25 Fun Things To Do December in Connecticut

For up-to-date listings for 2009 click here:
http://www.thisisct.net/2009/11/things-to-do-december-in-connecticut.html

 Holiday Light Fantasia For me, the official start of the holiday season begins with a trip through this lovely winter wonderland of lights. Open through Monday, January 1st, 2007. Sundays through Thursdays 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm Goodwin Park, Hartford. Admission $12 - 15 for cars/vans. http://www.holidaylightfantasia.com/

Also, see the 12th Annual Fantasy of Lights. Drive through an enchanting land of sparkling lights and spectacular holiday light displays. Delights children and adults of all ages. Lighthouse Park, New Haven. Runs through Dec. 31, Sun.-Thu. 5-9, Fri. and Sat. 5-10. Admission vehicles $10; mini-bus $25, bus $50.

In Hartford's annual Festival of Light on Constitution Plaza there are more than 250,000 white lights turn the Plaza into an enchanting winter wonderland with sparking fountains, sculptures, trees and more. Constitution Plaza, Hartford. Runs through Jan. 6 2007, 4:00 pm - midnight.

Winterfest 2006 Get into the spirit of the season at the Connecticut Trolley Museum with live music, Christmas decorations, Santa and trolley rides though a tunnel of lights.
December 1 - 30 5 pm - 9 pm
Tickets $10 adults, Seniors $8, Children $6, Under 3 $3.
Connecticut Trolley Museum, 58 North Road, East Windsor
http://www.ct-trolley.org//Fest06/fest06.htm


Lantern Light Tours 2006 at Mystic Seaport We are in the village of Mystic, Connecticut, on Christmas Eve 1876, the year of our nation's Centennial. Whether it be a family around the hearth or sailors in the tavern, all the townsfolk are preparing for this special day in their own way. We see the unfolding courtship of Edith Ward, an adopted orphan, and James Douglass, son of a wealthy business owner. All appears as it should, with anticipation in the air, but events take a curious turn and it seems that appearances may be deceiving. We visit with townsfolk as they gossip about, search for, or pine for Edith. Among them, we meet a cheerful old man who has a habit of turning up in Mystic every year on this exact day, to dispense wisdom, and perhaps a few trinkets here and there. This enchanting story unfolds as we move through the lantern lit village of Mystic Seaport.
December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 20-23, 28-29.
Tours leave every 15 minutes beginning at 5 pm. Reservations are recommended.
Tickets: $25 adults ($22 members), $18 children ages 4-17 ($16 members).
http://www.mysticseaport.org/


Crafty Zoo Kids. Just in time for the holidays, kids ages 7-12 can learn about animals and make holiday gifts during presentations and craft time in the warmth of Professor Beardsley’s Research Station. Each session of Crafty ZooKids during the season will feature a different theme, so children may like to attend more than one session. Cost is $10 for Zoo members and $15 for non-members. Pre-register by sending child’s name, age, date of program, and payment to: Crafty ZooKids, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06610. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Saturday, December 3, 2:00 - 3:00 pm. Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport. Sunday, November 12th noon to 3:00 pm
http://www.beardsleyzoo.com/


26th Annual Mark Twain Holiday House Tour The tour will feature Mark Twain’s 19-room home at 351 Farmington Avenue in Hartford along with the Town and County Club at 22 Woodland Street in Hartford and several historical and architecturally impressive private homes in West Hartford and Hartford. Each home will be decorated for the holidays and will feature live music and floral arrangements.
Sunday, December 3, 2006, from 11 am to 4 pm
Tickets are $30 each in advance. ($35 if purchased on the day of the tour.)
http://www.marktwainhouse.org/













Nutmeg Ballet Presents The Nutcracker Enjoy yourself this yuletide season as you travel with young Clara to the enchanted Land of Sweets. Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts/Nutmeg Ballet bring Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker back to The Bushnell and the Warner Theater, delighting audiences young and old. This holiday favorite brings to life toy soldiers and dueling mice, princesses and sugarplums - a delicious treat for the child in all of us.
Saturday, December 2, 2 pm and 7 pm
Sunday, December 3, 2 pm
Warner Theatre, 68 Main Street, Torrington
Box Office: 860-489-7180
Tickets $36, $32, $26, $16
http://www.warnertheatre.org/

December 9 - 10 & 16 - 17, 2 pm and 7 pm
Maxwell and Ruth Belding Theater, The Bushnell, Hartford
Tickets $35 - $47.50
Box Office: 860-987-5900
http://www.bushnell.org/


The Nutcracker Presented by the New Haven Ballet The traditional story of The Nutcracker is brought to life in this classical ballet performed by students of the New Haven Ballet. Guest artists will include New Haven Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jung-Ho Pak, the United Girls’ Choir, and former New York City Ballet dancers Emily Coates and Alexander Ritter as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
Friday, December 1st, 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 2nd, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 3rd, 2:00 pm
$46.00, $21.00, $13.00
Shubert Theater, 247 College Street, New Haven
Box Office: (203) 624-1825
http://www.capa.com/newhaven/events/event.php?e=38


Albano Ballet Nutcracker The Albano Ballet production of The Nutcracker is a holiday favorite at Mohegan Sun, thrilling audiences old, young, and in-between.
Saturday, December 16, 7 pm
Sunday, December 17, 2 pm
Tickets $33.00, $23.00
Mohegan Sun Arena
Box Office 860-886-0070
http://www.mohegansun.com/entertainment/purchase_tickets.jsp



A Christmas Carol The timeless Dickens tale of the bah-humbug Ebenezer Scrooge haunted on Christmas Eve by ghosts of the past, present and future. Availble in Hartford, Westport, and Essex.

A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas
Through Dec. 30, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm performances.
Tickets $27 - $57, with $10 off for children 12 and under
Hartford Stage, 50 Church St., Hartford
Box office: 860-527-5151
http://www.hartfordstage.org/

Ebeneeza - A Hartford Holiday Carol
Dec. 1 through 30, Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm
Tickets $20
HartBeat Ensemble at the Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Ave., Hartford
Box office: 860-249-1207
http://www.hartbeatensemble.org/

A Christmas Carol
Through Dec. 23, 1 pm, 5:30 pm and 7 pm performances
Tickets $25, $35 and $48
Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport
Box office: 203-227-4177
http://www.westportplayhouse.org/

A Christmas Carol
Through Dec. 16
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat Evenings 7 pm
Wed, Sat, Sun Matinees 2 pm
Tickets $25 adults; $15 children
Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton section of Essex
Box office: 860-767-7318
http://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/



Christmas Crafts Expos I and II
These two shows featuring over 250 different crafts exhibitors each weekend have become a tradition.
Friday, December 1st - 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday, December 2nd - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 3rd - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday, December 8th - 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday, December 9th - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 10th - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Admission Adults $6, Seniors $5, Children under 14 FREE
CT Expo Center, 265 Reverend Moody Overpass, Hartford
860-493-1300
www.ctexpocenter.com



Hartford Wolfpack Home Games Friday nights at the Hartford Wolf Pack are family value nights. Ticket packages start at $36 for a 3-pack, $48 for a 4-Pack, packages include: tickets, hot dog, or pizza slices, and sodas, and a Wolf Pack souvenir.
Saturday December 2, Wolf Pack vs.Manchester, 7 pm
Saturday December 9, Wolf Pack vs. Lowell, 7:30 pm
Wednesday December 13, Wolf Pack vs. Philadelphia, 7 pm
Friday December 15, Wolf Pack vs. Worcester, 7 pm
Saturday December 16, Wolf Pack vs. Portland, 7 pm
Friday December 22, Wolf Pack vs. Springfield, 7 pm
Saturday December 23, Wolf Pack vs. Providence, 7 pm
Saturday December 30, Wolf Pack vs.Manchester, 7 pm
Box Office: 860-525-4500
http://www.hartfordwolfpack.com/

Bridgeport Soundtigers Home Games
Wednesday, December 6, Sound Tigers vs. Binghampton, 7:30pm
Saturday, December 16, Sound Tigers vs. Lowell, 7 pm
Sunday, December 17, Sound Tigers vs. Norfolk, 4 pm
Saturday, December 23, Sound Tigers vs. Manchester, 7 pm
Tuesday, December 26, Sound Tigers vs. Hershey, 7:30 pm
Friday, December 29, Sound Tigers vs. Hartford WolfPack, 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 31, Sound Tigers vs. Albany, 3 pm
Box Office: 203-334-GOAL
http://www.soundtigers.com/

UConn Basketball at the Hartford Civic Center
Sunday, December 17, UCONN Men vs. St. Mary's (CA), 2 pm
Wednesday, December 20, UCONN Men vs. Pepperdine, 7 pm
Saturday, December 23, UCONN Women vs. Oakland (MI), 12 pm
Wednesday, December 27, UCONN Men vs. Coppin State, 7 pm
Friday December 29, UCONN Women vs. Hartford, 7 pm
Sunday December 31, UCONN Women vs. Sacred Heart, 12 pm
Box Office: 860-525-4500
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/

Reckson Associates Rappelling Santa and First County Bank’s Holiday Lighting Ceremony. From 22 stories high above Stamford Downtown, watch and cheer for Santa Claus as he makes his daredevil descent, twisting and flying from the top of Stamford’s tallest building, Landmark Square. Then follow Santa for an evening of holiday fun with live music and join in the annual holiday lighting ceremony.
Sunday, December 3, 4:30 pm, Landmark Square, Stamford
http://www.stamford-downtown.com/

All Aboard The North Pole Express @ the Essex Steam Train. Hop aboard the classic Essex Steam Train for this year's North Pole Express - a musical version of a favorite, holiday classic poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas". Professional actors from Riverway Studios, East Haddam, CT, will climb aboard to host a maxi-fun, magical ride that includes song, creative play and heaps of Christmas spirit! Munch on some cookies, meet Mr and Mrs Claus, and every little child meeting Santa will receive a gift. December 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 5 pm and 7 pm departures. Book online in advance! www.essexsteamtrain.com/northpole.html

Santa Special Winter is a special time to ride the rails. And we make it extra special with Mr. and Mrs. Claus... direct from the North Pole! We're decking the halls to get you into the holiday spirit. Saturdays and Sundays Through Dec. 23, 2006 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/

The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra has performed around the world and brings the hottest holiday ticket back to Bridgeport. Join the world famous Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart as they bring tidings of comfort and joy to Arena at Harbor Yard. Come out and share all the holiday cheer of this extraordinary event with your family and friends!
Saturday, December 9th, 7:30 pm
http://www.arenaatharboryard.com/popup2.asp?eventID=228


Community Carol Sing Get into the joyous spirit of the season at Mystic Seaport's Community Carol Sing. Enjoy the music of Christmas backed by a brass quartet and the Mystic Seaport carolers. Bring a canned good for charity and your Museum admission is free. Fun for the whole family including a special Planetarium show.
Sunday, December 17, 3:00 pm
http://www.mysticseaport.org/


Holiday Movies in December

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
It's Christmas time once again and Scott Calvin juggles a full house of family and the mischievous Jack Frost, who is trying to take over the "big guy's" holiday. At the risk of giving away the secret location of the North Pole, Scott invites his in-laws to share in the holiday festivities, and upcoming birth of baby Claus with expectant wife, Carol.
Out Now.
Rated G for General Audiences.

Deck the Halls (2006)
Steve (Matthew Broderick), a suburban dad and Christmas enthusiast, leads a well-ordered, well-planned, and well-organized life. His new neighbor, Buddy (Danny DeVito), is Steve's polar opposite: a big personality with big dreams, which have yet to materialize. But Buddy's latest dream - to create the biggest holiday light display in the world, visible from outer space - is turning Steve's disciplined... See Full Description
Out Now.
Rated PG for some crude and suggestive humor, and for language.

The Nativity Story (2006)
Follows the two-year period of Mary and Joseph's life, which culminates in their leaving Nazareth and journeying 100 miles to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.
Opens December 1st, 2006 (wide)
Rated PG for some violent content.

The Holiday (2006)
Iris is in love with a man who is about to marry another woman. Across the globe, Amanda realizes the man she lives with has been unfaithful. Two women who have never met and live 6000 miles apart, find themselves in the exact same place. They meet online at a home exchange website and impulsively switch homes for the holiday. Iris moves into Amanda's L.A. house in sunny California as Amanda arrives in England.
Opens December 8th, 2006 (wide)
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some strong language.

Unaccompanied Minors (2006)
It's Christmas Eve and a huge blizzard has just shut down the airport, threatening to ruin holiday plans for all stranded travelers. Snowed in en route to their father's house, two "Unaccompanied Minors"--dubbed UMs--Spencer and his little sister, Katherine, are ushered to the airport's Unaccompanied Minors Room, a holding cell for dozens of stranded, parent-free kids from all over the country.
Opens December 8th, 2006 (wide)
Rated PG for mild rude humor and language.

Charlotte's Web
Wilbur is a humble piglet. Born the runt of the litter, his life is spared by the farmer's daughter, Fern (Dakota Fanning). But he still faces the prospect of becoming dinner. Luckily, Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who spells out words in her radiant webs to convince the humans that the little guy really is some pig.
Opens December 15th, 2006 (wide)
Rated G for General Audiences.

Also out this month:
Apocalypto, Mel Gibson's ancient Mayan adventure. (Dec 8)
Arthur and the Invisibles, A tiny world is in his yard. (Dec 15)
Blood Diamond, Leonardo DiCaprio is an African jewel smuggler. (Dec 8)
Breaking and Enterting, Jude Law's life is stolen. (Dec 8)
Charlotte's Web, The classic story on screen with Dakota Fanning. (Dec 20)
Children of Men, A future where no one can have a baby. (Dec 25)
Dreamgirls, A musical about a soul trio starring Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx. (Dec 15)
Eragon, A boy warrior rides his dragon into battle. (Dec 15)
The Good Shepherd, With Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon. (Dec 22)
The Holiday, Diaz and Winslet switch houses and find romance. (Dec 8)
The Nativity Story, The birth of Jesus from Mary's point-of-view. (Dec 1)
Night at the Museum, History comes to life and attacks Ben Stiller. (Dec 20)
The Pursuit of Happyness, Starring Will Smith and son. (Dec 15)
Rocky Balboa, Sylvester Stallone is the Italian Stallion once again, out of retirement for one last fight. (Dec 20)
Turistas, Americans tourists learn they're not welcome. (Dec 1)
Unaccompanied Minors, Six kids alone in an airport. (Dec 8)
Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj, Kal Penn's back in school. (Dec 1)
We Are Marshall, Matthew McConaughey in a true football story. (Dec 22)