12 Days Of Cheer In Haddam: Making This A December To Remember

The holiday season is officially here, and there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the magic in and around Haddam. 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 Haddam 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. Catch a festive performance of Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ at The Goodspeed.

Make your season brighter with a trip to The Goodspeed for Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” a classic holiday musical staged in East Haddam. This beloved story follows two entertainers who team up with a singing duo to save a snowless Vermont inn, complete with show-stopping dance numbers and timeless songs. This holiday performance runs on select dates now through Dec. 31; check the website for showtimes and tickets to the 2.5-hour performance.

2. Settle in with coffee, art and live music at Higher Grounds at 32 Main.

Swing by Higher Grounds at 32 Main for a cozy, laid-back morning or afternoon in the heart of historic East Haddam. This locally run coffee house doubles as an art gallery, so you can sip your drink surrounded by a rotating batch of creative displays while enjoying all-day breakfast from Saturday through Thursday. Fresh-baked pastries are made in-house daily, making it a go-to spot for something warm and homemade. Keep an eye on their page for live music sessions and seasonal happenings that add extra character to the space.

3. Lace up for public skating and themed holiday sessions at Champions Skating Center.

Take the family to Champions Skating Center in Cromwell for public skating on two full-size rinks, plus occasional themed days that bring extra December fun. The 95,000-square-foot facility offers public skate sessions at select times, including special events like Thanksgiving Skate, Jersey Day and Christmas Skate. Be sure to check the live schedule page for up-to-date public skate hours before you register online.

4. Explore curated romance reads and local events at Montgomery & Taggert Bookshop.

Spend a quiet winter afternoon browsing Montgomery & Taggert, Connecticut’s first independent romance bookshop located in Chester. This charming store highlights thoughtfully curated titles across the romance genre, along with unique literary gifts and cozy touches that make lingering a delight. The shop often hosts author events, themed gatherings and seasonal activities that bring local readers together. Check their events page before visiting so you can catch a reading during your trip.

5. Celebrate the season with downtown festivities at Middletown’s 40th Holiday on Main Street.

Experience the magic of nearby Middletown during its beloved annual Holiday on Main Street celebration, which runs across multiple weekends from Thanksgiving through Christmas. The schedule is full of themed events, including the Tree Lighting Ceremony, a pop-up vendor fair, North Pole Day, decorated vehicle parade and Paws and Claus. Parking is free in city lots, and kids can drop a letter into Santa’s Mailbox between Nov. 26 and Dec. 15 for a chance to receive a reply. Keep an eye on the event website and social channels for any weather-related updates before heading out.

6. Enjoy a glittering drive-through holiday lights show at Magic of Lights in East Hartford.

Take a scenic 30-minute drive to East Hartford for Magic of Lights, a drive-through holiday attraction at Pratt and Whitney Stadium running from Nov. 26 through Jan. 3. The route features glowing holiday scenes, animated displays and dazzling LED installations you can enjoy without leaving the warmth of your car. Tickets are flexible, with weekday and other pass options that can be used anytime within their designated time windows. Check the website for pricing and purchase details so you can plan your visit.

7. Browse unique gifts and nostalgic treats at Goodspeed’s Station Country Store.

Stop by Goodspeed’s Station Country Store for a warm and festive shopping experience overlooking the Connecticut River. This cozy shop is filled with candles, handcrafted jewelry, nostalgic candy and home décor, making it a perfect place to pick up holiday gifts or stocking stuffers. The store’s mix of specialty foods, seasonal items and vintage accents gives it a charming, old-fashioned feel.

8. Spend a full day exploring Winterfest at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort.

Plan a festive outing at Powder Ridge Winterfest, which runs on weekends from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21. General admission gives you access to the snow play area, visits with Santa, live DJs, artisan vendors, food trucks and more. If you want some extra winter thrills, book a snow tubing session, which includes all Winterfest activities but requires a timed ticket reservation. Be sure to check the Winterfest events calendar for themed weekends, special performances and activities with specific timeframes.

9. Treat yourself to an elevated Italian dinner at LaMarea Ristorante.

Enjoy a memorable holiday night out at La Marea in Old Saybrook, a family-owned restaurant known for serving regional Italian cuisine with both imported and locally sourced ingredients. The dining room offers a warm atmosphere, and you can choose from classic antipasti, house-made pastas, seafood dishes, wood-fired pizzas and seasonal specialties. Their cocktail list, extensive wines and in-house desserts (especially the standout cheesecake) make the meal feel like a true celebration. Reservations are recommended, and the restaurant frequently posts special weekly offerings worth checking before your visit.

10. Get creative with holiday crafts and the town-wide Ornament Trail at The Color House.

Drop into The Color House in Colchester to explore pottery painting, hands-on art classes and a cozy studio designed to spark creativity for all ages. This season marks the very first Color House Ornament Trail, a three-week scavenger hunt featuring 100 handmade ceramic ornaments hidden throughout town. Each ornament is yours to keep, and scanning QR codes at local businesses helps you collect stamps toward prize drawings. Browse their upcoming events page for holiday-themed workshops to create your own festive keepsake.

11. Step into a world of twinkling displays at Holiday Enchantment at the Connecticut Science Center.

Visit Holiday Enchantment at the Connecticut Science Center, a limited-time experience running now through Dec. 21 that transforms the entire building into a festive, hands-on wonderland. Families can explore twinkling displays, glide across a sock skating rink, walk through the Holiday Forest of Illusions and meet Santa on select weekends. Special activities, photo backdrops and seasonal science experiments make it an engaging outing for kids and adults. Tickets often sell quickly, so buying early is the best way to secure your preferred date.

12. Explore glowing indoor gardens and interactive adventures at Glow Hartford.

Head to Glow Hartford at the Connecticut Convention Center from November 21 through December 23 for an indoor holiday experience illuminated by more than a million lights. Families can wander through interactive gardens, ride the trackless Glow-comotive train, shop the holiday market and enjoy free photos with Santa. This year introduces GlowQuest, a wand-based activity that lets kids solve puzzles as they explore the displays. Timed tickets are available online.

Stay warm, shop local and enjoy every twinkling moment — happy holidays, Haddam!

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