🪱 Hello Wormtown, it’s December!
Here in central Massachusetts we measure December by layers, not degrees. Peel back this issue for markets, music, tree lightings, and a hometown business worth braving the cold for.
In this week’s issue:
Pizza Poll Results and Free Pizza Giveaway
Walking Dead Filming Downtown
Festival(s) of Lights!
🍕 And the Winner Is…
After counting all your entries, the community has spoken: George’s Pizza on Lake Ave is the Best Pizza in the Worcester area! (According to our little survey that is.)
This one was a nail-biter—George’s edged Niko’s Pizza on Grafton St by a single vote. Glendale Pizza on West Boylston St grabbed an impressive third.
🎉 Gift card winner: Frances from Worcester—enjoy your $25 gift card to George’s! Be sure to watch your email!
Thanks for voting! Keep an eye out—our next quick survey (and your next chance to win) drops soon. 🪱
This section features snapshots, screenshots, and overheard gems pulled straight from local Facebook groups, forums, and feeds — the places where Worcester County folks show their true colors (and occasionally their potholes).
From laugh-out-loud moments to heartfelt posts, it’s all about celebrating the unique voice, wit, and warmth of our community.
Got a screenshot or photo that made you say “yup, that’s Wormtown”? We want it! If you’ve spotted something post-worthy and local, send it our way for a future issue.
Just email it to [email protected] with a short note, and we’ll take a look.
No town roasts, just love (and maybe a little side-eye for those double-parkers).
🏢 Local Business & Community Buzz
🎬 ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Filming Downtown — Worcester
AMC crews returned Dec. 1–5 to shoot scenes around Federal, Portland, and Main—bringing street closures, production jobs, and lots of coffee orders.
Why it matters: Film dollars + free publicity for downtown businesses right in the holiday rush.
🍗 Raising Cane’s Confirms Worcester Opening — Worcester
The chicken-finger chain is set to open at 494 Lincoln St. on Dec. 16, adding another fast-casual option to the Lincoln Plaza corridor.
Why it matters: More foot traffic for nearby retailers and jobs for local workers.
🏢 Canal District Landmark Sells for $1.6M — Worcester
The historic Goldberg Building (Water & Harrison) changed hands for $1.6M, per WBJ—another signal of investor confidence near Polar Park.
Why it matters: Fresh capital for a key corner could mean new retail or hospitality space in 2026.
🏥 Saint Vincent Urology Opens New Office — Northborough
Saint Vincent Medical Group Urology cut the ribbon on a new location at 10010K Shops Way, expanding access beyond the Worcester site.
Why it matters: More specialty care close to Route 9 for Northborough, Shrewsbury, and Westboro patients.
☕️ Sweets & Java Marks 10 Years — Holden
The woman-owned café celebrated a decade on Main Street—proof that indie coffee shops can thrive in chain country.
Why it matters: A small-biz success story (and a reminder to shop local this month).
🛝 New Playground Opens at Harrington Field — Worcester
A NESN/Make An Impact partnership delivered a refreshed playground on Franklin St., unveiled in late November.
Why it matters: Quality outdoor space for families—just in time for school vacation season.
📅 Events Around Town
Lights, markets, and town traditions across Central Mass.
🎆 Winter in WooVille — Worcester
Polar Park transforms into a 14-night holiday light festival with photo backdrops, Santa visits, crafts, and a Charity Tree Village.
🗓 Thu–Sun, Dec 4–7 & Thu, Dec 11 (continues select nights to Dec 23)
Polar Park, 100 Madison St, Worcester, MA • 6–9 pm Thu–Fri; 5–9 pm Sat–Sun
✨ Night Lights at the Garden — Boylston
Timed-entry evening illuminations throughout New England Botanic Garden; advance tickets recommended.
🗓 Thu–Thu, Dec 4–11 • Evening entry
11 French Dr, Boylston, MA
🎄 Festival of Lights — Worcester
City tree lighting with skating, vendors, and performances on the Common.
🗓 Fri, Dec 5 • 4:30–9:00 PM
Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main St, Worcester, MA
🕯 Sutton Chain of Lights — Sutton
Town-wide open house with trolleys, shopping, activities, and an evening tree lighting on the Common.
🗓 Sat, Dec 6 • 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (Tree Lighting 5:00 PM)
Town-wide (start at Sutton High School hub or Sutton Common)
🎁 Frosty Festival — Worcester
EcoTarium’s winter weekend with hands-on activities and seasonal fun for families.
🗓 Sat–Sun, Dec 6–7 • 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA
🎄 Northborough Annual Tree Lighting — Northborough
Community tree lighting with performances and plenty of holiday cheer.
🗓 Sat, Dec 6 • 5:00 PM
Blake St & Rt-20, Northborough, MA
🚒 Holden Parade of Lights — Holden
Lighted vehicles and floats roll through town—bundle up and wave.
🗓 Sat, Dec 6 • 6:15 PM
Route: DPW → Main St → Wachusett Regional HS
🧯 Millbury Chain of Lights — Millbury
Town-wide celebration with pop-ups, crafts, and family activities at trolley stops across Millbury.
🗓 Sun, Dec 7 • 10:30 AM–4:30 PM
Town-wide, Millbury, MA
📣 Got an Event Coming Up?
Whether it's a craft fair, a concert at your cousin's brewery, or a holiday lights display so bright it scares the turkeys — we want to hear about it!
Share your upcoming Central Mass event and we’ll help get the word out to thousands of locals who actually read the newsletter (seriously).
Meet Moose & Skittles - A Bonded Pair for their lifetime
Moose (Male, Neutered) - Age: 13 years, 7 months
Skittles (Female) - Age: 15 years, 7 months
Adoption Fee: $100 for both together
Their Story:
Moose and Skittles are more than just cats, they're lifelong companions. This sweet mother-and-son duo came to us after their beloved owner passed away. Having spent their entire lives side by side, they share a deep bond that we're committed to keeping intact.
Moose is a gentle soul who loves attention and cuddles.
Skittles, his mom, is equally affectionate and enjoys quiet companionship.
Together, they're the perfect pair for a calm, laid-back home.
They thrive on love, naps, and cozy moments, and will reward you with endless affection. They comfort each other and keep each other entertained.
Adoption Details:
Walk-in adoption days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 12:00-4:00
Can't make those times? Complete an adoption inquiry form and we'll set up a time that works for you.
Moose and Skittles are waiting to bring warmth, love, and companionship into your home. Adopting them means giving two sweet seniors the chance to spend their golden years together, cherished and adored.
Additional Information:
Declawed: No
Spayed / Neutered: Yes
To adopt Moose & Skittles and in turn help your own heart and soul please reach out to the Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL) at [email protected] or call (508) 853-0030
🎸 Upcoming Live Music:
Concerts and taproom sets across Worcester & the suburbs.
Eli Young Band — Worcester
Strange Hours Tour hits Off The Rails.
🗓 Thu, Dec 4, 2025 • 8:00 PM (doors 7:00)
Off The Rails, 90 Commercial St, Worcester, MA
Open Mic Night at Birch Tree — Worcester
A welcoming space for local performers—plus craft cocktails and scratch-made eats.
🗓 Fri, Dec 5, 2025 • 6:00–9:00 PM
BirchTree Bread Company, 138 Green St, Worcester, MA 01604
Death Angel — “ACT III” — Worcester
Thrash legends on the Palladium main stage.
🗓 Fri, Dec 5, 2025 • Doors 6:00 PM • Show 7:00 PM
The Palladium, 261 Main St, Worcester, MA
Jay Bragg Presents: Christmas in New Vaudeville — Worcester
Nashville-style holiday showcase at Off The Rails.
🗓 Fri, Dec 5, 2025 • 8:00 PM (doors 7:00)
Off The Rails, 90 Commercial St, Worcester, MA
Runaway Radio — West Boylston
Live music duo at The Mill 185.
🗓 Sat, Dec 6, 2025 • 6:00–9:00 PM
The Mill 185, 185 W Boylston St, West Boylston, MA
Matt Brodeur — Oxfords Casual Dining (Oxford)
Solo acoustic dinner set.
🗓 Sat, Dec 6, 2025 • 6:00–9:00 PM
Oxfords Casual Dining, 2 Millbury Blvd, Oxford, MA 01540
Tropidelic — Worcester
Funk/reggae fusion at Off The Rails.
🗓 Sat, Dec 6, 2025 • 8:00 PM (doors 7:00)
Off The Rails, 90 Commercial St, Worcester, MA
Shot of Poison w/ ZZ King — Worcester
Poison tribute + opener at Rascals.
🗓 Sat, Dec 6, 2025 • 8:00–11:00 PM
Rascals, 70 James St, Worcester, MA
John Gauvin — Holden
Acoustic set in the Seven Saws taproom.
🗓 Wed, Dec 10, 2025 • 3:00–6:00 PM
Seven Saws Brewing Co., 112 Industrial Dr, Holden, MA
🪚 Local Business Spotlight:
🌟 Local Business Spotlight
Ivy’s Macs & More — Millbury
A locally owned pop-up bakery and custom sweets studio serving the Worcester area with French macarons plus macaron cakes, brownies, cake pops/pucks, chocolate-covered pretzels, and seasonal assortments. Order for holidays, book custom designs for weddings and parties, or even learn to bake them yourself in a private macaron-making class.
Why we love it: Flexible ways to get your treats—follow their pop-ups, pre-order holiday boxes, or place a custom order. Fully licensed, insured, and ServSafe certified, with classes where you take home what you make.
📅 Where to find them in December:
- Sat, Dec 6 — Yuletide Festival, Town Center, Shrewsbury, MA
- Sun, Dec 7 — Chain of Lights, All Points Limousine, Millbury, MA
📍 Studio (by appointment): 10 Overlook Ave, Millbury, MA
📬 Contact: [email protected] • (802) 318-3005
That’s a wrap, Wormtown—thanks for reading! If we missed your thing, blame Kelley Square traffic… then tell us so we can feature it next week. Until then, dodge the potholes, tip your bartenders, and keep the pizza debates spicy. 🪱
— Team Wormtown Weekly 🪱
PS. Do you know a business or individual that could use a shoutout? Let me know here! [email protected]
