable Kingdom”
- Time: 1:00 PM
- Where: Worcester Art Museum, Worcester
- What to expect: Guided tour of the exhibition.
Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Fitchburg)
Tara Sellios | Ask Now the Beasts
- Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St, Fitchburg, MA
- What to expect: Exhibit open hours entry for the show.
History & Tours
Fri, Dec 26, 2025 (Worcester) — Recurring weekly
Home for the Holidays “Candlelight Tours” at Salisbury Mansion (Family-friendly)
- Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Fridays)
- Where: Salisbury Mansion, 40 Highland St, Worcester, MA 01609
- Price: $15/person; Free for Museum of Worcester + Preservation Worcester members
- What to expect: Candlelit historic-house tours with seasonal décor.
Sports
Sat, Dec 27, 2025 (Worcester)
Worcester Railers vs Adirondack Thunder — Home for the Holidays (Day 1) (Family-friendly)
- Time: 6:05 PM
- Where: DCU Center, Worcester
- What to expect: Holiday-themed home game.
Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Worcester)
Worcester Railers vs Adirondack Thunder — Home for the Holidays (Day 2) (Family-friendly)
- Time: 3:05 PM
- Where: DCU Center, Worcester
- What to expect: Promo day (mug + hot chocolate; skating tie-in per earlier listing).
Kids & Family
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Shrewsbury) — Free
Santa on the Common! (Family-friendly • Free)
- Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Where: First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury, 19 Church Rd, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Auburn)
Baby-toddler Storytime (ages 0–3) (Family-friendly)
- Time: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
- Where: Auburn Library, 369 Southbridge St, Auburn
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Auburn)
Kids Crafternoon (Family-friendly)
- Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Where: Auburn Library, 369 Southbridge St, Auburn
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Worcester)
DIY Candy Snowman Snacks (Family-friendly)
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Where: Worcester Public Library (branch/room not included in paste)
- What to expect: Make edible snowman snacks with candy/marshmallows/etc.
Fri, Dec 26, 2025 (Webster)
Winter Drop-In Craft! (Family-friendly)
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Where: Webster Public Library, 2 Lake St., Webster
Sat, Dec 27, 2025 (Webster)
Holiday Book Sale Ends (Family-friendly)
- Time: All day
- Where: Webster Public Library, 2 Lake St., Webster
Sat, Dec 27, 2025 (Fitchburg)
Hot Wheels Club (Family-friendly)
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Where: Community Room (per Fitchburg city calendar item), Fitchburg
Teens & Tweens
Mon, Dec 22, 2025 (Worcester)
Teen Research & Writing 101 (Ages 12–18)
- Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Where: Tatnuck Magnet Branch (WPL), Worcester
Mon, Dec 22, 2025 (Worcester)
Switch it Up (Nintendo Switch program)
- Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Worcester Public Library
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Worcester)
Neon Night: Paint and Sip (Teens • mocktails)
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Where: Worcester Public Library
- What to expect: Paint under blacklight + fun mocktails.
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Auburn)
Teen Crafting
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Where: Auburn Library, 369 Southbridge St, Auburn
Babies & Early Childhood
Mon, Dec 22, 2025 (Worcester)
Baby Bounce (Family-friendly)
- Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Where: Worcester Public Library, Roosevelt Branch, Worcester
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Webster)
Winter Storytime (Family-friendly)
- Time: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Where: Webster Public Library, 2 Lake St.,Webster
Community & Social Services
Mon, Dec 22, 2025 (Worcester)
Free Immigration Legal Help Clinic
- Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Where: Worcester Public Library Tatnuck Magnet Branch, Worcester
Classes & Workshops
Mon, Dec 22, 2025 (Worcester)
Bob Ross Painting w/ Renee
- Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Where: Craft Studio (Clark University), Worcester
- What to expect: Paint-along style session using Bob Ross videos; materials provided.
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Auburn)
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Where: Auburn Library, 369 Southbridge St, Auburn
Mon, Dec 22, 2025 (Webster)
Sit & Stitch
- Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Webster Public Library, 2 Lake St., Webster
Government & Public Meetings
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Gardner)
Redevelopment Authority Meeting
- Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Where: Gardner City Hall, Gardner
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Southbridge)
Town Council Regular Meeting
- Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Where: Town Hall – Council Chamber, 1 Community Pl, Southbridge, MA
Senior / Recreation Programs
Tue, Dec 23, 2025 (Southbridge)
Latino Group
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Where: Community Center Community Room, 153 Chestnut St, Southbridge
Animals & Farm Experiences
Sat, Dec 20, 2025 (Northborough) — Outdoor
Holiday Cuddle & Hike with Baby Goats, Hot Cocoa & Holiday Cookies (Family-friendly • Outdoor)
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Where: Bracken Hill Farm Inc, 53 Auger Ave, Northborough
- Price: $40
- What to expect: Seasonal baby-goat cuddle time + short hike; cocoa + cookies.
Sun, Dec 21, 2025 (Northborough) — Outdoor
Holiday Cuddle & Hike with Baby Goats, Hot Cocoa & Holiday Cookies (Family-friendly • Outdoor)
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Where: Bracken Hill Farm, 53 Auger Ave, Northborough
Wed, Dec 24, 2025 (Northborough) — Outdoor
Holiday Cuddle & Hike with Baby Goats, Hot Cocoa & Holiday Cookies (Family-friendly • Outdoor)
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Where: Bracken Hill Farm, 53 Auger Ave, Northborough
Fri, Dec 26, 2025 (Northborough) — Outdoor
Holiday Cuddle & Hike with Baby Goats, Hot Cocoa & Holiday Cookies (Family-friendly • Outdoor)
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Where: Bracken Hill Farm, 53 Auger Ave, Northborough
Sun, Dec 28, 2025 (Northborough) — Outdoor
Holiday Cuddle & Hike with Baby Goats, Hot Cocoa & Holiday Cookies (Family-friendly • Outdoor)
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Where: Bracken Hill Farm, 53 Auger Ave, Northborough
Interactive Dinner / Mystery
Sat, Dec 27, 2025 (Worcester) — Recurring weekly
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show — Worcester, MA
- Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Saturdays)
- Where: 35 Major Taylor Blvd, Worcester, MA 01608
- Price: “$15 off sale” (exact ticket price not provided)
- What to expect: Ticketed murder-mystery dinner show with audience participation elements.
- Parking: Union Station Garage — https://www.google.com/maps?q=Union+Station+Garage+Worcester
