Light a Tree, Catch a Snowflake, Shear a Sheep, Say Hi to Santa

1. The Holiday season swings into gear today with a holiday stroll through downtown Niantic. Nearly every store and restaurant along and off Main Street is participating, with extended opening hours and sweet treats for customers from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be carol singers from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., games for kids on Liberty Green from 3 to 4;30 p.m., complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides around town and free hot chocolate and apple cider. The countdown to the tree lighting starts at 4:45 p.m. and will culminate with a "Snowflake Drop" at 5 p.m.

Kids can write letters to Santa at the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and Santa will be coming to town to pick up the mail at 5:15 p.m. and he'll be staying around to visit will children afterward. 

2. Santa has a very busy schedule this holiday season. On his way to Niantic he'll be stopping off in Mystic, where he'll arrive by tugboat at 2 p.m. This evening, Mystic will hold its annual tree lighting ceremony in Mystic River Park at 6 p.m., which will be immediately followed by the 10th Annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade.

3. Feeling a little sheepish? Beaver Brook Farm at 139 Beaver Brook Road in Lyme is holding its annual holiday open house this weekend from 11 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be sheep shearing demonstrations, spinners and weavers, and a felting tent to teach kids of all ages the fine art of turning raw wool into yarn. 

On Saturday, Foxglove Farm will bring over its heavy horses for horsedrawn wagon rides and Beaver Brook Farm will be offering its famous sausage sandwiches if you feel peckish. This holiday event is the perfect way to keep the kids entertained over the long weekend but those of you who live in Lyme know that by now. The event has been going on for 23 years! 

4. The 11th Annual Holiday Art and Fine Crafts Show at Hadlyme Public Hall in Lyme will be open all weekend long, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow. The show features works from 30 artists and artisans, all of which will be available for sale. A portion of the sale proceeds will go to help restore and maintain the historic Hadlyme Public Hall. 

5. The halls of Gillette Castle are decked for the holidays and will open for the first time this season starting today. The castle will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday until December 16, weather permitting. Tickets are $6 adults and children 13 and over, $2 for children 6-12, and children under 5 are free. Tickets are sold until 3:30 p.m. and there will be a bonfire, free cider and hot chocolate. There will be free music performances on the weekends in December. Call (860) 526-2336 for more information.