What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, January 5, 2026 ???

Monday, January 5

• Christmas trees scheduled for curbside pickup on your normal trash/recycling day

12:00pm Protest illegal actions against Venezuela (Walpole Town Common)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** NO Town Meetings today   **

------------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Curbside tree collection scheduled for week of Jan 5, 2026

Curbside tree collection scheduled for week of Jan 5, 2026

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17vFjZTa6D/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, December 25, 2025 ???

Time for family and friends to celebrate Christmas in whatever manner you wish.

If you travel, please be safe and courteous.

I plan to spend the time with family and will resume event and news reporting with Friday's postings.

I will share these 2 similar views of the Town Common taken on a snowy December day in 2019 and 2020.

Of note: the trash/recycle curbside pick up is not happening today

• Those scheduled for Thursday will get picked up Friday
• Those scheduled for Friday will get picked up Saturday

Franklin Town Common, Dec 6, 2020

Franklin Town Common, Dec 4, 2019

Knights of Columbus Christmas Pancake Breakfast - Dec 14

In the Sacred Heart Hall from 8 AM to 10 AM

Knights of Columbus Christmas
Pancake Breakfast - Dec 14

Please join the Knights as they provide a Free Pancake Christmas Breakfast!

Delicious pancakes, sausages, coffee, orange juice, and water will be served.

All are welcome, especially our youngest friends because our special guest is Santa Claus!

https://www.stmarysfranklin.org/event?id=213128592&cat=1684856325&pg=&refer=knights-columbus&title=Knights+of+Columbus+Christmas+Pancake+Breakfast

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, December 6, 2025 ???

Saturday, December 6

8:30am Girl Scout Cookie Sale (United States Postal Service)

9:00am Christmas Fair & more (St John's Episcopal Church)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Harry R. Bean (Veteran Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

9:30am Wreath and Holiday Arrangement Sale (Daddario’s Hardware Store) 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Train Town Franklin #3 - opens (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:30am Mike Bent's Ho Ho Hocus Pocus Magic Show! (Franklin Public Library)

3:00pm Maker Moment Silk Scarf Painting (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Ellis Paul, Alice Peacock opening (ticketed concert) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

7:30pm Faculty Dance Works  (ticketed event) (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:30pm The Nutcracker (ticketed event)(FPAC, Franklin High School)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

** NO Town Meetings today   **

------------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Reminder on "Top 4 Reasons to Visit St John’s Christmas Fair on December 6"

St. John’s Church Christmas Fair is set for Saturday, December 6, from 9 am to 2 pm at 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin. 

Here are the 4 top reasons to visit St. John’s holiday fair:

1. Visit and photo op with Santa Claus from 10 am to 12 noon. 
2. Lots of shopping: Buy gift cards from popular restaurants and stores; silent auction and raffle items. Check out gift baskets with themes like sports; spa, health and wellness, and pet items. Give the gift of food, wine, coffees, teas.  Fresh, beautiful wreaths and greens; plus cozy hand-made scarves, mittens, and hats.  
3. Delicious hand-made treats like cookies, fudge, and other baked goods at the Cookie Walk. Snacks and drinks can be purchased during the fair. 
4. St John’s will host a live nativity scene. What is a live nativity scene? Jesus was born in a barn and lay in a manger, surrounded by animals. We will enact this scene with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and real farm animals (sheep, goats, donkey) during the fair. 

Top 4 Reasons to Visit St John’s Christmas Fair on December 6 

Come and see on Saturday, December 6 from Noon to 2 PM. 

This event is FREE and open to all. 

St John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin

For more information:

Call 508-528-2387     Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org

Like us on Facebook See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org    

Christmas on the Common comes around again, Sunday, November 30 at 4 PM

For the young and young at heart, Santa arrives on the Town Common, Sunday, Nov 30, 2025 at 4 PM. He is reported to be arriving via a special Franklin fire truck. Will Mrs. Claus be with him too?

Sponsored by Concerts on the Common. Donations to help with this and the Town Common decorations are appreciated. Checks can be mailed to 

"Concerts on the Common"
PO Box 92
Franklin, MA 02038

Download the flyer as a reminder of this special event

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n0d8kOZtEIYHZoVfVxU09bXP8YuVWYaS/view?usp=drive_link

Christmas on the Town Common - Nov 30 at 4 PM

Top 4 Reasons to Visit St John’s Christmas Fair on December 6

St. John’s Church Christmas Fair is set for Saturday, December 6, from 9 am to 2 pm at 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin. 

Here are the 4 top reasons to visit St. John’s holiday fair:

1. Visit and photo op with Santa Claus from 10 am to 12 noon. 
2. Lots of shopping: Buy gift cards from popular restaurants and stores; silent auction and raffle items. Check out gift baskets with themes like sports; spa, health and wellness, and pet items. Give the gift of food, wine, coffees, teas.  Fresh, beautiful wreaths and greens; plus cozy hand-made scarves, mittens, and hats.  
3. Delicious hand-made treats like cookies, fudge, and other baked goods at the Cookie Walk. Snacks and drinks can be purchased during the fair. 
4. St John’s will host a live nativity scene. What is a live nativity scene? Jesus was born in a barn and lay in a manger, surrounded by animals. We will enact this scene with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and real farm animals (sheep, goats, donkey) during the fair. 

Top 4 Reasons to Visit St John’s Christmas Fair on December 6 

Come and see on Saturday, December 6 from Noon to 2 PM. 

This event is FREE and open to all. 

St John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin

For more information:

Call 508-528-2387     Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org

Like us on Facebook See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org    

Invisible People ➤ Imagine Everyone With a Home (@invisiblepeople)

Invisible People ➤ Imagine Everyone With a Home 

Invisible People ➤ Imagine Everyone With a Home (@invisiblepeople) posted on Sun, Dec 29, 2024:

1843: Scrooge believed poverty was the fault of the poor. 2024: That same belief fuels homelessness, inequality, and apathy. 

Dickens' A Christmas Carol is more relevant than ever—see why society hasn't learned. 🎄 https://t.co/ESBvkJT0U9

Shared from -> https://x.com/invisiblepeople/status/1873374162275770670

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, December 25, 2024 ???

Wednesday, December 25 - Christmas Day

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

Church services scheduled but otherwise most things are closed today to enable time with family and friends

**   NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

---------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, December 24, 2024 ???

Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)
• Franklin Art Association, Art Show & Sale (Norfolk Public Library closes at 1 PM on 12/24/24))

The Franklin Public Library will close at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 24th and will be closed Wednesday, December 25th for Christmas.

Town of Franklin Senior Center & Municipal Building are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday

**   NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

---------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

A Scientific Christmas Tale | NIST

"’Twas the night before Christmas; NIST staff had gone home.
Our director was left to reflect all alone.
She thought about NIST and the breadth of its work,
from AI to fire to even the quark. 

Our impact, she knew, was broad and widespread,
and triumphs of measurement danced in her head.
Examples abounded of great innovation
spurred by NIST work for the good of the nation.

When people pump gas or buy food at the store,
NIST helps to ensure they get what they paid for.
And when they’re online and making transactions, 
NIST-backed encryption means safer interactions. 

There are frameworks that help with cyber hygiene.
And something we call the million-pound deadweight machine.
What else to her adoring eyes should appear,
but a Lego watt balance and a weathering sphere. "

Continue reading this scientific version of a famous tale

https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/scientific-christmas-tale

A Scientific Christmas Tale | NIST

First Universalist Society of Franklin: Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 PM

Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 PM

"Join us in person or on Zoom at 5:30 pm for our annual Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols. 

An evening of the ancient story told from scripture and from more modern readings with many of the old favorite Christmas Carols. 

We will end the service with a candlelit singing of Silent Night."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1GjMZmrWfz/

Franklin United Methodist Church - Christmas Eve service

Christmas Eve service

Via Franklin United Methodist Church: 

"Find joy in presence this Christmas!  

Join us on Christmas Eve at 7 PM as we recall the story of Jesus' birth, pray, sing, light candles, and rediscover the joy of being together."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/FranklinMaUMC/posts/pfbid02LdLg2RkjadPzq2yDDSwNec2cgB6AwHcdDo3ZpxEybkVjmvQcZipEkdqGBH1EcV7pl

Franklin Aera Moms schedule "Christmas Around the World" event Sunday, Dec 15 at 9 AM

Franklin Aera Moms "Christmas Around the World"

"Grab your family, your passport (to be provided!), and come learn about how different cultures around the world celebrate Christmas. This event is a self-guided tour (similar to a Story Walk) around a neighborhood in Franklin. 

After learning about how different countries celebrate Christmas, children will have the opportunity to meet Santa himself! Hot chocolate and a treat will be provided after visiting Santa! RSVP on Meetup for the location! 


*We will be collecting monetary donations for the Franklin Food Pantry at this event. Donations are optional, and a jar will be at the end of the event if you are able to make a contribution."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DDih2n9xLe5/ 

Hillside Nursery & Florist: Christmas fun & Open House - Saturday Dec 7

Christmas fun & Open House - Saturday Dec 7

Join us this Saturday for The Blooming Artisan and Hillside Nurseries’ open house! Santa and Mrs. Clause will be here along with Holiday music from DJ Bobby Costello! 

Join us for a festive holiday celebration at our Open House! Saturday December 7th, from 12 PM - 3 PM!!

Sip on delicious hot chocolate, snap a memorable photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy the beauty of the season in our floral wonderland, plus so much more! 

Don’t miss the fun—see you there! 

Hillside Nurseries & Florist

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15v2ewbLaA/

St Mary's Christmas Mass Schedule for Dec 2024

St Mary's Christmas Mass Schedule for Dec 2024

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/14RSibifkp/

CBS News interviews Santa Foundation (video)

Did you catch the Santa Foundation on CBS News with Levan Reed?

"The holiday season has officially begun and communities are ready to give families in need the Christmas they deserve with the help of a Massachusetts non-profit."

Find out how you can help the Santa Foundation -> https://www.sfjoy.org/ 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B11EkHUKD/

Reminder: St. John’s Christmas Fair Set for December 7

St. John’s Church Christmas Fair is set for Saturday, December 7, from 9 AM to 2 PM at 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin. 

Christmas Fair Set for December 7

 

Do your holiday shopping in one stop: Buy gift cards from popular restaurants and stores; silent auction and raffle items. Check out gift baskets with themes like sports; spa, health and wellness, and pet items. Give the gift of food, wine, coffees, or teas.  Appreciate unique, hand-made crafts? You’ll love the beautiful fresh wreaths and greens, as well as cozy scarves, mittens, and hats.  

Choose delicious treats like cookies, fudge and other baked goods at the Cookie Walk. Snacks and drinks can be purchased during the fair. 

 

For more information: 

Visit us on Facebook at St John’s Episcopal Church 

See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org

Call 508-528-2387

 

Heather Pierson Trio scheduled to perform at The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, Dec 7 - 7:30 PM

Heather Pierson Trio December 7, 2024  7:30 PM - $20  Heather Pierson is a New Hampshire based singer/songwriter, pianist, song leader, and performer with a passion for cultivating joy, both onstage and off. Her sixteenth studio album, Back To The Light, was recorded 'live on the floor' in Portland, ME with trio mates Shawn Nadeau on bass and Craig Bryan on drums. This collection of Heather's originals pulsates throughout with the grooves of New Orleans, the beauty of Appalachia, and Sunday-go-to-meeting celebration. Best known for her ease at the piano and her bell-tone voice that Americana Highways says 'sounds like timeless wind moving slowly through the trees', Heather's live performances with the trio take listeners' ears and hearts on an uplifting journey with their conversational style of musicianship, speaking the language of music with ease and wit. In their annual December offering, The Heather Pierson Trio performs the entirety of the 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' album as recorded by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, as well as other Guaraldi compositions and holiday favorites. The musical score for 'A Charlie Brown Christmas', composed by the late Vince Guaraldi and first broadcast in December of 1965, is just as poignant and touching as the story and includes the hugely popular hit 'Linus and Lucy'. Guaraldi's gentle jazz riffs established musical trademarks that, to this day, still prompt smiles of recognition. More artist information is available at www.heatherpierson.com More information and ticket information available at https://circlefolk.org/ The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 7:30 PM; doors open at 7:00 PM. Tickets for this show are $25. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Please visit circlefolk.org for tickets and more information. Upcoming Shows Peter Mulvey, January 11th Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry, Feb. 8th Joe Crookston, March 8th

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA