✨ Kent’s Sparkle, Winterfair Magic & Cheney Hall Crafts Await!

November 26, 2025

Good morning and happy Wednesday! The holiday season is officially in full swing, and Connecticut’s towns are lighting up with festive fun. Whether you’re in the mood for a sparkling evening stroll, unique gifts from local artisans, or some holiday cheer with the whole family, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside today’s newsletter:

✨ Festive drinks, Main Street magic, and support for local businesses
🎁 Shop boutique gifts, sip cocoa, and meet Santa at Union Station
🎨 Explore local crafts and snap a festive photo with Santa
📗 This Month in CT History: Connecticut’s Oldest Congregational Church
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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✨ EXPERIENCE KENT’S SPARKLING HOLIDAY NIGHT

A festive evening of drinks, shopping, and Main Street magic

Kent’s most sparkling night is back! Join the Sip, Sparkle & Stroll on Saturday, November 29, 4–8 PM for an evening full of holiday cheer, twinkling lights, and local charm. This event brings the community together for a night of fun, connection, and support for small businesses.

🍾 Sip your way through Kent’s shops
🛍 Support local businesses
💖 Raise funds for the Kent Lions Club

Twinkling lights, cozy shops, and festive drinks await—tickets are limited, so secure your spot today!

Boutique shopping, hot cocoa, and holiday fun for all ages

For the first time ever, Winterfair comes to Union Station in New Haven this holiday season! Running November 29 – December 21 on Saturdays and Sundays (excluding December 7), the fair features dozens of local boutiques, perfect for unique gifts for friends, family, or yourself. Don’t forget to stop by for hot cocoa and a quick hello to Santa.

Free and fun for the whole family—this is your chance to support small businesses while soaking up the holiday spirit.

Local crafts, holiday cheer, and Santa visits

Unwrap the magic of the season at the Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair in Manchester’s Cheney Hall on Saturday, November 29, Noon–4 PM. Explore handmade crafts from local artisans, enjoy festive caroling, and bring the kids for a special meet-and-greet with Santa from 12:30–2:30 PM.

Support small businesses, find one-of-a-kind gifts, and soak in the holiday atmosphere! Vendors can still apply for a spot—space is limited.

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Over 1 Million Holiday Lights + Family Fun for a Great Cause

Get ready to light up your holiday season at Hebron Lions Lights In Motion, Connecticut’s must-see 1-mile drive-thru experience! From November 28 through December 31, visitors can enjoy a magical journey through over a million twinkling Christmas lights, perfectly synchronized to festive music, all from the comfort of their own vehicle.

This beloved local tradition is celebrating its 5th year, offering families a safe, cozy, and unforgettable way to soak in the holiday cheer. Plus, every ticket purchase supports children’s charities, making this dazzling night out meaningful as well as magical.

🎟 Tickets are selling fast, so grab yours today and secure your spot for a festive experience you won’t forget!

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

Connecticut’s Oldest Congregational Church

Connecticut is home to one of the nation’s oldest continuously active Congregational churches: the First Congregational Church of Windsor. Founded by a group of Puritans in the spring of 1630, the congregation initially formed in Plymouth, England before settling briefly in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and finally making Windsor along the Connecticut River their permanent home.

Over the centuries, the church has been a cornerstone of community life. The original meetinghouse was a simple wooden structure, and though the congregation has since built four successive sanctuaries, the church remains at the heart of Windsor. Its fourth meetinghouse, built in 1794, still serves as the main sanctuary today.

The church has not only stood as a place of worship but also as a living record of Connecticut’s early colonial history. Milestone anniversaries, like the 275th in 1905, included lectures, historical reenactments, hymn-singing, and tours, celebrating its rich legacy. Today, the First Church continues to be a vibrant part of Windsor, connecting modern worshippers to nearly four centuries of faith, community, and history.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

💰 Big Wins at Mohegan Sun
Connecticut visitors struck gold over the weekend at Mohegan Sun’s Casino of the Earth. One lucky guest turned a $5 bet into a $480,912 jackpot on Four Card Poker, while another won $126,520 on a Wheel of Fortune slot. The casino continues to be a hotspot for life-changing prizes and thrilling entertainment.

🐢 Turtle Takes the Reins at Beardsley Zoo
Logan the Amazon River turtle is the new mayor of Bridgeport’s Beardsley Zoo. Outpacing five other animal candidates, Logan’s calm and steady leadership won over voters, and he’ll officially be sworn in during a public ceremony on December 4. Fiona the maned wolf will serve as deputy mayor.

🦃 Gabel Basket Brigade Marks 25 Years
The Gabel Basket Brigade celebrated 25 years of Thanksgiving outreach, providing over 70,000 holiday meals to Connecticut families. Hundreds of volunteers helped pack and distribute boxes, continuing a tradition that began as a small family project and now spans more than 20 local partners.

🎓 UConn Rises in Entrepreneurship Rankings
The University of Connecticut climbed the 2026 entrepreneurship rankings, earning No. 4 in New England for undergraduates and No. 6 for graduate programs. The university was recognized for its robust support for student startups, mentorship, and innovation, helping students turn ideas into market-ready ventures.

Thanks!

Thanks for catching up with us today! We hope you found some fun ways to get out, explore, and enjoy all that Connecticut has in store this week.

Loved what you read? Forward this email to a friend and help them uncover the best things happening 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!