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- ✨Ballet Magic, Basketball Legends & Owl Adventures in CT
✨Ballet Magic, Basketball Legends & Owl Adventures in CT
Good morning! The space between Christmas and New Year’s is prime time for memorable outings, and today’s picks bring a little bit of everything — classic holiday magic, high-energy fun, and hands-on learning for curious kids. Whether you’re planning a family night out or looking to fill a school-break day, we’ve got you covered.
Here's what you’ll find inside today’s email:
🩰 Timeless holiday ballet filled with wonder and sparkle
🏀 A legendary basketball show stopping in Hartford
🦉 Nature-filled vacation day program for curious young explorers
📗 This Month in CT History: From Connecticut Farm Boy to Wall Street Pioneer
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed
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A magical holiday ballet the whole family will love
Step into a world of wonder as World Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker, a magical holiday ballet perfect for audiences of all ages. Follow Marie on Christmas Eve as her Nutcracker springs to life, whisking her into a dreamlike journey filled with swirling snowflakes, mischievous mice, and the dazzling Kingdom of Sweets.
Featuring 40 world-class dancers, more than 150 hand-sewn costumes, and stunning sets, this enchanting production is a beautiful way to create lasting holiday memories together. It’s elegant, joyful, and everything a classic Nutcracker should be.
A once-in-a-century celebration of basketball, showmanship, and fun
The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their legendary 100 Year Tour to Hartford, celebrating a century of jaw-dropping tricks, gravity-defying dunks, and nonstop entertainment. This isn’t just a basketball game — it’s a full-on show packed with history, humor, and crowd-pleasing moments.
From iconic “No Way!” moves to unforgettable fan interactions, the Globetrotters deliver an experience that’s fun for all ages. Whether you’ve seen them before or it’s your first time, this milestone tour is a can’t-miss event.
A hands-on nature program for curious young explorers
Give kids a break-day adventure that’s both fun and educational at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center’s All About Owls program. Participants will meet resident owls, learn about their unique adaptations, explore what they eat, and even dissect an owl pellet to uncover what’s inside.
Designed for children ages 6–10, this half-day program blends outdoor learning with interactive discovery in a supportive, engaging environment. It’s a great way to keep curious minds active during the holiday break.
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The 4-Piece Cookware Set is the easiest way to transform your kitchen. With two Always Pans and two Perfect Pots in both Full and Mini sizes, this set replaces a cluttered stack of traditional cookware while letting you sear, sauté, fry, boil, steam, roast, and bake – all while saving you $150 when you bundle.
Designed in Los Angeles with over 200 patents, trusted by Michelin-starred chefs, and backed by more than 80,000 five-star reviews, Our Place cookware is as beautiful as it is high-performing – built to make every meal easier, healthier, and more joyful.
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A festive, drive-through holiday experience the whole family will love
If you’re looking for holiday magic without the crowds, Magic of Lights delivers big sparkle from the comfort of your car. This popular drive-through event transforms Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field into a glowing winter wonderland, featuring more than a mile of LED displays and animated light scenes that bring classic holiday moments to life.
From twinkling snowflakes and Santa’s sleigh to unexpected favorites like the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, Holiday Barbie™, and Prehistoric Christmas dinosaurs, there’s something around every turn to wow kids and adults alike. With one carload admitted for one price, it’s an easy, cozy way to make festive memories — crank up the holiday music, roll down the windows, and enjoy the ride.
TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Inspire Center – Expanded Hours (Hartford) - The Inspire Center offers hands-on creative space and activities for visitors of all ages during the school break.
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HAVE YOU SEEN THIS YET?
THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY
From Connecticut Farm Boy to Wall Street Pioneer
Born in 1851 in Sterling, Connecticut, Charles Dow grew up far from the world of high finance. Raised on a struggling farm and forced to abandon formal schooling after the early deaths of his father and brothers, Dow spent his youth helping support his family. Journalism, not banking, was his original ambition — and it would ultimately become the bridge between his humble beginnings and lasting influence on global finance.
Dow’s reporting career took shape in New England newsrooms before expanding to the business beat at the Providence Journal. A pivotal assignment covering western mining operations introduced him to bankers and investors and gave him rare insight into how markets really worked — and how poorly they were explained to the public. Frustrated by biased financial reporting, Dow partnered with Edward Jones to found Dow Jones & Company, producing clear, trustworthy market summaries from a modest office near the New York Stock Exchange.
Their afternoon bulletin quickly gained credibility, laying the groundwork for both the Dow Jones index and the newspaper that would become the Wall Street Journal. When Charles Dow was formally admitted to the New York Stock Exchange in late 1884, it marked a remarkable milestone — not just in his life, but in the history of American finance. His ideas about transparency, data, and market measurement continue to shape how the world understands investing today.
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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE
New Connecticut Laws Take Effect January 1
More than 20 new state laws begin rolling out in the new year, covering everything from affordable housing planning and foreclosure timelines to expanded tax credits for farmers. Other updates include changes to driving course requirements, new rules around solar panels on condos, added protections for people with disabilities during traffic stops, and expanded health and voting-related measures.
The Griswold Inn Marks Nearly 250 Years of Connecticut History
The iconic Griswold Inn in Essex, opened in 1776, is preparing to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026. Still family-owned and operating year-round, the inn has survived wars, Prohibition, and a pandemic, all while remaining a cultural landmark known for live music, historic charm, and deep community roots.
Connecticut Pushes to Expand Kinship Care for Children
State officials continue efforts to place more children in kinship care, meaning with relatives or close family connections, rather than traditional foster care. Research shows these placements often lead to better emotional and educational outcomes, though challenges remain around resources, licensing, and caregiver support.
Car Crashes Into Apartment Building in Waterbury
A driver remains in critical condition after crashing into an apartment building on Woodtick Road in Waterbury. Police say the building’s structural integrity was not compromised, and the incident remains under investigation by the city’s crash reconstruction unit.
Thanks!
Thanks for spending some of your time with us today! We hope this roundup inspired you to get out, explore, and make the most of everything Connecticut has to offer this week.
If you enjoyed this email, feel free to pass it along to a friend — more local adventures are always better shared.
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!