Whether you're in search of something fun to do with the kids or you have a babysitter and are planning a night out, look no further because Patch editors have picked a variety of events taking place today and tomorrow to help you make the most of your weekend. Click on the headline of each for more information.
Plunge at the Park
Where: Great Hollow Lake, 454 Purdy Hill Road, Monroe
When: Sunday, check in at 11 a.m., Plunge at 1 p.m.
Description: The Monroe Police Department is teaming up with Special Olympics CT in a fundraiser benefitting the Special Olympics' athletes. People who collected donations from sponsors will run into the chilly lake. Those who want to make a minumum donation of $50, but not brave the water, will receive an "I'm a Chicken Shirt".
Monroe Historical Society Christmas Fair
Where: 311 Wheeler Road, Monroe
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Description: All your Christmas needs from cards to tags and wrapping paper to bags. A wide variety of home decorations and ornaments. There will be a huge selection of gifts and holiday favorites: English Muffin Bread and homemade jams and jellies.
By popular demand the fair taking pre-orders for our English Muffin Bread. Call Kathy at (203) 268-3516 or send an email to jeffandkathyb@charter.net. Visit the website, monroehistoricsociety.org for more information.
Historical Society Holiday House Tour this Saturday!
When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Trumbull, Trumbull Historical Society
Cost: You can purchase a ticket at the Town Clerk’s office, Past and Presents Shop, Flourishes Gift Shop, City Line Florist or through the museum. Tickets are $20. Tickets are available the day of the tour for $25 beginning at 10:30AM at the Historical Society.
Greenwich: The Amazing Kreskin
When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m.
Where: Arch Teen Center, 100 Arch St.
Cost: $25 students; $40 adults; $50 for a post-performance meeting w/Kreskin.
Greenwich: Pancakes With Santa
When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 8 a.m.
Where: Greenwich Boys & Girls Club, Horseneck Lane.
Cost: $5; $5 for photo with Santa.
Fairfield: A Visit to Santa's House
When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: The Burr Homestead, 739 Old Post Road
Cost: $7
Description: "Please join us for entertainment, cookies with Mrs. Claus, holiday crafts, model trains, a bake sale, raffles, and much more -- and of course a picture with Santa! All proceeds will go to the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport and the Fairfield Storm Sandy Relief Fund."
Fairfield: Connecticut Dance School's "The Nutcracker"
When: Sunday, Dec. 9. Performances at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Where: Regina A. Quick Center for the Performing Arts, 1073 North Benson Road
Cost: $40 adults/$25 for seniors, students, and children
Description: Come and see the classic Christmas-themed ballet. More than 170 students ranging in ages from 6 to 17 and representing many Connecticut communities will dance in this "extravagantly costumed production."
Norwalk Symphony's Holiday Extravaganza
Where: Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Ave.
When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
Cost: $20
Description: Join the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Jonathan Yates, members of the youth choir of the Seabury Academy of St. Paul's on the Green and the Men's Gospel Choir of Pivot Ministries as we share the joy of the holiday through music and song.
On the program are Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate with Soprano Amelia Watkins, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, Rutter's Colors of Christmas, Healey's Three Chanukah Songs and a sing-along!
Seymour: Breakfast with Santa
When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 -11:30 a.m.
Where: Kokopelli School of Music and Arts, 30d Progress Ave, Seymour
Cost: FREE
Description: Join Santa for donuts, pastries, juice, and coffee this Saturday for a family fun event. Bring your camera!
Hamden: Bikes & Beers - Toys for Tots Ride
When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 1-6 p.m.
Where: The Outer Space 295 Treadwell St, Hamden, CT 06514
Cost: FREE
Description: The weather outside is frightful, but a bike ride would be so delightful! The CT Beer Trail is teaming up with Devil's Gear Bike Shop, The Outer Space craft beer bar in Hamden, CT, and Luck and Levity home brew shop for this special holiday edition of Bikes & Beers.
The holidays are upon us, and so is the cold weather. While many folks have already put their bikes away for the season, we will be hosting a special Bikes & Beer ride starting and finishing at The Outer Space, with a pit stop scheduled at the mid way point at Luck and Levity in New Haven.
Food and Beverages
Once the ride is over The Outer Space will offer $3 craft beer drafts (we'll have some local favorites on tap!). Cyclists can park their bikes on the fenced-in patio (safe and secure). We'll also have a couple food trucks on hand with some special offerings, more details to follow!
A special ride
What makes this event so special is that it will support the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. We're asking those participating to bring in a toy to donate to the cause, we'll have a toy collection area at The Outer Space. Anyone donating a gift will receive a bracelet, which will give them access to discounts at The Outer Space for the after party.
Toys for Tots
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
Toys for Tots accept only new, unwrapped toys.
The ride is short, but should be fun! (7.81 miles) Participants are encouraged to dress for the holiday! How many Santa Clauses can we get on bikes on the 8th?
Too cold to ride?!?
Too cold for you to ride, but you still want to swing by The Outer Space and contribute? Bring two gifts for donation, and we'll get you a bracelet too, so you can help the kids and still have some fun too!
Other ways to help!
The CT Beer Trail will be selling Bikes & Beers T-Shirts and Trail Blazers' Club memberships at the event, $20 each. The CT Beer Trail will donate 50% of the proceeds to the charity for each item sold!
Darien: Candlelight Christmas Concert
When: 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9
Where: First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Rd, Darien, CT | Get Directions
Cost: Free
Description: Get in the Christmas spirit at the beloved annual Candlelight Concert at The First Congregational Church of Darien on Sunday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m. The evening will feature performances by The Darien High School Tudor Singers under the direction of Chris Andrade, the church’s Senior Choir soloists, world-class pianist Max Pakhomov, and a carol sing-along. Dan Hague, First Congregational’s Music Director, has also promised “a few surprises.”
Southbury: Nutcracker Presentation
When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
Where: Pomperaug High School
Cost: $20
Description: Don't miss Southbury's longest running production of this great holiday classic. Spectacular sets and costumes and great fun for the whole family.
Naugatuck: Every Christmas Story Ever Told
When: Play starts at 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Phoenix Stage Co., 686 Rubber Ave., Naugatuck
Cost: $18
Description: Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas Story Ever Told -- plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. A madcap romp through the holiday season!
Woodbridge: Yoga With Your Youngster at Woodbridge Bodyworks
When: 2 p.m. Sunday, December 9
Where: 1768 Litchfield Tpke, Woodbridge, CT
Cost: Free
Description: Join owner and certified yoga instructor Rebecca Smith DeFelice, Woodbridge Bodyworks, on the yoga mat, with or without your youngster! This program is sponsored by Ezra Academy, a K-8 Jewish day school located in Woodbridge.
New Canaan: Tag Sale
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8
Where: 51 Sagamore Trl, New Canaan, CT
Description: Giant Tag Sale - sold second home and have lots of extra furniture and housewares - Ethan Allen upholstered chairs, end tables, bed frames, couches, rugs, antique mirrors, appliances, rugs, pots, pans, baby items, hermes ties, and much much more, can't be missed.
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8
Where:
Cost: Powerhouse Performing Arts Center, 681 South Ave, New Canaan,
Description: The Town Players are all set to open their annual Family Holiday Show, Little Red Riding Hood, A Panto, Tina and Robert Burbidge’s light hearted, happy go lucky spoof, filled with music, dancing, and colorful, sometimes ridiculous costumes. Performances will take place on Friday, December 14 at 8 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday, December 8, 9, 15 & 16 at 2:30 p.m. at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny Park.
Wilton: Stämbandet Jul Concert
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8
Where: 68 Westport Rd, Wilton, CT
Cost: Free
Description: Join us for a Scandinavian celebration of holiday joy and light! Lucia wears her crown of candles, bringing light into the darkest month of the year. Enjoy some of the most beloved holiday music of Sweden this season! For reservations, e-mail unitedpastor@att.net or call 203-834-0644.
Weston: Opera Series at Cobb's Mill Inn
When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9
Where: 12 Old Mill Rd, Weston, CT
Cost: Dinner and Opera Program, $35
Description: “Diva” Laura Papallo will present the series, singing selections highlighting great moments of opera history. On December 9th, “Classic
Movie Favorites” will plunge you into a world of nostalgia as you listen to the “classiest” classics of the silver-screen.
Weston: Weston Women's League Gingerbread Holiday Brunch
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8
Where: La Roue Elayne at Cobb's Mill Inn, 12 Old Mill Rd, Weston, CT
Cost: Free admission.
Description: Tickets to complete three holiday crafts will be available for only $10. Raffle tickets will be sold for various items. This event raises funds for the Weston Warm-up Fund and will include a light continental breakfast and live music.
Watertown: Tracey O' Shaughnessy Lecture and Book Signing
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8
Where: 250 Porter St, Watertown, CT
Cost: Free
Description: Tracey O' Shaughnessy, author and regional columnist, will be giving a lecture and book signing at Blue Horse Arts and JFoster Music Studios.
Woodbury: Flanders Artisan Marketplace
When: Noon Sunday, Dec. 9
Where: Flanders Nature Center
Cost: Free admission
Description: This holiday season, stop by Flanders and see what quality creations local crafters have created. There is a variety to choose from: beeswax candles, hand crafted quilts, hand knitted gloves, scarves and more, using Flanders' very own wool, handmade wreathes, honey, jewelry,
needle felted kits and creatures, pottery, wood building kits and more. Celebrate the season this year, keeping it handmade and local!
