The E List

An Excruciatingly Opinionated Guide to the Shoreline

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Shop Unique Gifts at the Guilford Arts Center Holiday Expo 2023

Guilford Art Center 411 Church Street, Guilford, CT, United States

Discover handcrafted holiday and Christmas gift items from hundreds of American artists at Guilford Art Center’s annual holiday gift shopping event, Holiday Expo 2023 from November until January. NEW this year is an Accessories Showcase, featuring an expanded selection of contemporary accessories from small-batch and New York boutique designers.

Fall & Holiday Craft Workshops at Best Buds Flower Farm

Best Buds Flower Farm 52 Blood Street, Lyme, United States

Best Buds Flower Farm has some fun Crafternoons scheduled for this Fall to help cultivate your creativity! Sign up to make an Everlasting Wreath, Thanksgiving Centerpiece or Lush Holiday Wreath. While you're there enjoy a complimentary wine or seltzer and a homemade sweet treat!

$85

Create Song Lyric Collage Blocks at PaperScape Artworks

PaperScape Artworks 20 Church Street, Guilford, CT, United States

Make a gift that will be remembered. Create Song Lyric Collage Blocks with PaperScape Artworks at their Sunday workshops now through December 10th. Craft beautiful handmade paper collages with typewriter written songs lyrics of your favorite songs.

$30

Black Whale Antiques Retirement Sale

Black Whale Antiques Rt. 82 , Hadlyme, CT, United States

After 42 years of delighting us with curated antiques, Black Whale Antiques is closing up shop. Don't miss their retirement celebration sale and a chance to say good bye.

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas

Ivoryton Playhouse 103 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT, United States

Rock n' Roll legends Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash are together again to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. You read that right -- see them at the Ivoryton Playhouse!

$55

Museum Memberships Make Great Gifts

Give the gift they'll get to enjoy repeatedly all year long -- a membership to the New Britain Museum of American Art. Membership includes free general admission to the Museum, discounts on programs and classes, invitations to exhibition openings, and discounts in the Museum Store and Café.

Find the Buoy Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Stonington Borough

Stonington Borough 20 High Street, Stonington, CT, United States

Kids and adults get ready for the Find the Buoy Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Stonington Borough. Pick up a postcard, find buoys at select locations, get your postcard stamped, and you will be entered to win one of four amazing prizes!

FREE

Women Reframe American Landscape at New Britain Museum of Art

New Britain Museum of American Art 56 Lexington Street, New Britain, CT, United States

Women Reframe American Landscape illuminates the artistic contributions and perspectives of women and you can see the exhibit, featuring 19th century American artist Susie M. Barstow, at the New Britain Museum of American Art through March 21.

Legacy Theatre Presents “A Christmas Carol”

The Legacy Theatre 128 Thimble Islands Road, Branford, United States

Get into the spirit! "A Christmas Carol" has pleasantly haunted generations of audiences around the globe, and Legacy Theatre invites you to make merry and ring in the holidays with their annual acclaimed rendition of the famous story.

$25 – $60

Give Back this Holiday Season with One Warm Coat at Ashlawn Farm Coffee

Ashlawn Farm, Old Saybrook 455 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT, United States

Help keep others warm this winter. As the holiday season approaches, Ashlawn Farm Coffee would like to invite you to take part in their One Warm Coat donation. For every guest who brings a coat to donate, Ashlawn will offer a complimentary hot coffee, hot tea or cold brew of your choice.

Bridal Sample Sale at White Dress by the Shore

The White Dress By The Shore 104 E Main Street, Clinton, CT, United States

Whether you are a bride on a budget, or perhaps a bride that is getting married soon, he White Dress by the Shore wedding dress sample sale is for you, shop over 100 sample wedding gowns.

Friends of the Guilford Library Holiday Book Sale

Guilford Free Library 67 Park Street, Guilford, CT, United States

Give the Gift of Books! The Friends of the Guilford Free Library will ring in the season with their festive annual Holiday Sale in December. Shop carefully selected choices for readers of all ages as well as stocking stuffers.

FREE

Dudley Farm Museum Holiday Market and Open House

The Dudley Farm Museum 2351 Durham Road, Guilford, CT, United States

Pop by the Dudley Farm Museum for their Holiday Market the first three weekends in December from 10am - 2pm.  Specialty items from vendors will be sold in and around the Munger Barn.

River Valley Artists Holiday Art Show

Promethea Potters 68 Main Street, Deep River, CT

Enjoy Holiday cocktails at the River Valley Artists’ art show. Small paintings and unique handcrafts will fill the rooms at Promethea Potters located in an historic building in Deep River that has been renovated into a pottery studio and gallery.

FREE

TownieSwag Studio Pop-up Shop

Townie Swag Studio 31 Robin Lane, Killingworth, CT

Looking for hometown memories printed on pillows, tea towels, wine bottle bags, aprons, and more? Then don't miss the Second Annual Pop-Up Shop on the front porch of TownieSwag Studio in Killingworth. Close to 150 towns available.

Saybrook Starlight Festival

Main Street and Town Green Old Saybrook Main Street, Old Saybrook, United States

Say Old Saybrook for the holidays! On December 2nd stroll Main Street for horse-drawn wagon rides, the Stocking Walk, carolers, Heroes Tree lighting, extended merchant hours and restaurant specials including live music.

Musical Masterworks December Concerts

First Congregational Church of Old Lyme 4 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, United States

Beloved familiar and new masterworks and artists will be featured at Musical Masterworks' December concerts when they will welcome four new artists to the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. The concerts will feature grand works by Dvořák, Bach as well as original works from Thurber and Lark.

$45

I-Park OPEN Studios & Holiday Cheer

I-Park 428 Hopyard Road, East Haddam, CT, United States

I-Park is celebrating the season with Holiday Cheer during the final OPEN Studios of the year on Sunday, December 3rd at 1:00 pm. You'll have a unique opportunity to take a look behind the scenes at this open-air, private studio incubator.

FREE

Cappella Cantorum Winter Concert

Valley Regional High School 256 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River, CT, United States

Kick off your holiday celebration with festive performances at the Cappella Cantorum Winter Concert on Sunday, December 3 conducted by Simon Holt.

Santa Sale Days at Leather Man/Eliza B.

Leather Man/Eliza B. Outlet Store 59 Plains Road, Essex, CT, United States

Leather Man/Eliza B. is having a store-wide Santa Sale! 20% off purchases at the outlet store ONLY December 1st-21st.

Mistletoe and Martinis to Benefit the Connecticut River Museum

Brushmill by the Waterfall 129 W Main Street, Chester, CT, United States

Celebrating it's 50th anniversary, Connecticut River Museum will host its highly anticipated annual holiday event, Mistletoe and Martinis on Wednesday, December 6th featuring a festive selection of martinis, delectable hors d’oeuvres, music and the chance to win a stunning piece of diamond jewelry from Becker’s Diamonds and Jewelers.

$85

Come Celebrate the Season with Artemisia

Artemisia 23 Lyme St Old Lyme CT 06371 23 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT, United States

Celebrate the season at Artemisia with a special book signing of 'Connecticut Gardens' with Photographer Caryn B. Davis. Enjoy shopping interiors inspiration and small gifts while enjoying holiday spirits and festive bites. 

FREE

Cooking Classes at Weekend Kitchen in December

Weekend Kitchen 16 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

Get into the holiday spirit with cooking classes at Weeked Kitchen. Their three-hour classes are hands-on where you'll arrive as strangers but leave as friends.

$95 – $110

Enjoy a silent retreat at the Guest House Center in Chester

Guest House, Chester CT 318 West Main Street, Chester, CT, United States

Enjoy the sound of silence. Take a day of silence and rest at the Guest House Center in Chester. In this sacred space you have permission to go nowhere, do nothing, say nothing and be no one to anyone except your self.

$175

Fusion Permanent Jewelry Pop Up at The RiverLane

The RiverLane 7 Main Street Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

Get your permanent jewelry fix with a holiday twist at the RiverLane. On December 12, F U S I O N Permanent Jewelry will be in-store to help you get decked out for the Holiday season.  Get your custom fit and welded necklaces, bracelets, anklets, rings, and charms right on-site.

Lyme Academy of Fine Arts Holiday Enchantment and Tree Lighting

The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts 84 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, United States

Head to Lyme Academy of Fine Arts on December 9th for an afternoon of festive activities including art demonstrations, music by the Old Lyme Town Band, Lyme-Old Lyme High School Select Singers, visit and selfies with Santa, food and drinks by the fire, holiday craft making and more.

FREE

Con Brio Christmas Concerts

Con Brio Choral Society will be presenting two Christmas concerts at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme on December. Enjoy Zelenka’s Missa Gratias agimus tibi, plus choruses, motets and favorite carols.

Santa Claus is coming to Saybrook Home!

Saybrook Home 2 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT, United States

Santa Claus is coming to Saybrook Home! Sunday, December 10 from 1-3 p.m., Santa and the Mrs. will be in our Old Saybrook flagship store for a meet and greet. Bring the whole family!

FREE

Kongero Holiday Show at Deer Lake Preserve

Deer Lake Camp 101 Paper Mill Rd., Killingworth, CT, United States

Want to hear some of the most beautiful singing on the planet? Then you're all set. Straight from Sweden, it's Kongero, one of the top a cappella groups on the planet, with harmonies to slay. And it won't be in some stuffy concert hall, it'll be at the equally beautiful Deer Lake Preserve in Killingworth on December 10th from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

$5 – $30

Headshot Day with Kelley Norcia Photography

Kelley Norcia Photography 179 Cow Hill Rd, Clinton, CT, United States

Ditch the selfie and upgrade to your best self with a professional headshot on December 12th with Kelley Norcia Photography.

$590

New Moon Circle at House of the Triple Moon

House of the Triple Moon 1 N Main Street, Unit 4, Essex, CT, United States

The new moon is a great time to manifest your intentions for the month. Join House of the Triple Moon to hold space, meditate and journal during the powerful phase of the moon.

$25.00

Cerulean Spa Holiday Sip & Shop

Cerulean Spa at Mystic Marriott Hotel 625 North Rd, Groton, CT 06340 625 North Rd, Groton, CT, United States

Get ready for an evening of relaxation and retail therapy at the Cerulean Spa at the Mystic Marriott with 15% off all retail purchases.  Sip on cocktails and enjoy hors d'oeuvres as you shop.

Fun and Festive at the Lyman Allyn

Lyman Allyn Art Museum 625 Williams Street, New London, CT, United States

Get ready for family fun at Lyman Allyn in December. They have plenty of holiday fun planned throughout the evening at their family-friendly festive holiday party at the Museum on December 14.

$15 – $20

Enjoy Holiday Plays by Shoreline Playwrights at Drama Works Theatre

Drama Works Theatre 323 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT, United States

Join Shoreline Playwrights at Drama Works Theatre for a fun and festive evening that will feature readings of two different holiday one-act plays by Teresa Mella Fogel and Laura Thoma.

$18.00

Register for the Old Saybrook Racquet Club Winter Junior Tennis Program

The Old Saybrook Racquet Club 299 Springbrook Road, Old Saybrook, CT

The Old Saybrook Racquet Club Winter Junior Tennis Program begins Monday, December 18th. They are offering red ball, orange ball, green ball, yellow ball and Sunday High School drop-in training. Spaces are limited so register soon.

Various

Bridal Sample Sale at Everthine Bride

Everthine Bridal 33 Wall Street, Madison, CT, United States

Give yourself the best Christmas present ever, your wedding dress! Everthine Bride is closing out the year with their last Sample Sale of 2023! Bridal gowns will be 30-80% off

FREE