🌟 Winterfair Hartford, Santa Memories & Shop-Local Treats Inside!

December 11, 2025

Good morning! The holiday season is officially in full swing, and this week’s lineup is packed with festive markets, magical Santa moments, and a sweet little bonus for anyone shopping local.

Here’s what’s inside today:

🎁 Winterfair Hartford kicks off its 2025 holiday market
🎅 Breakfast with Santa returns with story time, cookies, and keepsakes
🧁 Whitney-Audubon shoppers get free hot cocoa or cupcakes
📗 This Month in CT History: Connecticut Takes Flight With the World’s First Jet-Powered Helicopter
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

Hand-selected for quality and hand-carved by master butchers with over 900 years of combined experience, Omaha Steaks delivers heartland quality and unmatched value straight to Connecticut Lifestyles readers’ doors for free on any shipment of $99 or more!

From ocean-fresh, flash-frozen seafood to slowly air-chilled chicken and grass-fed, grain-finished beef (and everything in between), Omaha Steaks – America’s Original Butcher – guarantees absolute consistency in every single bite, every single time. 

In fact, they’re so confident you’ll love it, they back every single product with their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you aren't satisfied with your purchase from Omaha Steaks, for any reason, they will replace your order or refund your money, whichever you prefer. They’ve upheld this family promise for five generations and counting.

WINTERFAIR HARTFORD RETURNS FOR 2025

A festive holiday market inside historic Union Station

Winterfair Hartford is back at Union Station, bringing together local makers, small businesses, and festive finds for four weekends of holiday shopping. With free admission and a cozy indoor setup, it’s an easy way to support local while checking gifts off your list.

You’ll find everything from handmade goods to seasonal treats, all just steps from downtown Hartford. Swing through anytime between 11 AM and 4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays through December 21.

MAKE HOLIDAY MAGIC AT BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

A storybook morning at the historic Witch Hazel Works Building

If your family loves traditions, this one’s a keeper. Breakfast with Santa takes over the Atrium at 6 Main Street with story time, a full breakfast buffet, Mrs. Claus' homemade sugar cookies, and special one-on-one moments with Santa himself. Kids can hand over letters, share wishes, and pose for photos before receiving a keepsake gift to take home.

With select dates from December 6 to 21, this event fills quickly — and it’s easy to see why. It’s festive, charming, and packed with memories your kids will remember.

SCORE FREE HOT COCOA OR CUPCAKES WHILE SHOPPING LOCAL

Holiday bonuses across the Whitney-Audubon District

Holiday shopping just got sweeter. Spend $25 or more at participating Whitney-Audubon retailers from November 28 through December 24 and treat yourself to a free cupcake from Katalina’s Bakery or a free hot cocoa from Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea when you show your same-day receipt.

It’s the perfect excuse to browse antiques at Walker-Loden, discover handmade pieces at Gilden’s Jewelers, check out custom rugs at Kathadin Furniture, or even take a festive workshop at The Giggling Pig. Supporting local never tasted so good.

The Always Pan® from Our Place went viral for a reason – with over 85,000 five-star reviews, it’s become a true kitchen icon trusted by over a million home cooks.
Toxin-free, naturally nonstick, and endlessly versatile, it’s designed to make cooking easier, healthier, and more enjoyable every day. Shallow enough to flip omelets, deep enough to roast chicken dinners, and beautiful enough to live on your stovetop – it’s the kind of cookware that actually makes you want to cook more. And when you’re done? It wipes clean in seconds.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting friends, the Always Pan® delivers effortless performance and timeless style in one.

Try the Always PanÂŽ today and get 10% off with code NEWSLETTER10 at fromourplace.com. With free shipping, free returns, and a 100-day risk-free trial, upgrading your kitchen has never been easier.

This is an advertisement.

Half-Off Admission for an Action-Packed Day Out

If you’re looking for an easy win for family fun (or a high-energy outing with friends), this deal is an absolute steal. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Waterbury is offering 2 Deluxe Passes for just $25.99 — that’s 50% off the regular price. With attractions that range from trampolines and climbing features to obstacle courses and more, this is the kind of all-out adventure that guarantees happy, exhausted kids and zero effort on your part.

Your Deluxe Passes unlock access to a variety of Urban Air’s most popular attractions, giving everyone plenty of chances to jump, flip, climb, and burn off unlimited energy. It's basically the modern upgrade to the living-room pillow forts we all used to build — but way safer, way bigger, and someone else cleans it up.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

Connecticut Takes Flight With the World’s First Jet-Powered Helicopter

In December 1951, Connecticut became the stage for one of aviation’s most groundbreaking moments: the successful test flight of the world’s first gas-turbine-powered helicopter. The aircraft, a modified K-225 engineered by Charles H. Kaman, lifted off in Bloomfield and proved that helicopters could fly faster, higher, and more efficiently by swapping traditional piston engines for a jet engine driving the rotor system.

Kaman’s path to this achievement started years earlier in Windsor Locks, where he worked in the propeller division at Hamilton Standard alongside helicopter pioneer Igor Sikorsky. Inspired by the possibilities of vertical flight, the young engineer struck out on his own, launching Kaman Aircraft in a West Hartford garage with little more than ambition and a few thousand dollars. Within a few short years, he was testing experimental helicopters with signature intermeshing rotors—an unconventional design that eliminated the need for a tail rotor and set his work apart.

The K-225’s 1951 flight, powered by a Boeing gas turbine, captured the attention of the U.S. Navy and paved the way for the HH-43 Huskie, a widely used military helicopter known for its stability and rescue capabilities. Kaman’s innovations didn’t stop there; just three years later, one of his aircraft became the first helicopter in the world to fly with twin turbine engines.

From that pivotal moment in Bloomfield, Kaman Corporation grew into a major force in aerospace engineering. And it all began with a bold idea that quite literally lifted Connecticut into aviation history.

Noom blends cutting-edge technology with expert coaching to drive lasting behavior change and sustainable weight loss. Take a 5-minute quiz to unlock a personalized weight loss plan tailored to your needs, helping you manage your health and build habits that stick.

HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

New Beacon Installed After Deadly Old Saybrook Boat Crash

A new flashing navigation light has been installed at the Old Saybrook breakwater where a tragic 2024 crash claimed three lives. Families of the victims, who pushed for improved safety measures, gathered as the beacon was switched on. The boat operator accused in the crash faces multiple manslaughter charges, and officials hope the new light will prevent future accidents in the notoriously dark area.

Missing Danbury Man Found Dead in NY Reservoir; Death Ruled Homicide

Authorities are investigating the homicide of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez, a 66-year-old Danbury man whose body was discovered in the Croton Falls Reservoir. Investigators believe his livery cab was stolen after the killing and are searching for the vehicle. Police urge anyone with information to come forward as the investigation intensifies.

CT Gets ‘Caution’ Rating for Road Safety in New National Report

Connecticut received a “caution” grade from a highway safety alliance, which says the state still lacks several key traffic laws recommended to reduce fatalities. While CT has adopted strong measures around distracted driving and ignition interlocks, experts say gaps in helmet laws, booster seat rules, and young driver provisions leave room for improvement. With nearly 3,000 traffic deaths in the past decade, advocates say strengthening laws is urgent.

Highly Contagious Norovirus Surges Across Connecticut

A fast-spreading strain of norovirus—nicknamed “winter vomiting disease”—is rising sharply in CT, with wastewater data showing a 30 percent jump in recent months. The newer GII.17 variant may be more contagious and is hitting young children and older adults hardest. Officials remind residents that thorough handwashing and good hygiene are the best defenses.

BBB Warns CT Shoppers of Holiday Scams

The Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers about a spike in holiday scams, including fake websites, TikTok shop fraud, bogus delivery texts, and misleading advent calendar sales. They warn shoppers to double-check URLs, use credit cards for purchases, and avoid sending payments through peer-to-peer apps. Reports of social media–based scams have doubled this year, making extra caution essential for online holiday shopping.

Thanks!

Thanks for hanging out with us today! Hope this roundup sparks some mid-week adventures and helps you make the most of everything happening around Connecticut.

If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend who loves finding new things to do!

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!