Thanksgiving Weekend Local Events in Southeastern Connecticut

Black Friday, the official opening of the Christmas shopping season, is days away and doors open as early as 4 a.m. at some department to target shoppers anxious to get the best deal. Fortunately, getting up before dawn and fighting the crowds does not have to be an integral aspect of the spending frenzy that has become a part of just about every holiday season.

In southeast Connecticut, and its surrounding states, opportunities abound to relish and enjoy the holiday season. And even to pick up a trinket or two to give as a gift. Here's a breakdown of some of the area festivities.

Friday, November 23

Meet Santa at Olde Mistick Village (27 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, Connecticut) Brady White, a.k.a. "Santa to the Stars," will arrive to talk to children, listen to their holiday wishes, and have photos taken.

Santa Special & North Pole Express Trains (1 Railroad Ave., Essex, Connecticut, 860-767-0103) Starting Nov 23 and running through Dec 23, Santa will arrive via steam train at Valley Railroad. Call for times and details.

Saturday, November 24

Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting, Downtown Niantic, Connecticut. 4-8 p.m. Activities include complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides to retailers, a "Snow" drop of ping pong balls marked with discounts, children's activities provided by the Children's Museum of Southeast Connecticut ($3 admission), refreshments, the arrival of Santa via fire truck and the tree lighting.

Westport Rivers Vineyard Holiday Open House (417 Hixbridge Road, Westport, Massacusetts, 508-636-3423). 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free admission. Enjoy activities such as vineyard hay ride tours, wine tours, wine tastings, walking amidst kettle fires, ornament decorating and story telling, and live music. Food and drink will be available from the following area businesses: Westport Rivers Wine Tastings, Buzzards Bay Brew, Tastings, Giggles Kettle Corn, Shy Brothers Farm Hannabelle Cheeses, Route 66 Diner's Hot Sandwiches, Cider & Apples from Dartmouth Orchards, Equal Exchange Coffee and Hot Cocoa.

Sunday, November 25

Florence Griswold Museum (96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Connecticut, 860-434-5522). Participate in holiday-themed craft workshops and meet Old Saybrook artist Mundy Hepburn who makes handblown glass ornaments. Free with museum admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors and students, $4 ages 6-12, free under age 6.

Home for the Holidays at Smith-Harris House (184 Farm House, Niantic, Connecticut, 860-739-0761). Enjoy a traditional 19th Century Wassail with punch and home-made cookies, caroling, harp music, and a visit from Civil War era Santa. A wassail is a celebration of a successful harvest season and chance to wish good cheer and health to friends and neighbors.

These are just a sampling of the holiday festivities around the areas and a glimpse of things to come. Upcoming events include the Holiday Lights Parade in Downtown Niantic, starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 9.