This weekend marks the “official” beginning of the holiday season though for all intents and purposes, it’s been with us for at least a month. For many of us the mere mention of the Holidays is stress inducing. However, over the next couple of weeks, you can find a variety of events in Branford that will take you beyond the retail madness and add meaning to the season. And when you do shop, be sure to shop Local, especially this Saturday when stores are offering serious discounts. The town has many merchants with unique and handcrafted gifts.
Ongoing
Holiday House Decorating Contest
Houses will be judged on Dec. 9 and 10 between 6:30 and 9 p.m. To register, call 203 – 488-8304. Multiple prizes will be awarded.
Thursday, Nov. 26
Annual Thanksgiving Feast
The Community Dining Room, 30 Harrison Ave., will hold its annual Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 1:30 p.m. Free, but food and beverages are accepted.
For more information, call 203 – 488-2791.
Saturday, Nov. 28
Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
The Annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting will step off at Branford High School at 6 p.m., proceeding to the Town Green where Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will light the tree. John Witkowsky & Sons Tree Removal donated their time, labor and equipment to string the more than 1,000 new LED lights on the tree. The blue spruce was donated by Bill Van Wilgen 20 years ago.
Those attending are encouraged a non-perishable food item. The rain date is Sunday.
For more information, call 203 – 488-8304.
Sunday, Nov. 29
Holiday Concert
The Connecticut Yuletide Carolers will be featured in a concert at United Methodist Church, 811 East Main St. at 7 p.m. There is a $15 suggested donation.
For more information, call 203 – 673-9485 or visit www.ctyuletide.com
Thursday, Dec. 3
Light Up the Night and Holiday Stroll
Sidewalks along the entire length of Main Street, from the Blackstone Library to G‑Zen, will be aglow with luminaries from dusk to 9 p.m. Stores will offer discounts, special events, and celebrations.
Black Tie at BAC
The first Holiday Gala Black Tie event will take place at the Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St. with jazz by John Brasil and Dr. Gary Gripo. There will be hors d’oeurves from the Shoreline Café and complimentary beverages. The cost is $40 per person or $75 per couple.
For more information, call Yvonne Gordon at 860 – 334-4642 or email [email protected].
Friday, Dec. 4
Friday Nights at Artistry
The Guilford Arts Center, 411 Church St., will host Friday Nights at Artistry, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. It’s a series of evening creative social gatherings to celebrate the holidays that continues through Dec. 11. Visitors can savor wine and snacks, make a simple holiday craft with one of the instructors, and enjoy evening shopping hours at Artistry: American Craft for the Holidays, the Center’s annual holiday extravaganza of handmade American crafts.
For more information, visit guilfordartcenter.org or call 203 – 453-5947.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Christmas Bazaar
Hosted by the Ladies Guild of St. Mary’s Church, the bazaar will take place in the gym from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The school is located at 62 Cedar St.
For more information, call 203 – 483-8277.
Christmas Fair and Raffle
The First Congregational Church, 1009 Main St., will raffle off a 65-inch Samsung curved screen television as part of its annual Christmas Fair. The fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring Christmas decorations, home-crafted items, and baked goods. Raffle tickets are $20. Breakfast and lunch will be served.
For more information, call 203 – 488-7201 or go to firstcongregationalbranford.org.
PetValu Anniversary Party
The public is invited to the store’s first anniversary party, which begins at 9 a.m. and continues on Sunday, Dec. 6. There will be free refreshments for pets and their owners, raffles, special savings, adoption information, prizes and more. PetValu, located in Branhaven Plaza, has generously donated supplies and funds to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter and other local shelters.
MTM PTA Holiday Bazaar
The bazaar will be held at Walsh Intermediate School, 185 Damascus Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, email [email protected].
Christmas Festival
United Methodist Church of Branford, 811 E. Main St., will hold its Christmas Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, call 203 – 488-0549 or email [email protected].
22nd Annual Christmas Open House
Visit the Martha Link Walsh Gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Branford Food Council. The event continues through Sunday.
For more information, visit marthalinkwalsh.com or call 203 – 481-3505.
Annual Holiday Cookie Sale
The Branford Compassion Club’s Annual Holiday Cookie Sale will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Branford Compassion Club Feline Rescue and Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road, North Branford. Homemade holiday cookies will be available at $4 per dozen along with gift baskets and gift certificates. Stop by for eggnog and to sample the cookie — and, of course, to visit the beautiful cats and kittens available for adoption.
Sunday, Dec. 6
Town Band Winter Concert
The Branford Town Band will perform a variety of music for the entire music at the Branford Evangelical Free Church, 231 Leetes Island Road, at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, call 203 – 415-5408.
Stony Creek Church Holiday Concert
Sponsored by the church and the Stony Creek Association, the concert will take place at 4 p.m. at Stony Creek Church of Christ, 192 Thimble Island Road. Afterwards, there will be a procession to the Triangle for the tree lighting led by the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps.
For more information, call 203 – 488-7827.
Monday, Dec. 7
Ted Kennedy, Jr.’s Office Hours
State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. will listen to your concerns and questions from 5:50 to 7 p.m. at the Willoughby Wallace in Stony Creek, 146 Thimble Island Road.
For more information, visit www.SenatorKennedy.cga.ct.gov.
Tuesday, Dec. 8 to Thursday, Dec. 10
Calls from Santa
Children can speak directly to Santa through the Santa Hotline. Pre-registration is necessary by calling 203 – 488-8304 or download a form by visiting branfordrecreation.org and clicking on Special Events and Announcements.
Friday, Dec. 11
A Cool Yule
The Thimble Islands Saxophone Quartet will perform in a concert featuring songs of good cheer, traditional Christmas carols, and special holiday music. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Road. A champagne punch reception and holiday raffle will precede the concert. Proceeds will benefit library programs and services.
Tickets are $15, available at the library. Call 203 – 488-8702 for more information.
Saturday, Dec. 12
First Baptist Christmas Fair
The church’s fair, running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature crafts, jewelry cookie walk, baked good, gift baskets, a Christmas Room, photos with Santa, music, as well as snacks and beverages. The church is located at 975 Main St.
For more information, call 203 – 488-9777.
Connecticut Accordion Orchestra
The Connecticut Accordion Orchestra will perform at the Blackstone Library at 2 p.m. For more information, call 203 – 488-1441.
Live Outdoor Christmas Pageant
The pageant runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Stony Creek Church of Christ Hall and featured seven nativity scenes with actors and live animals. Also participating will be the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps and Branford High School Music Makers. Allegro Performing Arts will give a concert at 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
The pageant’s scenes can be viewed from the Stony Creek Museum to the Stony Creek Dock. Refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall as part the church’s open house.
For more information, call 203 – 488-7827 or visit stonycreekchurchct.org.
A World of Holiday Celebrations
The Branford Chorale’s annual holiday concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at St. Therese Church, 105 Leetes Island Road. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for children and seniors at the door or $10/$8 in advance at Towne Pharmacy, 1012 Main St. or from Chorale members.
For more information, call 203 – 668-5691.
Sunday, Dec. 13
Music Makers
The Music Makers from Branford High School will be performing their annual Holiday Concert at the Blackstone Library at 2 p.m. For more information, call 203 – 488-1441.
Festival of Carols
The concert will take place at 3 p.m. at St. Therese Church, 105 Leetes Island Road and will include more than 20 old and new carols with scripture readings. It’s free and open to the public. A CD with the adult and youth choirs’ music from the Festival of Carols will be available for $20.
For more information, call 203 – 488-2998.
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