❄️Santa Brunch & Wagon Rides

December 17, 2025

Good morning! If you’re leaning into full holiday mode (or trying to keep kids entertained while soaking up the season), today’s picks are all about festive moments done right. Cozy settings, classic traditions, and just enough magic to make December feel special without overthinking it.

Inside today’s email:

🎅 A family-friendly brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus
🎄 A festive countryside experience with wagon rides, cocoa, and holiday charm
📗 This Month in CT History: When Hartford Became The Center of a National Political Storm
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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A cozy brunch experience with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and festive favorites

If your idea of holiday magic includes good food and great memories, Santa Brunch at 1741 Pub & Grill delivers both. Hosted at Lyman Orchards, this family-friendly event invites guests to enjoy a generous holiday brunch buffet while Santa and Mrs. Claus make the rounds spreading cheer.

The menu goes all out, featuring everything from a French toast bar and cider donuts to brisket, bacon, maple sausage, and homemade hot chocolate. Between bites, families can snap photos, share wish lists, and enjoy the relaxed, festive atmosphere that makes this feel more like a tradition than an outing.

With two seatings each day and multiple December dates, it’s an easy way to turn a weekend morning into something memorable. Reservations are recommended, and it’s easy to see why — this one tends to fill up fast.

Wagon rides, glowing rooms, and classic Christmas charm

Holiday Magic at Lyman Orchards feels like stepping into a storybook version of the season. Your visit begins at the Apple Barrel Farm Market, where hot cocoa and fresh bakery treats set the tone before hopping aboard a horse-drawn wagon for a scenic ride through the orchards.

The ride leads to the historic Lyman Homestead, where each room is beautifully decorated with twinkling lights, garlands, and Christmas trees — some even gently “snow.” Guests can explore at their own pace while seasonal music fills the air, creating a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that works for all ages.

Kids can enjoy crafts and letter-writing to Santa, while families can add on extra fun like the Reindeer Goat Playdate for some truly adorable photo ops. With live performances on select days and plenty of festive details throughout, this experience packs a lot of holiday joy into under an hour.

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A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud Christmas show in downtown Bridgeport

If your holiday calendar needs a little more sparkle (and a lot more laughs), Santa Story 3 at Downtown Cabaret delivers big-time festive energy. This high-spirited family show sends Santa blasting off in a super-charged sleigh, only to land straight in the middle of hilarious holiday chaos. Expect cheeky characters, unexpected twists, and plenty of Christmas magic woven into a story that keeps kids locked in and adults smiling.

Designed with families in mind, the production is lively, colorful, and easy to follow, making it a great pick for younger audiences while still being fun for everyone tagging along. With its playful humor, upbeat pacing, and heart-warming moments, it’s the kind of show that feels like a holiday tradition in the making.

Running now through late December at the Downtown Cabaret in Bridgeport, this is an ideal outing for a weekend treat, a festive surprise, or a memory-making family night out. Tickets are available at a discounted rate through Groupon, making it even easier to say yes to a little holiday magic.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

When Hartford Became the Center of a National Political Storm

In the winter of 1814, Hartford quietly hosted one of the most controversial political gatherings in early American history. Delegates from across New England assembled at the Old State House to air their growing frustration with the federal government’s handling of the War of 1812. The region was facing economic hardship, coastal attacks, and mounting anger over trade embargoes and war policies coming out of Washington.

The meeting, later known as the Hartford Convention, brought together Federalist leaders who believed New England’s interests were being ignored. Their closed-door sessions, kept deliberately secret, immediately sparked rumors across the country. Critics accused the delegates of plotting to undermine the government or even break away from the Union altogether. Political cartoons and newspapers outside the region painted the group as disloyal and dangerously self-interested.

When the delegates finally released their official report, it stopped short of calling for secession. Instead, it outlined proposed constitutional changes aimed at rebalancing political power, including reforms that would have reduced the influence of Southern slaveholding states. Still, vague language suggesting future action left room for suspicion, and the damage was already done.

Timing sealed the convention’s fate. Just as its report reached the public, news arrived that the War of 1812 had effectively ended and American forces had secured a major victory in New Orleans. What had been intended as a serious political intervention suddenly looked like a dramatic miscalculation. The fallout was swift and lasting: the Federalist Party never recovered, and national politics shifted decisively in favor of its rivals.

For a brief moment, Hartford stood at the crossroads of unity and division in the young United States—an episode that reshaped American politics long after the meeting adjourned.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

CT Dog Behaviorist Alleges Corporate Espionage

A Glastonbury-based animal behaviorist has filed a federal lawsuit claiming a Kansas City pet-training company sent a fake client to steal proprietary training methods. The case centers on trade secrets and noncompete agreements, and a judge has already issued a temporary restraining order as the dispute moves forward.

New Tribal Health Center Partnership Announced

Hartford HealthCare and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation have announced plans for a 21,000-square-foot health center on tribal land, expected to open in 2027. The facility will offer primary and specialty care, a pharmacy, and culturally informed tribal health services for the surrounding community.

Waterbury Restores Hospital Water as City Recovery Continues

Water service has been restored to Waterbury’s hospitals and select neighborhoods following a major water main failure, though a boil-water advisory remains in place. Restaurants are still closed, schools are being evaluated day by day, and officials say full repairs may take longer than initially expected.

Thanks!

Thanks for spending some time with us today! We hope this roundup sparked a few ideas to get out, explore, and enjoy all that Connecticut has lined up this week.

If you enjoyed today’s email, pass it along to a friend and help them discover even more 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!