Melrosians of all ages braved the cold (and even a light snowfall!) to greet Santa's arrival on Main Street on Friday night and then enjoy the fairs, food, fun, and holiday shopping all around town.
The weekend-long extravaganza was hosted by the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, with trolley rides around town on Saturday sponsored by a number of local businesses and organizations.
A number of local organizations hosted their beloved annual events, including Hanukkah festivities at Temple Beth Shalom, the Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church, the Festival of Trees at Trinity Episcopal Church, the Alternative Holiday Fair at the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church, Homegrown for the Holidays at the Lincoln School, and an array of delicious soups at Seven Mile Road Church. In Cedar Park, children could enjoy "reindeer" rides, and in Franklin Square, Santa offered hayrides.
While Home for the Holidays might be the biggest holiday event in Melrose, there's still plenty more to come next weekend - the Melrose Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Pops will be playing at Memorial Hall, Follow Your Art's Winter Artisan Market will run through December 19th, and on Sunday, December 14th at 5pm, Melrosians can attend the first-ever official Hanukkah menorah lighting outside City Hall.
Carol singing in front of City Hall on Friday evening
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Carol singing in front of City Hall on Friday evening
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Christmas tree lighting in front of City Hall on Friday evening
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Mayor Jen Grigoraitis announcing the Christmas tree lighting in front of City Hall on Friday evening
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The Christmas tree in front of City Hall lit up on Friday evening
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The Melrose High School a cappella group sang on Friday evening
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The Melrose High School drummers led the parade on Friday evening
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The Melrose High School drummers on Friday evening
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The Melrose Police Department joined the procession, along with an unusual prisoner!
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Then Santa arrived on top of a fire truck!
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Families watching the parade
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Santa's fire truck
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Santa on the fire truck
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Families watching Santa arrive on the fire truck
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Santa took photos with children at the Knights of Columbus
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The Melrose Police Department Community Engagement Team offered kids' activities at the Knights of Columbus
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Temple Beth Shalom offered Hanukkah music, latkes, and sufganiyot
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Music at Temple Beth Shalom
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Latkes and sufganiyot at Temple Beth Shalom
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Winter Wonderland fair at First Congregational Church
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Festival of Trees at Trinity Episcopal Church
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Festival of Trees at Trinity Episcopal Church
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Festival of Trees at Trinity Episcopal Church
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Festival of Trees at Trinity Episcopal Church
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Festival of Trees at Trinity Episcopal Church
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Melrose High School Marching Band Tree Sale
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Melrose High School Marching Band Tree Sale
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Melrose High School Marching Band Tree Sale
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Melrose High School Marching Band Tree Sale
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Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by commuter rail at the Cedar Park station
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Santa and Mrs. Claus at Cedar Park
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Santa and Mrs. Claus at Cedar Park
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Santa and Mrs. Claus at Cedar Park
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Sam Hammar was one of the trolley guides
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Families riding the trolley
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Families waiting to board the trolley
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"Reindeer" rides at Cedar Park
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"Reindeer" rides at Cedar Park
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"Reindeer" rides at Cedar Park
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Local comedian Bobbi Miller was one of the trolley guides
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Executive Director of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce (and the mastermind behind the weekend's events) Stephanie Nelson with her mom, Maureen
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City Councilors Cal Finocchiaro and Manjula Karamcheti were trolley guides
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Bill Butler and Tom Catalini were trolley guides
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School Committee Member Margaret Driscoll and Former Mayor Gail Infurna (who played Christmas tunes on her trumpet!)
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Visitors got to preview Table Four, the new wine bar that will be opening at Cedar Park in the new year
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Customers got to visit The Bread Shop in its new retail space on Tremont Street
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Friends of the Melrose Public Library book sale
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Friends of the Melrose Public Library book sale
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Friends of the Melrose Public Library book sale
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The Little Reader, dressed up for the cold
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One of the trolleys, in front of the Unitarian Church
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Alternative Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church
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Alternative Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church
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Alternative Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church
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Alternative Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church
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Alternative Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church
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Alternative Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church
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Alternative Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church
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Alternative Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church
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Santa's hayride in Franklin Square
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Santa's hayride in Franklin Square
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Santa's hayride in Franklin Square
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Santa's hayride in Franklin Square
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Santa's hayride in Franklin Square
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Brad Hutchinson Real Estate hosted t-shirt making
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Brad Hutchinson Real Estate hosted t-shirt making
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Brad Hutchinson Real Estate hosted t-shirt making
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Brad Hutchinson Real Estate hosted t-shirt making
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Brad Hutchinson Real Estate hosted t-shirt making
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Treats at Faith Evangelical Church
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Treats at Faith Evangelical Church
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Zero Waste Melrose hosted a holiday decor mini swap at the Milano Center on Sunday
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Zero Waste Melrose hosted a holiday decor mini swap at the Milano Center on Sunday
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Zero Waste Melrose hosted a holiday decor mini swap at the Milano Center on Sunday
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