Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the holiday season. I have some fun holiday things to do in CT to share! We like to start a day earlier by doing some day-tripping on the day before Thanksgiving. But I’m going to need to get a jump start on visiting some of these locations I am sharing. I’ve been there in the summer and fall seasons, but I haven’t visited a few in the holiday season.
You’ll have to follow my Instagram reels and YouTube shorts to see where I’ve been since posting this article!
Holiday Things To Do in CT – Shoreline
Within a few miles of my house, we have a vineyard, an exceptionally delicious steak house, and the best farms around!
Florence Griswold Museum – Old Lyme
I finally took a trip to The Florence Griswold Museum to see the Wee Faerie Village event in October. I have been wanting to go to this event for many years. It was adorable. There were over 20 faerie houses nestled all along the property.
For the holidays they host Holiday Magic from November 25 – December 31. The most popular event during this celebration is Miss Florence’s Teas.
This year’s celebration theme will be a fictional mantel-decorating contest in the Griswold boarding house between the historic Lyme Art Colony artists. The artists will each get to decorate a mantle using items from their studios, old trunks in Miss Florence’s attic, or from the shops. The mantle designs will match the painting overhead. On Christmas Day, which also happens to be her birthday, Miss Florence will announce the winner and award ribbons.
What Can You Do There?
While you are visiting the Florence Griswold Museum, you can vote for your favorite mantel. Then follow their social media for the awarded winner! You can also shop in the museum’s store for unique gifts from local artists. They are also offering December Discount Days for 10% off themed items every day from December 1 – 24.
Also, be sure to visit their site because there are other events that take place such as the Fresh Greens Wreath Making Workshop taking place on December 1 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Create your own one-of-a-kind natural wreath from scratch. Hosts will provide an assortment of greens, bows, pinecones, and other seasonal decor and guide you through the process of making a 24″ wreath. Program to benefit the Museum’s historic gardens.
Miss Florence’s Tea
Unfortunately, at the time of this article, all of the reservations are sold out! When I was there in October I was told that reservations for the tea times open up the first Monday in November and you must make a reservation early because they sell out quickly! I had no idea it was this quick!
So make a note in your Google calendar now to call them around Halloween and confirm the time to register for the 2023 tea times! WOW! For those who want to know, here is what is included in your tea reservation:
The costs for a tea reservation are $40 ($35 for members). It includes admission to the museum, tea time, and 10% off at The Shop. The times are typically Tuesdays – Fridays at 2:00 p.m. Saturdays there are two sittings – 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. And the week between Christmas and New Year (Tuesday – Friday) is also 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.
For more information and times to visit the museum, follow them on Facebook and Instagram and visit their site.
Ride the Rails with Santa
Essex Steam Train – The North Pole Express
This is a must! Tickets sell out fast! I think they sell out the day they go on sale. The sale date for 2022 was September 15 at 9:00 a.m. Like the Florence Griswold museum, this is one of those events that families make into traditions. So you need to be aware of the sellout times.
The tickets are so popular, there is a North Pole Express Sales FAQ page!
The Shore Line Trolley Museum
The East Haven Trolley Museum offers trolley rides with Santa. We did this with the kids when they were little. It’s cute. This is something you can do in a few short hours on a weekend afternoon and then plan on having lunch in town or going for a hike along the Trolley Trail in Branford.
Santa arrives on Friday after Thanksgiving and the trolley rides will run every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. This is a great opportunity to take a picture with Santa for your holiday photos! After your ride on an antique trolley car to the trolley yard, you can walk around the trolley barns decorated for the holidays with more great photo opportunities!
This is an outdoor event so be sure to dress appropriately.
Tickets are $12 for general admission.
Santa will be at the museum starting on Friday, November 25, then every Saturday and Sunday until December 18 with the first trolley car leaving at 11 am and the last trolley car leaving at 4 pm.
Holiday Things To Do in CT – Middlesex County
Gillette Castle
We visited the castle for the Christmas holidays about 7 or 8 years ago for the holidays and it was beautiful! As of the time of this article, the castle is closed due to major renovations, but the exterior will be decorated for the holiday and there will be music and more!
Don’t let the closure of the interior deter you from visiting. Starting this Friday, November 26 between noon and 4:00 p.m. you can enjoy guided train trail hikes. The hike begins around 2 p.m. and lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. After you enjoy your hike, finish off the visit with a bonfire and enjoy hot cider and snacks (for purchase from the Friends of Gillette Castle “Cider Station”).
The Visitor’s Center is hosting a magic show on Saturday, November 26, and December 3. Shows are at noon, 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.
Enjoy Music At The Park at the Visitor’s Center during the weekends in December. Entertainers will be:
Flute Loops, 1 – 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 27
The Trading Fours, 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 10
The Bacon Academy Carolers, 1 – 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 11
The Chameleon Trio 1 – 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17
Mystic Winds 1 – 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 18
Also, be on the lookout for a visit by William and Helen Gillette! Get outside on a self-guided hike using our hiking and history map (available online or at the visitors center). There will be raffles and holiday shopping at the visitor’s center. You can also enjoy a scavenger hunt for the young and old. See the full schedule of FREE happenings at www.gillettecastlefriends.org.
Wadsworth Mansion
I’ve been here before for a corporate event and it was beautiful in the summer. Then I was at my daughter’s softball tournament and realized I was right next to the mansion, so I had to go wander the grounds and take pictures!
This time of year is also wonderful for visiting the mansion. They host events for the holidays. This year I’d like to visit the mansion at dusk to see the house all lit up for the Christmas season.
December 2-18 – A Christmas Carol
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $50 Adults/$25 Children over 12
The Wadsworth Mansion Presents the East Haddam Stage Company for a production of A Christmas Carol. This is a 90-minute immersive theater experience while you go on a journey with Ebenezer Scrooge. This event will present a tour of the mansion, inside and out! The event is wheelchair accessible, and involves moderate walking, standing, sitting, and a little time outdoors. Your ticket price also includes a cup of hot cocoa, and beer and wine are available for purchase.
December 4 – Holiday Bazaar
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
There is a $2.00 entrance fee and the bazaar features vendors from the Open Air Market who will be selling their handmade products. You can shop and enjoy lunch and hot beverages in the bar provided by David Alan Catering. Check out their list of participating vendors.
Holiday Things To Do in CT – Litchfield County
Mail Your Christmas Cards From Bethlehem
Take a little road trip and mail your Christmas cards from the Bethlehem post office. Your cards will be postmarked as coming from Bethlehem! While you are there, stop at the Marketplace Tavern (we call it the jail restaurant) for some delicious lunch and drinks. Then take a walk around the green and do some window shopping or holiday shopping!
Hike, Shop, and Eat in Washington Depot
Or, on your way home from Bethlehem, be sure to drive through Washington Depot, home of the Gillmore Girls show. This quaint New England town is exactly as it sounds!
Enjoy a hike at Hidden Valley Preserve where my friend Karen and I rode bikes and then enjoyed a delicious lunch at the G.W. Tavern right along the Shepaug River.
What’s Next?!
I know I shared some of these events which are already sold out. But there is no reason why you can’t add them to your Christmas light tour locations to take pictures of all the holiday decorations. Half of the experience is the beautiful holiday displays.
Next, I’ll share the top locations in CT to see holiday lights. Maybe, I’ll have a giveaway, too! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss any of this fun information!