Community Calendar

❄️✨ Chapel Street Ice Carving Extravaganza! 🎉🧊

Get ready for a magical experience as a professional ice carver transforms two massive 300-pound blocks of ice into stunning holiday-themed masterpieces in the Chapel Street Historic District!
📅 When:
• Saturdays, November 29, December 13 & 20
• ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
📍 Where: In front of Üni-Home Life - 1046 Chapel Street
🎨 Featured Creations: • Elm City Elf – November 29 • Reindeer – December 13 • Holiday Bear – December 20

🍿 Enjoy complimentary fresh kettle popcorn from The Kettle King on Saturday, November 29 while you marvel at the artistry of the incredible ice sculpture!
Bring your family and friends for a festive afternoon filled with creativity and holiday cheer! 🎊

👉 Don’t miss out on this cool holiday tradition!

Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946), starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, has become a beloved American holiday classic. Celebrated for its timeless message of hope, resilience, and community, the film's heartfelt story reminds audiences of the impact one person can have. A perfect holiday tradition, it continues to warm hearts and inspire joy year after year.

The Connecticut Early Music Society presents a special holiday performance of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, December 20 at 2pm at Connecticut College’s Harkness Chapel. For the first time in three years, audiences will experience Messiah performed in its entirety, brought to life by world-class musicians playing on authentic period instruments.

While many ensembles present highlights or selected movements during the busy holiday season, the Connecticut Early Music Society is offering the full, sweeping arc of Handel’s masterpiece. The performance invites audiences to join a powerful musical journey that has resonated for nearly three centuries.

Tickets and Information:
Saturday, December 20th at 2pm
Harkness Chapel at Connecticut College
270 Mohegan Ave, New London, CT 06320.

Tickets are available now at ctearlymusic.org
$45 in advance. $50 at the doors. Students $10.

Questions?
Contact:
earlymusicct@gmail.com

Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2–3:30pm

The Bruce invites you to take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle. Come and relax in a serene setting and learn how to create a unique Freeform crochet wall hanging. This workshop, inspired by Ursula Van Rydingsvard’s works on paper displayed in the new exhibition States of Becoming, will guide participants through an open-ended creative crochet experience. Freeform crochet does not follow a pattern or set of rules; instead, it invites the maker to create an artistic, improvisational piece. Participants will leave with a beautiful crochet wall hanging to give as a gift or proudly display in their home. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own hooks and yarn. This class is best for advanced beginners who know the crochet basics (chain, single, double and treble crochet).

Fee: $16-member, $20 non-member

Led by a Museum Docent

Discover the Parrish with a guided tour from a Museum Docent. Docent-led tours offer visitors a focused insight into the Museum and exhibitions on view. Tours are approximately 40 minutes.

Free with museum admission. Drop-in program. Space is limited to a maximum of 20 visitors per docent.

The Bethel Pride book club meets the third Saturday of each month in person at Rainy Day Paperback at 3PM or online via Discord (see below).
March: Queer Palestine and the Empire of Critique
April: Nicked by M.T. Anderson
May: Body Horror: Capitalism, Fear, Misogyny, Jokes
June: Man O'War by Cory McCarthy
July: Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity
August: Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

If you cannot attend in person, book club is also hosted via text chat on Friday & Saturday via Discord. Please visit store website for a link!

Following the success of our summer concert, the Monroe Summer Orchestra is happy to have its winter concert on December 20th. The program will include popular holiday tunes, as well as music from "Home Alone."

Experience one of Connecticut’s most festive holiday concerts with Greater Bridgeport Symphony’s “Holiday Quintessence.” Part of GBS’s 80th Anniversary Season, this family-friendly Christmas and holiday music performance features classical masterpieces, seasonal favorites, and a lively community singalong—perfect for audiences of all ages.

Led by conductor Eduardo Leandro, the program blends iconic classical works with beloved holiday songs and carols. Highlights include:

Vivaldi’s “Winter” from The Four Seasons

Seasonal classics by Tchaikovsky, Bizet, and Handel

Holiday favorites: “Sleigh Ride,” “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” “White Christmas,” and more

Winter Miracle, combining Hanukkah melodies with Vivaldi

A full holiday singalong with Maureen Hamill and guest vocalists

Youth performers from Fairfield Theater Company’s Performing Arts Troupe

Families will enjoy a special selection for young listeners: Britten’s “Young People’s Guide to the Orchestra,” narrated by WSHU host Randye Kaye.

The Sherman Players proudly present Brad Blake’s gloriously “naughty” holiday revue “Wreck the Halls” weekends through December 20 at Sherman Playhouse, 5 Route 39 North (just behind the Sherman Firehouse), in Sherman, Connecticut.

Nothing is sacred in this “slay” ride of adult humor that rips the shiny bows and pretty wrapping off the holiday season. The show features two acts of original music-filled satire and burlesque that turn the last quarter of the calendar belly up. And audiences should be warned – they’ll never look at Kris Kringle the same way again!

“Wreck the Halls” plays November 28, 29, December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. There will be three 2:00 PM Sunday matinees on November 30, December 7 and 14.

Warning: Due to adult humor, “Wreck the Halls” is not recommended for the younger elves!

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students (with ID) and may be purchased online at www.ticketleap.events/events/shermanplayers.

For general information about Sherman Players, its season and volunteer opportunities, please visit shermanplayers.org or email admin@shermanplayers.org.

About Sherman Players: Since 1926, the Sherman Playhouse has been a gem inspiring the creative energies of performing artists of all ages. The Sherman Players has given Sherman and the surrounding communities a full range of high quality entertainment. The Sherman Players is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization run by volunteers. For further information, visit the website at shermanplayers.org.

🎉 Support Local This Holiday Season! 🎁✨
Shop local in the Whitney-Audubon District from November 28 to December 24 and enjoy a sweet treat with your purchase!

🛍️ Spend $25 or more at participating retailers and present your same-day paper receipt to indulge in one of these delightful offers: • FREE Cupcake from Katalina’s Bakery (74 Whitney Avenue) 🧁 • OR FREE Hot Cocoa from Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea (258 Church Street) ☕

Explore unique finds at Walker-Loden with antiques, jewelry, and festive gifts, or visit Kathadin Furniture for stunning custom rugs and eclectic treasures. Looking for something sparkling? Gilden’s Jewelers has an exquisite selection of jewelry just for you! Or take a festive art class at The Giggling Pig.

👉 Check out the Official Rules & Regulations and participating merchants in the Whitney-Audubon Retail & Arts District at https://theshopsatyale.com/holidaysonwhitney/

Happy Holidays and happy shopping local! ❤️