Saturday, Dec. 8
Fair Trade Advent Fair, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Maple Street Church, Social Hall, 90 Maple St., Danvers. The third annual fair features handcrafts by local artists and from around the world: jewelry, ornaments, textiles and original artwork. Also, various organizations will be represented. Sponsored by the World Service Committee of Maple Street Church. All proceeds support the crafters. 978-774-4510.
Toys Only Rummage Sale, 9 to 11 a.m., Church of St. Andrew, Lafayette St., Marblehead. The 22nd annual sale features games, puzzles and children’s books. Most toys are used, some are new, and all are in good condition. jsantoro@slexhibits.com.
Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 124 River Road, Topsfield. Tables of handcrafted gifts; hand-knitted and crocheted items; holiday crafts and decorations; a boutique of jewelry, scarves, bags, purses and other accessories; home-baked goods and kitchen treats; books for everyone; a silent auction; raffles; and more. Lunch served from noon to 2 p.m. and includes homemade corn chowder, chicken salad sandwiches, hot dogs and chips. 978-887-5570.
Annual Kids Christmas Workshop, 9 a.m. to noon, Clifton Lutheran Church, 150 Humphrey St., Marblehead. Make Christmas ornaments and decorations. Crafts are suitable for children ages 3 and older, and each table is staffed with a volunteer; parental supervision is required. Create and paint Christmas ornaments and custom wrapping paper, and decorate gingerbread men and Advent wreaths and tree balls. $5/child, covers materials and crafts. Children will take their crafts home. Handicapped-accessible. www.cliftonlutheran.org.
Christmas Fair and Luncheon, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grace Church, Parish House, 385 Essex St., Salem. Craft items, knitted goods, a food table and regifting items. priscillalemons@comcast.net or 781-631-9417.
Evensong, 4:30 p.m., Salem’s First Church, 316 Essex St., Salem. The Boston Boys Choir presents Christmas tradition. Part of Dickens North of Boston Branch’s second annual “Christmas With Dickens: A Day of Bygone Revelry.” $15/online, $20 at the door. All net proceeds benefit church. www.dickensnorthofboston.com/dickens_005.htm.
An Evening of Victorian Delights, 6:30 p.m., Salem’s First Church, 316 Essex St. Historical duet performance in Victorian costume featuring Larry Young and Suzanne Powers. Event highlights Dickens’ favorite 19th-century music and original compositions. Presentation includes fiddle music, song and Sir Roger Coventry dance for everyone. Light reception included. $25/online, $30 at the door. Proceeds benefit church. www.dickensnorthofboston.com/dickens_013.htm.
Christmas Festival Concert: “Sounds of the Nativity,” 7 p.m., St. John the Baptist Parish, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody. Inaugural season of the SJB Concert Series presents organ recital by Brendan Kenney, performed on an 1879 E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings pipe organ. www.stjohnsmusic.org or 978-826-7515.
Sunday, Dec. 9
Fair Trade Advent Fair, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Maple Street Church, Social Hall, 90 Maple St., Danvers. The third annual fair features handcrafts by local artists and from around the world: jewelry, ornaments, textiles and original artwork. Also, various organizations will be represented. Sponsored by the World Service Committee of Maple Street Church. All proceeds support the crafters. 978-774-4510.
Annual Hanukkah Run-A-Latke, 10 a.m., Chabad Community Shul, 44 Burrill St., Swampscott. Chabad North Shore’s family 5K run and Hanukkah party. Hanukkah programming will be available for kids while adults run. Attendees can race, eat latkes and doughnuts, and help build a huge Lego menorah. Register at the door or online at www.nsjewish.com or raceit.com.
St. John’s Concert Series: Advent Lessons and Carols, 4 p.m., St. John’s Church, 705 Hale St., Beverly Farms. Music director Brink Bush will conduct St. John’s Choir. A holiday reception will follow. Handicapped-accessible. Free admission; donations accepted. brink@sjcb.org or 978-927-0229.
Sounds of the Holidays Concert, 4 p.m., St. Richard Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers. Features The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra and Jilly Martin. Free admission; attendees are encouraged to bring a donation of nonperishable food to benefit the People to People Food Pantry. Doors open at 3 p.m. Seating is limited. www.stricharddanvers.org.
Holiday Concert, 4 p.m., St. John the Evangelist Church, 552 Cabot St., Beverly. The Manchester Singers present a variety of secular and sacred holiday choral arrangements. Directed by Fred Broer, the community chorus consists of 45 local men and women and accompaniment by Miles Goldberg. Tickets at the door; $8/adults, $5/students and seniors. 978-283-9021 or www.manchestersingers.org.
Hanukkah Celebrations, 5:30 to 7:45 p.m., Middleton Green, Route 114, Middleton center. Lighting of the second candle for Hanukkah. Following the candle lighting, celebrations will continue at Flint Public Library, 1 S. Main St., with entertainment, hot chocolate and latkes. Sponsored by Chabad of the North Shore and Chabad of Merrimack Valley.
Monday, Dec. 10
Advent Adult Education Scripture Program, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Hall, 80 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. Will focus on Isaiah the prophet with speaker Steven Fahrig, pastoral associate of St. Bridget of South Boston and professor at St. John’s Seminary and Blessed John XXIII Seminary. www.staroftheseamarblehead.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 12
Menorah Lighting, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Northshore Mall, J.C. Penney Court, 210 Andover St., Peabody. Hot latkes, applesauce, doughnuts, face-painting, balloon shaping, arts and crafts, and a raffle. Free. www.Facebook.com/NorthshoreMall or 978-531-3440.
Friday, Dec. 14
Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m., Church of St. Andrew, 135 Lafayette St., Marblehead. Featuring local female vocal trio Maeve Music. $15/ticket. 781-631-4951.
Sunday, Dec. 16
“Lighting the Way,” 10 a.m., Maple Street Church, 90 Maple St., Danvers. Special music program during worship service features the Chancel Choir, Dream Catchers and Good News Choir performing music for Advent and Christmas. A variety of anthems have been selected for the service. www.maplestreetchurch.org.
Holiday Music Service, 10:30 a.m., Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church, 323 Locust St., Danvers. Carol singing, drumming, Native American flute, handbells, the Singing Group and more. 978-774-7582 or www.nsuu.org.
Christmas Festival Concert: “Rejoice in His Coming,” 2 p.m., St. John the Baptist Parish, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody. Inaugural season of the SJB Concert Series presents Christmas cantata performed by four choirs accompanied by a live orchestra. www.stjohnsmusic.org or 978-826-7515.
An Afternoon of Christmas Delights, 4 p.m., Christ the Redeemer Church, 188 Elliott St., Danvers. Christmas classics performed by harpists Nancy Unsworth and Jena Boehm, violinist Suzanne Powers, and solo vocalist Erin Cherry. Music will be interwoven between poems: Yeats’ “The Mother of God,” Levertov’s “Annunciation,” Donne’s “Annunciation,” Betjeman’s “Advent 1955,” Kavanagh’s “Advent,” Rossetti’s “Christmas Eve,” Coleridge’s “Salus Mundi,” Donne’s “Nativitie,” Hopkins’ “Moonless darkness stands between,” Eliot’s “The Journey of the Magi,” L’Engle’s “A Christmas Poem” and Wilbur’s “A Christmas Hymn.” A tea reception will follow. Free admission. www.ctr-anglican.org.
Holiday Christmas Concert, 5 p.m., Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16 Sylvan St., Danvers. Features both the Chancel Choir and the Handbell Choir, as well as vocal and piano solos. Also, guest soloist Audrey Fernandez Fraser from Boston will perform. Free. Handicapped-accessible. 978-777-7408.
Monday, Dec. 17
Advent Adult Education Scripture Program, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Hall, 80 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. Will focus on Isaiah the prophet with speaker Steven Fahrig, pastoral associate of St. Bridget of South Boston and professor at St. John’s Seminary and Blessed John XXIII Seminary. www.staroftheseamarblehead.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 19
Blue Christmas Worship Service, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 391 Bay Road, Hamilton. For those in need of comfort, healing, quiet and hope for the holy season. Special music offerings from A. Jorgelina Zeoli and the church choir, along with the candlelight singing of “Silent Night” by the congregation. 978-468-1256 or www.hamiltonumc.org.
Friday, Dec. 21
Handel’s “Messiah,” 8 p.m., First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist, 225 Cabot St., Beverly. The 39th annual performance, presented by combined Beverly church choirs and guest singers and directed by Robert F. Littlefield and organist Frederick A. MacArthur. Free admission. 978-922-3968.
Sunday, Dec. 23
Winter Solstice Service, 4:30 p.m., Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church, 323 Locust St., Danvers. Outdoor procession by candlelight, drumming, the lighting of the yule log, readings and songs, hot cider, and cookies. 978-774-7582 or www.nsuu.org.
“Christmas Carols by Candlelight,” 7 p.m., St. John the Russian Orthodox Church, 16 Mount Pleasant Ave., Ipswich. Evening of singing traditional Christmas carols led by the parish choir in the candlelit historic church interior. Program includes illuminating the Christmas tree. A reception with holiday refreshments will follow. Free. Parking available in the rear of the church at 34 Lafayette Road. 978-380-6499 or frspyridon@comcast.net.
Sunday, Jan. 6
Festival of Christmas Lessons and Carols, 5 p.m., Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, 188 Elliott St., Danvers. The choir will sing music of William Billings, Charles Callahan, John Joubert, Austin Lovelace, Alice Parker, John Weaver and others. The congregation will sing hymns of the season, and scripture lessons will be read by parishioners and clergy. Child care provided. Reception afterward. Free admission. 978-774-3163, ext. 353.
