Festive Cheer Across CT: Holiday Markets & Other Seasonal Spectacles

CONNECTICUT — Now that the state's burn warning has been rescinded, it's time to light the yule fires — or maybe that VSG you've been keeping for a special occasion — and appreciate everything that is Christmas in Connecticut.

All eyes will be aimed skyward in Downtown Stamford Sunday, Dec. 8, around 5 p.m. when Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Grinch and a whole posse of Navidad knuckleheads come rappelling down 22 stories. From the top of Landmark Square, the Christmas daredevils will proceed up Bedford Street to Latham Park for music, festivities, and the city's annual Holiday Tree Lighting.

If shuffling through old but cozy homes during the "ber months" is your cup of nog, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Connecticut has your number. The group is throwing open the doors of four private houses, plus the three houses that make up the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield, all decorated to the Christmas nines. "Homes for the Holidays: Old Wethersfield Homes on Tour" will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available online here.

Gov. Ned and First Lady Annie Lamont are hosting the 34th annual holiday open house at the Governor’s Residence at 990 Prospect Avenue in Hartford, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year, a shuttle bus will provide visitors with free transportation to the governor’s digs from the nearby parking lot of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History at 1 Elizabeth Street. The bus will operate on a continuous loop every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the duration of the event. There is no admittance fee and tickets are not needed. Guests will receive a card containing a Lamont family holiday recipe. Don't forget to wipe your feet.

But nobody will mind if you track in a little dirt into Wolcott's Winter Wonderland at the Lions Fairgrounds on Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In fact, it's the only one of these special events to include a petting zoo, so they're practically begging for it. Wagon rides, sleigh rides, sweet treats and plenty of music complete the picture of a less-frantic yuletide treasure.

If you're not one of those tedious box-tickers who have all their Christmas gift shopping done by Thanksgiving, you'll have plenty of opportunities to spend your cash at these holiday markets and downtown-wide retail celebrations this weekend:

Over 25 vendors are expected at the 3rd Annual Holiday Extravaganza & Marketplace at 50 Washington Street in Norwalk, on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. They will be joined by characters from Disney's "Frozen," and plenty of activities and craft stations for the younger set.

Coventry opens its gates for "Christmas in the Village" from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. All the quaint town's downtown shops will be open, and there will be a full roster of events happening on Main Street. Festivities include horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, carolers, a visit from Santa, the town tree-lighting, food trucks, arts and crafts for the children and more.

And if you like that, you'll adore Ridgefield's Holiday Stroll. Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy horse-drawn carriages, live music, live reindeer, carolers, a holiday boutique and even toy soldiers marching down Main Street. The shops will be open late, and the restaurants are world-class — grab your reservations early.

The Town of Old Saybrook will host its 4th annual Saybrook Starlight Festival on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. More carolers, more horse-drawn carriages, another gazebo, but also two performances from the local dance troupe, chili made by Masons, restaurant specials, hula-hoops, a greens giveaway, storytime and face-painting. It's kind of a lot to take in.