CONNECTICUT — On the Saturday before Christmas, Santa and his reindeer should probably be home resting up and re-evaluating their career choices, but they’re not. Instead, they’ll be the center of attention at The 16th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop, which continues through Christmas Eve at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses. It’s just minutes from downtown Greenwich, parking is free, and dogs are welcome, making this a Win/Win/Woof. A portion of all photos with Santa will be donated to Kids In Crisis. Full schedule of events here.
Saturday is also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Edgerton Park Conservancy in New Haven will be celebrating the return of the sun with its 7th Annual Winter Solstice Luminary Walk. Expect over a thousand luminary lanterns lining the paths with light sculptures by local artists; and music, activities and beverages in the Carriage House. There’ll be live music on hand from Edward Limerick Kerr Duo and Kudzu Queen, and a full-on parade led by the James Hillhouse High School Marching Band (they’re really good.) It’s all free and open to the public. Rain date is Dec. 31
If you prefer to celebrate your solstices a little more aggressively, slip into your Salomons and join The Last Green Valley and the Friends of Pachaug Forest for their Winter Solstice Hike & Campfire on Saturday in Voluntown. Hikers will assemble at 10 a.m. at the youth camping area in the forest with a 2.2 mile loop hike through the cedar swamp, into a varied landscape with large hardwood trees and white pines and then over to Edmonds Pond marsh. That’s where organizers say you’ll have the chance to spot a bald eagle. Next, it’s snacks, cocoa, and Winter Solstice poetry and prose around the bonfire. Or skip the hike and just drop by for the poetry and cocoa. Either way, bring your own chair to place around the bonfire. Admission is free.
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The absolutely top drawer Havenwood String Quartet will be presenting their “Christmas Special Featuring ‘The Nutcracker’ & More” at the intense South Congregational Church in East Hartford. The performance is part of the 2024 Candlelight Series, which — you guessed it — are all lit only by burning wax and tallow. Showtime is 8:30 p.m., doors open 45 minutes prior, and trying to slip in late is a non-starter. Tickets are available online here.
At the intersection of Baker Street and Lime Street is “A Sherlock Carol,” at the Westport Country Playhouse this weekend. The premise is clever (a grownup Tiny Tim hires Sherlock Holmes to investigate the death of Ebenezer Scrooge) and the performances are inspired. Broadway World called it “clever and entertaining …fresh, imaginative, and engaging.” The family-friendly holiday production is based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle,” and Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Final performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 7 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. , and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online here.
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