Thursday: Davis Square's Midnight Madness, Somerville's Tree Lighting

Davis Square Midnight Madness
Head into Davis Square tonight for the 10th annual "amazing shopping extravaganza." From 6 p.m. to midnight, many of Davis Square's favorite shops, such as Boston Shaker, Magpie, Davis Squared and Dave's Fresh Pasta, will be opening their doors, offering discounts and, in some cases, providing some holiday refreshments. It's always a festive event and a great opportunity to see neighbors and support local businesses.

Tree and Menorah Lighting
Somerville's annual tree and menorah lighting starts at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The Somerville High School Band and Orchestra, the Somerville Community Chorus, El Sistema Somerville, and students from the Healey School will perform music. Santa Claus will make a grand entrance on a fire truck.

Santa Hands Out Free Gifts
After the tree and menorah lighting, head to the Somerville High School cafeteria (follow the crowds), where Santa will be handing out free gifts to every child who visits him.

Hot Bees Wax Art
Also in Davis Square tonight is the opening of an exhibit called, "65°: An Exhibition of Contemporary Encaustic Art." Encaustic art is made using a technique where artists add pigments to hot bees wax to create images that have richness and texture. (I saw some bees wax work at Somerville Open Studios this year and it was unlike anything I'd seen before. It also smelled good. It's definitely worth checking out.) The opening is at Nave Gallery Annex, 53 Chester St., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Somerville Historic Preservation Awards
Coinciding with Midnight Madness in Davis Square is the Somerville Historic Preservation Awards celebration. Here's some more information about the awards. Also at the celebration will be Somerville High School students who created architectural drawings of the winning properties. The event is at 6 p.m. at Dowd Properties, 407 Highland Ave.