Spend Christmas in Conn.

Spending Christmas in Connecticut. Holidays in CT.

Enjoy Christmas stories Xmas Holiday happenings in CT Connecticut town events sales shops Xmas tree farms gift ideas shopping certificate giving clothing stores and unique shops in the Conn. and the CT Lower River Valley to purchase and or buy unique items for your family friends husband children relative or best boy or girl friend. Many of these locations are within short driving distance of our Antiques Gallery Visit Connecticut and the Lower Ct River Valley to have your best Christmas story and enjoy the Xmas gift giving Season

Town of Chester, CT. Christmas Holiday Event Holiday Night Town Christmas Tree and Caroling Town Christmas Tree, Caroling and Art Gallery, Shop Opening Receptions and Previews. Location: Chester Center Info: 860-526-0013

Annual Christmas Town Festival - Bethlehem, CT Travelers in search of an old-fashioned Christmas celebration can venture to the town of Bethlehem - in Connecticut - which features a tree lighting ceremony, arrival of Santa Claus, hayrides, musical performances, arts and crafts, and a candlelight procession and re-enactment of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter. In addition, visitors who mail their Christmas cards from the Bethlehem Post Office will get a special Christmas Cache on the envelopes and will receive a special edition pewter Bethlehem Christmas ornament.

The Annual Christmas Town Festival Admission is free. For more information, call (203) 266-5557.

North Pole Express on the Essex Steam Train - Essex, CT

The North Pole Express. Cost is $20 for adults, $15 for children under 12, and children under one get in free. Reservations are strongly recommended. For more information and to make reservations, call (860) 767-0103 or (800) 377-3987.

Annual Lantern Light Tours, Mystic Seaport - Mystic, CT

Families can immerse themselves in a tale of magic, merriment and the mystery of Christmas Eve as they search for the elusive, jolly old Saint Nick. Costumed characters will lead visitors through a festive holiday village, as it was in 1876, and invite them to kick-up their heels in a tavern dance and visit with the colorful locals and sailors in port for the holidays.

Family Night. On this night, in addition to the tour, families can make their own ornaments and visit with St. Nick.

Seventy-minute tours are available, leaving every 15 minutes beginning at 5:00 p.m., with the last tour departing at 9:15 p.m. (Due to the length, the tour is not recommended for children under the age of four). Tours are wheelchair accessible and, an interpreted sign language tour is available. Tickets are $25 for adults; $18 for kids (ages 4-18). For more information or to purchase tickets, call (888) 973-2767. For Friday and Saturday tours, reservations are strongly recommended.

Santa's Workshop - Manchester, CT

Children won't have to travel to the North Pole to check out Santa's workshop this year. Families will actually have the opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at his satellite workshop in Connecticut. In addition to spending time with Santa, children will have the opportunity to watch busy elves making the toys, enjoy refreshments in a log cabin with decorations, music and a roaring fire in a great stone fireplace.

Admission is free, and the village will be opened at Wickham Park. For more information, call (860) 528-0856 or visit www.wickhampark.org

37th Annual Gingerbread Village and Christmas Bazaar - Middlebury, CT

For visitors seeking a holiday festivity that brings to mind warm baked goods and crafts, the 37th Annual Gingerbread Village and Christmas Bazaar is good reason to venture up to the Northwest corner of Connecticut. The Village will consist of 50 to 60 gingerbread houses, along with other holiday scenes that are completely edible. Houses will be available for purchase and will be on view throughout the entire week.

Admission is free, and the village will be opened at St. George's Church. Please call for times at (203) 758-9557 or (203) 758-2165.

Holiday Tours, Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum - Wethersfield, CT

Visitors can experience the holidays through the centuries with Holiday Tours at the Webb-Deans-Stevens Museum, which promotes understanding of colonial life in the lower Connecticut River Valley through the preservation and interpretation of the Joseph Webb, Silas Deane and Isaac Stevens homes. This year's holiday tours allow visitors to walk through the homes, each representing a distinct holiday tradition: Colonial Thanksgiving, Christmas in the 1840s and Christmas in 1925.

The Holiday Tours will run Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for children and kids under age 5 get in free. For more information, call (860) 529-0612.

For travelers staying overnight in Connecticut this holiday season, great getaway packages and values in Connecticut can be found through the Connecticut Commission of Culture and Tourism's web site at www.ctbound.org and by clicking onto Specials. With one simple click, a list appears highlighting some of the hottest deals around the state. All essential information - including a description of the package, dates of availability and contact information - is clearly outlined, plus some direct links are provided to each individual property and attraction mentioned in the package. For suggested itineraries already created by the state log onto www.ctbound.org and select from one of the 52 Getaways. For other holiday activities, travelers can also click onto the Events section of the web site.

Christmas Holiday happenings Xmass events sales or to find gifts and fine gift ideas or rare oneofakind hand made unique items in or near some of the Best Shopping Towns in Connecticut