Celebrating the Holidays in Ansonia, Connecticut

What is there to do in Ansonia? Not much is open past ten at night. There are not many stores, restaurants, or anything really in the tiny city that no one has ever heard of in Connecticut. Lately however, the town has been trying to make itself nicer, and perhaps a better place to live. By moving Marshalls from Derby, and adding Bob's the town has just attracted more visitors. Just because there are more shopping places in the city does not mean it is any easier to find ways to celebrate the holidays. There are more places to buy presents, however, what exactly is there to DO during the holidays? Can you avoid driving to New Haven to see a light display or the Nutcracker?

It depends on when you believe the holidays start. If you are assuming they start around Thanksgiving than you can go to a football game. Most likely everyone in the town already knows that. So what are some things not as many people know about perhaps? Believe it or not Ansonia does a have a few events that are somewhat culturally pleasing.

There is not an annual performance of the Nutcracker in Ansonia, you will have to go to Milford or New Haven for that. There are dance studios in the area that have Christmas performances. These can sometimes be more interesting than the Nutcracker because they are not just ballet, but tap, jazz and even hip-hop. Assumption church, over near the library, typically holds a Christmas show by a dance studio in Seymour the second or third weekend in December. This event can be fun for the family and get everyone into the Christmas spirit. There are kids of all ages performing and the dancers are usually very good. Afterwards you can head down the street to the Y to work out in the gym or go swimming. Or if the lilbrary is still open stop buy and check out an old Christmas movie to go home and watch with some hot chocolate.

If you are looking for more Christmas ideas, you might want to wait until about a week before Christmas and drive up to the hilltop and see the beautiful lights on some houses. Shortell drive has probably the best display of nicely decorated houses. If you want to head down to Walmart in Derby for some Christmas presents drive down Marshall Lane the week before Christmas and you might get lucky enough to see the rocking reindeer along with the tons of other houses that vie for the most decorated house in town. This street has houses full of colorful lights, figures, and those blowup Santas and snowmen. When you actually reach Walmart you may be inspired by those houses to go to the holiday section of the store and buy some decorations of your own.

Another thing you can do is to go to a Christmas Eve service. Chances are if you live in Ansonia you go to one of the many Catholic churches in the city, so I'll just remind you to not forget to go to church this Christmas. If you don't, then now is the time to remember why Christmas is celebrated in the first place. If you don't have a church you go to, you can find a friend who will take you. My church always has a big Christmas party and dinner that is open to anyone. There are usually games for the children, and cookies to decorate. Some years when there were enough interested children we had a Christmas pageant or dance performance. The choirs may be singing special songs that week, there is probably a candlelight service at midnight, and everyone will be reminded of a night in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. This year you can really be reminded by seeing the new movie about the Nativity that is coming out.

Things may close early in Ansonia, but that is because it is in the suburbs. Since it is a suburb and small city it has that close-knit feel where everyone knows everyone. Some things that people may not realize are the different Christmas shows in the city. Churches may hold not only services, but Christmas pageants as well. Churches may have Christmas fairs or parties. Keep your eyes open for events in the newspapers. While you're keeping your eyes and ears open take a quick drive over to the hilltop and look at some pretty lights on houses. Just know that even though the city may seem small and uneventful, there are actually some events happening if you look for them.