Entertainment

Holiday Celebration at Arsenal Yards Includes Black Friday, Character Extravaganza & Hannukkah Celebration

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Arsenal Yards has a lineup of events for the Holidays. (Courtesy of Arsenal Yards)

The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards. HOLIDAY EVENT SCHEDULE

Annual Gift Drive & Black Friday Celebration

Friday, November 28th 12pm – 3pm

Guests are encouraged to bring unwrapped gift donations to the River Green, to support the Watertown Boys & Girls Club & the Whooley Foundation, run by the Watertown Police and Fire departments. In addition, we will have a DJ, crafts, Santa, and more holiday cheer! Character Extravaganza

Wednesday, December 3rd 4:00 – 6:00pm

This is a day not to be missed at AY with meet & greets with all the holiday characters!

Around Town

See the Thanksgiving Hours for City Hall, the Library & the Senior Center

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City buildings will close early on Wednesday and will remain closed through the Thanksgiving. Some will be closed on Friday, as well. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. Watertown City Hall, Parker Building*, and Senior Center will be closed from 12:30pm November 26 through November 28, 2025. * Inspectional Services, and Zoning and Code Enforcement will be closed from 11:30am November 26 through November 28, 2025.

Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on Several Boards, Including Health, Zoning, Planning, Council on Aging

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Watertown City Hall

Multiple City boards seek members, including the Board of Health, Community Preservation Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Licensing Board, Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, and the Council on Aging. See more information about the boards and how to apply in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following boards and committees:

The Board of Health fulfills its duties under MGL 111, 26-33 and other sections including enforcement of the state Sanitary and Environmental Codes, reporting diseases dangerous to the public health, and enforcement of other applicable state and local laws and regulations. The Board of Health determines the health needs of the community and the health services available to the community in terms of the size and characteristics of the population, specific health problems, and environmental conditions. Candidates should have a background in public health, medical, or related field.

Business

How to Shop Local in Watertown on Small Business Saturday

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The Watertown Business Coalition encourages the community to shop, eat, and spend locally on Nov. 29 — Small Business Saturday. See more info in the announcement from the WBC, below. Small Business Saturday is THIS Saturday, November 29th! This holiday tradition, backed by American Express, celebrates small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Around Town

Northeast Health Services Opens Offering Life-Saving Mental Health Care Clinic in Watertown

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The new Northeast Health Services clinic on Pleasant Street in Watertown. (Photo by Mario Joseph Forgione)

An outpatient mental health care clinic opened in Watertown on Pleasant Street, with another near town on Soldier Field Road in Brighton. Both are part of Northeast Health Services and offering a variety of services. See details in the announcement from Northeast Health Services, below. Northeast Health Services, a trusted provider of outpatient mental health care throughout Massachusetts, has expanded access to quality mental health care with the opening of two new clinics in the Boston area.

Around Town

Parking Restrictions, Lane Shifts for Work on Man Holes, Drainage on Mt. Auburn Street

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From Nov. 24 to 26, drivers will see lane shifts and parking restrictions on two stretches of Mt. Auburn Street as crews raise man holes and install drainage. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Raising Buried Structures

Crews will be raising buried utility structures, such as manholes and valve boxes, within the newly paved area along Mount Auburn Street between Lloyd Road and Boylston Street.

Around Town

Lane Closure Near High School Project for Drainage Installation

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Drainage will be installed along Russell Street and Broadway for the Watertown High School project. There will be lane closures from Monday to Wednesday this week. See info provided by Vertex, Watertown’s project manager, below. Please be aware that a drainage liner will be installed on Monday 11/24 from Russell St along the lower portion of Broadway to the drain manhole at 24 Broadway. The duration of this work is expected to take 3 days and will require a one lane closure on Broadway from Monday, 11/24/25 thru 11/26/25.

Government

Rep. Lawn Lead Sponsor for Bill Passed by Mass. House of Reps. to Strengthen Protections for Health Care Workers

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Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A bill to strengthen protections for health care workers that was passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives with no opposition was spearheaded by Watertown State Rep. John Lawn. See information about bill H.4767 provided by Rep. Lawn’s office, below. The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill on Nov. 19, 2025, that strengthens protections for health care workers, establishes preventive and protective standards to reduce the risk of violence, improves health care facility incident reporting, enhances interagency coordination to safeguard privacy, and creates legal protections for certain employees harmed in the line of duty. “Health care workers are heroes who are responsible for saving lives and for improving the overall health of our Commonwealth, which is why we owe it to them to ensure that they are able to do their jobs without fear for their wellbeing,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy).