🎅 Ride to Santa, Visit the Farm & Sip Cocoa While You Shop

December 16, 2025

Good morning and happy Tuesday! The countdown to the holidays is officially on, and today’s picks are all about classic seasonal magic, cozy family moments, and little perks that make holiday outings even sweeter.

Inside today’s email:

🎅 A classic holiday experience
🌲 Family-friendly farm adventure
☕ A sweet holiday bonus
📗 This Month in CT History: When a Fireball Fell From the Sky and Changed American Science
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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!

A festive trolley ride straight into the heart of the holidays

All aboard for one of Connecticut’s most charming holiday traditions. The Shore Line Trolley Museum transforms into a winter wonderland as families hop aboard a beautifully decorated, heated trolley for a cozy ride to visit Santa himself. It’s a classic experience that feels nostalgic in the best way—simple, joyful, and full of holiday spirit.

Once you arrive, kids can share their Christmas wishes with Santa, pose for photos, and receive a small gift to mark the moment. Warm up with hot chocolate, wander through the museum’s holiday-decorated trolleys, and browse the gift shop for unique seasonal finds. Much of the experience happens outdoors, adding to the magic of a crisp winter day spent together.

This event runs Thanksgiving weekend and select weekends through December, making it an easy tradition to build into your holiday plans year after year.

👉 Learn More

🌲 THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE AT STAR HILL FAMILY FARM

A cozy countryside celebration full of traditions and festive fun

Star Hill Family Farm turns the holiday season into a full-on family experience, blending old-fashioned charm with hands-on fun. From the moment you arrive, the farm feels alive with Christmas spirit—twinkling décor, friendly animals, and plenty of photo-worthy moments around every corner.

Santa and Mrs. Claus make special appearances throughout the season, inviting kids to share letters, wishes, and smiles while families capture those once-a-year photos. Between visits, little ones can enjoy holiday games, explore the farm, and snack on fresh apple cider donuts with hot cocoa or coffee in hand.

For an extra dose of magic, families can book a scenic horse-drawn wagon ride through the rolling hills, complete with a cozy fireside stop along the way. It’s the kind of experience that slows things down and reminds you what the season is really about.

☕ FREE HOT COCOA OR COOKIE WHILE YOU SHOP LOCAL

A sweet holiday perk at The Shops at Yale

Holiday shopping gets a delicious upgrade in the Broadway–Chapel district. From late November through Christmas Eve, shoppers who support participating local retailers can treat themselves to a complimentary gourmet hot cocoa or cookie—because festive errands should come with rewards.

It’s the perfect excuse to linger a little longer while browsing for gifts, discovering new shops, and enjoying the neighborhood’s holiday buzz. Whether you’re warming up with cocoa or grabbing a sweet treat to-go, this promotion turns everyday shopping into something more celebratory.

Supporting local businesses never tasted so good—and it’s an easy way to add a little joy to your holiday routine.

A lot of people think frozen seafood is the backup plan — something you buy when you can’t get it fresh. But here’s the truth: when it comes to quality, frozen can actually be fresher than what’s behind the grocery store counter.

Most “fresh” fish has already been frozen for transport, and is then thawed for display (sometimes even thawed and refrozen many times!). By the time you see it on ice at the seafood counter, it may have been sitting there for days. Not exactly what you pictured when you thought “fresh,” right?

For fish that’s truly fresh, “frozen” should be your go-to choice. Wild Alaskan Company freezes wild-caught seafood from Alaska just hours after harvest, locking in peak flavor, texture, and nutrients — perfectly preserved until you’re ready to cook.
It’s not a shortcut. It’s the smart way to enjoy top-quality seafood at its best.

This is an advertisement.

A cozy, candlelit holiday concert with one of country music’s biggest voices

If your idea of the perfect holiday night includes live music, warm Christmas classics, and a more intimate concert vibe, this one’s calling your name. Country star Chris Young brings his first-ever holiday tour to Connecticut with It Must Be Christmas – An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young, hitting the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford on December 20 at 7:30 p.m.

This stripped-down acoustic show puts the spotlight where it belongs: on Chris Young’s powerful vocals and heartfelt holiday spirit. Fans can expect beloved Christmas classics alongside songs from his It Must Be Christmas album, all delivered in a relaxed, storytelling-style performance that feels personal, festive, and perfect for the season.

Even better, there’s a limited-time Groupon deal that makes this holiday splurge way easier to justify. Tickets are currently discounted, making it a great option for a date night, a gift for a country music fan, or a memorable night out with friends right before Christmas. Seats are limited, and this one’s already getting plenty of attention.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

One of Connecticut’s most iconic culinary landmarks is Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand in Cheshire. It’s been serving hot dogs for more than 100 years!

Gerard Way Concert GIF by My Chemical Romance

There’s no shortage of live music happening all around the state. Check out the upcoming show calendar below:

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

When a Fireball Fell From the Sky and Changed American Science

In the early 19th century, residents of Fairfield County witnessed something truly extraordinary: a blazing fireball tearing across the morning sky, followed by thunderous explosions that echoed for miles. After sunrise, strange blackened stones were discovered scattered across towns from present-day Monroe to Fairfield. What many didn’t realize at the time was that they were standing at the center of the first documented meteorite fall in United States history.

Word of the mysterious event soon reached Yale professor Benjamin Silliman and his colleague James Kingsley. The two scientists traveled to Fairfield County to interview eyewitnesses and collect fragments of the fallen rocks. Although many pieces had already been broken apart by locals hoping they contained precious metals, Silliman and Kingsley gathered enough material to conduct groundbreaking research back in New Haven.

Their chemical analysis proved that the rocks were rich in iron and unlike any known Earth-based stone. This work marked the first scientific study of a meteorite in North America and helped legitimize the idea that rocks could fall from space, a theory still debated at the time. Their findings were widely published and shared, drawing national attention and reshaping scientific understanding of the natural world.

Today, fragments of what became known as the Weston Meteorite remain on display at Yale’s Peabody Museum and the Smithsonian, serving as lasting reminders of the moment Connecticut helped launch an entirely new field of study. What began as a startling flash in the sky became a milestone in American science, sparked right here in the Nutmeg State.

Most hearing aids cost thousands, but Oricle Hearing gives you amazing sound for under $100! Our top-of-the-line hearing technology boosts voices, reduces background noise, and makes everything crystal clear.

No confusing settings—just put them on and enjoy the best sound of your life! Wireless charging, all-day battery life, and a 100% comfort fit.

This is an advertisement.

HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Waterbury Water Main Break Worse Than Expected

Damage to a major transmission line in Waterbury is more severe than initial estimates, keeping much of the city without full water service for days. A boil water order remains in effect, schools are closed, and residents are relying on water distribution sites as crews work on long-term repairs.

Connecticut’s Finances Deemed Strongest in Decades

A new analysis shows Connecticut is better prepared for a recession than ever before, thanks to a record-breaking rainy day fund. State officials say current reserves could cover a moderate economic downturn for more than two years without tax hikes or major cuts.

Snow Totals Released After Weekend Storm

The National Weather Service has released town-by-town snowfall totals from the December storm, with parts of Fairfield County seeing over five inches. Bitter cold and black ice followed, prompting travel warnings and another blast of Arctic air to start the week.

$50M State Capitol Restoration Delayed Until After 250th Celebrations

Plans to rehabilitate Connecticut’s historic State Capitol have been pushed to fall 2026 to avoid interfering with America’s 250th anniversary events. Officials want the iconic building fully visible during major statewide and national celebrations next summer.

Capitol Police and Tech Workers Deliver Holiday Toys in Hartford

Volunteers from Connecticut Capitol Police and state IT departments delivered dozens of toys to Hartford schools as part of a long-running holiday tradition. The gifts will be distributed during a Three Kings Day celebration, providing joy to families who may otherwise go without.

Statewide Infrastructure and Community Efforts in Focus

From emergency water repairs to long-term preservation projects and holiday giving, the week’s headlines highlight both the challenges and resilience of communities across Connecticut.

Thanks!

Thanks for spending some time with us today! We hope this roundup inspired you to get out, explore, and make the most of what Connecticut has to offer this week.

If you enjoyed this email, feel free to pass it 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!