CONNECTICUT, USA — It's the weekend before Thanksgiving, and it's turning out to be a typical late-autumn one, which means it's a great weekend to get out and explore what's happening in Connecticut!
It's a great weekend to head to a nearby holiday market to find something special for a gift! Check out the "Sleigh Bells Ring" Christmas Fair in Bolton on Saturday for a holiday event that features a country store filled with jams, muffin and cookie mixes, friendship candles, and other unique stocking stuffers! Other crafts and one-of-a-kind gifts will be featured as well. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Maurice Church and admission is free. Learn more about the event here.
Another holiday gift market to check out is Hamden's 45th Annual Holly Berry Festival! The family-friendly event features locally handcrafted items, children's activities, food, and raffles. More than 40 artisans from across the state will be there selling hand-crafted goods and special food items, which will make fantastic gifts. Parking and admission is free. The event will be held Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Beginning Saturday and playing until Dec. 17 is the "Million Dollar Quartet Christmas" performance at the Ivoryton Playhouse! Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley's music come together to celebrate the holidays, and audiences will journey through stories of Christmas past, present, and future! Admission and performance times vary; learn more here.
Also starting this Saturday is Olde Mistick Village's Holiday Lights Spectacular! This large light display is free to the public and will run until Jan. 31, 2024. Over half a million lights will decorate Olde Mistick Village, which is full of shops and restaurants, for families and holiday enthusiasts to enjoy. Parking is free. Learn more about the event at their website.
More lights are going up in Hartford as the Glow Hartford - Holiday Light Festival & Market event begins Saturday. Celebrate the season under the twinkle of a million lights at Glow Hartford. According to event organizers, this indoor holiday light festival will be twice the size of last year's festival. Enjoy interactive light gardens, illuminated structures, seasonal food and drinks, family-friendly activities, festive holiday markets, and daily live entertainment. There are also free photos with Santa, and you can ride on the trackless "Glow-comotive" train. The event runs until Dec. 23 at the Connecticut Convention Center. Learn more about times at the website.
Stamford is kicking off its holiday season this Sunday with the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular! The parade will highlight 15 giant helium balloons, fabulous floats that feature Kidsbop and Santa, and several award-winning marching bands and dance groups. The parade steps off at noon in Downtown Stamford. Learn more about the event here.
These aren't the only events happening this weekend! Head to CT Visit for more ideas.
See you next weekend!
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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