Holiday Lights, Festivals And Celebrations Fill The Simsbury Calendar

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

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

Here are some to consider:

• Nov. 29: The town's biggest holiday celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov. 29, in the form of the annual "Simsbury Celebrates" event.

Festivities will take place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. throughout the town's quaint downtown aera along Hopmeadow Street.

Major highlights include a 7:25 p.m. firetruck parade and an 8:15 p.m. fireworks show.

In addition, major town locations along Hopmeadow Street will host their own holiday-themed programs during the celebration.

• Simsbury High School Holiday Concert: Dec. 7, 3 p.m. at the Simsbury High School auditorium. The concert includes a special appearance from Anna and Elsa.

•Holiday Market & Toy Drive: Dec. 7, 11:00 AM at the Old Well Tavern.

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.