Christmas Night in Ashland on Dec. 1

ASHLAND — The town will celebrate Christmas Night downtown, from 4 to 7 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 1, with a craft fair at the American Legion Hall, 37 Main St., featuring a dozen crafters, running from 1 to 7 p.m.

Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck at 4 p.m. and will be in Memorial Park visiting with children and others until 7 p.m. Pick up a passport at Memorial Park to be stamped around town and returned to Memorial Park for the free raffle of prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.

The Cookie Walk in the Ashland Fire Station, 9 Main St., will offer homemade cookies for purchase from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Chowder will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Legion Hall. The Ashland Town Library, 41 Main St., will give out take and make activity kits to children. Free food and snacks will be available at the Ashland Community Church, 55 Main St., from 4 to 7 p.m., with a free Dessert Walk beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Letters to Santa Claus can be mailed in a special mailbox at Roundabout New England Vintage and Thrift Shop, 62 Main St., every day until Christmas.

The Ashland Historical Society will display photographs of past Christmas celebrations in the parish hall of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 18 Highland St., where hot cider will be served.

Carolers will sing throughout downtown during the evening, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Park. The celebration will end for most at 7 p.m. in Memorial Park with the lighting of the town Christmas tree, and the drawing of the winning passports and the distribution of the prizes. Santa will then depart by fire truck for the North Pole to get ready for his long Christmas journey.

Teenagers can go to the town ballpark for an evening social with a fire pit, games and music, pizza and drinks, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Christmas Night is sponsored by Ashland businesses and citizens.