Over the river and through the woods… Yes, yes, heading to grandmother’s house always gets one in the holiday spirit. There’s something about the city, though, that holds its own holiday charm. Case in point: New Haven. This bustling metropolis comes alive with carolers, light displays, ice sculpting and an overall feeling of merriment. After all, ‘tis the season to be jolly.
Shopping Paired with Festivities
Holidays Shops at Yale hosts an ice carving contest in downtown New Haven. (Courtesy of The Shops at Yale)
Owner Tim Cabral inside the newly renovated bar Ordinary, situated inside the Taft building in downtown New Haven, Conn., on Tuesday July 23, 2024. (Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media)
Going strong for well over 100 years is the annual City of New Haven Tree Lighting & Holiday Village. The event kicks off on the New Haven Green with a giant tree (last year’s Norwegian Spruce stood 55 feet tall) waiting for its moment to shine. Four, three, two, one! Cheers ring out as over 30,000 lights illuminate the area. It’s official: holiday season has begun. Children decked out in scarves and mittens race between the merry-go-round and Ferris wheel make their way into tents where local vendors sell their wares. Revelry abounds throughout the weekend-long Holiday Village with its live performances, food trucks and kid-friendly activities.
The West Haven Green is the site of the Annual Menorah Lighting, scheduled for Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m. this year.
Finding just the right gift can also be accomplished at the Shops at Yale, with its mix of national brand stores and local boutiques. Book lovers will be in heaven with venues like Atticus, Grey Matter Books, Barnes & Noble Yale Bookstore and Book Trader Café. The hot spot for audiophiles is Grails, a record store described as a “music playground.” The Shops at Yale serve as a backdrop for merry-making and perks for patrons. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 24, with a $50 purchase at participating merchants, shoppers receive free gourmet cocoa, courtesy of Claire’s Corner Copia and Common Grounds. Also gratis: two hours of parking.
Community Choral Concert & Toy/ Coat Drive with United Way on December 8th, 2024. (Courtesy of The Shops at Yale)
A series of holiday events can be enjoyed at the Shops at Yale, featuring storytelling from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, strolling carolers, and ice carving demonstrations. Speaking of ice craving…”Weekend of Holiday Cheer” gets underway on Saturday, Dec. 6, when five artisans are pitted against 900 pounds of ice on Broadway Island, transforming it into a sculpture between noon and 4 p.m. Amping up the festivities during those hours will be performances from eight of Yale’s a cappella groups.
Those whose favorite winter pastime is reveling in holiday lights should head to Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park, where Goodwill of Southern New England takes their displays to the hilt. As the event runs from late November through December in the evenings – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday – there’s ample time to make return visits for the 15-minute drive through the park. Tickets are $10 per car, $25 per minibus and $50 for a full-size bus.
Holidays Shops at Yale hosts an ice carving contest in downtown New Haven. (Courtesy of The Shops at Yale)
‘The Nutcracker’ and more
Memories are made with annual outings to holiday performances. Among these is the production of “The Nutcracker” from New Haven Ballet on Dec. 12-14. Step inside the Shubert Theatre New Haven and delighted gasps are emitted over the majestic setting. As the curtain rises, so does the anticipation of meeting Clara, The Nutcracker, the Mouse King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. As the magic unfolds, a tradition is born.
The Shubert’s calendar of holiday shows is robust, beginning with “Miracle on 34th Street the Musical“ on Nov. 29-30, followed by “Engelbert Humperdinck – A Winter World of Love” on Dec. 15, then, Gaelic carols take center stage during “Ireland with Michael Londra: A Celtic Christmas” on Dec. 19.
Santa pays a visit to downtown New Haven during a holiday event. (Courtesy of The Shops at Yale)
Getting folks into the spirit of the season is New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s holiday extravaganza. This series of concerts featuring yuletide music and sing-along carols takes place on Dec. 19, 7 p.m. at West Haven High School, Dec. 20, 3 p.m. at Shelton High School and Dec. 21, 3 p.m. at Woolsey Hall.
Food + Drink
Cocktails and celebrating go hand-in-hand, and the Ordinary serves up the perfect mix of both. Indeed, the building has been a communal watering hole – New Haven’s first since 1659. Come for the ambience – think baroque, oak-paneled walls with carved liquor shelves, ornate ceilings and a fireplace graced by a moose head – libations and a good time. Comfort food paired with cocktails can be had at Elm City Social. Chicken and Waffle Bites beckon from the appetizer menu, as does Coconut Shrimp & Grits on the mains menu.
Bartender Silveria Esquivel at the newly renovated bar Ordinary, situated inside the Taft building in downtown New Haven, Conn., on Tuesday July 23, 2024. (Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media)
And though New Haven’s Italian restaurants might not offer a Feast of the Seven Fishes option, many, like Tre Scalini and Pasta Eataliana Trattoria Napoletana, offer a myriad of fresh seafood selections on the menu.
Never to be left out: New Haven pizza. A family stroll to Wooster Street calls for kissing under the Archway (who needs mistletoe). This, followed by a debate over whose pizza is the best – Pepe’s, Sally’s, Zeneli’s, The Spot…Hey, don’t fight. Just eat pizza.
Stay
An interior view newly renovated bar Ordinary, situated inside the Taft building in downtown New Haven, Conn., on Tuesday July 23, 2024. (Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media)
Ideal for cozying up for a New Haven getaway: The Blake New Haven. This boutique hotel, located within walking distance of Yale, features its own art gallery that showcases contemporary works by Connecticut-based artists. Luring with Italian fare is Siena, the hotel’s lobby-based bar – a work of art unto itself with stained-glass windows and a turquoise-hued bar. Prefer to see the city lights? Head up to the sixth-floor rooftop and High George, where it’s possible to sip an Espresso Martini whilst overlooking the city. Here’s to 2026! Cheers to New Haven!
Upon moving to Connecticut in 2021, Bekah Wright went into full exploration mode, along the way, discovering some of the state’s most unique spots. She has written for publications including TV Guide, Bon Appetit, Reader’s Digest, Nat Geo Kids and Los Angeles Magazine. She previously volunteered with Chester’s tourism board.
This article originally published at CT Getaways: ‘Tis the season as New Haven lights up with holiday cheer.