Merry Music, a First Friday event, December 5th, 6-9pm
Merry Music, a First Friday event, December 5th, 6-9pm, has become one of the Milton Art Center’s favorite evenings of the year. People return year after year to hear this wonderful mix of holiday punk-rock favorites, blues rock classics, folk-inspired carols, and timeless classics everyone loves to sing along to. This event is open to the public, with refreshments, free.
This year’s lineup features the local bands and performers that make up the heart of First Fridays. Live music from local musicians and performers bring people together and give all of us in the room a chance to slow down, reflect, and appreciate all that we have been given. They lift our spirits and make us laugh with their favorite Holiday song choices.
It’s not the holidays until Franc Graham and Ron Fletcher perform “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues, and this year they’ll also perform “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway. Ron Fletcher will also sing “Hockey Skates” by Kathleen Edwards, and “Girl from the North Country” by Bob Dylan. Jeremy Blanchard, known for his heartfelt song choices, will perform “Gabriel’s Message,” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Steve Cousineau will bring the blues-rock energy of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and channel Elvis Presley’s version of “Blue Christmas.”
Owl Haus, a duo of Jen Myers and Ben Zoll, will perform Adam Sandler’s classic “The Chanukah Song,” a crowd favorite. Claudia Wellington & Kevin Dambruch will perform “Pretty Papers,” made famous by Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison, a country holiday favorite and “Please Come Home for Christmas,” a blues rock classic made popular by the Eagles.
The Relegated will perform the Dogmatics, Boston’s garage-rock holiday song, “Sure Don’t Feel Like Xmas Time,” and the punk energy of “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones. Dennis O’Brien will be performing the reflective winter classic, “River,” (James Taylor version), and “Some Children See Him,” an acoustic folk carol.
All the musicians, led by Pat Neves, and the audience, are invited to join in for the rousing crowd-favorites, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” “Merry Christmas Baby,” (in the key of G), and Chuck Berry’s upbeat rockabilly “Run Run Rudolph.” We’d love to see you on this First Friday evening and all the rest to come in the new year.
Spotlight on Our First Friday Sponsor: SINC LAW, P.C.
December’s Merry Music First Friday sponsor is Bill G. Sincavage and SINC LAW, P.C. Based in Braintree, SINC LAW has built its reputation on real-estate closings, title services, and settlement work, while also offering estate planning, corporate law, and personal-injury representation.
SINC LAW is committed to community vitality. During the whole of 2025, the firm’s 10th anniversary, they expanded community support, from sponsoring the Chamber’s Back to Business event on the deck, local youth sports teams and art classes for seniors and teens. SINC LAW is committed to improving community life.
Holiday Artisan Market
Our annual Holiday Artisan Market returns Saturday, December 6, 10am-4pm with a beautifully curated selection of handcrafted gifts for gift giving. We feel fortunate that you include these talented artisans on your holiday to-do list. We’re grateful to see your familiar faces year after year, supporting local artists and artisans who bring so much creativity to our community.
This year we have many of the artisans from past years and a few new ones. Lisa Trachtman is back with (handcrafted jewelry), Lacy Stoneburner with (handmade journals, notebooks, photograph albums, seasonal gifting items, ornaments and up-cycled paper earrings). Kathleen McDonough is back with (felted items, ornaments, decor, and flower fairies), Michelle C. Rothman is back with (candles), Bethany and Juan Navarro will have (laser cut maps, cheese boards, and coasters), Sue Hoy will be there with (paintings and ceramics), Max Bohane with have (paintings and cards), Claire Bertrand & Elena Malcolm of the Three of Cups with have (original art Tarot cards, body products and stationery), Leesha Boylan and Eilie Boylan will offer (face painting and photo ornaments), Mary Jane Walker will have (decoupage art), Amal Skincare will offer (herbal body products), Danielle Bober has (woman paintings), Annette Moloney will offer (handmade blankets, pillows, santa hats and stockings), Susan Stackpole of Elliot Street Studios will have (jewelry), and Jessica McDaniel of Boston Baby Photo will have (baby photography). Stop by the main desk at the art center and purchase raffle tickets to win a number of beautifully crafted artisan gifts.
Holiday Festivities on the Deck
After browsing the Market, follow the twinkling lights and the sound of the Milton High School Carolers down to Manning Park, East Milton Deck, from 3–5 p.m. Enjoy Novara’s hot chocolate and sweet treats, and giveaways from many local businesses at this special Chamber of Commerce holiday event.
Expect visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and Buddy the Elf, plus a special photo opportunity sponsored by Kevin Smith’s Best of Care. Bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots and help spread a little extra kindness this season.
Don’t miss the gingerbread cookie-decorating table, sponsored by Elizabeth Trofatter of William Raveis Real Estate, and the Milton Art Center, a festive treat for all ages.
The evening culminates with the tree lighting at 5 p.m., a warm and magical finish to a full day of holiday celebration.