December 2017 Events for the Design-Minded

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Boston Society of Architects Gingerbread Houses Competition

Florence Griswold House

Festival of Trees and Traditions at the Wadsworth Museum

SoWa Winter Festival

Must see December, 2017 events for the design-minded.

Antiquarius
December 1–6
Celebrate the holidays in style with a series of events including the Greenwich Winter Antique Show, the Holiday House Tour, and the Holiday Boutique.  Greenwich, Connecticut, visit the Greenwich Historical Society website for full details, greenwichhistory.org

Festival of Trees & Traditions
December 1–10
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art holds its annual holiday event, featuring trees, wreaths, and festive holiday decor created by community members, organizations, and artists. There will be live music and dancing in the galleries. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., $3 fundraising surcharge is applied to museum admission for this event. Hartford, Connecticut, (860) 278-2670, thewadsworth.org

 
Magic of Christmas
December 1–31
Delight in the holiday season at the Florence Griswold Museum. Visitors of all ages can enjoy Miss Florence’s Artist Trees, designer Fantasy Trees, and the Florence Griswold House decorated for an old-fashioned 1910 Christmas. Miss Florence’s Artist Trees features nearly 200 artists from all over the country who have donated works created on artist palettes to this one-of-a-kind tradition. There are plenty of special events, including Christmas teas, hands-on crafts, and other family-oriented activities. Old Lyme, Connecticut, (860) 434-5542, flogris.org

 
Concord Museum Holiday House Tour
December 2
Get inspired to decorate your home for the holidays at the annual Concord Museum Holiday House Tour. This self-guided tour lets you explore some of the historic town’s most interesting homes. Each house is decorated for the season by a professional designer or florist. I 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Advance tickets $40 members, $45 nonmembers; day of tour tickets $45 members, $50 nonmembers. Concord, Mass., concordmuseum.org

 
SoWa Winter Festival
December 2–3
More than 100 local artisans, food trucks, carolers, and more will set the scene for this lively urban holiday festival housed in the iconic SoWa Power Station. 540 Harrison Avenue, Boston, sowaboston.com

 
The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum’s 36th Annual Holiday House Tour
December 4
Enjoy a favorite Connecticut holiday tradition at this annual holiday house tour. Mark Twain’s 19-room home, along with five unique Hartford-area homes, will be decorated for the season. There will be live music to further enhance the festive atmosphere. $30 in advance, $35 the day of the tour, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (860) 280-3130, Hartford, Connecticut, marktwainhouse.org

 
Art Providence Holiday Sale
December 8–10
The Art Providence Holiday Show replaces the RISD Alumni & Student Holiday Sale. The show will feature more 200 artists—many of them Rhode Island School of Design alumni—from New England and beyond. December 8 VIP Preview Night 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $100 for VIP Event, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, artprovidenceshow.com

Custom House Maritime Museum
Holiday House Tour
December 9
For more than 20 years, people have kicked off the holiday season at this annual holiday house tour in beautiful Newburyport. Newburyport, Mass. Visit thechmm.org for details.

 
Westport Historical Society
Holiday House Tour
December 10
Visit five beautiful Westport homes decked out in festive holiday decor at this annual event. The self-guided tour is sure to put you in the holiday spirit and inspire you to decorate your own home for the season. I 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Westport, Connecticut, (203) 222-1424, visit westporthistory.org for details. 

 
Boston Society of Architects
Gingerbread House Design Competition
December 11–31
Boston-area architects flex their creative muscles with a new medium—gingerbread! Local firms create confections out of gingerbread that are put on display for all to enjoy at the BSA Space. This family-friendly event is sure to inspire gingerbread creativity at your home. The creations are auctioned off, with proceeds going to the Community Design Resource Center of Boston. Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., weekends 10 a.m.–5 p.m., BSA Space, Boston, (617) 391-4000, architects.org

 
CraftBoston Holiday
December 14–17
Presented by The Society of Arts and Crafts, CraftBoston is the premier New England exhibition and sale of contemporary art, craft, and design. There will be 175 national and international artists showcasing unique and limited-edition work in furniture, jewelry, clothing, and home decor. Shop among the booths, and learn first-hand about their skill, training, and inspiration. The event kicks off with “Holidays & Highballs,” a gala preview and benefit, on December 14. General admission $15, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Hynes Convention Center, Boston, (617) 266-1810, craftboston.org