- Connecticut Lifestyles
- Posts
- ✨ Lobster Trap Tree, Saybrook Starlight & Festival of Trees!
✨ Lobster Trap Tree, Saybrook Starlight & Festival of Trees!
Good morning and happy Tuesday! There’s so much happening around Connecticut this week, from holiday displays to festive fun for the whole family. Here’s a quick sneak peek of what’s inside:
✨ A unique holiday display in Stonington you won’t want to miss
🎄 Festive activities and Santa sightings in Old Saybrook
🌟 A sparkling winter wonderland at The Wadsworth Museum
📗 This Month in CT History: The Heart That Changed Medicine
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed
Get back on the road in just 15 minutes and save up to 30% on your next oil change at Valvoline Instant Oil Change — no appointment needed. With over 55,000 five-star reviews, Valvoline is the trusted name in car care, now offering discounted rates on Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic oil changes at 20 convenient locations across Connecticut.
Each service includes up to 5 quarts of premium Valvoline oil, a new filter, and a full maintenance check — all performed by ASE-certified technicians while you stay in your car.
This is an advertisement. 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!
Celebrate the season with a growing Stonington tradition!
The popular Annual Lobster Trap Tree, sponsored by the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, is back for the 2025 season. This unique holiday display features contributions from local shops like Cove Ledge, Grand & Water Antiques, Maggie Lee Designs, Repertoire Furniture, and more, with refreshments provided by Sip & Shop.
Gather your friends and family for this dazzling display, which will be on public view from now through January 4, 2026.
Admission is free for all ages, making it the perfect festive outing for everyone.
Kick off the holidays in Old Saybrook!
On Saturday, December 6, enjoy a full day of festive fun on Main Street and the Town Green. Highlights include:
Visits with Santa 🎅
Facepainting, crafts, and games 🎨
Stocking Walk on Main Street 🧦
FREE hot cocoa and snacks ☕
Holiday carolers 🎶 and horse-drawn wagon rides 🐴
Starlight dining specials at 14 local restaurants 🍽️
Family-friendly activities run from 1:00–4:00 p.m., with proceeds from some activities supporting local charities. Bring your loved ones and soak up the holiday spirit!
🌟 EXPLORE THE FESTIVAL OF TREES & TRADITIONS AT THE WADSWORTH!
Step into a dazzling winter wonderland!
From December 4–14, the museum transforms into a holiday spectacle with trees and decorations donated by community members, artists, and local organizations. Visitors can purchase the creations, with profits supporting museum programs and special exhibitions.
Admission ranges from $4–$27, plus a $5 fundraising surcharge during the festival. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring home holiday cheer or support a local charity.
Is your home ready for the fall weather? Now's the time to clear out the dust, debris, and danger lurking in your ducts, dryer vents, and other places for a fraction of the cost. Air Wizards, backed by 145 glowing reviews and a 4.4-star rating, is offering up to 82% OFF their most popular HVAC cleaning packages for a limited time only.
This is an advertisement.
A Mile of Lights, Magic, and Pure Festive Joy
Get ready to light up your holiday season with Magic of Lights, the wildly popular drive-through experience turning Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field into a glowing winter wonderland. This mile-long route is packed with brilliant LED displays, showstopping digital animations, and iconic characters that make the whole place feel straight out of a holiday movie.
Whether you're rolling through with family, friends, or your favorite holiday playlist blasting, Magic of Lights is an easy win for cozy seasonal fun.
Click below to snag the Groupon deal and plan your drive-through adventure:
👉 MAGIC OF LIGHTS • PRATT & WHITNEY STADIUM
TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Meditation and Mindfulness in the Museum Series (Fairfield) - Join for an in-person meditation and mindfulness class in our gallery!
Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting (New Britain) - Participate in the festive tree lighting celebration featuring live music, vendors, and Santa!
Miss Florence’s Teas 2025 (Old Lyme) - Enjoy tea and seasonal sweets served along the serene Lieutenant River during this charming holiday experience!
Fireside Holiday Tea (Westbrook) - Cozy up with festive treats in a delightful holiday afternoon tea setting!
Yoga (Waterbury) - Take a relaxing lunch break with a yoga session in the galleries, open to all levels!
Beyond Britain | "The Island of Barbados" (New Haven) - Discover a different perspective on the artistic imagination of Barbados by artist Taisha Carrington.
Want to have your event listed above? Click here to learn how we can promote your event to thousands of interested locals!
HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?
There’s no shortage of live music happening all around the state. Check out the upcoming show calendar below:
THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY
The Heart That Changed Medicine
Robert Jarvik grew up in Stamford with an unusual childhood hobby: tagging along to work with his physician father and obsessing over the surgical tools most kids would’ve run away from. That early curiosity snowballed fast. Before he even left his teens, he was inventing his own medical devices, foreshadowing a career that would push the boundaries of what the human body could survive.
Jarvik’s path took him through studies in architecture, zoology, and biology — and then straight into the world of artificial organ research. Working at the University of Utah under Dr. Willem Kolff, he set his sights on a bold mission: creating an artificial heart that wasn’t just a temporary stopgap, but a device that could keep a patient alive long-term.
That breakthrough came with the Jarvik-7, a permanent artificial heart designed for patients who had run out of options. Its first recipient, Seattle dentist Barney Clark, survived 112 days with the device, a milestone that electrified the medical world and proved lasting artificial hearts were more than a distant dream.
More than 70 people would eventually rely on updated versions of Jarvik’s design, and his work continues to influence modern artificial organ research. It all traces back to a kid from Connecticut who grew up curious, ambitious, and absolutely unafraid to imagine the impossible.
Planning a move? Let Rio Moving take the hassle out of your relocation!
Whether you need expert movers for heavy lifting or a full-service move with a truck, Rio Moving offers affordable, reliable service designed to make your transition smooth and stress-free.
With nationwide coverage and a commitment to top-notch care, they treat every move like it’s their own.
🚛 Professional movers you can trust
💰 Affordable pricing without hidden fees
📍 Available in over 100 locations
Right now, you can get up to 72% off moving services – but spots fill up fast!
This is an advertisement.
HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE
🌱 New Haven’s Biofuel Giant Levels Up
American GreenFuels has completed a major expansion, making its New Haven facility the largest biodiesel producer on the East Coast. The plant now turns out nearly 60 million gallons of fuel each year using waste oils.
🍟 Turning French Fry Grease Into Fuel
Inside the facility’s maze of tanks and pipes, workers convert used cooking oil and other waste products into cleaner-burning biodiesel, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent when used locally.
🔥 CT’s Heating Oil Is Getting Greener
A state law requires heating oil to include a 10 percent biodiesel blend, with plans to raise that to 50 percent by 2035. That mandate has helped drive major investment and growth at the New Haven plant.
🌍 Environmental Groups Push Back on Biofuels
Advocates like the Sierra Club argue Connecticut should shift more aggressively toward electrification, warning that expanded biofuel use may delay long-term climate solutions.
⚠️ EPA Flags Violations at New Haven Plant
American GreenFuels paid $143,000 to settle Clean Air Act violations tied to past maintenance issues. The company says it’s now in compliance, but the incident has fueled concerns about biofuel production’s environmental impact.
Thanks!
Thanks for catching today’s newsletter! We hope it inspired you to get out, explore, and enjoy all that Connecticut has to offer this week.
If you enjoyed today’s email, share it with a friend so they can discover the best events and adventures around the state too!
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!