By Michele Taranto

The perfect four-day weekend. It starts with a grand Thanksgiving meal, followed by a day of bargain hunting, holiday decorating, and of course, those delicious leftovers. Saturday is the time to support and patronize, local businesses and take in lunch or dinner on Small Business Saturday. What could possibly top that? How about closing out the weekend with a community kick-off of the holiday season on Sunday, Nov. 26 with the Norwood Tree Lighting Celebration!

This is the day some may call, the calm before the storm. A time to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends before the Christmas bustle begins. In true Norwood form, each year the town hosts a freebreathtaking afternoon festival that has become a favorite holiday tradition. The fun-filled family event will be held on Sunday, Nov. 26, 1:30-4 p.m., on the Town Common and the Norwood Civic Center. The celebration includes a reindeer dash, horse-drawn hayrides, festive entertainment, holiday readings, face painting, ornament decorating, barnyard animals, a parade, and choir music. The afternoon concludes when Santa and Mrs. Clause make their dramatic entrance and light up the Norwood Town Common!

The Reindeer Dash returns as children race around the Town Common and receive a set of antlers for participating. Face painting and holiday crafts will be offered on the common and barnyard animals will wait eagerly for visitors at the Civic Center. Horse-drawn hayrides will be also be available on the Town Common as local choirs ring in the season. The afternoon concludes with holiday readings, and a parade where Santa and Mrs. Clause arrive and light up the Norwood Town Common for the holiday lighting.

Plan that holiday shopping and decorating around the Holiday Tree Lighting for a community celebration the entire family will enjoy and remember for years to come!

Sunday, November 26

1:30-2 p.m.

Reindeer Dash

Town Common

1:30-3:30 p.m.

Face Painting

Ornament Decorating

Town Common

2-3:30 p.m.

Horse Drawn Hayrides

Town Common

Barnyard Animals

Civic Center Gym, Nahatan St.

2-3 p.m.

Local musical choirs

Walter J. Dempsey Bandstand

3 p.m.

A reading of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

Walter J. Dempsey Bandstand

3:20 p.m.

Reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Walter J. Dempsey Bandstand

3:35 p.m.

Parade leaving Guild Square to the Town Common

3:45 p.m.

Santa and Mrs. Claus turn on the Norwood’s Holiday Tree Lights

Town Common

This schedule is subject to change, depending on weather. 

Norwood residents would agree that no town unites like Norwood, and this year’s holiday celebration is a great opportunity to connect with friends and neighbors and kick off the holiday season!