Here are a bunch of December events still to come…

Annual Holiday Train Show at CT River Museum thru 2/19 
Bring the whole family to this 25th Anniversary exhibit, created by train artist Steve Cryan, featuring more trains, new scenery, and lots of surprises in the fully operational 26-foot model train layout.

Whiskey & Oysters: Men’s Shopping Night at Guilford Art Center, 12/20
Gather ’round the firepit near the blacksmith forge for scotch whiskey and oyster tastings, then head inside to shop for jewelry, accessories, ceramics, leather goods, home décor, ornaments, baby gifts, men’s items and much more at Guilford Art Center’s shopping event for men.

Etched Glass Ornaments at Thimble Island Brewing Co., 12/20
Make a set of 4 Etched Glass Ornaments and enjoy a night out with friends at Thimble Island Brewing Company in Branford.

Goodspeed Musicals presents A Connecticut Christmas Carol, thru 12/20 
Custom-made for Goodspeed with all-original music, enjoy a tuneful, heartfelt confection spiced with enough Nutmeg State flavor to sweeten your season.

The Pousette-Dart Band at The Kate, 12/21
Get tickets to see The Pousette-Dart Band perform American classic and folk-rock music at The Kate.

Lantern Light Tours at Mystic Seaport, thru 12/23 
Head to Mystic for an evening of seasonal surprises with Lantern Light Tours: Finding Your Place. Set on Christmas Eve in the year 1876, the play offers small windows into the lives of people on the verge of great change, both personal and cultural.

Horse Drawn Carriages in downtown New Haven, 12/23
Revel in horse-drawn carriage rides – Free with purchase of $30 or more from any retailer at The Shops at Yale. Pick-up/Drop-off on the Corner of College & Chapel Streets on College Street, (across from Claire’s Corner Copia, 1000 Chapel Street) and at the corner of York Street and Elm Street (across from Patagonia New Haven and GANT).

Story Time with Santa and Face Painting at The Yale Bookstore, 12/22 – 12/23
Santa will visit The Shops at Yale and will read stories to children at The Yale Bookstore. Free face painting will take place prior to story time plus free milk and Insomnia Cookies. Saturday, Dec. 22 at The Yale Bookstore, 77 Broadway, with free face painting. Sundays,  12/23 at Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, 194 York Street.

Santa Special on Essex Steam Train thru 12/23
Enjoy the spirit of the season as you relax with family and friends aboard festive railway cars adorned with vintage decorations.

Winterfest at the Mystic Aquarium 12/26 – 1/1/2019
Enjoy ice carving, live music, photo opps with Sea Princess and Ice Princess and toast to the New Year while beluga’s swim in the background! Celebrate the start of 2019 with a complimentary cider bubbly toast.

The Magic of Christmas at Florence Griswold Museum, thru 12/30   
Enjoy Miss Florence’s Artist Trees, designer Fantasy Trees, and the Florence Griswold House decorated for a 1910 Christmas. Christmastime Teas, special events for families, hands-on crafts for children and adults, and wonderful items in The Shop bring holiday cheer.

Black and White Ball: NYE 2019 at Mystic Aquarium, 12/31
Usher in the New Year enjoying the classic elegance of the Black and White Ball at Mystic Aquarium. Don your best black/white attire and kick up your heels to live entertainment by The Boston Premier Band.

Murder at the Riverwind Inn: New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery Package, 12/31
Switch it up this year! Spend your New Year’s Eve enjoying dinner, a murder mystery show, a midnight champagne toast and overnight stay at the picturesque Riverwind Inn in Deep River.

First Night Hartford 2019, 12/31
Ring in the new year with a day full of fun activities for everyone in the family, including tours of the city, a variety of live music, face-painting, caricatures, dance parties, fireworks and more.

Lady Katharine Cruises’ New Year’s Eve Gala, 12/31
Grab a date and gather your friends for Lady Katharine Cruises’ New Year’s Eve Gala, featuring plenty of flowing bubbly, rockin’ entertainment that will keep you out of your seat, and an explosive finale!

New Year’s Eve Gala at Saybrook Point Inn, 12/31
Get your groove on and ring in the new year in style with an impressive menu passed hors d’oeuvres, a New England Raw Bar and several attended specialty stations. The main course, a sit-down dinner, is a selection of three entrees and a premium open bar, a decadent selection of tableside homemade desserts.

Ocean House New Year’s Eve: One of the Best Events of the Year, 12/31
Experience New Year’s Eve at Ocean House with a black-tie, hotel-wide unforgettable event.

New Year’s Day Brunch at The Wharf, 1/1/2019,
Celebrate New Year’s Day in Madison with Brunch and a Bloody Mary Bar.

New Year’s Day Brunch at The Griswold Inn, 1/1/2019
Ring in the New Year with a bountiful spread laid out buffet-style at The Griswold Inn’s New Year’s Eve Brunch.

New Year’s Restorative Yoga at Pradipika, 1/1/2019
Start your new year off right with restorative yoga! Restorative yoga is the practice of intentional rest.

Fondue Express at The Ocean House, thru 2/14/2019
Head to the Fondue Express at The Ocean House for an entirely unique holiday dining experience.

Some Pop-Up Holiday Shops That Are Still Open:

Tinsel on Main Street in Deep River – Visit this pop-up for jewelry, candles, winter accessories, bags and so so much more!

Artistry at the Guilford Art Center – Over 300 fine American crafters, artisans and jewelers are featured at this celebrated annual sale, open thru 1/6/19.

Florence Griswold Museum Shop is all stocked up with ornaments, children’s toys, books, jewelry and gifts for the holidays.

Mystic Museum of Art Holiday Gift Show, thru 12/22, 11 – 5pm: An inspiring and unforgettable selection of fine art, crafts, jewelry, accessories and more by local artisans.

Hill-Stead for the Holidays, Hill-Stead Museum, thru 1/6: Continuing through early January, the former Pope family mansion is decorated for the holidays.

Maynard’s Christmas Shop (only open from Thanksgiving through Christmas) always gets me in the mood for decking the halls!

For Last Minute Decoration and Inspiration:

Saybrook Home (formerly Saybrook Country Barn) is a feast of inspiration for the holidays, with room after room of ornaments, trees, swags, centerpieces, candles and gifts.

Madison Flower Shop, for trees, swags, greenery, centerpieces and an enormous selection of ribbons and ornaments.

R.J. Vickers Herbery, Chester for handmade, one-of-a-kind wreaths, topiary, ribbon and dried herbs and flowers.

Maynard’s Greenhouse, a fantasy land of fairy dust and holiday trimmings inside, and trees, roping, wreaths and greens outside.

Mar Floral‘s long-lasting arrangements are far from ordinary.