We’ve teamed up with Longfellow House, Lincoln Institute and Harvard Square Business Association for another winter’s worth of outdoor festivities. Join us at these holiday celebrations in Harvard Square!
Kickoff in the Square
Let Hope Ring begins Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Longfellow House and Lincoln Institute. From 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., ring in the holiday season with carolers, crafting and more family-friendly fun. Kids can even participate in a “Christmas Bells”-inspired play.
Afterward, the holiday happenings continue in Deguglielmo Plaza from 3-4 p.m. The Saint Paul’s Boys Choir will perform alongside The Giving Tree. You can create ornaments to bring home or hang on one of the fourteen trees around the Square. Grab some complimentary hot cocoa and cookies to stay warm and in the holiday spirit all afternoon.
Bell Ringing
During one of the darkest moments in American history, the Civil War, Harvard Square local Henry Wadsworth Longfellow heard hope ring in the winter air and wrote a poem, “Christmas Bells.” This year, the churches of Harvard Square hope to spread a message of hope and resilience by ringing their bells in unison at 3 p.m. on December 11 and Thursday, Dec. 23.
The celebration will continue, virtually, with the video series, “Sacred Spaces and Good Works in Harvard Square.” In 2020, the HSBA produced this series and will be re-releasing these videos daily from December 11 through 23 at 3 p.m. on social media. These videos celebrate the good work the churches do in the Harvard Square community and feature narration by Kevin Tyler, a then-unhoused gentleman, and music composed and performed by Cal DiGiovanni, a 14-year-old Harvard Square street performer. Those churches that have bells will ring them on the same day their videos debut. Follow @HarvardSQ and @LONGNPS on Facebook for each installment.
Holiday Poetry Stroll
The Holiday Poetry Stroll returns Saturday, Dec. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 2 as an opportunity to share hope and light through verse. Designed to be safe and self-guided, this approximately one-hour walking tour around Harvard Square highlights some of Cambridge's renowned poets and will be curated on the theme of hope by Mass Poetry. The tour will also feature window art on storefronts in Harvard Square and poetry ornament keepsakes decorating trees in Deguglielmo Plaza.
Giving Tree
A longstanding Harvard Square tradition, The Giving Tree is both a physical tree and an opportunity to provide essential goods to those who need them. The Harvard Square Business Association will collect hats, gloves, socks, travel-sized hand sanitizer, lip balm and scarves; package these items in watertight bags; and hang them on The Giving Tree, located at Deguglielmo Plaza, complimentary for anyone to take. The tree will be up from December 11 through mid-January.
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will collect online donations in support of The Giving Tree project. All proceeds will be used to purchase items for The Giving Tree, including clothing and gift cards for food from local establishments, which have been impacted by COVID-19 closures. To make a donation, please visit the donation page.
