Go Magazine - Special Events

A Gingerbread House Decorating Contest and Artisan Fair is being held over two days starting Dec. 5 at the Artists Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, R.I. New this year: advanced competition. To participate: $11 per house, $15 advanced competition. 401-490-9475. (submitted photo)

Special events

Bodies Revealed, through Nov. 29, Foxwoods Casino, Conn. Extended. Visitors to exhibit will receive 20 percent off coupon to Mashantucket Pequot Museum.

AFL Turns 50, throughout 2009 season, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sun., The Hall at Patriot Place, Foxboro. Collection of AFL memorabilia available for viewing. $10 adults, $7 seniors and military, $5 children 5-12, children under 4 free. www.thehallatpatriotplace.com.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze, through Nov. 22, MGM Grand Theatre, Foxwoods. $30 and $69, www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, 866-646-0609. More information: www.cirqueproductions.com.

25th Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 21, 11 a.m to 7:30 p.m., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston. Approximately 5:30 p.m. Santa arrives at 1 p.m. Jada girl band performs at 4:45 p.m. Ernie and the Automatics at 5:30 p.m. Boston Ballet Nutcracker characters roam all day long. Free. www.faneuilhallboston.org.

EcoZone Celebration with Jeff Corwin, Nov. 23, 6:30-9 p.m., South Shore Natural Science Center, Norwell. $50 per person, $80 per couple, includes autographed copy of Corwin's latest book, reception with tastings, cash bar, music. 781-659-2559 or www.ssnsc.org.

29th Annual Winter Carnival, Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Ann's Arts Center, 84 Cumberland St., Woonsocket, RI. Games, food, drinks, holiday shopping, holiday music. Free. riverfolk.org or 401-725-9272.

Ladies Night Out: Mingle, Jingle, and Shop, Dec. 4, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, 201 Main St., Franklin.

Gems of Newport: A Holiday Hospitality Tour, Dec. 5, Newport, RI. Self-guided tours of six historic Bed and Breakfasts and luxury hotels decorated for the holiday season. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. Tours run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last check in at 2:30 p.m. Transportation not included. $30. 401-331-9302.

17th Annual House Tour and Tea, Dec. 6, 1 to 5 p.m., various houses in Mansfield. Tickets available at the Mansfield Bank starting Nov. 20. Tickets will say the houses on the tour. Start at any of the houses. Fresh pastries, desserts, coffee, and tea will be served at the Historical Society house on Rumford Ave., Mansfield. A raffle will be also be held. $25.

The Rich Guzzi Psycho Hypnosis Show, Dec. 9, 8 p.m., Showcase Live, 23 Patriot Place, Foxboro. Comic, master hypnotist, motivational speaker. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner and best seat selection. $20. ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849.

Blackstone Valley Explorer Cruise, every Sunday, departing from Central Falls Landing at the corner of Broad Street and Madeira Avenue. Tours depart on the hour at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Last Sunday of the month is free. $10 adults, $8 seniors, children 12 and under. www.tourblackstone.com or 401-724-2200.

Lectures/books

Novelist Samantha Hunt, Nov. 19, 2:30 p.m., McCormack Family Theater, 70 Brown St., Providence. Part of Writers On Writing Reading series sponsored by Brown University. Free, open to the public.

Factory Food: What's Really for Dinner?, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Museum of Science, Boston. Learn the reality behind buzz words and discuss how our choices impact our lives, world, and the future of food production. Free, registration required. mos.org or 617-723-2500.

Capron Park Zoo Adult Programs, Dec. 10, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, 6-7:30 p.m., County Street, Attleboro. Nov. 17, Feast for the Beasts (feeding the animals); Dec. 10, Zoo in Review (history of zoo); Jan. 13, Genetics of Conservation; Feb. 10, Jungle Love. $5 members, $7 non-members. Pre-registration required. 774-203-1843.

Emmet Gowin: A Talk in Honor of Harry and Eleanor Callahan - My Own Life in Photography, March 24, 7 p.m., Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts, boston. Highlights Gowin's years at a student of Harry Callahan, a photographer. $10 MFA members, seniors, students; $13 nonmembers. 617-369-3306.

Tell your story

Live Bait: Stories of Death, Nov. 27, 8 p.m., Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire St., Providence. Tell your story of death, near-death, and survival. This night there will be special guest storytellers, including Christopher Johnson on death in a gang, Kevin Broccoli on death during the holidays, and Priscilla Galligan on death in the ER. $5. 401-331-2695.

Holiday events

Holiday Giving Tree, Nov. 20, 6 p.m., Patriot Place. Lighting ceremony. There will be entertainment, activities, and an appearance by Santa. Ornaments feature a special holiday request from a child. Public can purchase the assigned gift.

Old Fashioned Holiday Cookie Walk, Nov. 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Greek Orthodox Church of Assumption, 97 Walcott St., Pawtucket, RI. Tables will be laden with dozens of delicious cookies and bars, all baked by parish women. $6 per pund.

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest and Artisan Fair, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Artists Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, R.I. Winners announced at 3 p.m. Sunday. New this year: advanced competition. To participate: $11 per house, $15 advanced competition. 401-490-9475.

Holiday Extravaganza, Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Bristol Community College Culinary Arts Program, Commonwealth College Center, Fall River. Cocktail reception at 7 p.m., open wine and beer bar. Music provided by Malloi. $45, available through Chef John Caressimo at 508-678-2811 x 2111. Order by Dec. 1.

Holiday Heritage Tour, Dec. 12, 9:30 to 6 p.m., Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. Includes stops at Slater Mill, Hearthside House, lunch at The Lodge Pub and Eatery, St. Ann Art and Cultural Center, Vaillancourt Folk Art, and National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette. Advance reservations required. $39, includes transportation, lunch, tour guide, and all admissions. www.TourBlackstone.com/backyard.htm or 401-724-2200.

First Night Boston, Dec. 31, 1 p.m. to midnight, around Boston. Highlights include Kaiju Big Battel at the Hynes Convention Center, Anat Cohen at Berklee Performance Center, Shakespearean Cabaret at St. Paul's Cathedral, bands, and fireworks. $18 buttons, $15 on Web through Dec. 26. children under 4 free. www.firstnight.org.

Outdoors

Bridgewater State College Observatory, through Dec. 8, 400 Summer St., Bridgewater. Open to the public every clear Wednesday starting at sunset. Closed week of Thanksgiving. 508-531-3275 or www.bridgew.edu/observatory.

Dog Sled Fun Run, Nov. 21, 1 to 3 p.m., DCR Blue Hills Reservation, Milton. Location to be announced. Meet a furry sled dog up close and personal. Educational exhibit. Demonstrations with wheeled rigs, if weather permits. Demonstration only, no rides given. 617-698-1802 x 310.

Get Fit with Fido, Nov. 22, 1 p.m., Massasoit State Park, 1361 Middleboro Ave., Taunton. Bring pooch along for a walk. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Rain or shine; dress appropriately. For adults. Lasts 1 hour.

Too Much Turkey! Fitness Hike, Nov. 27, 2 p.m., F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, 45 Mill St., Foxboro. Brisk hike to burn off some turkey dinner calories. Bring water and be prepared to cover about 3 miles of moderate trails. For adults and older children. Lasts 1.5 hours.

Festival of Lights Walk, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., LaSalette Shrine Cafeteria, Park St., Attleboro. Largest outdoor display of lights on the East Coast. Walk passes through conservation land, visits the Attleboro Industrial Museum and returns to the shrine. Choose between 6.8 or 3.1 mile routes. Sponsored by Walk 'n Mass Wolkssport Club. Email magoo249@aol.com or 508-222-1152.

5th Annual Jingle Bell Walk, Dec. 6, 10 a.m., Boston Public Garden/Boston Common. Greyhounds and their owners raise awareness and funds to support canine cancer research and treatment. Meet at the Swan Boat Dock. Lasts 1 hour. Festive holiday attire for hounds and owners encouraged. All donations benefit the Ohio State University Greyhound Health and Wellness Program. Rain date is Dec. 13.

Winter Deer Discovery, Dec. 12, 1 p.m., Boderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., N. Easton. Meet at visitor center. Will spend some time indoors before going on brief walk. Dress appropriately. Ages 6 and up. Lasts 1 hour. $2 parking fee.

Photographing Caratunk, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to noon, Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk. In-the-field workshop. All levels welcome. $15/member, $20/non-member; ages: 14+. To register: 401-949-5454, ext. 3041 or programs@asri.org

Winter Beach Walk, Dec. 19, 9 a.m., South Cape Beach State Park off Great Oak Rd. Meet at Bayberry Lot, right before Mashpee Town Beach. One and a half to 2 mile hike along coastline. Two hours long.

Fire and Ice Hike, Dec. 27, 10 a.m., Myles Standish State Forest, 194 Cranberry Rd., South Carver. Three mile hike explores glacier history and forest fires in area. For adults and older children. Lasts 1.5 hours.

Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., Easton/Sharon line. 508-238-6566 or www.mass.gov/dcr/events.htm.

Fall Guided Kayak Tours, Saturdays and Sundays, $60 per person; $55 13-17 years old; $45 senior, includes 3-hour tour of Norton Reservoir, kayak/gear rental, paddling lesson, safety instruction. Tours 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. 508-740-7728, info@nortonkayakco.com, www.nortonkayakco.com.

Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog, Behind Bass Pro Shops, Patriot Place, Foxboro. Half-mile scenic walking trail open daily from dawn till dusk. Trail features a wide variety and high concentration of wildlife and plant life. Free.

New Dawn Earth Center, 75 Wrentham Rd., Cumberland, RI. 270 acre of wooded open space, wetlands, ponds. 401-333-1341 or newdawnearthcenter.org.