Holiday Tidings - Christmas Fairfield County Style

The celebrated town tradition continues at the 16th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop. Santa and his LIVE reindeer come in for a landing at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses (“The North Pole on North Street”), where visitors (dogs, too!) can have their photos taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and enjoy the new Santa's Workshop, featuring a Reindeer Coloring Station, a Letter Writing to Santa Station, a raffle to win a Mercedez-Benz kids pedal car for every photo with Santa, a “Name the Baby Reindeer Contest” to win a Mercedez-Benz kids electric car/SUV and more! (thru Dec. 24th

Experience an immersive, light-filled journey into a world of virtual enchantment at The Holiday Wish Express at the Stamford Town Center. This interactive event is the largest indoor Christmas experience in the Northeast and will entertain and inspire every member of the family, rekindling their love of the holidays by following the magic of their wishes and realizing the greatest gift of all is believing! (thru Dec. 24th)

“Let’s Celebrate! Worldwide” shines brightly at Steppingstones Museum for Children in Norwalk during its annual joyful celebration of global holiday traditions around the world, featuring hands-on programming, special performances and experiences, Santa sightings, storytelling, Christmas tree lightings, interactive experiences and so much more! (Free with museum admission, thru Dec. 31st).

For a unique holiday attraction with some teeth, don’t miss Shark-Diving Santa at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk (Saturdays & Sundays in December, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm). Santa Claus will join the aquarium’s dive team (in his custom scuba outfit) to help demonstrate that sharks aren’t the blood-thirsty killers of myth in the Aquarium’s 110,000-gallon “Ocean Beyond the Sound” exhibit, home to 7- and 8-foot sand tiger and lemon sharks. He’ll swim up to the exhibit window and pose with children for a unique holiday photo. And while you’re there, take in Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (thru Jan. 1st) and Turtle Odyssey 4D (into 2025), two incredible cinematic experiences where the action spills off the two-story screen and over the audience with thrill-enhancing sensory special effects, such as scents, bubbles, wind, mists, and more.

For a truly MOVING holiday experience, The Holiday Express Train Show at the Fairfield Museum and History Center is sure to delight the whole family as you follow large- and small-scale model trains winding around spectacular winter villages and holiday scenery. Members of the Housatonic Model Railroad Club, the Connecticut G-Scalers Club and the Central Connecticut G-Gaugers Club will be on hand to answer questions and share details about the collectibles, classic and antique trains plus modular dioramas in this eye-popping display (thru Dec. 31st; closed Christmas & New Year’s Day)

Two beloved classic tales, one thrilling mystery: “A Sherlock Carol” returns to the Westport Country Playhouse in an unforgettable and heartwarming theatrical experience for all ages. Reunite with characters you love from Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, brought together in a clever story of intrigue and suspense, spruced up with a generous helping of holiday cheer. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Holmes to investigate the suspicious death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his powers of deduction to solve the crime; but it’s a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve – and once again, the holiday is haunted by spirits of the past, present, and future! (Dec. 17th-22nd)

What was the holiday season like on the home front during World War II? Find out at Christmas by Candlelight at the Coley House at the Weston History & Culture Center (Weston Historical Society). On this guided tour by candlelight, you’ll see how the Coley House was decorated during the 1940s (like no other historic home in Connecticut) and learn how the holidays were celebrated during that stressful wartime period when three generations of the Coley family lived there. Young historians can learn about Weston's history with fun activities in the Kids Corner (Dec. 20th-22nd)

The Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport presents “Disney on Ice: Frozen & Encanto” which magically transports the audience to Arendelle to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter. Join Olaf, Kristoff and Sven on a race to bring back summer. Then, enter the fantastical Madrigal family’s Casita amidst the beautiful mountains of Colombia. Join Mirabel on her journey to save her enchanted family home alongside her sisters, Isabela and Luisa. Sing along with hosts Mickey and Minnie and celebrate the power of love and courage! (Dec. 19th-23rd)

“Santa Story 2” at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family. At the North Pole, Jolly and Joy, two enthusiastic elves, are left in charge while Santa and Mrs. Kringle are away; but the workshop falls into chaos when an evil gingerbread man launches a plot to destroy Christmas and ruin Santa’s reputation! Can they restore order and save Christmas before it’s too late? This fast-paced adventure is full of mishaps, mayhem, and holiday magic, bringing plenty of laughs, heartwarming moments, and surprises along the way! (thru Dec. 29th)