Started in 2005 as a way to unite the town and promote local small businesses and organizations, the Northborough Holiday Trolley was one of the town's most popular annual events.

This year, however, the trolley is canceled, according to Kimberly Reed, manager of the Purple Rose who started the Holiday Trolley along with Vicki Martelli, owner of the Purple Rose, and Patti Murphy, owner of Strut.

Reed said, "we're taking a year off due to the downtown project, and allowing newer businesses in town to become established so we can come back stronger."

The annual tree lighting, however, is still taking place on Dec. 8. 

Reed added that many town events are still taking place on this day and all retail shops and restaurants are still open for business. There is a free holiday concert at the Library starting at 11:30 a.m. and the annual tree lighting will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Ellsworth tree in the town's center.

Hosted by the Northborough Community Affairs Committee, "the tree lighting and caroling takes place in the center of town at 5:30 p.m. This event began in 1968 in honor of the memory of Neil Ellsworth, an Army private first class, who was killed in Vietnam in 1967 at the age of 19. Born and raised in Northborough, Ellsworth was the first town resident to die in the Vietnam War. The Ellsworth family is honored every year by the naming of the tree in Neil’s honor."

The Northborough Free Library will also continue with its annual book sale.