Your CT Weekend Guide 12/5-12/7


Weekend of 12/5-12/7

  • Holiday Market at Dudley Farm [Sat-Sun 10-2] Guilford
    The Dudley Farm hosts their holiday market with amazing crafts and food, along with tours of the historic Farmhouse Museum. More info here.
  • $$ Holiday Magic at Lyman Orchards [Sat-Sun 10-2] Middlefield
    Lyman Orchards is spreading holiday cheer with horse-drawn wagon rides, delicious treats, festive decorations, and reindeer goat playdates. Tickets start at $15, children under 2 are free. More info here.
  • 36th Annual Trees of Hope [Fri-Sun 10-5] New Haven
    Trees of Hope is a holiday tradition open daily. There will be over 160 holiday displays donated by local businesses and individuals. There will be a raffle and all funds support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of CT. More info here.
  • Cromwell Tree Lighting [Sat Dec 6 4:30-5:30] Cromwell
    The Cromwell Town Green will host a fun holiday gathering with hot cocoa, caroling, Santa, petting zoo, food trucks and more. More info here.
  • Saybrook Starlight Festival [Sat Dec 6 1-4] Old Saybrook
    The town of Old Saybrook is hosting the 5th annual Starlight Festival with carolers, hot cocoa, stocking walk on Main Street, games, visits with Santa and more. More info here.
  • $$ Merrily on High Choral Concert [Sun Dec 7 3-5 pm] Bristol
    An evening of seasonal choral music performed by the Bristol Chorale. Tickets are $20 for general admission. More info here.
  • $$ Fantasy Forest Holiday Tour [Sat Dec 6 11-3] Windsor
    The Ellsworth Homestead hosts a self-guided tour through festive rooms, each adorned with beautiful wreaths and trees for purchase. Admission is $10, children under 10 free. More info here.
  • Noah Webster House Holiday Market [Fri-Sun, var times] Hartford
    The Noah Webster House is hosting the 6th Annual Holiday market across multiple weekends. The market is great for shopping local business for the holiday season. More info here.
  • $$ The Fantastic Toyshop [Fri-Sun, var times] Avon
    The New England Ballet Theatre presents the Fantastic Toyshop, a magical ballet show. Sensory-friendly and pay-what-you-can tickets are available. More info here.
  • Gathering on the Green [Sat Dec 6 4:30-6:30] Marlborough
    Marlborough’s Gathering on the green is a great way to kick off the holiday season with a lighted fire truck parade, a visit from Santa, and a fireworks show. More info here.
  • Holiday Carnival [Sat Dec 6 11-4] Mystic
    The Mystic Village hosts their holiday carnival with carolers, a brass band, Santa’s workshop, and more. Come celebrate the season! More info here.
  • $$ Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra Holiday Spectacular [Sat Dec 6 3-5] New London
    The Eastern CT Symphony orchestra presents a holiday concert you won’t forget with songs from Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, the Nutcracker, and more. Tickets start at $32. More info here.
  • $$ Winter Moon Living Exhibition [Sat Dec 6 10-4] Mashantucket
    The Mashantucket Pequot Museum is holding a celebration of living indigenous traditions, featuring 4 drum groups celebrating indigenous culture. Experience is included with standard museum admission. More info here.
  • 5th Annual Toy Drive [Sat Dec 6 12-6] Groton
    Join Outer Light Brewing for the 5th Annual Toy Drive benefitting the Tommy Toy Fund. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and get a raffle ticket for each donation. More info here.
  • $$ Lantern Light Village [Sat-Sun, var times] Mystic
    The Mystic Seaport Museum presents their Lantern Light Village. There will be horse drawn carriages, live music, seasonal crafts and more. Tickets range from $17-$35 More info here.
  • Heights & Lights: Rappelling Santa [Sun Dec 7 5pm] Stamford
    Watch Santa 22 stories about Stamford spreading cheer, followed by the annual tree lighting ceremony downtown. More info here.
  • 66th Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols [Sun Dec 7 7-8 pm] Lakeville
    The Hotchkiss Chorus presents their 66th annual performance, including a capella carols, and contemporary works. More info here.
  • Two Roads Winter Market & Tree Lighting [Sat Dec 6 12-9] Stratford
    Join Two Roads for a Holiday Market and Tree Lighting with over 30 local vendors, musical performances, Santa photos, and more. Family friendly. More info here.
  • Scandinavian Club Christmas Market [Sat Dec 6 10-4] Fairfield
    The Scandinavian Club will be hosting a Christmas market with over 30 vendors, Nordic gifts and food, entertainment and a nordic lunch. More info here.
  • Christmas Town Festival [Sat Dec 6 9:30-4] Bethlehem
    The Bethlehem town green boasts one of the largest Christmas trees in the area and the festival will include vendors, Santa photos, scavenger hunt, live music and more. More info here.

$$ denotes events with an entrance fee or may require tickets

Volunteer Spotlight

Looking to give back this holiday season? Check out one of these orgs to volunteer for a single day or an ongoing basis:

  • New Haven Reads (New Haven) - Book Bank volunteers needed to sort books into categories, shelve the books and fulfill book orders from orgs and businesses. Tutors are also needed. Learn more here.
  • Hartford Public Library (Hartford) - Love your local library? Volunteer opportunities range from tutoring, helping to pack orders at their Foodshare, library tours, and other special projects. Learn more here.
  • New London Food Pantry (New London) - Help with various stages of the food distribution process from storing food, staging, boxing, bagging or distributing. Learn more here.
  • CT Humane Society (Wilton, Newington, Waterford) -various volunteering opportunities to help - great for animal lovers! Learn more here.

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