Get into the holiday spirit and celebrate the season with our roundup of local events: festivals, markets, concerts, fairs, readings, and more.
December 1 to 21, weekends, 11am to 4pm
Holiday Artisan Marketplace Looking for one of a kind distinctive gifts that will truly be appreciated by the special people on your shopping list? Decked out in festive style, the art studio is the setting for our 2nd annual “Artisan Marketplace”. You will find a wide variety of quality creations handmade by local crafters and artisans including beeswax candles, quilts, wreaths and greens, jewelry and pottery, as well as scarves and mittens hand knitted using wool from Flanders own sheep! Proceeds benefit local artisans and Flanders land conservation and educational programs.
The Studio
Flanders Nature Center
5 Church Hill Road
(At the corner of Flanders and Church Hill Road)
Woodbury
203.263.3711, ext.10
Sunday, December 1, 3pm
A Boy Was Born: A Celebration of European Carols
Kent Singers with a special appearance by the Kent Center School Singers. Traditional and European Carols, including works by Byrd, Palestrina, Britten, Holst, and others.
$15 door,
$12 advance,
Kids free
St. Joseph’s Chapel, Kent School
Kent School Campus
Kent
860.619.8110
www.kentsingers.org
Sunday, December 1, 4-6pm
Christmas Open House
The Colebrook Historical Society presents a reading of “The Night Before Christmas”; Colebrook School children will lead in singing favorite Christmas songs. Refreshments will be served.
Free
Seymour Inn
Center of Colebrook Town
Colebrook
860.370.9756
Saturdays, December 1 and 8,
1 to 4 pm
The Silo Holiday Open House
See the Tree, meet Santa,food tastings, and shopping. Come see the 30-foot tall Christmas tree…. the largest in Litchfield County. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate by our tree and visit with Santa!! Bring your camera. On Saturday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m., Sing Out! CT, Connecticut’s newest vocal ensemble for young voices in concert, will perform in the museum. Led by artistic director Alecia Evans, the all-girl group, with singers from the greater Litchfield County area, will share arrangements of traditional holiday songs. While the concert is free, reservations are strongly recommended. On Saturday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. Valley Voices, Shepaug Middle School’s select group vocal ensemble, under the direction of Beth Harvison, will present a free Holiday Concert by the tree in the gallery. The Silo is full of wonderful holiday gifts for your family and friends. Order a Custom Gift basket or purchase gift certificates to the Cooking School.
The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm Trust
44 Upland Road
New Milford
www.hunthillfarmtrust.org
Friday, December 6 and
Saturday, December 7 and
Sunday, December 8
St. John’s Holiday Bazaar Weekend
Three days of shopping, epicurean delights, decorating insights, gift wrapping, and live and silent auctions. The Bazaar Preview Party is on Friday, 6:30-9pm. On Saturday there is a Fireside Holiday Fete at 4:30. The Bazaar runs from 10am-6pm on Saturday, and from 11:30am-2pm on Sunday.
Free on Saturday & Sunday
Friday Preview Party: $75/person
Saturday Fireside Holiday Fete: $75/person
Weekend Admission: $125/person
(includes Friday & Saturday Festivities)
St. John’s Parish House
78 Green Hill Road
Washington
860.868.2527
www.stjohnswashington.org
Friday, December 6, 3-7pm
Saturday, December 7, 10am-4pm
Sunday, December 8, 10am-4pm
Hometown Holidays Artisan Sale
Annual Hometown Holiday Artisan sale with pottery, jewelry, fiber art, leather work, photography, paintings, craft demonstrations, workshops, wreath making & more, including new & returning artists. Friday, Dec.6th benefit for OWL’s Kitchen, with hors d’oeuvres and more.
Brook Street
Lakeville
860.435.9265
[email protected]
Friday, December 6, 10:30am
Out of My Mind
A December to Remember
Celebrate all the seasons with legends and fables, both wondrous and funny. Presented by Carolyn Calandro of “Out Of My Mind”.
$10 per person
Litchfield Community Center
421 Bantam Road
Litchfield
860.567.8302
[email protected]
www.thecommunitycenter.org
Friday, December 6, 5-7pm
Festival of Trees and Lights Cocktail Party
Celebrate the holiday season in the historic Wykeham Room at the library’s annual Festival of Trees & Lights Cocktail Party. Fun for all ages, this event features creatively-decorated holiday trees, wreaths and stockings, which will be sold during the cocktail party to benefit the Gunn Memorial Library & Museum. One-of-a-kind ornaments decorated by local artists also will be offered by Silent Auction. You won’t want to miss the chance to hang one of these miniature masterpieces in your home! Once again, the Library’s tree will be decked with Treasure Pouches. These small organza bags each contain a slip of paper bestowing a special gift. Attendees purchase a pouch chosen from among the tree boughs and redeem their paper slip for an item or service donated by a local business including gift baskets, theater tickets, edibles, gift certificates and more. Start a new tradition this holiday season! Peruse the trees and wreaths while sampling wine and hors d’oeuvres provided by local restaurants. Holiday music will be performed by pianist Wendy Rhodes on the Library’s vintage Steinway. The display will be open for viewing at no charge on Saturday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Items not sold at the Cocktail Party on Friday evening will be available for purchase on Saturday. All proceeds fund the exhibits and educational programs offered year-round at no charge by the Gunn Memorial Library and Museum. Tickets are available at the circulation desk and also will be available at the door the night of the event.
Suggested donation for the cocktail party is $15 per person or $25 per couple
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington
860-868-7586
[email protected]
Friday, December 6, 5-10pm and
Saturday, December 7, 10am-4pm
Bethlehem’s 33rd Christmas Town Festival
An old-fashioned Christmas celebration. Bethlehem’s town green is at the heart of the festival. The buildings and churches surrounding the green will be decorated and will be brimming with holiday crafters and food. On Friday night at 6pm Santa will light the town’s beautiful 75ft. tree. Following the tree lighting, Santa will be available for picture taking. Over 70 exhibitors will be selling handcrafted items just in time for holiday shopping. There will be hayrides and holiday music performances throughout the festival including the joyous sounds of the Chimes In, bell choir and the Waterbury-Derby-Valley Chordsmen. The Christmas Town Festival’s annual limited edition pewter ornament will be available for purchase at Town Hall. Admission to the festival is free. Parking is available at the Bethlehem Fairgrounds with shuttle buses to the Festival.
Free
Bethlehem Town Green
Junction of Rt. 61 and Rt. 132
Bethlehem
203.266.6326
[email protected]
Friday, December 6, 7:30pm
“Messiah” Sing-In
Music in the Nave Concert Series
Performances of Handel’s Messiah, with the audience singing the chorus have become a Christmas season tradition at St. Andrew’s Church. The Messiah Sing-In will comprise the Christmas portion of the oratorio, or Part I, from the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah and his birth through the Annunciation of the birth to the shepherds. Although it is actually the final chorus in Part II, the Hallelujah Chorus will also be sung. Susan Rotholz, will conduct the Sherman Chamber Ensemble string quartet, the organist, four soloists and the audience-chorus; a more authentic presentation of the piece than the full-orchestra versions that have become popular in recent years. Soloists for the evening will be Sopranos Margaret O’Brien, Alto Melissa Schipul, Tenor Michael Chamberlin and Bass-baritone Joseph McDonough. For the Sing-In the church nave will be divided into vocal sections although singers may sit with friends if they wish. Singers are urged to bring their own scores. Scores will also be for sale at the door. Anyone who wishes to participate or simply to listen is invited to attend. You do not have to be a member of a church. There will be a reception in the Parish Hall after the concert.
$20, $30 with purchase of full score
$22 with score of chorus only
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
1 North Main Street
Kent
860.927.3486
[email protected]
Friday, December 6, 7-8pm
Saturday, December 7, 7-8pm
Sunday, December 8, 1-2pm
Deck the Walls
at the Crescent Gallery
A winter-themed exhibit that branches in many directions. “Deck The Walls” is a show with a full ‘deck’ of artwork – from paintings to photos, large to small, portraits to landscapes, black & white to color. ‘Tis the season to deck your walls with beautiful local artwork.
Crescent Gallery
158 Main Street
Thomaston
860.283.2155
[email protected]
www.thomastonfinearts.com
Saturday, December 7, 10am-3pm
Christmas Open House at HORSE of Connecticut
Pony rides for small children from noon to 2pm; boutique sale, tack sale, hourly tour, silent auction. Bring carrots for the horses. Snow date is Sunday, December 8.
43 Wilber Road
Washington
860.868.1960
[email protected]
Saturday, December 7, 10am-noon
Gingerbread Nativity Making
Materials will be provided, including gingerbread pre-cut forms, candy, and frosting. Space is limited, and calling early to reserve a table is recommended. Call the number below for reservations.
Pilgrim Hall
Shrine of Lourdes
50 Montfort Road
Litchfield
860.567.1041
[email protected]
Saturday, December 7, 1-4pm
Woodbury Town Christmas Festival
The Hurd House Museum will be open to the public with cooking demonstrations, tours, and 17th Century crafts. The District #2 Schoolhouse will be open to the public that day as well.
Hurd House Museum
25 Hollow Road
Woodbury
203.266.0305
[email protected]
Saturday, December 7, 11am-2pm
Thomaston Library Annual Holiday Craft Fair
Students in grades K-12 will market their homemade creations, priced at $5 or less. Shoppers of all ages are encouraged to support the young crafters. Crafters keep all of their proceeds. To register for a craft table, call number below.
Thomaston Library
248 Main Street
Thomaston
860.283.4339, ext. 3
Thomaston
Saturday December 7, 3-6pm
The Fifth Annual Winter Stroll
New Preston Village will be filled with lights for the holidays, creative window displays everywhere, live music, drinks and treats in every shop. The Social Gents Club will play an acoustic set at Dawn Hill Antiques.
Free
New Preston Village
Sunday, December 8, 4pm
Candlelight Advent Lessons and Carols
This beloved English tradition features readings from Scripture and a mix of choral music—classical pieces and Advent carols and hymns anticipating the coming of Christ. Marguerite Mullée, music diretor at St. Michael’s, will provide arrangements of carols and motets sung by the choir. Admission is free, but freewill offerings are gratefully accepted.
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
25 South Street
Litchfield
860.567.9465
[email protected]
Sunday, December 8, 2013, at 7pm
The Festival of Lessons and
Carols in the Hotchkiss Chapel
The Hotchkiss Chorus will present its annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. A tradition at the school for 54 years, the festival is very popular with Hotchkiss students and residents of surrounding communities alike. Part of the program, which includes biblical readings and traditional carols, is performed by candlelight, ushering in the spirit of the Christmas season. Hotchkiss Chaplain Lou Pressman leads the non-denominational service, with Instructor in voice, Jack Brown directing the Hotchkiss Chorus. All are welcome. Please arrive early, as seating is limited.
Free
The Hotchkiss Chapel,
The Hotchkiss School
Main Building
11 Interlaken Road
Lakeville
860.435.4423
www.hotchkiss.org/arts
Saturday, December 14, 1pm
St. Lucia’s Day Swedish Fairytale
Carol Skog, local author of Swedish descent, will give a presentation on and sign copies of her new book, Enchantment Ädventyr, H.C.A. and I Understand, in the Wykeham Room of the Library. Carol will focus on Swedish Christmas customs and conclude with a mini Lucia. This holiday program is appropriate for all ages. Registration is requested for this free program at 860-868-7756.
Lorraine Bergstrom, of Covenant Village in Cromwell and cousin to Leroy Anderson, the renowned composer of “Sleighride”, will perform Swedish Christmas music beginning at 12:30 p.m. An accomplished pianist and violinist, she will entertain on both instruments before and during this event.
Concluding Carol’s book presentation, the fantasy journey continues for attendees who will view a miniature procession of Sankta Lucia. Carol’s granddaughter Lily Wiedemann of Woodbury will portray Lucia, joined by her friends Ella Viau and Fiona Pedro as attendants, Wylden Abraham and Isaac Brenneman as Starboys and Connor Viau as a young Tomte. Lucia will invite all to enjoy the Swedish refreshments including Lucia buns and Pepparkakor.
“Enchantment Ädventyr”, is a creative blending of Swedish folklore elements, into and around reality including a “genealogical” historical lifestyle within holiday customs. The appendix includes three holiday menus with select recipes enjoyed by the book’s characters and Carol’s tips on researching your heritage with Resource References. The Hickory Stick Bookshop will be selling books and Carol will be available after the event to sign books. Snow date: Sunday December 15 at 1:00 p.m.
Free
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington
860-868-7586
[email protected]
Sunday, December 15, 10am
Silent Mice, Holy Mice
Presentation by children and youth.
First Congregational Church, UCC
6 Kirby Road
Washington
860.868.0569
[email protected]
www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org
Sunday, December 15, 1-4pm
Christmas Extravaganza
The Arts Desire second annual Christmas Extravaganza. Come sit on Santa’s lap and get your picture. Readings of The Night Before Christmas by elves and a visit with Mrs. Clause too!!! Readings at 2pm and 3pm.
The Arts desire
41 Main Street
Torrington
860.618.0431
Sunday, December 15, 1-4pm
“A Christmas Memory” reading
“A CHRISTMAS MEMORY” reading by Jerry Geci. First published in 1956, this autobiographical recollection of Truman Capote’s rural Alabama boyhood has become a modern-day classic. Enjoy Bette Geci’s homemade fruit cake and tea. Please RSVP by Dec. 13.
Free
Litchfield Community Center
421 Bantam Road
Litchfield
Friday, December 20, 6:30pm
Family Christmas Movies
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be shown at 6:30, followed by the film “The Polar Express.”
The Cornwall Library
30 Pine Street
Cornwall
860.672.6874
Friday, December 20, 7:30pm
Christmas Angelicus
‘Tis the time to make merry! Churches and chapels across Northwest Connecticut will once more ring with the music of the season, as this tradition continues to draw packed houses. Old and new arrangements of carols and seasonal songs will be craftily executed by the pure voices of Gaudeamus & Chorus Angelicus, along with traditional carols for the audience delight. Pick a location and hurry to get your ticket: sold-out concerts are part of the tradition!
$40 preferred
$20 general
$10 student
Trinity Episcopal Church
220 Prospect Street
Torrington
860.496.8841
[email protected]
Saturday, December 21, 3pm and 7pm
Candlelight and Carols Concerts
Exuberant, inspiring, dynamic, refreshing – just some of the many words describing The Connecticut Choral Society’s Candlelight and Carols concerts. Add some sparkle to your season by joining us for a time of joyful celebration. You’ll find something for every musical taste and mood, with both traditional and contemporary pieces. The audience has the opportunity to participate in singing traditional carols interspersed throughout the program. Make this concert part of your holiday celebration. There are two concerts: 3pm and 7pm.
$25, $15 (under 18)
Buy tickets at www.ctchoralsociety.org
North Congregational Church
11 Main Street North
Woodbury
888.927.2933
[email protected]
Sunday, December 22, 4pm
Christmas Angelicus
‘Tis the time to make merry! Churches and chapels across Northwest Connecticut will once more ring with the music of the season, as this tradition continues to draw packed houses. Old and new arrangements of carols and seasonal songs will be craftily executed by the pure voices of Gaudeamus & Chorus Angelicus, along with traditional carols for the audience delight. Pick a location and hurry to get your ticket: sold-out concerts are part of the tradition!
$40 preferred
$20 general
$10 student
Salisbury Congregational Church
30 Main Street
Salisbury
860.496.8841
[email protected]
December 31, 7:30pm
2014 TheatreWorks New Year’s Eve Gala
Make the First Night a Great Night! The evening begins at 7:30 with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails (complimentary soft drinks, coffee, wine, and beer). TheatreWorks New Milford will feature the hysterical comedic romp for the Holidays, Boeing Boeing by Marc Camoletti. At 8:30, sit back and relax as the show begins. For intermission, you’ll be served more delectable entrees. Then comes the second act, and finally, we’ll wrap up the evening around 11:00, with some light dessert, coffee and, of course, champagne! Tickets $75
TheatreWorks
5 Brookside Avenue
(just off Route 202, next to the CVS)
New Milford
860.350.6863
www.theatreworks.us
