Reminder Publications

Archives

Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village

Date: 11/22/2010

STURBRIDGE -- This December, visitors to Old Sturbridge Village can experience the time-honored joys of the holiday season during Christmas by Candlelight.

For nine nights, the 19th-century village will be illuminated by candlelight and visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, including sleigh rides, musicians, both Father Christmas and Santa Claus, and strolling carolers in period costume. Old Sturbridge Village historians will demonstrate and explain the history of many of our most well-known Christmas traditions. Christmas by Candlelight will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings Dec 3 to 5, 10 to 12 and 17 to 19 from 4 to 9 p.m. The nostalgic look at the holiday's roots includes the real stories behind Christmas trees, Yule logs, poinsettias, the practice of exchanging gifts, and more. The history of favorite Christmas foods like roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, and fruit cake will be explained and samples will be available for tasting. Visitors can also vote for their favorite entry in OSV's annual Gingerbread House Contest.

Hands-on activities include making a Christmas keepsake while learning about the history of Christmas cards and making a tin ornament while finding out the history of Christmas tree decorations. Visitors can also listen to a reading of A Visit from St. Nicholas ('Twas the Night Before Christmas)," learn the dance from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," and join in the popular group carol singing.

Professional musicians, as well as student and community groups, will perform throughout the nine-night event. Several are returning from last year, including Full Gael, Worcester Men of Song, Quintebrass, and student musicians from Tantasqua and Shepard Hill High Schools. The schedule also includes some making their Christmas by Candlelight debut, including the Pioneer Valley Singers and the Merrimack Valley Ringers. A current schedule is listed below, but for the most up to date information, go to www.osv.org. Tickets are available for $14 or $12 for Old Sturbridge Village members in advance through www.osv.org or 800-SEE-1830. Tickets can be applied to any of the nine Christmas by Candlelight dates, and the date of attendance does not need to be specified at the time of purchase. The museum gift shop and Oliver Wight Tavern will be open for holiday shopping and dining. Christmas by Candlelight is sponsored by Fallon Community Health Plan and TD Bank.

In order to focus on the evening holiday events, Old Sturbridge Village will be closed during the day from Dec. 1 to 25. The Village will be open for Christmas by Candlelight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3 to 5; Dec.10 to 12, and Dec. 17 to 19. The Village will return to a daytime schedule for its popular school vacation week activities Dec. 26 to Jan. 2.

Old Sturbridge Village Christmas by Candlelight Schedule of Performances

  • Dec. 3: Bancroft School String Ensemble, Hill Singers, Full Gael.

  • Dec. 4: Pioneer Valley Singers.

  • Dec. 5: Jaques Ave Five, Quintebrass.

  • Dec. 10: Shepard Hill High School Show Choir, Full Gael.

  • Dec.11: Sounds of Concord, Boston Jazz Voices.

  • Dec. 12: Worcester State Chorale, Quintebrass.

  • Dec.17: Brookfield Elementary Band and Chorus, Tantasqua High School Choraleers, Full Gael.

  • Dec. 18: Worcester Men of Song, Elm Street Handbells, Leicester Town Band, Tantasqua Brass Quintet.

  • Dec. 19: Merrimack Valley Ringers, Quintebrass.