Holiday Lights, Festivals And Celebrations Fill The New Haven Calendar

NEW HAVEN, CT — With Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah festivities filling the December calendar, the problem may be deciding which events in New Haven to check out. Outside these religious and cultural celebrations, there are plenty of holiday events to attend in New Haven.

Starting off with holiday events at the New Haven Free Public Library

Dec. 6, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Stetson Branch, Family Winter Celebration. Bringing together diverse families of varying races, religions, and cultures to celebrate winter featuring: Sheree Baldwin Muhammad, canvas painting, Iyaba Mandingo, puppet making and puppet show, Phillip Modeen, arts and crafts. Pizza and snacks provided.
Dec. 17, 5 p.m. to 7:30 pm at the Stetson Branch, The Polar Express, live music and storytime with New Haven Symphony Orchestra violinist Gregory Tompkins reading The Polar Express and plays live to bring the story to life. Violins for children to play. Pizza and snacks will be provided.

New Haven Green, Downtown New Haven-area events:

Fantasy of Lights nighttime drive-thru holiday light show at Lighthouse Point Park is happening every evening beginning at 5 pm through December 31st.

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

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

Dec. 6 Downtown NHV Tree Farm, 9th Square

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

Dec. 6 Storytelling & Selfies with Santa & Mrs. Claus, 260 College Street

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

Dec. 7 Downtown NHV Tree Farm, Chapel Street Historic District

Dec. 7 Community Choral Concert & Baby Toy & Coat Drive, Broadway Island

Dec. 7 Strolling Connecticut Yuletide Carolers, Broadway Shopping District

Dec. 13 Westville Tree Lighting at 5 p.m. and the Shop Small Anti-Mall Holiday Market, 12 noon to 6 pm) on Saturday, December 13th and the

Dec. 14 Westville Menorah Lighting at 4 p.m. in Downtown Westville neighborhood.

Dec. 26 Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting and Celebration at New Haven City Hall at 5 p.m., hosted by the New Haven Board of Alders Black and Hispanic Caucus.

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.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, city officials, Alders, and representatives from local businesses and organizations held a media event Tuesday to share all the latest updates on the holiday schedule.