Seasonal & Holidays
12 Days Of Cheer In Brookfield: Making This A December To Remember
Celebrate the season all month long with local lights, cozy stops, markets and hometown holiday charm.
The holiday season is officially here, and there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the magic in and around Brookfield. To help get you in the spirit, we’ve rounded up a dozen festive ideas you can enjoy throughout the month — each one a fun, joyful way to celebrate the season close to home.
From twinkling light displays and holiday markets to cozy treats, local shopping spots, winter activities and seasonal shows, these 12 picks highlight what makes Brookfield feel especially merry this time of year. Whether you check off one or all twelve, it’s all about slowing down, supporting local businesses and making memories.
1. Check out the Elk Lights in nearby Southbury.
With over 7,000 lights synchronized to music, Elk Lights is a fun and festive way to enjoy holiday decorations. Elk Lights is located at 134 Elk Drive in Southbury, and shows run Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10:30 PM. Visitors can turn their radios to 92.9 FM to enjoy the light show with music.
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2. Skate to the music at Danbury Ice Arena.
A short drive from Brookfield is the Danbury Ice Arena, a great place to stay active during the winter months. It features two rinks and is open seven days a week for skating lessons, public skate sessions, youth and adult hockey leagues and more. In addition to ice rinks, Danbury Ice Arena features an axe lounge, an arcade and a full bar. Stop by on Fridays from 8:30 to 10:30 PM for DJ Skate.
3. Warm up with a hot beverage from #theCafe.
#theCafe on Federal Road is a Brookfield favorite that serves breakfast, lunch, coffees, teas, beer, wine and more. Locals love the cozy, welcoming atmosphere and delicious menu items to accompany their drinks. #theCafe is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 AM to 3 PM, and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM. Be sure to try their signature iced latte, #theBravi, while you’re here!
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4. Find unique gifts at Newbury Place.
Enjoy a boutique shopping experience at Newbury Place in nearby Southbury. Newbury Place offers home decor items, jewelry, women’s clothing and accessories, along with free gift wrapping. They’re open seven days a week with options for local delivery and online shopping.
5. Support local artists at Brookfield Craft Center’s 50th Annual Holiday Shopping Tradition.
The Annual Holiday Shopping Tradition at Brookfield Craft Center has options for everyone on your shopping list. You’ll find handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, fiber art, glass and more from over 150 local makers, and all proceeds go toward supporting independent artists and the Craft Center’s education programs. The Holiday Shopping Tradition is open now through Dec. 22 (see website for daily hours). Come in on a Thursday from 5 to 7 PM for a Sip and Shop Night!
6. Slow down for an authentic Italian meal at Della Francesca.
Restaurateur and art lover Johnney Rugovac opened Della Francesca in 2024 to bring Northern Italian cuisine to the Danbury community. Their mouthwatering menu features dishes like ravioli di aragosta, salmone limoncello and linguine clams. Della Francesca is open for dinner Sunday through Friday from 4:30 to 9 PM, Saturday from 4:30 to 10 PM and lunch Monday through Friday from 12 to 3 PM.
7. Check out Byrd’s Books for new holiday season reads.
If you’re looking for a good story to dive into, head to Byrd’s Books in nearby Bethel to shop for new releases, bestsellers, children’s books and more. If you’re shopping for a book lover, Byrd’s Books offers gift certificates as well as cards, journals, puzzles and Folkmanis puppets. Byrd’s Books hosts writing groups, book clubs and author events for the community. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sundays from 12 to 4 PM.
8. Enjoy a delicious holiday treat from Barbara’s Delights.
Originally from Italy, Barbara of Barbara’s Delights is a pastry chef with a passion for creating delicious pastries, cakes and desserts. This shop is located on the Candlewood Lake side of Brookfield and features authentic Italian panettone, zeppole and pastiera napoletana, along with cookies, tarts, sourdough loaves and focaccia. Barbara’s Delights is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM.
9. See ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ in 4D at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
About an hour away in Norwalk, the Maritime Aquarium is showing a 10-minute adaptation of the holiday classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” in its state-of-the-art 4D theater. Along with 3D visual effects, this theater experience includes added sensory elements like wind, mists and scents for a truly immersive experience. “Rudolph” is playing daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) with showings beginning at 10:45 AM, then every hour on the 0:45. Tickets are available online ($7.95 each or $6.95 for aquarium members).
10. Find artful gifts at Silvermine Galleries’ Holiday Salon.
In New Canaan, Silvermine Galleries is hosting a Holiday Salon now through Dec. 23 with unique paintings, sculptures and ceramics for the art lover on your shopping list. The artwork at Silvermine Galleries is created by members of the Silvermine Guild of Artists who work in a variety of mediums. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
11. See spectacular model trains at the Holiday Express Train Show at Fairfield Museum.
From Nov. 29 through Jan. 4, head to the Fairfield Museum for its Annual Holiday Express Train Show. You can follow small and large model trains as they move through holiday scenes and winter villages. The train show is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM - 1 PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM - 4 PM.
12. Meet real reindeer and visit Santa’s Workshop at the 17th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival.
It’s worth the hour-long drive to Sam Bridge Nursery and Greenhouses in Greenwich to see live reindeer at the 17th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Santa’s Workshop. Santa’s Workshop features stations for coloring and writing letters to Santa, along with a contest to name a baby reindeer. This Reindeer Festival is open from Nov. 28 through Dec. 24, and photos with Santa are available Monday through Friday from 12 to 6 PM, Saturdays from 9 AM to 6 PM, and Christmas Eve from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Stay warm, shop local and enjoy every twinkling moment — happy holidays, Brookfield!
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