Seasonal & Holidays
12 Days Of Cheer In Mansfield: 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 Mansfield. 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 Mansfield 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. Cozy up with coffee and comfort food at Dog Lane Café.
Escape the cold with a stop at Dog Lane Café, a European/American café near UConn’s south campus. Sip a latte or chai from the Barista bar, help yourself at the self-service coffee station, or refuel with homemade soups, chilies, sandwiches, grilled items and freshly tossed salads. During the growing season, many specials feature ingredients from local farms, and there are gluten-free bread and dessert options. Settle into the comfortable dining room or enjoy the patios on Dog Lane and Storrs Road while you relax with friends or take a quiet break.
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2. Shop global fair-trade gifts at Mansfield Art Center.
Browse artisan-made, fair-trade treasures from around the world at the Mansfield Art Center, a longtime local staple on Route 32. This family-run shop sources handcrafted goods from more than 170 countries, with each item selected to support artisans and preserve traditional crafts. As you explore shelves of jewelry, décor, textiles, gems and crystals, you’ll also learn the stories behind the pieces and the communities they support.
3. Pick out a Connecticut-grown tree at Cedar Ledge Tree Farm.
Make choosing your holiday tree an outing at Cedar Ledge Tree Farm, where locally-grown trees and wreath greens abound. Staff can help with tree shaking, drilling and baling, and the on-site shop offers decorated wreaths, custom bows, stands, waterers and ornaments. You’ll find plenty of parking and a heated Christmas tree shop to warm up in between selections. As a bonus, leashed dogs are welcome, so the whole family can join in the fun.
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4. Stock up on sourdough and seasonal goods at Hillyndale Road Farm & Bakery.
Plan a tasty winter haul from Hillyndale Road Farm & Bakery, a woman-owned small-scale vegetable farm and home bakery in Storrs. Long-fermented sourdough breads, yeasted loaves and baked goods are made with high-quality, often locally sourced ingredients, alongside sustainably-grown and pesticide-free vegetables, herbs, flowers and plants. It’s an inviting spot to gather nourishing staples and special treats for cozy nights in or seasonal gatherings.
5. Explore winter trails and water views at Mansfield Hollow State Park.
Get outside and enjoy the season at Mansfield Hollow State Park, a popular local destination set along a 500-acre lake in Mansfield. In milder weather, visitors can picnic on a pine-covered bluff, cast a line for trout or bass or paddle the clear reservoir waters. Once the snow falls, the park’s network of multi-use trails becomes a scenic spot for Nordic skiing and quiet winter walks with views of the frozen shoreline. Keep an eye out for whip-poor-wills, prairie and blue-winged warblers and other birds that make this one of Connecticut’s key inland stopovers.
6. Soar through the treetops at The Adventure Park at Storrs.
Add some high-energy excitement to your holiday season at The Adventure Park at Storrs, home to treetop trails, rope courses and ziplines for ages 7+. During select evenings, the park transforms for Glow in the Park, an event where LED and fairy lights illuminate the aerial courses while music creates a festive atmosphere. Tickets include two hours of climbing plus time for harnessing, a safety briefing and practice; reserve yours online, and complete your waiver ahead of time to expedite the registration process.
7. Treat the family to gourmet mini doughnuts at Dad’s Doughs.
Indulge in a sweet local outing at Dad’s Doughs, where made-to-order gourmet mini doughnuts are the specialty. Each 2–3-bite doughnut makes it easy to mix and match from a rotating dozen of specialty flavors, alongside classic options like plain, cinnamon sugar, honey glazed and jelly. Pair your treat with locally roasted drip coffee from Baronet Coffee Roasters or local bottled beverages from nearby producers. With dine-in, takeout, catering and a welcoming dining room and patio, it’s an easy stop for a winter pick-me-up or holiday treat.8. Go for a spin on the ice at Bolton Ice Palace.
Less than half an hour from Mansfield, Bolton Ice Palace offers a great way to stay active and burn off some energy. In addition to public skate and extended skate sessions, the NHL-sized rink also offers skating lessons, drop-in hockey days and freestyle figure skating sessions. Make sure to check the schedule before you go for the most up-to-date information on available rink times.9. Capture holiday photos with Santa at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills.
If you’re headed into Manchester between Nov. 28 and Dec. 24, bring your littles to The Shoppes at Buckland Hills for the Santa Photo Experience. Families can meet the man in red himself and leave with a holiday photo they’ll cherish long after the season ends. While walk-ups are welcome, advance reservations are strongly encouraged.10. Take a magical drive through Hebron Lions Lights in Motion.
Hebron Lions Lights in Motion, a one-mile drive-thru light display choreographed to music. Open 24 nights from Black Friday through New Year’s Eve, the event features more than a million synchronized LED lights, with proceeds supporting children’s charities like Camp Rising Sun and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. For the best pricing, purchase tickets online, then use them any time the show is open during the 2025 holiday season.
