It’s just that time of year, hot cocoa is brewing, candy canes are being passed around, and the mornings bring a chill to your windows. It’s Winter in New England once again, and this means that things are about to get festive. Now that has come to a heavy decrease, many events and businesses are going to be open to the public in-person this year! No more sitting inside 24/7 with a severe reliance on take-out services, no more settling for facetimes from your in-laws, and certainly no more small get-togethers for your holidays off. It’s time to bring back those big family gatherings and spend time with all the people you love during the winter break. 

For the 2022 Winter season there are a lot of events lined up to attend with your friends and family here in Connecticut. There’s a range of places that are offering activities for all ages, whether it’s craft making, ornament decorating, or family breakfasts, to a date night for your special someone. It’s no doubt you’ll find something to go participate in this season with the variety of places you can visit.

First up on the list of fun things to do or try this winter is some good old classic ice skating. Over at the RoseGarden Ice Area in Norwich CT freestyle skating times are listed under their website. It’s easy to schedule and reserve tickets online, with access to a spacious indoor skating rink, with music, provided skates, and refreshments such as hot cocoa served occasionally. This makes the perfect place to take young children, family, friends, or even a date.

There are plenty of restaurants that decorate nicely for the holidays, and many families have a tradition to eat at a specific place every year for the season. It’s nice to go out with your family and friends for a nice meal, and Mr. Uscilla who teaches here at Waterford High School does just that with his wife and kids. “I have kids that are around your age or younger,” he says, “usually my family and I go to Mystic and eat pizza at Angie’s for the holidays.” There are also some nice restaurants to go eat at by the Mystic drawbridge, along with a variety of stores and small businesses to walk around to near the food establishments. Some places to try that are nearby the drawbridge are: Red 36, The Shipwright’s Daughter, Friar Tuck’s Tavern, and The Mariner (amongst many other vicinities close to the area).

On the contrary, the Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop event (held at the Sam Bridge Nursery and Greenhouses this year) in Greenwich is something light and fun to look forward to if you have younger siblings or smaller children. Even if someone were older, this event offers pictures with Santa and meeting his live reindeer amongst other activities to participate in. Usually they hold booths to make ornaments or other small crafts, and offer hot cocoa and coffee along with small snacks. This takes place on 11/25/22 and 11/26/22. 

There’s also the Christmas Craft & Vendor Fair (with Santa), which is being held in Stonington on 12/03/22. This is a fun festival with many crafts to do, and many small businesses to discover and buy from with over 70 vendors attending the event. In addition to the crafts and stands, there will be a Santa for pictures and listening to your kids’ gift wishes for this year’s Christmas. Snacks and drinks are likely going to be available for purchase, and plenty of stands are sure to have home-made edible products for you to enjoy. The neat thing about buying from this festival is that any products you buy from the stands will be gift-wrapped on the house!

Some fun and luminous events this winter start with the Festival of Lights at the Olde Mystic Village on 12/09/22. This bright and cheery setting is a really pretty and simple event to consider, and Katherine Hawkins agrees by saying she thinks “…that during the thanksgiving and christmas season, Mystick does a really great job decorating the village. The lights are displayed so neatly, that it just becomes a nice place to walk around with friends and family.” The many stores and restaurants in this shopping plaza make it so that going out to shop and eat all in one night is easy and within walking distance. Music, refreshments, and holiday decorations surround the Mystic Village on this night, which is a great photoshoot just waiting to happen.