FRIDAY, DEC. 5
BRISTOL
IMAGINE NATION PRESENTS ‘WHOVILLE SPECTACULAR.’ 5 to 8 p.m. Museum will be transformed into Dr. Seuss’s Whoville. Holiday celebration complete with Whoville hairstyling, crafts, music, and sing-alongs. Meet the Grinch and his Whoville friends. Jodie Fitz, author and creator of the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club will be serving her Grinch-ified Fake Shake. Mail a letter in the Whoville Post Office. Who-pudding, pizza, and snacks available for additional cost at the old fashioned soda fountain. Reduced price admission of $6 per person sponsored by Thomaston Savings Bank. Imagine Nation, 1 Pleasant St., Bristol. (860) 315-1400, ImagineMuseum.org
OTHER
LINDA EDER SINGS CHRISTMAS CLASSICS, HOLIDAY STANDARDS. 8 p.m. St. Paul Catholic High School Choir of Bristol will back up the singer. Palace Theatre, 100 East Main St., Waterbury. $75, $55, and $45. (203) 346-2000. PalaceTheaterCT.org
‘MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING: CARPENTERS’ CHRISTMAS.’ 8 p.m. Mohegan Sun Wolf Den, Uncasville. Free. MoheganSun.com
DEC. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21
BRISTOL/ SOUTHINGTON
LAKE COMPOUNCE HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5 p.m., Fridays. 4 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays. Fun for all ages. Light show every half hour at the main gate. Kiddieland rides and family-themed rides will be in operation. Train will be transformed into the North Pole Railway with uniformed train conductor with a tale to tell. Indoor activities including cookie decorating and gingerbread house making. Write a letter to Santa. Story time with Mrs. Claus. Carolers. Ice carver. Clowns. Photos with Santa. Lake Compounce Amusement Park, 822 Lake Ave., Bristol. $14.99 for adults. $10.99 for children 4 to 10. Free for children 3 and under. LakeCompounce.com
DEC. 5-6
OTHER
HOLIDAY FAIR. Held by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 195. Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crafts, handmade items, baked goods, candy. Soup in a bread bowl. Cup of soup. Hot dogs, meatball grinders, egg salad sandwiches, coffee, tea. Oakville Post 195, 62 Bunker Hill Rd., Watertown. (203) 768-1345.
SATURDAY, DEC. 6
BRISTOL
ST. MATTHEW SCHOOL ANNUAL CRAFT/ VENDOR SHOW. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Raffle, bake sale, food served. St. Matthew School, Welch Drive, Forestville. $1 admission. (860)583-5214.
BRISTOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY 8TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY FAIR. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crafters, white elephant Christmas boutique, featuring gently used Christmas items, bake sale. Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer St., Bristol.
THE BRISTOL STRING ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT. 2 p.m. Group playing as well as solos and small ensemble performances. Prospect United Methodist Church, 99 Summer St., Bristol. Free. (860) 589-3724.
HOLIDAY SHOWCASE OF STARS ‘REJOICE.’ 7 p.m. St. Paul Catholic High School, 1001 Stafford Ave., Bristol. (860) 585-6039, (860) 589-5692.
SOUTHINGTON
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR. Held by the St. Aloysius Ladies Guild. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gift baskets, vendors, baked goods, swags, handmade items, etc. Lunch/ refreshments served. St. Aloysius Church, 254 Burritt St., Plantsville.
CHILDREN’S CRAFT FAIR. 10 a.m. to noon. All items made by children 12 years or younger. All items for sale will be $5 or less. Southington Library, 255 Main St., Southington. (860)628-0947 ext. 3.
ST. PAUL’S NINTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Holiday and general handcraft items featured. St. Paul’s Church, 145 Main St., Southington. (860) 628-8486.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by HQ Dumpters and Recycling and Miss Southington Pre-Teen. Help Southington Social Services gather gifts for families in need. Bring a gift a boy or girl and enjoy breakfast with Santa. Every toy donation enters you into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Donuts, hot chocolate, homemade Christmas cookies. HQ Dumpsters and Recycling, 897 South Main St., Plantsville.
CHRISTMAS TEA AND BAZAAR. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Knitted and craft items, unique ornaments, gift items, homemade Christmas cookies, fudge. Tea luncheon with finger sandwiches, fancy cookies, beverages. (860) 628-6996.
PLAINVILLE
ANNUAL SLEIGH BELLS CRAFT FAIR. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Refreshments, lunch. Plainville United Methodist Church, 56 Red Stone Hill, Plainville. (860) 747-2328.
OTHER
THE UGLY SWEATER RUN—A HOLIDAY THEMED-5K. 11 a.m. Bushnell Park, Hartford. TheUglySweaterRun.com
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cookie walk, bake sale, dolls from around the world, handmade crafts, Christmas items, Pashmina scarves. Breakfast and lunch served. Vendors. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8 Maple St., Terryville.
JUDY HANDLER AND MARK LEVESQUE, ‘HOLIDAY MUSIC FOR GUITAR AND MANDOLIN.’ 2 p.m. Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Dr., Farmington. Advance registration. (860) 673-6791. FarmingtonLibraries.org.
HOLIDAY FAIR. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cookie walk, silent auction, tea cup auction, jewelry, homemade foods, candy, gifts, aprons, knitted items, lunch. Harwinton Congregational Church, 1 Litchfield Rd., Harwinton. (860) 485-9308, (860) 489-6191.
WINTER CRAFT FAIR. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thirty-One, Pampered Chef, Lia Sophia, Beachbody, Scentsy, Arbonne International, Jamberry, Origami Owl, Andies Cookies, Fresh Prints of CT, Bella’s Hair Bands. Connecticut River Academy Parents Group. Connecticut River Academy, 9 Riverside Dr., East Hartford.
CONNECTICUT ACCORDION ASSOCIATION ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT. 2 p.m. 20 accordionists conducted by Linda Soley Reed. Blackstone Library, North Branford. Public welcome. Donations accepted. RSVP. (203) 272-1202. CTAccordion.com
INTERNET RADIO STAR PETER PINHO HOSTS 3RD ANNUAL TOY DRIVE, CONCERT. 4 p.m. Music starts at 5 p.m. Collects new toys for local distribution via police department-sponsored toy drives in Naugatuck, Southbury. Bands performing include As Darkness Dies, Demons Past, CBX, Shadow Kingdom, Vespera, Vision Within, Simple Machinery, Richie B, and We Are Nothing. Cook’s Café, 203 Church St., Naugatuck. Admission is new unwrapped toy or $10. All funds go to purchase new toys.
THIRD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Raffle, bake sale, lunch, crafters. St. Pius X Church, 525 Woodtick Rd., Wolcott.
COOKIE WALK. Held by Whigville Grange. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Homemade cookies for sale along with teacup auction. Terryville Congregational Church, Route 6, Terryville. (860) 582-9863. b_gary@sbcglobal.net
DAVE KOZ AND FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR. Featuring guests Jonathan Butler, Christopher Cross, Maysa. John Lyman Center, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven.
‘AN APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS.’ 8 p.m. With Grammy-winning violinist Mark O’Connor. Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London. $32 to $42. (860) 444-7373 ext. 1, GardeArts.org
DEC. 6, 7
BRISTOL
THE ROSARY SOCIETY OF ST. ANTHONY CHURCH CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. 8 a.m. to noon. Vintage jewelry. St. Anthony Church, Church Hall, 11 School St., Bristol.
DEC. 6-7
OTHER
ANNUAL HILL-STEAD HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unique holiday gifts, local artists, and artisans. Spiced wine, cider. Fresh, local, and seasonal food. Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Rd., Farmington. Admission is free. (860) 677-4787, Hillstead.org
SUNDAY, DEC. 7
SOUTHINGTON
SOUTHINGTON FESTIVAL CHORALE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 3 p.m. Featuring songs of the winter season, Hannukah, and Christmas. Special piano solo by Miguel Campinho. Appropriate for all ages. Plantsville Congregational Church, 109 Church St., Plantsville. $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and teens, $25 for a family of 4 or more. Children 12 and under free. (860) 621-2837
.
ANNUAL BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hot off the griddle pancakes, biscuits, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, oven roasted potatoes, juice, coffee, tea, milk. Benefit for scholarships. Mary Our Queen Church, Savage Street, Plantsville. Tickets at the door or call (860) 276-0654.
BRISTOL
CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY PARADE. 1 p.m. Parade in reverse where children walk the parade route past entertainers and participants who line the route. Federal Hill Green, Bristol. Cancellation of the parade will be announced at CentralCTChambers.org. Snow date would be Dec. 14.
OTHER
HOLIDAY JAZZ. 3 p.m. WCSU Jazz Orchestra with Jamie Begian conducting. Veronica Hagman Concert Hall of the Visual and Performing Arts Center, Western Connecticut State University, 43 Lake Ave. Ext., Danbury. Free. Donations accepted. WCSU.edu/svpa/events.asp
MEET THE FAMILY: A 1901 CHRISTMAS. 12 to 4 p.m. Take a peek at the past and meet the Popes and celebrate their first holiday in their new home. Museum interpreters will dress in vintage costumes. Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Rd., Farmington. Free with membership or museum admission. Hillstead.org. (860) 677-4787.
CHAMBER SINGERS OF THE CONNECTICUT CHORAL SOCIETY AND THE VALLEY CHORDSMEN. 3 p.m. Holiday museum. Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St., Waterbury. $7 for museum members and $10 for non-members. MattatuckMuseum.org, (203) 753-0381, ext. 111.
DEC. 7, 14
OTHER
MYSTIC BALLET PRESENTS NUTCRACKER SPECTACULAR. 4 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 and 1 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. Grand Theater, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket. $28 to $65. Foxwoods.com, 1-800-200-2882, 1-800-745-3000.
TUESDAY, DEC. 9
SOUTHINGTON
DISCOVER CHRISTMAS AT THE NEWPORT MANSIONS. Held by the Cruz’in Congos. Tour the Breakers and the Elms, two of the most famous mansions decorated for Christmas. Cost includes deluxe motor coach, admittance to mansions, and lunch at the Brick Alley Pub and Restaurant. (860) 628-8982, mersm@cox.net
BRISTOL
DOCTOR WHO HOLIDAY SOCIAL. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Join fellow Who-vians for hot cocoa, gingerbread companions, while enjoying a past Christmas special chosen by a poll of the library’s patrons via Facebook. Win a Doctor Who trimmed Christmas tree. Bristol Public Library, 5 High St., Bristol. Free. Program geared for adults, aged 18 plus. Who-vian garb optional. Register. (860) 584-7787, ext. 2023.
DEC. 9-11
OTHER
OLD STATE HOUSE HOLIDAY SHOPPING FAIR. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors, jewelry, holiday decorations, knitted clothing, potter, soaps, candles, blankets, linens, artwork, more. Old State House, downtown Hartford. CTOldStateHouse.org
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10
BRISTOL
LIBRARY COFFEE HOUSE: CELTIC HOLIDAY CONCERT AND GATHERING. 1 p.m. With traditional Irish fiddler Deirde McMorrow and guitarist/ vocalist Paul Pender. Holiday refreshments courtesy of the Friends of Bristol Public Library. Bristol Public Library, 5 High St., Bristol. Free. Register. (860) 584-7787 ext. 2023.
OTHER
HARTFORD CHORALE. 7:30 p.m. “Handel’s Messiah.” Featuring the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford. $17 to $55. Bushnell.org, (860) 987-5900.
THURSDAY, DEC. 11
SOUTHINGTON
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH TRIP TO WILLIAMS INN BOAR’S HEAD FEAST AND BRIGHT NIGHTS. Leave First Baptist Church, 581 Meriden Ave., Southington at 9 a.m. All invited. Reservations. (860)621-3024 or (860) 770-1557.
FRIDAY, DEC. 12
OTHER
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER. 8 p.m. 30th anniversary Christmas Tour. The Palace, 100 East Main St., Waterbury. $100, $68, $48. At 6 p.m., Riverhouse Catering prepares a pre-fixe three-course dinner in the Poli Club for $50. (203) 346-2000, PalaceTheaterCt.org
DEC. 12-14, 19-21
OTHER
ALBANO’S NUTCRACKER. Cabaret Theatre, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville. $38, $35, $32 for adults. $32, $29, $26 for children. MoheganSun.com
DEC. 13, 20
BRISTOL
SANTA’S FARM WORKSHOP. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy Indian Rock Nature Preserve’s indoor Winter Wonderland hall of decorated Christmas trees, an indoor waterfall, and a post office for letters to Santa. Hop aboard the Holiday Hay wagon for a visit to see the farm animals and a trip to Santa’s house to have your photo taken. Hot chocolate, tasty treats from a bake sale. Vendor gift shop. Kids craft center. Gingerbread cookies. Indian Rock Nature preserve, 501 Wolcott Rd., Bristol. $5 per person. Children 1 and under free. Families are asked to dress appropriately for the hay ride. Event is rain/ snow/ shine. (860) 583-1234.
SATURDAY, DEC. 13
OTHER
HOLIDAY CRAFT SALE. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wolcott Public Library, 469 Bound Line Rd, Wolcott. (203) 879-1537, (203) 910-5238.
SUNDAY, DEC. 14
SOUTHINGTON
CELEBRATE THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE BENNETT FAMILY. 4 p.m. Family of 11 from Cheshire will present a program of music celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Familiar Christmas carols on a myriad of instruments. Nativity sets from around the world will be displayed in the church parlor from 3 to 4 p.m. First Baptist Church of Southington, 581 Meriden Ave., Southington. Free-will offering. Light refreshments. All are invited.
NOW thru DEC. 13
OTHER
4TH ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE FESTIVAL. Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local artisans and bakers, experts and beginners alike show off their creative talents in an array of candy covered houses, trains, and villages. Wood Memorial Library and Museum, 783 Main St., South Windsor. (860) 289-1783, WoodMemorialLibrary.org
NOW thru JAN. 3
OTHER
‘LEGENDS IN CONCERT’ HOLIDAY SHOW. Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at 2 p.m. Tribute artists for Elvis, Michael Jackson, The Blues Brothers, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. Fox Theater, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket. $30. VIP tickets for $40. 1-800-200-2882. Foxwoods.com
NOW thru DEC. 14
OTHER
‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL.’ Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Thomaston Opera House, 158 Main St., Thomaston. LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org. (860) 283-6250.
NOW thru DEC. 21
OTHER
‘STEP BACK IN TIME FOR A TURN OF THE CENTURY CHRISTMAS.’ Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gillette Castle, 67 River Rd., East Haddam, will be decorated for the holidays in the style of 1914. $6 for adults and children 13 and over and $2 for children ages 6 to 12. Free for children, ages 5 and under. (860) 526-2336. CT.gov/deep/GilletteCastle
NOW thru DEC. 23
OTHER
ESSEX STEAM TRAIN SANTA SPECIAL RIDE. Departures, 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Essex Steam Train, Essex. $40 for a first class car, $20 for a coach, and children under 2 ride free when seated on an adult’s lap. EssexSteamTrain.com. 1-800-377-3987.
NOW thru DEC. 28
OTHER
‘WASHED ASHORE WONDERLAND.’ Festive holiday décor of recycled material provided by nearby artisans, local businesses, and area school children. Also meet Santa Claus, enjoy the holiday classic “Polar Express” with a complimentary hot chocolate. Friday, Dec. 5 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., “Munchkin Morning with Santa.” Friday, Dec. 12, Festival of Lights. Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan, Blvd., Mystic.
NOW thru JAN. 4
OTHER
HOLIDAY MEMORIES: TALES AND TRADITIONS OF AN EARLY 20TH CENTURY CHRISTMAS. Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Rd., Farmington. Free with admission to the museum. Free to members. (860) 677-4787. Hillstead.org
NOW
PLAINVILLE
ANTIQUE TAG SALE. Mondays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Held until all items sold. Pressed aluminum, pressed and etched glass, antique glass. Plainville Senior Center, 200 East St., Plainville. (860) 747-5728.
