New London Announces Holiday Celebration Events

Information via City of New London

NEW LONDON, CT — The City of New London is proud to announce the commencement of the holiday season with a calendar of socially distant events celebrating the diverse array of faiths and beliefs in New London’s culture. Beginning on Saturday, November 28th with a Tree Lighting Ceremony in Parade Plaza, New London will host a different event each week through January 3rd.

“New London is a resourceful community that has overcome many challenges over its storied 400-year history,” said Michael Passero, New London Mayor. “It is in that proud Whaler tradition that we join together to safely celebrate this holiday season. Our community events will look different this year as we work to defeat this pandemic, but our joy will be undiminished. We have worked hard so that everyone can get out and celebrate the end of a long year safely in our wonderful downtown district.”

Throughout this holiday season, the City of New London is partnering with the Dominican Association of New London to host a toy drive for New London’s youth. Through January 2nd, donations of unwrapped toys are being collected for donation at the Three Kings Celebration. Donations can be dropped off in the lobby of the Stanton Building at 111 Union Street from 8:30 – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or at the New London Police Department at 5 Governor Winthrop Avenue Sunday through Saturday.

The 2020 calendar of holiday events include:

-- Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 28th – Join the City of New London as we light the Parade Plaza Christmas Tree with Mayor Passero and officially commence the holiday season. New London businesses will be decorating their storefronts to create a holiday walking experience for the community and guests. This event will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwqi6vYbyD5zPmuEGAoLcNw/live

-- New London Holiday Market: November 28th, 29th, December 5th, 6th,12th 13th, 20th, 27th, January 3rd – Parade Plaza comes to life with downtown shopping at the New London Holiday Market. Walk the stalls in the light of the New London Holiday Tree from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

-- Shop Local, Shop Late: December 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th – New London is open for the nightlife. All downtown businesses will be remaining open until 8 p.m. to support small businesses and shopping local. Businesses will be open for special hours on Christmas Eve, and will be closing before 8 p.m.

-- Elf on the Shelf: December 5th – A game of hide-and-seek in downtown New London like no other, downtown businesses will display the popular Elf on the Shelf inside their businesses and in their storefronts for walkers to discover as they stroll through downtown. As a special surprise, the Elf on the Shelf will come to life at 44 Bank Street between 1:00 and 2:00 to celebrate the holiday season from the storefront window.

As part of the celebration, Ocean Beach Park will be hosting Musica Navidena, a drive-in holiday music concert. Admission is one unwrapped toy for the Three Kings celebration on January 2nd.

Also, on the 5th, Hygienic Art will be hosting a family movie showing of Shrek the Halls, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Smurf Holiday Celebration and Merry Madagascar starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Hygienic Art Park. These family movies are made possible thanks to the generous support of Hygienic Art and the Telegraph.

-- New London Menorah Lighting: December 10th Join the City of New London at 5:00 p.m. for the lighting of the Parade Plaza Menorah. This event will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwqi6vYbyD5zPmuEGAoLcNw/live

-- Festival of Lights: December 12th – Experience New London draped in lights on every corner of downtown! On December 12th, New London will be decorated in holiday lighting at City Hall, Parade Plaza, and at Waterfront Park.

-- Santa’s Mailbox: December 19th – On December 19th, Santa is visiting New London to collect letters before Christmas! Families and children can visit Santa at 44 Bank Street as they make their lists and drop them off at Santa’s mailbox. Santa’s mailbox is made possible thanks to the generous support of Liberty Bank.

Also, art vendors will be setting up at the Hygienic Art Park as part of the Art = Gift pop-up shops from noon – 7 p.m.

-- Kwanza Celebration: December 26th – To commemorate Kwanza, New London businesses are banding together to offer learning and entertainment opportunities for children at their shops. At a participating business, children can pick up a Kwanza activity book to explore and enjoy.

-- Three Kings Celebration: January 2nd – New London’s Holiday Celebration ends as the city begins a new year by giving back to our community. Toys collected throughout November, December and January will be distributed to children in need by the Dominican Association of New London at 44 Bank Street alongside a live Three Kings display in the storefront.