Holiday Lights, Festivals And Celebrations Fill The Canton Calendar

CANTON, CT — With Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa festivities filling the December calendar, the problem may be deciding which events in Cantonto attend.

Outside these religious and cultural celebrations, there are plenty of holiday light shows, parades, fairs, and festivals to attend in Canton.

Here are some to consider:

• Christmas in Collinsville: Santa will be at this event, which includes a craft fair, storytelling, and other holiday festivities. It will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Collinsville village of Canton, Main Street. For more information, click on this link.

• The Canton Historical Museum is holding its "Gallery of Trees" event through Dec. 7. View uniquely decorated trees and purchase tickets to win one. All proceeds benefit the Canton Historical Museum Operating and Building Funds. Hours: Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Noon to 7 p.m. Free Admission. The museum is at 11 Front St.

• The Shops at Farmington Valley, Route 44, Canton, is hosting several community holiday events throughout December. More information is available at this link.

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

• 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.

• 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.