November 30, 2023 By Mon K. Pohl, Photos courtesy of the Hingham Downtown Association
There is no better way to launch the holiday season than with Holly Jolly Hingham, which runs through the month of December. Organized by the Hingham Downtown Association (HDA), Holly Jolly Hingham brings the entire community together for a month of festivities combined with unique and personalized shopping and services at local businesses.
Downtown will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland with shop windows festively decorated and the streets lined with lampposts adorned for the holidays — thanks to the gracious sponsorship of businesses and members of the community. There will be activities for all ages starting with the beloved tradition of the horse drawn hayrides throughout downtown on Saturdays (12/2, 12/9, 12/16, and 12/23). There will also be a chance to take photos with Holly Jolly character cutouts and opportunities to send letters express to the North Pole in the mailbox outside of La Petite Maison. Be sure to include a legible name and return address on all letters since Santa has been known to write back.
Everyone’s favorite seasonal tradition, Christmas in the Square, will kickoff on Friday, December 1 at 5:00 p.m. and continue through 8:00 p.m. Santa will arrive on top of a fire truck escorted by a police car. After his arrival, Santa will spend time on South Street visiting with everyone. The special evening will also feature live holiday music, a captivating ice sculpture demonstration, The Woman’s Club Festival of Trees Gala at the Hingham Community Center, and the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Grinch” movies projected on the tunnel cap with the backdrop of a magical snow show.
The music during Christmas in the Square will be a staged event on South and Main Streets. Holiday tunes will fill the air all night with performances by choir students from the St. Paul School and Su Escuela, and by South Shore Conservatory’s pianist/keyboardist, Jeff Williams and guitarist/vocalist, Jasmine Vergara-Ullman, who will play jazz, rock and pop, featuring holiday hits.
The events of Holly Jolly Hingham are funded by the Hingham Downtown Association, with great appreciation for the generous donations for the adopt-a-lamppost fundraiser and the support from our generous corporate sponsors: Linden Ponds, Hingham Institution for Savings, South Shore Bank, The Fruit Center, Curtis Management, and the Rotary Club. The musical performance was graciously sponsored by The South Shore Conservatory.
For more information visit: www.discoverhingham.com, Facebook: @downtownhingham and Instagram: @hinghamdowntown for updates on #hinghamholidays.
Holly Jolly Horse Drawn Hayrides on Saturdays – Pick-up and drop-off at the Rotary Clock
12/2 Horse Drawn Hayride 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Sponsored by South Shore Conservatory)
12/9 Horse Drawn Hayride 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Sponsored by South Shore Support Services)
12/16 Horse Drawn Hayride 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Sponsored by South Shore Bank)
12/23 Horse Drawn Hayride 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Sponsored by The Fruit Center)
Schedule of Events for Christmas in the Square
-Kick-off Christmas in the Square 5:00 p.m.
-Santa Arrives in a fire truck in the Square – 6:30 p.m.
-Visit Santa on South Street – 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
-Live Music & Entertainment in the Square – 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
-Movies “Its a Wonderful Life” and “the Grinch” projected on the Tunnel Cap & Magical Snow Show – 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
-Festival of Trees Gala at the Community Center – 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
-Ice Sculpture Demonstration 39 Main St. – 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.