Merry Mingle Tree Lighting Celebration
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Join us at the historic Commander’s Mansion on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 PM for Watertown’s official Merry Mingle Tree Lighting Celebration — a festive, family‑friendly evening of FREE winter holiday cheer!
ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE (RAIN OR SHINE)
4:00PM - Parade from Branch Line to the Commander's Mansion
Wear your most festive attire and meet at the roundabout across from Branch Line to line up for the parade. The parade will depart at 4:15 PM led by the Watertown Tuba Guy and head to the Merry Mingle tree lighting ceremony.
4:30PM - Official Tree Lighting
Gather on the front lawn of the Commander’s Mansion and join the community countdown to the official tree lighting. One Watertown child — the winner of this year’s Coloring Contest — will serve as Tree Lighting Grand Marshal and pull the lever to illuminate the tree. Details and participation information on the coloring contest are provided below.
4:45PM - Merry Mingle Open House & Activities begin
-Toy drive collection with the Whooley Foundation
-Santa photos with Natalie Nigito Photography (5-7pm)
-Kids’ games hosted by the Watertown Recreation Department
-Cozy storytime with the Watertown Free Public Library
-Craft station
-Hot cocoa and treats
-"Holidays around the World" experience inside the Mansion
5:00PM - BOSWitches
5:45PM - O'Shea Chaplin Irish Dancers
6:30PM - Barbershop Ensemble
7:00PM - Event Ends
COLORING CONTEST
Your child could win the chance to be the Tree Lighting Grand Marshal and activate the Merry Mingle tree lighting!
Contest Information:
Download and print the Merry Mingle 2026 coloring contest packet on the Commander's Mansion website (https://www.commandersmansion.com/cityevents/merry-mingle), or pick-up a copy in-person at the Watertown Free Public Library beginning November 2.
Read all the contest rules in the packet and ensure your child meets the eligibility requirements.
Submit the completed coloring contest packet by November 23, 2026 either:
-In-person at the Watertown Free Public Library (see hours here)
-Via USPS mail to the address below (must be received by end of day November 23)
Watertown City Events Team
c/o Commander's Mansion
440 Talcott Ave.
Watertown, MA 02472
The contest winners will be notified on Monday, November 30, 2026. The Grand Marshal must arrive by 4:00 PM on December 5 to participate in the parade and tree lighting. If the winner cannot attend, the runner‑up will be selected.
TOY DRIVE
We are proud to partner with the Watertown Police Department and the Whooley Foundation to provide gifts to children in need in honor of former Watertown Police Officer Sonny Whooley.
Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy or other item from the wish list below to support this community effort. Donations can be dropped off at the Merry Mingle event.
WISH LIST
-Branded clothing items including Nike socks
-Winter accessories: hats, gloves, scarves, etc.
-Beauty products: lotions, perfumes, lip balm, hair tools, etc.
-Sports equipment: basketballs, footballs, frisbees, etc.
-Family board games and card games
-Throw blankets
-Arts and crafts supplies
-Stuffed animals
-Legos
-Trending toys
-Gift cards
OTHER WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
Can't make it to the Merry Mingle but want to contribute? There are three other ways to contribute:
1) Wish list donations can be dropped off at the Commander's Mansion on Wednesdays-Fridays 9am-2pm starting November 4, 2026. The last day to drop-off a donation at the Mansion is Thursday, December 17, 2026.
2) Purchase an item directly from the Whooley Foundation's Amazon wish list. Add an item from the wish list to your cart and ship it directly to the Watertown Police Station!
3) Send a cash donation via Venmo to the Whooley Foundation to support the general fund used to support families in need.
EVENT PARKING
-Free visitor parking is available in the East Garage, located behind the building at 311 Arsenal Street on the Arsenal on the Charles campus.
-Accessible parking is available along Talcott Avenue in front of the Commander's Mansion.
ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE (RAIN OR SHINE)
4:00PM - Parade from Branch Line to the Commander's Mansion
Wear your most festive attire and meet at the roundabout across from Branch Line to line up for the parade. The parade will depart at 4:15 PM led by the Watertown Tuba Guy and head to the Merry Mingle tree lighting ceremony.
4:30PM - Official Tree Lighting
Gather on the front lawn of the Commander’s Mansion and join the community countdown to the official tree lighting. One Watertown child — the winner of this year’s Coloring Contest — will serve as Tree Lighting Grand Marshal and pull the lever to illuminate the tree. Details and participation information on the coloring contest are provided below.
4:45PM - Merry Mingle Open House & Activities begin
-Toy drive collection with the Whooley Foundation
-Santa photos with Natalie Nigito Photography (5-7pm)
-Kids’ games hosted by the Watertown Recreation Department
-Cozy storytime with the Watertown Free Public Library
-Craft station
-Hot cocoa and treats
-"Holidays around the World" experience inside the Mansion
5:00PM - BOSWitches
5:45PM - O'Shea Chaplin Irish Dancers
6:30PM - Barbershop Ensemble
7:00PM - Event Ends
COLORING CONTEST
Your child could win the chance to be the Tree Lighting Grand Marshal and activate the Merry Mingle tree lighting!
Contest Information:
Download and print the Merry Mingle 2026 coloring contest packet on the Commander's Mansion website (https://www.commandersmansion.com/cityevents/merry-mingle), or pick-up a copy in-person at the Watertown Free Public Library beginning November 2.
Read all the contest rules in the packet and ensure your child meets the eligibility requirements.
Submit the completed coloring contest packet by November 23, 2026 either:
-In-person at the Watertown Free Public Library (see hours here)
-Via USPS mail to the address below (must be received by end of day November 23)
Watertown City Events Team
c/o Commander's Mansion
440 Talcott Ave.
Watertown, MA 02472
The contest winners will be notified on Monday, November 30, 2026. The Grand Marshal must arrive by 4:00 PM on December 5 to participate in the parade and tree lighting. If the winner cannot attend, the runner‑up will be selected.
TOY DRIVE
We are proud to partner with the Watertown Police Department and the Whooley Foundation to provide gifts to children in need in honor of former Watertown Police Officer Sonny Whooley.
Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy or other item from the wish list below to support this community effort. Donations can be dropped off at the Merry Mingle event.
WISH LIST
-Branded clothing items including Nike socks
-Winter accessories: hats, gloves, scarves, etc.
-Beauty products: lotions, perfumes, lip balm, hair tools, etc.
-Sports equipment: basketballs, footballs, frisbees, etc.
-Family board games and card games
-Throw blankets
-Arts and crafts supplies
-Stuffed animals
-Legos
-Trending toys
-Gift cards
OTHER WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
Can't make it to the Merry Mingle but want to contribute? There are three other ways to contribute:
1) Wish list donations can be dropped off at the Commander's Mansion on Wednesdays-Fridays 9am-2pm starting November 4, 2026. The last day to drop-off a donation at the Mansion is Thursday, December 17, 2026.
2) Purchase an item directly from the Whooley Foundation's Amazon wish list. Add an item from the wish list to your cart and ship it directly to the Watertown Police Station!
3) Send a cash donation via Venmo to the Whooley Foundation to support the general fund used to support families in need.
EVENT PARKING
-Free visitor parking is available in the East Garage, located behind the building at 311 Arsenal Street on the Arsenal on the Charles campus.
-Accessible parking is available along Talcott Avenue in front of the Commander's Mansion.
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Where is it happening?
440 Talcott Avenue, Watertown, MA, United States, Massachusetts 02472
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherCity of Watertown, MA - Events Team
