News Release

2021 Holidays in Harvard Square

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site decorated for the holidays.

NPS

News Release Date: December 8, 2021 CAMBRIDGE, MA—Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, Mass Poetry, The Harvard Square Business Association, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and the Cambridge Office for Tourism welcome you to Let Hope Ring: Holidays in Harvard Square. These free, outdoor events celebrate community, encourage help for those in need, and give hope for brighter days ahead.

Let Hope Ring Holiday Gathering Family Event

Saturday, December 11
11:00am - 2:30pm

Let Hope Ring kicks off on December 11 at the Longfellow House and Lincoln Institute. From 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM, ring in the holiday season with carolers, cocoa, crafting and more outdoor fun. Other family-friendly activities include a “Christmas Bells”-inspired play for children. Head into Harvard Square for a 3:00 PM tree lighting and Holiday Poetry Stroll. Please plan to socially distance. For more information, please click here.

Harvard Square Poetry Stroll

Saturday, December 11 - Sunday, January 2nd

The Harvard Square  Holiday Poetry Stroll returns December 11 through January 2. Designed to be safe and self-guided, this approximately one-hour walking tour around Harvard Square highlights contemporary local poets and is curated on the theme of hope by Mass Poetry and Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters. The tour will also feature window art on storefronts in Harvard Square and poetry ornament keepsakes decorating trees in Brattle Plaza. For more information and an interactive location map, please click here.

Giving Tree Celebration

Saturday, December 11
3:00 PM-4:00 PM on Brattle Plaza (31 Brattle St.)

The Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA) members and friends are generously donating hats, gloves, socks, mittens, t-shirts, and scarves. These items will be placed in water-tight zipper bags along with candy canes, chocolates and treats and will be hung on the Holiday Giving Tree. Please bring your own items similarly packaged, or come and help us place ours. People are encouraged to take what they need.

To kick off the installation of the Giving Tree, The Boys of the St. Paul’s Choir School will perform joyous hymns and songs. Complimentary hot chocolate and yummy cookies for those attending and for passersby will be served by HSBA staff.

Bell Ringing

Saturday, December 11 & Thursday, December 23

During one of the darkest moments in American history, the Civil War, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow heard hope ring in the winter air and wrote a poem, “Christmas Bells.” This year, the churches of Harvard Square hope to spread a message of hope and resilience by ringing their bells in unison at 3:00 PM on December 11 and 23.

Sacred Spaces and Good Works

December 11 - December 23

In 2020, the HSBA produced a series of 13 videos highlighting our faith-based community and the historically significant buildings that house them. We will be re-releasing these videos, one per day for 13 days. These videos feature narration by Kevin Tyler, a then-unhoused gentleman, and music composed and performed by Cal DiGiovanni, a 14-year-old Harvard Square street performer.

December 11th             1632 The First Parish in Cambridge, UU 
December 12th             1633 First Church in Cambridge, Congregational
December 13th             1744 Memorial Church of Harvard University
December 14th             1759 Christ Church 

December 15th             1844 Old Cambridge Baptist Church 
December 16th             1870 The Society of Saint John the Evangelist 
December 17th             1873 St. Paul Parish
December 18th             1901 Swedenborg Chapel  
December 19th             1928 University Lutheran Church 

December 20th             1930 First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cambridge 
December 21st             1941 Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church  
December 22nd            1961 Holy Trinity Armenian Church 
December 23rd             2003 Outdoor Church