In case you needed a sign to treat yourself this season - here it is. On Friday, December 6, award-winning Celtic harpist Áine is bringing her Celtic holiday magic back to historic St. Paul’s Church in Windham Center. Her playing has that “close your eyes and this must be what heaven sounds like” effect - perfect excuse to slow down and soak up some peace before the December chaos hits.

This isn’t just a concert, either:

Tickets below - grab them now, and we’ll tap you on the shoulder one more time the week of the show.

We’re trying something new in the CT Buzz world: small, hand-picked dinners with good food, better conversation, and zero awkward name tags. This isn’t networking. It’s not a pitch fest. It’s six people around a table talking about life.

Why we’re doing this:

The best stuff doesn’t happen on Zoom or in a crowded bar. It happens over dinner.
When the plates hit the table, people relax, stories get honest, and the advice gets real. That’s the vibe we’re going for.

How it works:

Dinners will be happening in Hartford, where we’re gathering small groups for real conversation and local connection - all around one table. If Hartford is too far for you, let us know which area you’d like us to try for the next one.

Inaugural dinner: December 10th at 7:00 PM.

If you’ve been craving conversations with some actual depth - the kind that remind you why community matters - this is for you.

I’ve only opened this first dinner club to 42 seats so act fast if you want in.

Can’t make this one? Sign up anyway and we’ll ping you about future CT Buzz Dinner Club nights near you.

Thanksgiving weekend is officially here, which means the Christmas tree farms are firing up too. If you’ve been eyeing that perfect fir in your head all year, this is your sign to go bag and tag it before everyone else does.

Here are a few in Windham County to get you started but if I missed your favorite spot, hit reply and I’ll get a full county-wide farm page up on the site.

Last week’s poll about featuring cheap flights was basically a landslide - 93% of you said “yes, please.” So, ask and you shall receive: I found a total no-brainer deal if you’ve got the time and a little wiggle room in your schedule.

Hartford → Montego Bay, Jamaica for $240 bucks* roundtrip, Dec. 4-7th. See the deal!

LIGHT PARADES

FRIDAY 11/28 | Willimantic | 5:45pm - Don’t miss the Annual Light Parade down Main St in Willimantic. The parade starts up around WilliBrew and ends at Jillson Square, with a tree lighting and visits from Santa. Make sure to stop into some of the businesses while you’re there to show some support!

SUNDAY 11/30 | Putnam | 5pm - This year marks the 24th Annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade in Putnam. Floats, costumes, and of course, lights! This is always a great event, and a great excuse to get to Putnam if you haven’t been in a while.

Ashford | Giant Room (Kid’s Activity) | 9am-5pm - Babcock Library (25 Pompey Hollow Rd) is holding a STEM/STEAM design challenge. Kids will come up with a fantastical building and adult helpers and educators will transform these ideas into AI avatars, ultimately using everyone’s buildings through Dream City. I’m not doing a great job of explaining it, so just give them a ring if you want clarification.

Danielson | 70th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service | 7pm - Temple Beth Israel (39 Killingly Dr) is holding an interfaith Thanksgiving service with the Federated Church of Christ. All members of the community are invited, and encouraged to bring non-perishable items that can be donated.

Willimantic | Friendsgiving Open Mic | 7-10pm ($) - Show off your musical/poetic/comedic talent (or a combination of all of those) at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr). There is a suggested donation of $5+, which will benefit the opening act. House piano, drums, bass amp, and mics available.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | John Fuzek | 7-10pm

Danielson | Friendsgiving | 4-8pm - NewYork PIZZA CO. (8 Furnace St) will be announcing the winners of their basket raffles (there’s still time to get down there and drop some tickets). Festive drink specials, swag giveaways, and the bartenders will be donating a portion of their tips for the evening!

Dayville | Thanksgiving Eve Party | 2-10pm - Kick off the holiday weekend with a trip to Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike). Food specials, live music, and the release of their seasonal Cranberry Milkshake IPA.

Willimantic | Thanksgiving Eve Party | 5:30pm - Get ready for the holiday by blowing off some steam at The Trolley Pub (1245 Main St). Live music, drink specials, and holiday cheer!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Trolley Pub - Willimantic | The Frets | 5:30pm
⬢ Ryan’s Place - Canterbury | Merge Right | 7pm
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Red Light | 8pm
⬢ Black Pond Brews - Dayville | Tony Garcia | 6pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | Karaoke | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Black Dog - Putnam | DJ Drew Daley | 9pm-12am
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Rat Ruckus | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Woodstock Tavern - Woodstock | 6:30pm
Stomping Ground - Putnam | 7-11pm
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30-9pm
Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6pm
Mill Town Grill - Thompson | 6:30pm
Putnam Lions - Putnam | 7pm

Brooklyn | Light Show | 5pm - Check out the hard word the Kamfonik Family (177 Windham Rd) has done this year. The 16 minute show starts at the top of every hour, with the last show starting at 9pm. Donations are graciously accepted (they help with the electric bill for all those lights!).

Danielson | 49th Annual Turkey Dip | 8am - This Camp Quinebaug (54 Taos Dr) is holding their biggest annual fundraiser of the year with an icy plunge. For more info (pledge sheet, waiver, letter) click here.

Plainfield | Plainfield Plunge | 8am - This is 3rd Annual Plainfield Plunge for Project PIN. Those brave enough will gather at Moosup Pond Beach (476 Moosup Pond Rd) for a chilly dip for charity. Any monetary or non-perishable donations go directly to Project PIN.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Stattic | 8-11pm

Northeastern CT | Artist Open Studio | 10am-5pm - This weekend (and next weekend) artists from around the Northeast part of the state are inviting you into their studios to see their works and processes of creation. You can find a list of participating artists here.

Putnam | German Christmas Market Experience | 4-7pm - Wolperdinger Bookends (112 Main St) wants to give you the German market experience, without having to spend money on a plane ticket. Refreshments, decor, and deals that only occur during market hours. Side note - I’ve been in, and it’s a really neat shop.

Thompson | Cosmic Crunch Farm Stand | 10am - Cosmic Crunch (4 Emil Dr) is opening a farm stand so you can get all of your freeze-dried treats in one spot. Candy, fruits, seasonal goodies, and more.

Willimantic | Holiday Open House | 5pm - After the Parade of Lights, stop into the Jillson House Museum (627 Main St) to warm up with some cocoa and cookies! It’s a great way to learn a little about Windham history and walk through a historic home! For more info, email [email protected] or call/text (860) 423-6389.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ American Cafe - Plainfield | Partyoke | 9-11:55pm
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Partyoke | 9-11:45pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Mike Wood Group | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | 7pm
Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30pm

Central Village | Ceramics Holiday Pop Up | 9am-3pm - Bumble Ceramics (16 Main St) has a bunch of holiday (and non-holiday) goods to choose from. Hot cocoa and snacks in the shop, and wreaths and outdoor holiday greens outside.

Dayville | Craft & Vendor Fair | 11am-3pm - Neighbors Against Cancer is holding a craft fair at 4G’s Restaurant (305 Hartford Pike). Vendors, basket drawings, and more!

Dayville | Small Business Saturday | 9am-4pm - The Sunshine Shop (925 Upper Maple St) is getting in on small business Saturday with raffles, coloring contests, cookies, and an open house.

Moosup | Small Business Saturday | 10am-2pm - Shop local, and shop small at JA Soap & Candle Co. (5 Legacy Dr).

North Grosvenordale | Parents Day Out | 1-5pm $ - Drop the kids off (ages 4+, must be potty-trained) at Busy Bees Academy (423 Riverside Dr) so you can go out and shop, eat, or whatever else you want to do with four hours of freedom. Cheaper than hiring a babysitter, and they’ll provide snacks/dinner, arts & crafts, games, and more. Register

Plainfield | Shop Small | 9am-2pm - Marie’s Fitness & Massage Center (661 Norwich Rd) is hosting a vendor event. Shop small businesses!

Putnam | Pictures & Cocoa w/Santa | 11am-2pm - A Brighter Tomorrow Counseling (174 Providence St) will be welcoming Santa and his helpers for pictures, crafts, activities, and writing letters to the jolly man himself.

Putnam | Santa/Small Business Saturday | 9am-12pm - Do yourself a favor and drop by downtown Putnam to check out all the amazing businesses (they are plentiful!) and stop by 112 Main St for cookies, cocoa, and a selfie booth.

Putnam | Small Business Caturday | 12-3pm - Paws Cat Shelter (74 School St) will have plenty of merch for sale (t-shirts, sweatshirts, crafts, etc). Drop off some cat food, and help support this wonderful organization.

Willimantic | Food Drive | 11:30am-11pm - Help those less fortunate stay fed this winter with non-perishable food donations at WilliBrew (967 Main St).

Windham Center | Holiday Bazaar | 10am-4pm - Swing by the Windham Center Fire House (18 Windham Center Rd) for a holiday bazaar full of handmade gifts/goodies, vendors, crafters, and merchants. Admission is “free” with the donation of a non-perishable good for a food pantry or animal shelter.

Woodstock | Knife Sale | 11am-5pm - Check out some locally made knives at Viking Forge (246 Child Hill Rd) during their Christmas sale.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ American Cafe - Plainfield | Partyoke | 9-11:55pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Muddy Ruckus | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Tex & Yo | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | Bill & Julie Williams | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ 4G’s - Dayville | Karaoke | 2-5pm

Canterbury | Santa on the Farm | 1-4pm - Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance at B-Z-B Farm (97 Barstow Rd). Free cocoa and cookies will be available, and the barnyard animals will be out and about for some socializing. Make sure to check out the farm store while you’re there!

Windham Center | Annual Tree Lighting | 6pm - Welcome the official holiday season with Christmas carols and the lighting of the tree near the Windham Green (18 Windham Center Rd). After the ceremony, head to the Windham Center Fire House for refreshments and a visit from Santa!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Open Mic | 4-7pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Attractor | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic! | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Corey Daniel | 2-5pm

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Brandt Taylor | 5:30-7:30pm