Five Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 6

1. City Hall Holiday Lighting Ceremony. The celebration begins at 4 p.m. in the City Hall War Memorial with a holiday sing-a-long led by the Stacey Peasley Band. Then, Mayor Setti Warren will flip the switch to City Hall's holiday lights at 5 p.m.

2. Early release day. The Newton Public Schools will have an early release day today. This means the preschool will get out at noon, the elementary schools at 12:30 p.m., the middle schools at 11:30 a.m. and the high schools at 11 a.m. 

3. Newton Health Center Craft Fair. The Newton Health Care Center (2101 Washington St.) will host a craft fair today from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. There are 24 participating vendors and admission is free. Donations will also be accepted for the Newton Holiday Gift Drive.

4. Raise for Women Holiday Shopping Event. The Marathon Physical Therapy Newton Clinic will host a special holiday shopping event tonight to benefit the Women's Action Initiative in the Democratic of Congo. The event starts at 6 p.m. and will include gifts and accessories handcrafted by female artisans from around the world. 

5. Author event at the JCC. Rashi's Daughter author and Sorcery tonight at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $8.