Happy Friday, Worcester. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving! In today’s edition: Worcester Center for Crafts jewelry classes, The Nutcracker, Cozy Lap Blanket Knit-Along, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Find your arty spark: Weekly jewelry classes at Worcester Center for Crafts continue. A family ornament session runs Dec. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m., with new metals courses starting January 2026 — read the full story.

Radical generosity in action: For Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2, five Worcester nonprofits counting on donations are highlighted, spanning food recovery, animal rescue, historic preservation, public school support, and economic self sufficiency — see where to give locally.

Market snapshot and trends: Worcester County’s October home listings had a median price of $544,950, down 1.5% from the prior month, with $292 per square foot and a median 37 days on market — see local and national comparisons.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Scams are rampant: Last week, my step-dad got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Annual plans are 55% off until Sunday — check it out here.

Highlights this week

• Shop from 20 local women makers
• Experience Harlem-inspired jazz, soul, and comedy
• Experience winter magic at Frosty Festival
• Experience community portraits and shared stories
• Run Worcester’s festive Jingle 5K fundraiser
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals
• Pet parents: Don’t miss Chewy’s Black Friday sale

🫶 We got your back

Packed holiday arts calendar: Holiday shows hit Worcester right after Thanksgiving, kicking off with The Hanover Theatre’s Nutcracker (Nov. 28-30) and Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the DCU Center (Nov. 29). The Dec. 5-7 weekend is stacked with the Festival of Lights featuring Ricky Duran, plus the Boston Pops, followed by A Christmas Carol (Dec. 17-28) and a community Kwanzaa celebration (Dec. 27). See what’s planned.

Apple retail move announced: Apple is moving its Central Mass. store to The Shops at Blackstone Valley in Millbury, with the opening set for Friday, Dec. 12 at noon. The Marlborough location at Solomon Pond Mall will close the same day. Expect the usual Genius Bar help and shiny gadgets in a new spot. See where and when it opens.

Your vinyl pit stop: From fresh pressings to well-loved classics, Joe’s Albums keeps the bins stocked and the setup sorted, including Rega turntables and cartridges. New arrivals land weekly, so crate-diggers can browse often, discover surprises, and keep their systems humming without fuss.

Health drinks that don’t taste like grass: With tasty tea and matcha blends for everything from recovery and radiant skin to energy without the crash, a metabolism boost, and immune support, everything in Pique’s lineup tastes as good as it makes you feel. They’re clean, there are no additives, and all new monthly subscriptions are 20% off for liferight now. Yup… literally forever (or until you cancel).

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🦸‍♂️ NorthEast ComicCon & Collectibles Extravaganza @ Boxboro Regency | Friday (11/28) at 3:00pm – The Cabin Fever Show is back, and it’s packing three days of fandom-fueled madness. Expect vendors, vintage treasures, celebs, cosplay, and enough collectibles to make your shelves cry for mercy. Whether you’re hunting grails or just there for the vibes, this weekend is basically nerd paradise.

🎨 Family Paint Party @ Nu Kitchen 21+ Events | Friday (11/28) at 6:00pm – Family Paint Party is turning screen time into splash time at an all-ages Paint Nite. They provide canvases, brushes, and step-by-step guidance, you bring the kids, grandkids, and your best dad jokes. Leave with a masterpiece, or at least upgraded fridge art.

This weekend

🛍️ Small Business Saturday @ Crompton Collective | Saturday (11/29) at 10:00am – Skip the algorithm-approved mega carts, and keep your dollars where people know your name. Small Business Saturday is the perfect excuse to wander around town, chat with owners, and snag gifts that actually feel thoughtful. Treat yourself, your barista, and the tax base.

🎲 Brunch & Board Games @ Shrewsbury Public Library | Saturday (11/29) at 11:00am – Whether you’re a Catan diehard or still scarred from Monopoly, this board game meet-up is for adults, and refreshingly low stakes. Test new titles, bring one to teach, make a few friends, graze on snacks, and register if you can so they plan accordingly.

🕵️ The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ Hilton Garden Inn Worcester | Saturday (11/29) at 6:00pm – If you like your dinner with a side of whodunit, Worcester’s interactive murder mystery lets you play detective between bites. The actors hide in the crowd, no cheesy costumes, just plot twists, laughs, and a plated dinner. Gratuity’s covered, and you might be the suspect.

🩰 The Nutcracker @ Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts | Sunday (11/30) at 1:00pm – Whether you’ve gone every year or just need a festive truce after Thanksgiving, The Nutcracker at The Hanover delivers the classic fix: live orchestra, Broadway-bright sets, and sugarplum sparkle. Two acts, a real intermission, and a tradition even the teenagers will tolerate.

🎤 Bob Moon Live @ St Charles Hotel | Sunday (11/30) at 3:00pm – Take a break from the grind and drop by St. Charles for Bob Moon live and acoustic. Expect stripped-down tunes, stories between songs, and the kind of room where you can hear the guitar. Grab a seat, tip well, pretend we still stay out late.

🎭 Anime Cosplay Night @ Freeplay Bar & Arcade | Sunday (11/30) at 6:00pm – Think you still remember the Sailor Moon pose? Freeplay Worcester is hosting Anime Cosplay Night with games, cocktails, pizza, and karaoke featuring anime, J-Pop, K-Pop, and Vocaloid. 21+ only, so you can belt out bangers, adjust your wig, and enjoy a 21+ night made just for adults.

Next week

🐦 Painting: Red Cardinal @ Craftworks | Monday (12/1) at 1:00pm – Channel some hope and a little hometown charm at a red cardinal acrylics class on canvas, where Anne walks you through every brushstroke. No art degree required, just steady hands, a sense of humor, and an appreciation for birds that actually sit still.

🧶 Cozy Lap Blanket Knit-Along (9 @ Grafton Public Library | Tuesday (12/2) at 6:00pm – Settle into Community Room A for a nine-week knit-along, learn a new stitch each week, finish a 45 by 52 inch lap blanket, perfect for couch-season bragging rights. Basics required, bring light worsted or DK yarn and US 6 circulars, adults only, register per session.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 11/28 Jimmy Joel @ Harvest Grille – 6 pm
• 11/28 I Love R&B @ The Palladium – 9 pm
• 11/29 We & the Dawg @ White Eagle – 8 pm
• 12/4 Eli Young Band and more @ Off The Rails – 7 pm
• 12/5 Paul Janowski @ Harvest Grille – 6 pm
• 12/6 Ash & Eric and more @ Creative Hub Worcester – 7 pm
• 12/6 Highly Suspect @ The Palladium – 8:30 pm