What's Going On This Weekend?

TONS--that's what!

Here are our featured events:

Dec. 5 - New Haven
19th Annual Holiday Family Fun and Book Fair at United Community Nursery School! Huge book sale, silent auction, tons of live entertainment, craftmaking, lunch, bake sale and MORE! 323 Temple Street, New Haven. $4 admission for ages 2 and up. 10am-2:30pm. For more info, visit our previous post!

Dec. 6 - New Haven
FREE Family Day at Yale! The Yale University Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art invites families to a special day to participate in art-making activities, storytelling, and tours for children ages 4-10. Light refreshments will be served. For more info, visit our previous post.

Dec. 6 - Woodstock, CT
The Bowen's 1887 Christmas Celebration! Roseland Cottage conducts its eighth annual holiday tour of the museum on Sunday, December 6, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are welcomed. For more info, visit our previous post.

And here are several other things that are going on this weekend!

December 4 - Ansonia
Mom, Dad and Me. Ansonia Nature Center, 10 Deerfield Road. A preschool program for 3 to 5 year old children with an adult Ready or not Here Comes Winter! Learn about how the animals in our park get ready for the cold winter months ahead. Includes a story, craft and short hike. 10 am or 1 pm. Material Fee. www.ansonianaturecenter.org (203) 736-1053

December 4 - Chester
Holiday Night at Town Center. Tree lighting and caroling; several shops, restaurants, and galleries open for special events. Admission: Free. 5 – 8 pm. www.visit-chester.com (860) 526-0013

December 4 - Guilford
Firelight Festival - Henry Whitfield State Museum, Old Whitfield St. Follow the luminaria to an outdoor fire to roast marshmallows, make s'mores and roast chestnuts. Tour the 1639 house and the exhibit "Holidaxe: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas," then make an ornament. Admission: Adults $4, seniors $3, children (6-17) $2.50, under 6 free. 4 -8 pm. www.cultureandtourism.org (203) 453-2457

December 4 - Guilford
Lighting of the Tree. Guilford Town Green. The holiday season is ushered in on the Town Green with the singing of carols and the lighting of the tree. A tradition for over 50 years, Guilfordites, friends and visitors gather together in celebration of the season. Many organizations plan events this same evening such as the "Candlelite Walk on Broad Street", craft exhibits, holiday concerts and church suppers. An evening filled with sights and sounds around the Guilford Green. Lighting of the Tree is sponsored by the Guilford Chamber of Commerce. www.guilfordct.com (203) 453-9677

December 4 – Old Saybrook
21st Annual Saybrook Stroll. Holiday Fun on Main Street. A free street wide celebration of the Holiday Season. Special activities sponsored by local businesses. Come enjoy the food, music, hayride and more! Event goes on rain/snow/sleet or clear skies. Hope to see you there! 5- 9 pm. (860) 388-3266

December 4-6 - Guilford
"The Magic Toy Shop" 16th annual production presented by Starship Dance Theater. Nathanael Greene Community Center, 32 Church St. Co-Sponsored by Guilford Parks and Recreation Dept. Founded in 1988 by Joyce DiLauro, its artistic director and choreographer, Starship Dance Theater is a nonprofit organization serving the shoreline communities. Starship Dance Theater auditions artists of all ages to perform multiple professional productions each year. "The Magic Toyshop" one of Starship's largest events is known throughout the region for its lavish sets and costumes, engaging and humorous choreography and storyline, and "equal opportunity inclusiveness" in the composition of its cast. Friday-7:30 pm, Saturday-4:30 and 7:00 pm, Sunday- 2:00 pm General Admission $15 / At the door $18 (203) 453-2516 or (203) 453-8068

December 4-6 - Hartford
Christmas Craft Expo - Connecticut Expo Center, 265 Reverend Moody Overpass. More than 250 vendors offering American made arts and crafts. Sample dozens of specialty foods and live holiday music. 10 am-6 pm, Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. 10 am-4 pm. Admission: $7, children (under 14) free. One admission is good for all 3 days. (603) 332-2616

December 4 -6 – Milford
Christmas in the Mansion, Lauralton Hall, 200 High St. Features more than 50 distinguished exhibitors who display their products ranging from floral and gift boutiques to gourmet delectables, juried crafts. Fri. 10 am-8 pm, Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. 11 am-4 pm. Admission: Adults $6, seniors and children $4. (203) 877-2786

December 5 - Ellington
Ellington Winterfest. Ellington town green gazebo bordering Church & Main Streets and Route 140. Winterfest includes visits from Santa & Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph. Event also includes Tree-Lighting Ceremony; Torchlight Parade; Gingerbread House Contest; variety of entertainment and refreshments at various venues around Ellington's village green. 4-7 pm. Free. (860) 306-8746

December 5 – Meriden
Chorale Connecticut Winter Concert. First United Methodist Church, 159 East Main St. Program includes Hebrew praise songs, Spanish carols and lullabies reminiscent of Christmas in the Southeast. Harpist and guitar accompaniment adds spice to the joyous evening. 7:30 pm. Adults $20, seniors $15, children (12 and under) free with donation of a canned good. (860) 621-1653

December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 - East Haven
Holiday Lights on the Trolley. Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River Street. Enjoy the holiday lights display while riding a cozy, heated trolley. Admission: Adults $8, seniors $6, children (2-15) $4. 6 9 pm. (203) 467-6927

December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 - East Haven
Santa on the Trolley. Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St. Ride cozy, heated trolleys to visit Santa and see model train layouts. Each child receives a gift, refreshments, and unlimited rides. 10:30 am -5 pm. $6, children (2-15) $4. (203) 467-6927

December 5-6 – Westbrook
"Messiah" St. Mark Church, 222 McVeagh Rd. 100 voice chorus, with professional orchestra and soloist, directed by Barry Asch. Admission Charged. Sat. 8 pm, Sun. 3 .m. (860) 434-9135

December 6 - Ansonia
Papoose Parade. Ansonia Nature Center, 10 Deerfield Road. Keeping warm and Healthy! This is an easy hike with your little ones in a back or front pack. Enjoy outdoor exercise and fresh air. 2 pm. FREE. www.ansonianaturecenter.org (203) 736-1053

December 6 – Clinton
14th Annual Christmas in Clinton. Clinton Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with several civic organizations, will host the 14th annual Christmas in Clinton. A wide variety of activities are planned along East and West Main Street with Santa arriving at Andrews Memorial Town Hall and the lighting of the Christmas tree at 4:30 p.m. Petting Zoo from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., Pierson School. Christmas Bazaar by Shoreline Community Women. 2-6 pm. www.clintonct.com (860) 669-3889

December 6 – Guilford
Festival of Lights. Women & Family Life Center, 96 Fair Street. In partnership with the PJ Library of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, welcome the holiday season and learn about Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Children and families are welcome to join the fun, stories, music, crafts and sufganiyot (doughnuts!). 2 - 4 pm. Free. www.womenandfamilylifecenter.org (203) 458-6699

December 6 – Hamden
Holiday Hike & Social. Sleeping Giant State Park, off Rte. 10. A hour-and-a-half hike, wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks and water. Free. Hike begins at 1:30, social and caroling 3 pm. (203) 272-7841

December 6 – Middlebury
Santa & Mrs. Claus. Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd. Santa and Mrs. Clause arrive in their antique truck with a gift for each child, get your picture taken with Santa, holiday craft making, cookies and caroling. 1-3 pm. Family, $20, adults $7, seniors $7, children $5, 2 and under free. (203) 577-2181

And let's not forget about these ongoing December events!

Ongoing - February 14 - Essex
Holiday Train Show Exhibit. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St. Features an operating model railroad that is bigger and better than ever and promises to bring out the child in everyone. Admission: Adults $8, seniors $7, children (6-12) $5, under 6 free. Tue.-Sun. 10 AM - 5 PM. www.ctrivermuseum.org 860-767-8269

Ongoing - December 31 - New Haven
Fantasy of Lights. Lighthouse Park, Lighthouse Rd. Drive through an enchanting land of sparkling lights and spectacular holiday light displays. Delights children and adults of all ages. Sun.-Thu. 5 pm - 9 pm, Fri. and Sat. 5 pm -10 pm. Admission: Vehicles $10; mini-bus $25, bus $50. (203) 777-2000

Ongoing - December 24 – New Haven
Celebration of American Crafts Holiday Exhibition. Creative Arts Workshop, 80 Audubon St. Holiday exhibition and sale of fine contemporary crafts by more than 300 artists from across the America. Features glass, pottery, jewelry, fibers, wood furnishings and more. Mon.-Sat. 11 AM-6 PM, Thu. 11 AM- 8 PM, Sun. 1-5 PM, Dec. 24 11 AM-2 PM. Free. 203-562-4927

Ongoing - December 31 - Oakdale
The 12 Dinosaurs of Christmas at The Dinosaur Place, 1650 Hartford New London Tpke (Rte. 85). View dinosaurs in ways unlike any other and spend quality time with the family during the holiday season. 11 AM - 4 PM, weekends only Nov. 27-Dec. 20, daily Dec. 26-31. www.thedinosaurplace.com 860-443-4367

Ongoing - January 10 – Old Lyme
The Magic of Christmas: A Holiday Celebration. Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme St. Miss Florence Artist Trees decorated with the work of more than 100 artists from across the country, themed Fantasy Trees, and the historic house decorated for a 1910 Christmas. Admission: Adults $9, seniors $8, students $7, children (12 and under) free. Tue.-Sat. 10 AM-5 PM, Sun. 1 PM-5 PM www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org 860- 434-5542