The Chabad Center of Natick led a crowd of over 200 at Natick Town Common in welcoming the first night of Chanukah with a menorah lighting, hot latkes, applesauce, and hot cocoa. The event was capped off by members of the Natick Fire Department tossing chocolate coins to excited kids of all ages during the “Great Chanukah Gelt Drop.” Light-up menorah necklaces were given out, and festive Chanukah-time songs blared from the speaker system.

Later, the excitement took a turn toward Christmas, and there were additional jolly sightings in the area. Kids were hard at work at craft tables set up by the gazebo, a long line formed for the balloon twisters, the Voices of Metrowest provided caroling, Empire Dance students performed, and cool antique cars lent an old-timey feel to the event. At last, Santa made an appearance, followed by a tree lighting on the Common.

Natick Menorah lighting — Rabbi Levi Fogelman of Chabad Center of Natick, and organizer of the menorah lighting, said to the crowd, “We are all candles, every one of us whether we realize it or not…there’s a spark within us that has the ability to light a candle. And when it gets a little bit dark, Chanukah teaches us that now’s the time to think about illuminating.”

Empire Dance never missed a beat at #Natick holiday celebration at the Common @todosstudio pic.twitter.com/deyWMLRxLH

— Natick Report (@NatickReport) November 29, 2021

Santa Claus makes an early appearance at #Natick Common: Don't worry, he'll be back in town next month https://t.co/iwOB3OPzXl @NatickFire @natickcenter pic.twitter.com/we5wwUxW56

— Natick Report (@NatickReport) November 29, 2021