Holiday Things To Do

Get in the holiday mood with these upcoming events:

The E List Girls' Nights Out: Drinks, Discounts, and Dinner! Save the dates: Essex on 11/16, and Guilford on 12/8. Details here. Christmas in Connecticut at The Goodspeed, 11/18 - 12/30: Based on the classic 1945 Warner Bros. film, this World Premiere musical comedy is a delightfully cheerful way to celebrate the holiday season! Get tickets here. Deck the Walls at Lyme Art Association, 11/19 - 1/2: Juried exhibit of Lyme Holiday things to do Art Association members. This exhibit of well-priced artworks is perfect for gifting! Find out more.

The Nutcracker, Short & Suite at Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown, 11/20, 3 performances: The Mansion welcomes Ballet Hartford for an intimate performance of a classic holiday favorite. This is a condensed version that features a combination of dance, dialogue, and narration to tell the story of Clara and the Nutcracker. Crafts, cookies, cocoa, a performance, and a special meet and greet with the principal dancers! Read more.

Annual Holiday Train Show at CT River Museum 11/22 - 2/19/23, 10am - 5pm: Bring the whole family to this exhibit, created by train artist Steve Cryan, featuring more trains, new scenery, and lots of surprises in the fully operational 26-foot model train layout. Santa Visits the Shoreline Trolley Museum Friday, 11/25 and weekends through 12/19: Take pix with Santa and a ride on a trolley.

Holiday Magic at Florence Griswold Museum, 11/25 – 12/31: This year’s celebration features new twists on the traditional décor. Imagine a fictional mantel-decorating contest in the Griswold boardinghouse between the historic Lyme Art Colony artists. Inspired by their paintings, they rummage through their studios as well as old trunks in Miss Florence’s attic for festive objets d’art and holiday decorations. Miss Florence announces the winner and awards ribbons on her birthday—Christmas Day! Three Fantasy Trees add bespoke sparkle in the historic house and in the Krieble Gallery, over 220 painted palettes, adorn four stunning Artist Trees. Find out more. Ocean House Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, 11/26, 5pm: Ignite the Christmas Spirit at Ocean House’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Village. Santa Claus will make his big arrival on a fire truck plus fireworks! Seasonal snacks, and a cash bar. Find out more. Holiday Lighted Boat Parade & Santa Arrives by Tugboat in Mystic on 11/26: Santa Claus is coming to town and so is Mystic’s Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in Historic Downtown Mystic. Thousands gather at the Mystic River Park to watch Santa arrive at 2 pm on a 60’ tugboat. Get the details. Legacy Theater, Stony Creek presents A Christmas Carol, 11/30 - 12/11: Adapted and directed by Keely Baisden Knudsen, this story illuminates the journey of one Ebenezer Scrooge and his guided self-reflection amidst the Christmas season in 1800s England. Get tickets.

Madison Chamber’s Ladies Shopping Night in Madison 12/1, from 5 - 8pm: Specials and events at participating shops in Madison. Learn more. Lantern Light Tours at Mystic Seaport, 12/2 - 12/17 on Fridays and Saturdays: Lantern Light Village is an outdoor, free-roaming experience designed to exemplify the differences between the modern and 19th century holiday seasons. Enjoy festive lighting displays, live music, horse and carriage rides, plus a visit from St. Nicolas, and so much more! Interact with the denizens of our 19th century village as they prepare for Christmas Eve and join them in their end of the year festivities. Visit Mystic Seaport for tickets.

Photo: Anne Ogden

Winter Wonder Day at Lyman Allyn Free First Saturday, 12/3, 11-3pm: Start your holiday season with a visit to Winter Wonder Day at the Lyman Allyn! Learn about different cultural holiday traditions, create great holiday crafts, contribute to a community artwork, explore the museum's exhibitions, take your photo with Santa, and more! Visit the website. Holidays at The Little Red Barn at Bishop's Orchards, 12/3 & 12/4 and 12/10 & 12/11 from 10am to 4pm: The Bishop’s Orchards Little Red Bar[n] will be turning into Santa’s Workshop. Enjoy two weekends on the farm, filled with cookie decorating, ornament making and a special visit from Santa himself! Kids tickets will include all activities, as well as free candid photos with Santa. The Wine Barn will be serving adult beverages, snacks and hot drinks. Make an afternoon of it and purchase a s’mores kit to enjoy a special treat at one of our bonfires. Shop around the Little Red Barn for home goods and seasonal favorites! Get tickets. Christmas in the Village, Goodspeed Airport, 12/6 at 5pm: Santa will fly into the airport and visit in East Haddam Village. Find out more.

Deck the Walls at Lyme Art Association, 11/18 - 1/1/2023: Juried exhibit of Lyme Art Association members. This exhibit of well-priced artworks is perfect for gifting! Find out more. Opera CT Presents ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ 12/10 at 2pm at Hill-Stead’s Makeshift Theater. See details.

2022 Holiday Events & Promotions at The Shops at Yale New Haven Tree Lighting, Holiday Village, Storytelling with Santa, Ice-Carving Competition, Strolling Carolers, Small Biz Pop-Up and more during the season. See all the events.

The Nutcracker at The Garde, 12/10 – 12/11: Get tickets to see this holiday favorite performed by Eastern CT Ballet with dancers from the New York City Ballet at The Garde. Get tickets!

Niantic Light Parade, 12/10 from 6 - 9pm: New Englands largest and brightest light parade! Check the website for updates and details. Photo: The Shops at Yale Breakfast with Santa at Madison Beach Hotel, 12/11 from 9 - 11am: Photo op with Santa, mimosas for the grownups and treats for the kids plus a scrumptious breakfast. Visit Madison Beach Hotel.

Photo: Thomas Giroir

Holiday Party at Smith Farm Gardens: 12/17, 7-10pm Come for some holiday cheer in the festively decorated farmhouse. Hors d’oeuvres provided throughout the evening with cash bar. Live holiday music begins the celebration, with a DJ and dancing to follow in the Great Room. Learn more. Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Shubert, New Haven, 12/30, 7pm: A holiday mash-up for the whole family! Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovksy’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. Get

tickets.

Holiday Lights at Olde Mistick Village, 11/18 - 1/2023: The Holiday Lights Spectacular returns to Olde Mistick Village with the largest holiday light display in southern New England. Over a half-million lights will decorate the Olde Mystic Village square of shops and restaurants for families and holiday enthusiasts to enjoy. See more.