Santa Claus will be popping up all over. St. A puppet Santa will be on hand at Gallery X. Maggie Cleveland will be reading poetry at Wics and Balms from 7 to 9 p.m. There'll be storytelling, craft-making, and solstice music. All activities are free and open to the public. Free parking is available at the Custom House Square. A free shuttle, linking all sites, will run continuously, with commentary from New Bedford Preservation Society guides.
Youngsters can make holiday greeting cards.
From 5 to 7 p.m., have pictures taken with Santa aboard the Lagoda. Hot dogs and drinks from Naughty Dawgs will be available for purchase. Hot mulled cider will be served. 4-H members, and art inspired by Hanukkah by students from the Ziskind Hebrew School of New Bedford will be on display. Roving musicians notescape.cod will perform Christmas music.