Holiday Events Around Connecticut
Photo by Melissa Hom
Miracle Pop-Up
Miracle, the beloved Christmas-themed pop-up bar launched in 2014 in New York City, will continue spreading holiday cheer around the globe in 2018, as the brand launches in over 80 locations around the world including New Haven’s Ordinary and Waterbury’s Highland Brass Co. The bars have been transformed with nostalgic holiday décor and a signature cocktail menu, including drinks like the Snowball Old Fashioned, and Christmas Carol Barrel.
Half Full Brewery Winter Beer Garden
Half Full Brewery is launching a winter beer garden in Stamford Connecticut’s Mill River Park. The two week pop-up will feature an enclosed bar serving Half Full beer, cider, and wine, with a festive “après-skate” inspired lounge.
Know Good Holiday Bazaar and Christmas Tree Farm
The 4th annual Know Good Holiday Bazaar is back in Hartford on December 8th, with local vendors selling goods at four different locations on Bartholomew Ave. At the same location Hog River Brewing will have their 2nd annual Christmas Tree Farm celebrating the release of their 2018 Chocolate Milk Stout, while selling Christmas trees and chocolate covered bacon. Craftbird Food Truck and Faddy’s Donuts will also be on location selling food all day.
District Night: ChristmaHanuKwanzaaKah
TheatreWorks Hartford and Tang Sauce are hosting another District Night in Hartford on December 16th. Enjoy food and drinks from Porron and Pina, Bin 228 Wine Bar, Let’s Start From Scratch and Craftbird Food Truck, while listening to music by DJ Connie Carmona, Tang Sauce, Joey Batts (as Santa), and The Billy Bivona Duo. Local vendors will be selling goods and you can get your photo taken with Santa!
Holiday Cocktail Night
Head to Mystic on December 20th for a holiday cocktail tasting with the mixologists of Oyster Club. Enjoy a festive evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and take home an Oyster Club cocktail recipe book at the end of the evening.
Bar Trivia: Christmas Movie Edition
Head to The Cook and The Bear in West Hartford on December 10th for a festive movie themed trivia session. Be dealt questions about Home Alone, A Christmas Story, Elf, Die Hard, Nightmare Before Christmas and other classics. There are also half price drafts all night.
Brunch With Santa
Lyman Orchards is serving brunch with Santa on the Sundays leading up to Christmas. Enjoy a buffet style brunch in the festively decorated Lyman House and a private meeting with Santa in the library. Besides enjoying cider donut holes, waffle, omelet and carving stations, you’ll get to take home complimentary professionally taken photos of your family and Santa. Reservations required.
Breakfast With Frosty
Get in the holiday spirit and join Frosty, Santa and their friends for breakfast at the Beardsley Zoo. On the Saturdays leading up to Christmas guests can enjoy breakfast in the carousel with appearances from Frosty and photo opportunities with Santa.
12 Bars of Christmas
Put on your Santa hat and enjoy holiday themed cocktails like jingle juice, bourbon spiced eggnog, and Grinch punch during Foxwoods annual bar crawl on December 15th. Make your way across twelve bars and restaurants on property and end the night at the Centrale Fox Tower with drinks, a DJ and dancing. Don’t forget to wear your worst attire to participate in the ugly sweater competition!
Pizza With Penguins And Santa
Since there are no penguins at the North Pole, Santa must come down to Mystic to see them. On December 16th enjoy a dinner buffet of pizza, French fries, chicken tenders and dessert; meet the aquarium’s African penguins when they make an appearance, and get a photo with Santa!
Donate And Receive Discounts
Dish Bar and Grill in Hartford is getting in the holiday spirit by giving back. Bring in a toy or non perishable food item to the restaurant December 10-21st and receive a discount on your bill that day. Food will be going to The Open Hearth Foundation, and toys to The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Ugly Sweater Party
Head to CT Valley Brewing Company in South Windsor on December 15th in your ugliest sweater. Brian Jarvis Music and Bonfire Acoustic will be performing, B.T’s Smokehouse will be serving food, and there will be games, and ugly sweater competition and brewery tours.
