Holiday Lights, Festivals And Celebrations Fill The Branford Calendar

BRANFORD, CT — With Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah festivities filling the December calendar, the problem may be deciding which events in Branford to check out.

Outside these religious and cultural celebrations, there are plenty of fun, family, and festive holiday events to attend in Branford.

Some Branford holiday events

Santa's Workshop Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Joseph Trapasso Community House.

Harrison House Museum Annual Holiday Open House, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Holiday decorations, refreshments, including warm mulled apple cider, tours of the House, the Barn, and current Exhibits.

Reindeer Games & Snowflake Scavenger Hunt Dec. 15 and 17, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Joseph Trapasso Community House.

Reindeer Route - House Decorating: Dec. 10-Dec. 30. Branford’s 'Reindeer Route.’ Register a house/business to get on the Reindeer Route. Prizes awarded for Most Creative, Holiday Spirit, Colorful, Original, and more. BranfordRecreation.org, click here, or call the office at 203-488-8304 to register by Dec. 8. The Reindeer Route Map will be available to the public by Dec. 10.

Historic Chocolate-Making Demonstration: Dec. 10 begins at 5:30 p.m. at Blackstone Memorial Library.

Shop, Sip & Stroll: Dec, 11 begins at 5 p.m. Shop at local businesses, enjoy festive beverages, and stroll through decorated streets.

Stony Creek Holiday Market: Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Stony Creek.

And nearby in New Haven.

Dec. 4 New Haven Holiday Tree Lighting, New Haven Green

Dec. 5 Downtown NHV Tree Farm, Whitney-Audubon District

Dec. 6 Strolling Connecticut Yuletide Carolers, Chapel Street Historic District

Dec. 6 Ice Carving Competition & A Capella Concert, Broadway Island

As you plan your calendar, here are some key dates to consider:

• Christmas, of course, is always Dec. 25.

• Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration primarily held in the United States to honor African heritage and African-American culture, is observed from Dec. 26-Jan. 1, culminating with gift-giving and a lavish feast. The dates of this holiday do not change.
• Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods, begins at sundown on Dec. 14 and continues until sundown on Dec. 22. The dates vary every year.