Brookline's First Light Festival To Go Online Amid Pandemic

BROOKLINE, MA — Every Thursday after Thanksgiving, the town's businesses have welcomed the holiday season by celebrating what's called First Light: A night festival full of art, holiday lights and an excuse to get out and get some early holiday shopping in locally with the community.

This year, Brookline's First Light is going online.

"The goal is for people to have a good time and maintain the tradition," said Brookline Chamber Executive Director Debbie Miller. "I’m hoping it will shine a light on the local businesses and recognize that these businesses are bending over backwards to not only stay open, but provide the best service possible."

More than two decades ago First Light began as a way for Washington Square businesses to bring a little holiday spirit and call attention to their shops and get folks to consider doing their holiday shopping locally at the area small businesses.

First Light — yes that is a bit of a play on the First Night held to celebrate New Year— has come a long way since a handful of businesses started hanging illuminated snowflakes in their storefront windows. Now, hundreds of people participate and look forward to it each year, shops pack residents in with cider and musical performances and family-friendly activities. But with the pandemic, it was unclear just how the Halmark-esque tradition would continue, or even if it would.

But thanks to Klara Kaufman at the Brookline Chamber of Commerce, which has taken on supporting the endeavor for the past few years, First Light will instead be a weeklong virtual event this year, said Miller.

Beginning in the early evening of Dec. 3, people will have the opportunity to choose to join online programming from more than two dozen participating businesses on the Brookline Chamber's website.

The shops will host virtual workshops, performances and activities to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

The chamber is hoping this will help struggling businesses that depend on the holiday season shopping push, by opening up for anyone near or far to participate.

It matters, she said, because the local businesses are a critical part of the makeup of the town.

"The people who are the business people in Brookline are really the heart and soul of this town," she said. "It's a wonderful community."

Everyone from the Brookline Booksmith to the Olive Connection, Eureka Puzzles, Party Favors and Serenade Chocolatier are participating this year. Check out more businesses that are participating here: and First Light

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.