MONTAGUE – Santa’s making a shopping list and checking it twice before visiting It’s A Wonderful Night in Turners Falls and Millers Falls Magic this weekend.

It’s A Wonderful Night in Turners Falls

On Friday, Dec. 13, shops along Avenue A and Third Street in Turners Falls will be open until 8 p.m. to kick off a weekend of local shopping and holiday activities.

Now in it’s 11th year, the annual holiday event features local businesses and organizations staying open later than usual, including The Brick House Community Resource Center, The Great Falls Discovery Center, Hired Hand Signs, Great Falls Harvest and Dreamhouse.

Santa will make an appearance at Spinner Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. to collect the letters from the magic mailbox, and will arrive with the Turners Falls Fire Department. The Brick House will host an open house starting at 5 p.m. for people to learn about volunteer opportunities and how to join current programs.

For roasted chestnuts and classic Christmas films, visit Great Falls Harvest from 5 to 9 p.m. For a kids activity, visit the Great Falls Discovery Center starting at 4 p.m. for winter bird feeder creation. Dreamhouse will host a release party from 5 to 9 p.m. for singer/songwriter Amie for her new album, “All Of Us Continue.”

At Hired Hand Signs at 34 3rd St., there will be an open studio at 4 p.m. with snacks and drinks available. The Hired Hand Signs Instagram page notes there will be hand-painted ornaments and a special showing of early American tools in the upstairs gallery, hosted by artist Ted Armeen, according to the post.

Additionally, the annual Welcome Yule performance will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Shea Theater Arts Center on Avenue A. Tickets are $12 to $15, and available on the Shea Theater Arts Center website.

Millers Falls Magic

Millers Falls Magic will return for a second year on Saturday, Dec. 14, with a multiple local businesses and vendors participating.

Hosted by the Millers Falls Community Improvement Association, many of the same attractions will return after a successful first year in 2023.

“Last year was a great success,” said Kate Martineau, Improvement Association member and Montague Center Library branch manager. “It was nice to introduce people to Millers Falls.”

RiverCulture Director Suzanne LoManto said that these events showcase the work that business owners and the community can accomplish together.

“Neighbors and business owners are working together, so that’s something that’s invaluable for a bunch of business owners in Millers Falls and some local volunteers to get together and say, ‘How can we showcase our village?’” LoManto said. “That’s a really important thing, and bodes well for for the future.”

One of the main events to return this year is the wreath-making at the Millers Falls Library from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. This year, Martineau said there is a suggested $10 donation for the restoration of former Red Sox player Douglass Smith’s mural. Materials will be provided at the event.

For those interested in shopping, there are plenty of options are available. The Pub General Store with more than 40 vendors will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with antiques, local artisan items and vintage products at 27 East Main St. At Eldritch Goods at 26 Bridge St., antiques, vintage media and used items will be available for sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At Element Brewing Company at 16 Bridge St., a sip-and-shop will be available with local artisans displaying their work for holiday shopping needs starting at 1 p.m. Vendors include Wild Ash Designs, Creatures Who Craft, Teatimes, Sweet E Naturally Crafted Soap, Sandy’s Blue Bird Houses, Darcy Dyes, and Art By Miss K. While people shop, beer and cocktails will be served with live music from guitarist Gabe Jay.

This year, the indoor toddler playground Chaos Corner will participate in Millers Falls Magic. Santa Claus will be at the 26 East Main St. location for photos from 1 to 3 p.m., and cookies and playtime will be available for guests. Admission will be $10.50 per child and $5 per attending adult, and a free raffle ticket will be provided for each child.

Fuel for holiday shopping will be available at restaurants in Millers Falls, including North Village Smokehouse, Whistle Soup Cafe and Millers Pub.

For more information on It’s A Wonderful Night and Millers Falls Magic, visit https://www.riverculture.org/.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.