Not To Be Missed Holiday Events In East Haven

You don't have to travel far, or spend a lot of money, to enjoy family-friendly holiday events. The shoreline is alive with holiday spirit.

If there's an event you'd like to add, please share it in the comments!

Santa Claus Sightings, Letters To Santa & Tree Lighting

Nov. 29 - Dec. 22:

Santa’s Trolley Winter Wonderland: East Haven. Weekends at the Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fee: $10. Shorelinestrolley.org

Nov. 30
Holiday Festival & Santa in downtown Madison, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. madisonct.com

East Haven Chamber Annual Tree Lighting: East Haven Town Green, 1 to 5 p.m. Santa arrives by fire truck at 2 p.m. easthaven-chamber.com

Branford Annual Tree Lighting & Parade: Branford High School to Branford Green. 6 p.m. branfordct.myrec.com

Nearby: Mystic’s Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Downtown Mystic, 2 p.m. Santa arrives by tugboat, tree lighting and boat parade at 6 p.m.

Dec. 6

Madison Annual Tree Lighting: Town Green, 6 p.m. madisonct.com

Guilford Holiday Tree Lighting: Guilford Green, 5:45 p.m. shorelinechamberct.com

North Branford Annual Tree Lighting: Augur Property, Northford, 6:30 to 8:30,

Dec. 10 - 12
Branford: Santa Hotline: Dec. 10 - Dec. 12 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. branfordct.myrec.com

Dec. 14 & Dec. 15

Magical Elf House: Stony Creek, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Free kids under 13, $10 adults. Info: Facebook.com/themagicelfhouse

Dec. 16
Branford: Letters to Santa are due by Dec. 16, address to General Delivery ℅ Santa Claus, North Pole, Branford CT 06405 branfordct.myrec.com

Holiday Shopping Fairs & Bazaars

Nov. 30

Small Business Saturday: Most shoreline communities’ small businesses participate. You should, too.

Eagle Hose Guilford Volunteer Fire Co. Wreath Sale, Guilford: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 120 Whitfield St. (Also Dec. 6)

Dec. 5
Ladies Night Shopping, Downtown Madison: 5 to 8 p.m.

Holiday Book Sale, Guilford: Through Dec. 7, Guilford Free Library

Dec. 6
Holiday Boutique, Guilford: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Father Sullivan Center.

Dec. 7
Christmas Bazaar, Branford: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Mary Church, 731 Main St.

92nd Annual Christmas Fair, Branford: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1009 Main St.

25th Annual Holiday Craft Fair & Cookie Sale, North Madison: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Road.

Holiday Fair, Madison: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Road.

Christmas Fair, East Haven: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,Christ & the Epiphany Church, 39 Park Place.

Dec. 7 & 8

Dudley Farm Annual Holiday Market, Guilford: Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. 2351 Durham Road.

St. George Christmas Fair, Guilford: Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 33 Whitfield St.

House Decorating, Gingerbread Houses, Living Nativity, Holiday Music, Hanukkah Fun, & Story-Telling

Dec. 10
Gingerbread House Workshop, Guilford: 3:30 p.m. Guilford Free Library. Registration required. 203-453-8282.

Dec. 12
Annual House Decorating, Branford: 6:30 to 9 p.m. viewing. branfordct.myrec.com

Dec. 14
Living Nativity, Madison: 6 and 7 p.m., Lutheran Church of Madison. Information at 203-245-4145.

A Christmas Carol in Concert, Madison: 7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church 26 Meetinghouse Lane. Information at newhavensynphony.org

Dec. 15
Annual Grinch Story Time, Madison: 10:30 a.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, rjjulia.com

Dec. 23
Hanukkah Fun, Guilford: 4 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. guilfordfreelibrary.org

The Night Before Christmas Story Time, Madison: 6:30 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, rjjulia.com

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