🎉Start the Year Moving: Funky Art Nights, Flight Fun & Family Crafts

January 01, 2026

Happy New Year, Connecticut! January’s kicking off strong, and we’ve got a mix of music, culture, and family-friendly fun to ease you into the new year. If you’re ready to dance, explore something new, or keep the kids entertained during school break, then this lineup has you covered.

Here’s what’s inside:

🎶 A high-energy First Friday with live music and art
✈️ Hands-on aviation fun all week long for curious kids
🎨 Free take-home activity kits celebrating Connecticut culture
📗 This Month in CT History: When the Highway Era Arrived
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

Frozen fish? Not weird at all. At Wild Alaskan Company, we’re huge fans of frozen seafood — here’s why we love it:

1. Locked-in freshness. We freeze wild-caught seafood shortly after harvest so that it retains its fresh taste and texture. It’s the closest you can get to having it on the boat in Alaska.
2. Often fresher than grocery store “fresh.” Seafood at the counter is often previously frozen fish that’s been thawed for display. Do you really know how many days it’s been sitting on ice? (We don’t either!)
3. Freezer-friendly convenience. Stock up once, and you’re ready for healthy, delicious meals all month — no last-minute trips to the store.

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A dance-filled night of live music, art, and after-hours vibes

First Friday returns to the New Britain Museum of American Art with a night built for movement, music, and social energy. Headlining the evening is Down to Funk, one of New England’s favorite cover bands, bringing dance-floor classics from the 1970s through today in a high-energy, crowd-pleasing set.

Your ticket includes access to museum galleries, a full dance floor, and a cash bar to keep the night flowing. With limited seating and a 21+ crowd, this is one of those events where arriving early pays off. It’s equal parts art night and dance party — and one of the most fun ways to start the new year.

✈️ SCHOOL VACATION WEEK FAMILY FUN AT THE NEW ENGLAND AIR MUSEUM

Hands-on science, flight challenges, and all-day discovery

If school break needs a little structure (and a lot of fun), the New England Air Museum has you covered. Throughout vacation week, families can jump into daily activities like parachute drops, straw rocket launches, constellation design, and flying machine challenges — all included with general admission.

Each day brings a new hands-on station designed to spark curiosity and creativity, with contests and take-home builds geared for kids ages 4–13. Add in aircraft tours, flight demonstrations, and scavenger hunts, and you’ve got an easy win for burning energy while learning something cool along the way.

Creative, hands-on learning to take home

Families can explore Connecticut’s rich cultural story at home with new Family Activity Kits from the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. Available starting January 2, these free take-home kits combine crafts, interactive activities, and images from the museum’s collection — no on-site program required.

The January–February theme, Creating Culture in Connecticut, highlights the contributions of diverse Black communities across the state and how their traditions have shaped Connecticut’s cultural identity. Kits are included with museum admission and can be picked up anytime during open hours, making this an easy, meaningful activity for families to enjoy together.

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Big-screen entertainment paired with pizza night perfection

This Groupon deal bundles two crowd-pleasers into one easy win: movie tickets at Showcase Cinemas plus a $10 Domino’s Pizza gift card. Choose between 2 or 4 tickets and turn any night into a full-on dinner-and-a-movie situation — no overthinking required. Whether it’s a casual date, a family outing, or a last-minute plan with friends, this combo checks all the boxes.

Showcase Cinemas is known for comfortable seating, crisp surround sound, and premium viewing options, making it an easy go-to for a quality movie night. Add pizza into the mix and you’ve got comfort, convenience, and value rolled into one. The tickets are valid at multiple Showcase locations, giving you flexibility to plan around your schedule and your nearest theatre.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

When the Highway Era Arrived

In the early 1950s, Connecticut officially entered the modern highway age with the opening of what was then known as the Connecticut Turnpike, now part of Interstate 95. Designed to move traffic faster along the state’s busy coastline, the new roadway promised progress, efficiency, and a smoother connection between New York and New England.

The reality was more complicated. While the turnpike revolutionized travel and commerce, it also introduced toll booths, congestion, and a steady stream of complaints from drivers. Accidents, backups, and maintenance issues quickly became part of daily conversation, giving rise to the idea that this modern marvel came with plenty of frustrations attached.

Over time, tolls were removed and the road was fully absorbed into Interstate 95, but its impact never faded. The opening of the Connecticut Turnpike marked a turning point—one that transformed commuting patterns, reshaped coastal towns, and set the tone for Connecticut’s long and complicated relationship with highway travel.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Harman Plans Nearly $2B Acquisition to Expand Auto Tech Footprint

Stamford-based Harman International announced plans to acquire the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business of Germany’s ZF Group in a deal valued at roughly $1.8 billion. The move strengthens Harman’s position in the fast-growing market for software-defined vehicles and could bring thousands of ZF employees into the company once the deal closes in 2026.

Connecticut Cannabis Sales Dip as Medical Market Shrinks

Despite steady growth in recreational cannabis sales, overall cannabis revenue in Connecticut is projected to be lower in 2025 than in 2024. A sharp decline in medical cannabis patients, combined with competition from out-of-state dispensaries and unregulated hemp products, is weighing down the state’s legal market.

Big Lottery Wins Pop Up Across Connecticut

Several Connecticut Lottery players rang in big wins this week, including a $1 million Powerball ticket sold in Voluntown and multiple $100,000 prizes claimed in towns like Clinton and Southington. Under new state rules, winners remain anonymous unless they choose to go public.

Connecticut Students Help Stanford Researchers Tackle Diabetes

High school students from The Ethel Walker School in Simsbury are contributing to real-world diabetes research through a partnership with Stanford University. By creating and studying new strains of fruit flies, the students are gaining hands-on lab experience while supporting efforts that could one day lead to a cure.

Thanks!

Thanks for spending part of your day with us! We hope today’s newsletter sparked a few ideas to get out, explore, and enjoy what Connecticut has in store this week.

If you enjoyed reading, feel free to pass this along to a friend and help spread the word about all the great things happening around the state.

P.S. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!