December 5,
 LIGHTS ON! TAUNTON
 Location: Taunton Green and various venues
 Description: The single largest annual event in the city, celebrating a 90 year-old tradition of the lighting of Taunton Green.  Twenty performance sites located throughout downtown will host a variety of local and regional talent, from amateur to professional, as well as kid-friendly attractions such a horse-drawn hayrides and trackless train & Santa’s grand arrival.  Sponsored by the Heart of Taunton the fun begins at 5:30.
Phone: 508.880.4960
Website: www.heartoftaunton.com

Saturday, December 6-7,
New Bedford Preservation Society

17th ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOUSE TOURS

Location: Wamsutta Club, 427 County Street, New Bedford
Description: The Preservation Society invites you on a Holiday House Tour of stunning mid-to-late nineteenth century homes decked out for the season in grandiose style.  Featuring a lavish pre-tour brunch, & raffle of fine gifts, antiques, handcrafts and gift certificates donated by local artists and merchants.
Phone: 508.997.6425
Website:  www.geocities.com/nbps2000

Saturday, December 6-7,

WHALE HOLIDAY SHOPS

Locations:  Waterfront Historic District, New Bedford

Description: Wonderful weekend event featuring great shopping venues, holiday decorating, food entertainment and fun for the entire family. Horse drawn carriages, roasting chestnuts.

Free     
Phone: 508.997.1776

Friday, December 7,

PEARL HARBOR DAY AT BATTLESHIP COVE

Location: Battleship Cove, Fall River

Description: Ceremony begins at 12:55 pm, the exact hour of the Japanese strike.  Located on the Battleship Massachusetts, the service will include wreath-casting rites and several Pearl Harbor survivors will share their perspectives on Pearl Harbor and its timeless relevance.
Phone: 508.678.1100
Website: www.battleshipcove.org

Thursday, December 11,  5-9pm
AHA!
The Artful Holiday

Downtown New Bedford 5-9pm

Website: www.ahanewbedford.org

Friday, December 12-14,

Old-Time Holiday Weekend

Location: Several locations throughout Fairhaven

Description: Close to thirty non-profit groups host a variety of holiday themed events, including craft fairs and ships luncheons, A Dickens reading, musical entertainment, sing-alongs and more.
Phone: 508.979.4085

Wednesday, December  31,  5pm

FIRST NIGHT 2008

Location: Historical Downtown & National Park,  New Bedford
Description: Come out, bundle up and enjoy this annual family oriented celebration bringing tin the New Year!  A wide variety of events will be presented at multiple sites throughout the downtown and National Park including fine local and regional music, children's activities, yummy foods, warm refreshments and lots of fun.  Spend the evening with good friends and family and take pleasure in New Bedford's diverse art galleries, cultural heritage and great entertainment. For information on

Fall River's first night, please call: 508.324.2405.
Admission: First Night Button

Phone: 508.993.1999
Website: www.firstnightnb.org