Winter Solstice Celebration – Glastonbury – Audubon Center - December 19 – 7:30pm Learn about the traditions of the world to welcome in the beginning of winter and the longest night of the year.  Celebrate with songs, dance, stories, music and a huge bonfire.  Attendees are invited to share a story, poem, reading or song.   This is an indoor/outdoor event hosted by Kasha Breau and Dave Magee.  Enjoy a light snack after the bonfire.  CAS Members $8, family max $24; Non-members $10, family max $30; Children under 12, half price.  This event sells out quickly.  Call 860-633-8402 to pre-register and pay. See more at: http://www.ctaudubon.org/center-at-glastonbury/#sthash.RooVAJRR.dpu

59^th Annual Mystic Seaport Carol Sing – Mystic – December 21 - 3:00pm The museum is open FREE all day to everyone with the donations of a canned food item or cash donation.  http://www.mysticseaport.org/

Christmas at the Newport Mansions – Newport, Rhode Island - November 22 - January 4 – Daily – 9:00am – 4:00pmThe glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions. 

The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House--three National Historic Landmarks and icons of the Gilded Age in America--are filled with thousands of poinsettias, fresh flowers, evergreens and wreaths.  A total of 24 decorated Christmas trees reflecting individual room decor anchor many of the magnificent spaces.  Dining tables set with period silver and china completes the elegant setting.  And windows of each mansion are lit with individual white candles, in keeping with the colonial tradition. Open daily & decorated for the holidays

The Breakers opens at 9 am, all others open 10 am with last tour admission at 4 p.m. except 3 p.m. on December 24.  Houses & grounds close at 5 p.m., except 4 p.m. on December 24. Servant Life Tour at The Elms offered hourly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All properties closed Christmas Day. http://www.newportmansions.org/plan-a-visit/operating-schedule

Festival of Lights – Olde Mistick Village – Mystic – December 12 – December 21 - 5:30pm Walk through our winter wonderland from dusk until 9:30 p.m., when over 4,000 luminaries light the walkways of Olde Mistick Village and Mystic Aquarium. Olde Mistick Village Events: Complimentary refreshments in the Meeting House. Holiday music by Ragtime Too from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Outdoor entertainment includes: Too Tall Guys, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fly By Night Holiday Jesters, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. The Festive Brass will be performing in the Gazebo from 6:00 p.m. on. See the Mystic Aquarium website for their activities. http://www.oldemistickvillage.com/Festivals.aspx

32^nd Annual Santa’s Workshop – Wickham Park – Manchester - December 13 – 23 A free event sponsored by Wickham Park. Children of all ages enjoy visits with Santa and his elves and refreshments with Mrs. Claus. Santa's Workshop provides a chance for children to enjoy a non commercialized Christmas experience. Guests are welcome to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to area food pantries. Hours are 3-6pm weekdays and 1-5pm on weekends. http://www.wickhampark.org/events.html

Connecticut Trolley Museum Winterfestival – East Windsor – December 20 – 21 Families can enjoy trolley rides, Christmas Caroling, model trains, decorations, entertainment and Santa Claus. www.ct-trolley.org

Winterfest Hartford - Free Photos with Santa Claus - Bushnell Park – Hartford – December 20 – December 21 - 12:00noon - 3:00pm Winterfest wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Santa, so visit the Pump House and have your photo taken with him for free. Each family receives 1 free 5×7 photo; additional prints may be purchased on the page, the day after you skate. http://www.hartford.com/venue/winterfest/

The Shore Line Trolley Museum’s Santa’s Trolley Winter Wonderland 17 River Street - East Haven - December 20 – 21 - 10:30am – 7:00pm A National Historic District – The oldest continuously running suburban trolley line in the USA. Come and enjoy a living, breathing experience riding historic, restored trolleys through scenic surroundings. Santa’s Trolley Winter Wonderland rings in the spirit of the holiday with rides on the country’s oldest continuously running trolley cars, a model train, antique trolley cars, a model train display, photos with Santa Claus and hot chocolate and cookies. www.shorelinetrolley.org

Holiday Light Fantasia – Goodwin Park – Hartford - November 27 – January 1 - 5:00pm The city-wide celebration captures the true spirit of the holiday season! We hope our festive show offers an enchanting evening of fun for family and friends while providing a much needed break from the hectic holiday season. $15 per car (up to 10 passengers)   www.holidaylightfantasia.org/

Sunday - Thursday        5:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday - Saturday          5:00pm - 10:00pm

Winterfest Hartford – Free Ice Skating - Bushnell Park – Hartford – November 29 – February 1 – 11:00am – 8:00pm Skate for free 7-days-a-week at the Winterfest ice rink on the east side of Bushnell Park near the Pump House. Come after work, on your lunch break or as a part of a trip downtown to see some of the city’s cultural treasures. Don’t have your own skates? There are free skate rentals, too. Winterfest is brought to you by the iQuilt Partnership and the City of Hartford. http://www.hartford.com/venue/winterfest

3^rd Annual Lake Compounce Holiday Lights – Bristol – December 12 – December 21 – (Fridays- 5:00pm – 9:00pm - Saturdays - Sundays 4:00pm – 9:00pm) Festive activities includes a spectacular light show every half hour at the main gate, featuring tens of thousands of dancing lights set to holiday music.  Kiddieland rides and family-themed rides, the train is transformed into the North Pole Railway and operated by a very special train conductor with a magical holiday story to tell. There will be strolling carolers, ice carvings and festive entertainment including clowns and lots of holiday characters. Indoor activities include cookie decorating and gingerbread house making.  Children can create their letter to Santa and enjoys story time with Mrs. Claus. https://www.lakecompounce.com/holidaylights

20^th Annual Fantasy of Lights - New Haven’s Lighthouse Point Park – New Haven - November 28 – January 6. Check out over 60 attractions that include animated and LED light displays! While you're there, share your experience with your friends on social media using #fantasyoflights. You can show off your favorite displays all while participating in a great cause. So whether it's your first or twentieth year enjoying the Fantasy of Lights, get ready to be dazzled by over 100,000 lights! $10 per car. http://www.eastersealsgoodwill.org/events

Sunday - Thursday        5:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday - Saturday          5:00pm - 10:00pm

Lantern Light Tours – Mystic Seaport – Mystic – November 29 – December 27 – 5:00pm   (leaves every 15 minutes) Experience a New England holiday tradition at Mystic Seaport and step back in time of Christmas Eve 1876 for a guided tour of Greenmanville. Both young and old will enjoy seasonal delights during this 70-minute progressive play that features a traditional tavern dance, a  horse-drawn carriage ride and the beautiful glow of hundred of lanterns that light the way. Lantern Light Tours require a special ticket in lieu of admission. http://www.mysticseaport.org/

Bob Chudy

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