11/14/2024
Happy Holidays! If you're looking for some local holiday traditions, Compass & C0unsel is here to help.
Holiday Traditions in the Nutmeg State
Connecticut's holiday celebrations blend colonial New England charm with modern festivities. As winter descends on the Nutmeg State, historic town greens transform into magical scenes with their annual tree lighting ceremonies. In Mystic, the Lantern Light Tours at the Seaport Museum recreate a 19th-century Christmas, complete with period-costumed actors and traditional carols.
The Mark Twain House in Hartford offers a glimpse into Victorian-era celebrations, with the author's mansion beautifully decorated as it would have been during his family's festivities. Meanwhile, the Essex Steam Train becomes the Santa Special, delighting children with a nostalgic ride through the Connecticut River Valley.
Food plays a central role in Connecticut's holiday traditions. Italian families in New Haven continue the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, while Polish communities in New Britain gather for traditional Wigilia suppers. Local sugar shacks produce pure maple syrup for holiday baking, a tradition dating back to Native American practices.
One uniquely Connecticut tradition is the rush to pick up holiday pies from Lyman Orchards, a 1741 establishment that's become synonymous with seasonal celebrations. And no Connecticut Christmas would be complete without a visit to Vavala's in Rocky Hill for their famous chocolate-covered strawberries, a tradition since 1947.
As December progresses, many families make an annual pilgrimage to Winterfest in Hartford's Bushnell Park, where free ice skating under twinkling lights has created memories for generations of Connecticut residents.
Mark Twain House & Museum
www.marktwainhouse.org
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
www.essexsteamtrain.com
Vavala's Deli & Bakery
www.vavalasdeli.com
Mystic, CT Tourism (Official Visit Mystic Website)
www.visitconnecticut.com
Before visiting any of these locations, I'd recommend checking their current hours, prices, and special holiday events directly on their websites, as schedules and offerings can change seasonally. For the Mark Twain House holiday tours and Essex Steam Train's Santa Special in particular, advance reservations are often required as these tend to sell out early in the season.