The Franklin Cultural District .....Arts Happen throughout the Cultural District and beyond! Happy Reading!!

Cultural Wednesdays shared through a partnership with FranklinMatters/FranklinNews 

Quilting, Sewing and more

at Emma's Quilt Cupboard & Sewing Center

Wednesday, November 30, Gather at Emma's Quilt Cupboard to make a Pointy Strip Star Quilt, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. This quilt is sure to be a shining star in your collection! A fun Strip Club pattern designed for 2½” Strips! Piece it in Christmas fabrics for a very festive throw to cuddle under when it's cold outside. Sewing machine required. Select Emma's for more information. Located at 319 E. Central St.

Escape into Fiction Bookstore

Books and more!

Wednesday, November 30 - Poetry for the People, Feel free to read a classic, a modern, or self created piece! All are welcome. 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Escape into Fiction Bookstore ... books, community gathering space, FAA Art Gallery, and more. Select Bookstore for more information.

Tree Lighting

at Dean College

Thursday, December 1, Tree Lighting, Dean College, 4:00 pm. along Awpie Way on the Dean College campus. This event includes holiday entertainment and performances by Dean students. Enjoy this holiday tradition in the Cultural District, off Main Street.

Creative Corner Art Studio

Located downtown in Franklin's Cultural District

New offerings at Creative Corner Art Studio

• Thursday, December 1-December 22, LEGO MASTERS CLUB (Ages 6 to 12) 4-5:30pm • 4-week session $150.00.
• Friday, December 2 or 9, TEEN CREATIVE ARTS NIGHT, 6:30-8:00 pm

Come to paint holiday pottery ornaments and have hot chocolate and cookies. For ages 12-15 • Cost $25.00. Select Creative to learn about and register for classes offered at the studio. 15 Main Street, Unit 6A, Franklin, MA • 508-944-8298.

LGBTQ Alliance Monthly Meeting

at Franklin Public Library

Thursday, December 1, Franklin LGBTQ Alliance, monthly meeting, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Franklin TV/Radio, 23 Hutchinson St.

La Cantina - Weekend at the Winery

La Cantina Winery offers a music performance & food truck, as well as delicious wines.

• Thursday, December 1, Ken Barney, live music, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
• Friday, December 2, Cousins Maine Lobster, food, 5:00 - 9:00 pm
•  Select La Cantina for more information. La Cantina Winery, 357 Union Street.

67 Degrees Brewing

in the Taproom

Friday, December 2, Joshua David, live music, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Select 67 Degrees for information.

Thursday, December 1 and Saturday, December 3, Dean College School of the Arts Presents New Thespian Showcase. This is An informal showing of monologues, scenes, songs, and theatre works brought to the stage by our first-year theatre majors. Select Thespianfor ticket and performance information.

Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3, Dean College presents New Dancer Workshop, an informal showing of dance works created by upperclassmen dance majors and performed by our first-year dance majors. Select Dance for ticket and performance information.

Franklin Performing Arts Company

Presenting ... The Nutcracker

Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4, Experience all the festive magic and colorful splendor of The Nutcracker as FPAC Holiday Productions stages its cherished annual production of the holiday classic with live orchestra, special guest artists, and more than 100 area dancers!

Performed at the Franklin High School Auditorium, The Nutcracker remains a highly anticipated and treasured part of the FPAC season - a popular holiday tradition for more than 25 years. Select FPAC for ticketing and performance information.

Fairmount Fruit Farm

Winter Market and Seasonal SL"hay" Ride

Saturday, December 3,Winter Market - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Dozens of local vendors, activities, food, music. And ...

Orchard Sl-Hay Rides, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Join us this winter season for a non untraditional SL-hay Ride around the orchard with our lit up tractor and wagon. Warm blankets. Hot cocoa. Donuts. And Christmas jingles around the orchard. $10 pp. Select Fairmount for ticket information, times and dates.

Christmas Fair

at St. John's Church

Saturday, December 3, Christmas Fair, St. John's Church, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The fair includes a silent auction, cookie walk, raffles and more. Select St. John's for more information. Located at 237 Pleasant Street.

Franklin Public Library

Let's Dance!

Saturday, December 3, Bollywood Dance Party! @11:00 am. Kids and grownups join us! Have fun, make some moves and learn how to Bollywood dance with Deepa Bhaskar! Bollywood Dance is an expressive and eclectic dance form. It’s a fusion of Indian classical and folk dance with various other dances styles from all around the world! Select Library for information about Bollywood Dance Party and other Library events.

Finding the Light

Weekly Search for Art Work

Sunday, December 4, the Art Gift-Away will happen on Sunday morning A photo of the location will go up the morning of the drop off on the FB page. The Clues for Week 2 are:

*I am the FIRST of my kind here

*I share VOLUMES without making a sound

*I can make you happy, sad, excited or curious with my MANY WORDS

*I hold a CHILD'S WING with my CLASSICAL GREEK beauty

Your gift will be waiting at the steps, in hopes you’ll seek out the ADVENTURES that await INSIDE.

The clues may be released early each week, but the art will be placed on Sunday mornings. Select Painting Venus for information.

St. Mary Parish

Christmas Trivia Night

Tuesday, December 6, Take a break from your holiday, bustle and hustle yourself over to the Sacred Heart Hall in Saint Mary’s Church at 7:00 pm for a Christmas trivia program. This program is free and open to the public. All quizzes will pertain to Christmas subjects, including vocabulary, television, movies, music, literature, history, tradition, and more. Select Bulletin for information.

Franklin High School Music Students

Two Evenings of Music Performances

Tuesday, December 6, FHS Chorus and Orchestra Concert, FHS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. (snow date 12/9).

Thursday, December 8, FHS Band Concert, FHS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. (snow Date 12/9). Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street.

Franklin Art Association

Show & Tell and Show & Sell

Wednesday, December 7, The Franklin Art Association will hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 pm. at the Franklin Senior Center. Members and friends are asked to bring samples of their current artwork to talk about their techniques, inspiration and mediums. Beverages and snacks will be served, and holiday music will create a festive atmosphere. The public is invited to learn about the creative process and see what association members have been working on. Meetings are held at the Franklin Senior Center the first Wednesday of every month September - June. Select FAA for more information.

Franklin Senior Center

All Things Franklin Trivia

Wednesday, December 7, Franklin Trivia Event at Franklin Senior Center, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Join Joe Landry and test your knowledge on all things Franklin. Select Senior Center for more information.

Franklin Mill Store

Sewing, Knitting, Quilting and more ...

December 2022 and January, February and March 2023, Franklin Mill Store has courses for adults and kids. There are many learning opportunities including: Sewing for Adults, Sewing for Kids, Knitting for all Levels, Open Project Quilting, and By Annie Bag Workshop. Select Mill Store for dates, times and registration information. Franklin Mill Store, 305 Union St.

Dean College

Faculty Dance Works

Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10, Dean College presents Faculty Dance Works. Join us for an energetic and exciting weekend of dance, featuring outstanding works conceived by the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance faculty and renowned guest artists. Dean College Dance students will perform in a diverse variety of dance styles, from modern dance to ballet to tap and more. Select Faculty for ticket and performance information.

The Rescignos: Frankincense

at THE BLACK BOX

Saturday, December 10, The Rescignos: Frankincense with Ali Funkhouser opening! Take a walk in a twin-ter wonderland! For over a decade the Rescigno brothers have performed a brand new holiday show in NYC, and this year they are bringing it to Franklin! The show, The Rescignos: Frankincense, is at 7:30 pm, at THE BLACK BOX. Cabaret Scenes' Rob Lester says, "The Rescigno twins raise sibling squabbling to an art form." Paul and Robbie add, "We also look pretty good in our sweater vests." So join The Rescigno boys for the latest installment of their annual holiday show--it'll sugar your plums!

Opener: Ali Funkhouser with Raye Lynn Mercer (piano) and Irina Fainkichen (violin). An actress and singer with a love for all things silly, Ali's solo cabaret shows combining musical theatre, comedy, and jazz have been described as, "still going on."Select TBB for ticket information.

Franklin Performing Arts Company

'Tis the Season!

December 17 & 18,'Tis the Season ... An original large cast musical first presented by FPAC Holiday Productions in 1995, ’Tis is an upbeat, jazzy extravaganza featuring members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band, with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from R&B, gospel, and Motown to Rock, Pop, and Broadway. FPAC Holiday Productions are presented at the Franklin High School Auditorium. Select FPAC for ticketing and performance information.

Mass Cultural Council Grants

Grant Opportunities

Grant opportunities continue to be available through the Mass Cultural Council. Here are two grants to explore. 

•  Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) - 

CFF Provides Capital Grants, Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants and Systems Replacement Grants to nonprofit cultural organizations, in recognition of their profound economic impact on communities across Massachusetts. Select Facilities Fund for more information.

• Festivals and Projects - These funds help with public programming efforts. Select Festivals to learn about eligibility and the application process. 

Franklin's Cultural District Committee (FCDC) engages, promotes, celebrates, and collaborates with Franklin's artists and creatives, as well as organizations, institutions, and businesses. 

The Franklin Cultural District Committee partners with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural Council, and the Town of Franklin to promote arts and culture in Franklin.

Franklin Cultural District Committee

Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho,

Pandora Carlucci, John LoPresti, 

Roberta Trahan