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Things To Do in Connecticut this Weekend: Santa's Workshop, Christmas Village, Shark-Diving Santa

This Santa goes diving with sharks. Photo Courtesy of Norwalk Maritime Aquarium
This Santa goes diving with sharks. Photo Courtesy of Norwalk Maritime Aquarium
12/11/19 - By Donald Eng

Have you put your tree up yet? How's the shopping coming? Festive family activities abound, both indoors and out. For starters, there's the 38th Annual Santa's Workshop in Manchester, a Storybook Holiday tour in Derby, and the annual Christmas Village in Torrington. In the mood for a show? Check out Miracle on 34th Street - 80s Edition in Putnam or an evening of kid-friendly classics, Baroque to Bach, in Norwalk.

To make sure that you don't miss any of the fun, keep tabs on our Connecticut Holiday Guide, subscribe to our free weekly newsletters, and follow us on Facebook. Read on for our highlights of events happening this weekend, and check our frequently updated daily event calendar for even more ideas.

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Santa's workshop is buzzing with busy elves! Photo courtesy of City of Torrington
Santa's workshop is buzzing with busy elves! Photo courtesy of City of Torrington

Things To Do All Weekend

Miracle on 34th Street - 80s Edition

Putnam
Experience the joy of childhood fantasy, with a tale we want to believe in. READ MORE

Merrily Mannerly: A Magnificent Musical

West Hartford
A princess from the Land of No Manners moves in next door to Merrily Mannerly and invites her to a birthday party. Silliness ensues, and friendships are born. READ MORE

The Nutcracker by The Hartt School

West Hartford
Tchaikovsky’s glorious score provides the backdrop for this full-length, family-friendly holiday production. The magical story of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy is beautifully staged and performed by the HCD dance department. READ MORE

Christmas Village in Torrington

Torrington - Free
This Christmas Village features individual rooms to meet both Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, a Toy Shop with Elves hard at work, Reindeer, Seasonal Lights & Displays, and of course Hot Chocolate.  READ MORE

Storytelling and Santa at the Shops at Yale

New Haven - Free
B Natural Kitchen and Barnes and Noble will be offering visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus where stories will be read and selfies can be taken with Santa.  READ MORE

Annual Santa's Workshop at Wickham Park

Manchester - Free
Enjoy an enchanted visit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves in the beautiful log cabin nestled at the highest point in the park. This is a traditional, family friendly event. There are no sponsorships or commercialization of the event and it is free for everyone. Stop at the elf desk to see if you’re on the naughty or nice list then head over to tell Santa how good you’ve been and what you want for Christmas. Don’t forget to visit Mrs. Claus to have some hot cocoa and a cookie. READ MORE

Shark-Diving Santa

Norwalk
Santa Claus will join the Maritime Aquarium’s dive team for some underwater holiday cheer. Santa will strap on his custom scuba outfit and enter the Aquarium’s 110,000-gallon “Ocean Beyond the Sound” exhibit, which is home to 7- and 8-foot sand tiger and lemon sharks. He’ll swim up to the exhibit window and pose with children, so bring your camera for a unique holiday photo. READ MORE
Catch a story with Santa at the Trolley Museum. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Trolley Museum
Catch a story with Santa at the Trolley Museum. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Trolley Museum

Things to Do Saturday

Jingle Bell Rock: Family Day with Santa

Westport
Come rock around the Westport Historical Society! Bring the whole family to discover exhibits exploring the diverse holiday traditions Westporters celebrate. READ MORE

Three Centuries of Christmas and Candlelight Tours

Wethersfield
Each year, the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum’s “Three Centuries of Christmas” tours show in fascinating detail how the American holiday season has evolved over the past 300 years. READ MORE

Joys of the Season - Baroque to Pops!

Norwalk
Join the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra musicians under the direction of Music Director Jonathan Yates as they present an early evening program for the entire family. READ MORE

Breakfast with Frosty & Friends

Bridgeport
Get in the holiday spirit and join Frosty and all his friends for Breakfast at the Zoo. The Zoo has a longtime family tradition returning this year after a three-year hiatus: Breakfast with Frosty! A continental​ breakfast in the Carousel Building includes a visit with with Frosty the Snowman and friends, carousel rides and lots of family fun.  READ MORE

Storytime Trolley with Santa & Friends

Essex
This unique daytime holiday program has been specially designed to provide an outstanding & festive holiday experience for families with children. Visitors will enjoy a ride in a decorated vintage trolley car where Santa will visit with each child. READ MORE

Storybook Holiday in Derby

Derby - Free
Come see the Osborne Homestead transformed into a holiday showcase by local garden clubs. Enjoy all the sights and sounds of a traditional holiday. READ MORE

Northern Lights in Mystic

Mystic - Free
A sea of lights leads the way through the aquarium's outdoor paths. See animals in a whole new light, literally.  READ MORE
Christmas handbells make joyful noise. Photo courtesy of Shoreline Ringers
Christmas handbells make joyful noise. Photo courtesy of Shoreline Ringers

Things To Do Sunday

Greenwich-Stamford Christmas Bird Count

Greenwich
Each year, Greenwich Audubon Center participates in this annual tradition to monitor winter bird populations throughout North America. READ MORE

Candlelight at Bush-Holley Historic Site

Greenwich - Free
Join interpreters leading “candlelight” tours through Bush-Holley House. This event is a part of the GHS Holiday Festival on Dec. 10.  Santa will be meeting with his fans from 5p to 7p for pictures. Tickets required. READ MORE

Santa's Back on Bank Street

Waterbury
Inspired by the Howland-Hughes Department Store’s Christmas events of the past, Post University is opening its Bank Street lobby to families for an old-fashioned trip to the North Pole. READ MORE

The Gingerbreads of Broadway, A New Musical

Milford
Meet the Gingerbread Family in this delicious new musical.  READ MORE

Blue Back Mitten Run 5k

New London
Blue Back Mitten 5k is a family friendly event. It is a 3.1 mile road race that travels the neighborhoods of West Hartford. READ MORE

Living Nativity at Shrine of Lourdes

The Living Nativity, a re-enactment of the Nativity with live animals, little angels, shepherds, choristers and a real Baby Jesus will take place at 3 p.m. in the Grotto. READ MORE

Shoreline Ringers Christmas Handbell Concert

Christmas Concert by Shoreline Ringers, a community handbell choir based out of southeastern Connecticut. This dynamic and energetic handbell choir is dedicated to musical excellence and handbell education through their exciting and uplifting performances. The repertoire performed by this inspirational handbell choir is secular and popular in nature, and includes varying techniques and rhythms that promise pleasure and fun for all. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

University of Hartford Millard Auditorium
Post University Downtown