December 2018 Events for the Design Minded

SOWA Winter Market

Come on – get out and enjoy the holiday season!

SoWa Winter Festival
Weekend 1: November 30–December 2
Weekend 2: December 7–9
Enjoy Boston’s largest winter shopping village and festival at the iconic SoWa Power Station,   540 Harrison Ave., Boston, sowaboston.com

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 works created on artist palettes by nearly 200 artists from all over the country who have donated 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, Conn., 860-434-5542, flogris.org

Concord Museum Holiday House Tour
December 1
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 decked for the holidays by a professional designer or florist. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Advance tickets $45 members, $50 nonmembers. Concord, Mass., concordmuseum.org

39th Annual Candlelight Stroll at the Strawbery Banke Museum
December 2–3, 9–10, 16–17
This annual holiday tradition at Strawbery Banke showcases 350 years of seasonal and holiday traditions at the historic living history museum. The Museum grounds glow with hundreds of lighted candle lanterns, and houses are decorated with handmade decorations. Holiday music fills the air and a festive holiday cheer abounds. Why not make this a family tradition? Tickets are $25 adults, $12.50 children (ages 5–17), and $60 for a family (2 adults and 2 children age 5–17). Free for children under 5. strawberybanke.org

Woodstock Wassail Weekend
December 7–9
Kick off the holiday season in classic Vermont style at the 34th annual Woodstock Wassail Weekend. There is a Wassail parade, historic homes decorated in their holiday best, breakfast with Santa, and more. A highlight is the farmhouse at the Billings Farm and Museum decorated in authentic turn-of-the-century holiday decor.  Woodstock, VT, woodstockvt.com

24th Annual Woodbury Holiday 
House Tour
December 8
A much-anticipated annual event that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Tour homes decked out for the holiday in this charming Litchfield County town. The event is sponsored by the Woman’s Club of Woodbury and raises funds for local charities, including scholarships and the community food and fuel bank. I 10 a.m.–
4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at the Woodbury Senior Center, 265 Main Street South, or in advance at local shops. womansclubofwoodbury.org

Art Providence Holiday Show
December 8–9
This juried show will feature more than 200 artists—many of them Rhode Island School of Design alumni—from New England and beyond.  Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $8.50, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, artprovidenceshow.com

Custom House Maritime Museum
Holiday House Tour
December 8
For more than 20 years, people have kicked off the holiday season at this annual holiday house tour in beautiful Newburyport. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.,
Newburyport, Mass., thechmm.org

Westport Historical Society 
Holiday House Tour
December 9
Visit 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.  Westport, 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 construct confections out of gingerbread that are put on display for all to enjoy at the BSA Space. The creations are auctioned off, with proceeds going to the Community Design Resource Center of Boston. Free. Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., weekends 10 a.m.–5 p.m., BSA Space, Boston, architects.org

CraftBoston Holiday
December 13–16
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. On December 13, the event kicks off with a gala preview and benefit.  General admission $15, Friday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Hynes Convention Center, Boston, craftboston.org