Saybrook Starlight Festival

Let your holiday festivities begin in Old Saybrook as the town will host its fourth annual Saybrook Starlight Festival on Saturday, December 7th, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Fun for kids and families, the festival will feature horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, the Stocking Walk, shopping, entertainment, and dining specials — all highlighted by the Heroes Tree Lighting.

Family Fun & Town Green Activities

Family-friendly activities will be focused on the Town Green in front of the Town Hall located at 302 Main Street from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. There, Miss Emily will read stories, and Acton Library will offer a craft table and scavenger hunt. Old Saybrook Youth & Family Services will sell tickets to participate in face painting by Skadoodlez and to purchase red and green cotton candy by Dabby’s Event Services and chili made by the local Masons along with other fun things. All proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. The Blue Star Moms will provide a table to decorate holiday cards for service members, and The Lions Club will sell lighted natural stick stars and popcorn while the Knights of Columbus will serve up hot beignets. Astra Dance Studio will again perform dances set to holiday tunes and the Van Epps Holiday Inflatables Walk returns with fun inflatable characters donated by the Van Epps family from the collection of decorations that used to adorn 122 College Street each year. The Starlight Café will also be open on The Kate’s patio with free hot chocolate provided by the Lions Club.

New this year will be a life-size Grinch game, professional hula-hooping demonstration and two food trucks including, Frank Andrews Mobile Kitchen serving up their delicious pizza as well as Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies. The Senior Strings, a local group of mature musicians will also entertain with songs of the season accompanied by ukulele, guitar and flute. And, the Old Saybrook Garden Club will host a holiday greens table where adults and children can make memorable decorations with the help of local experts. Plus, visit the Economic Development or Youth & Family Services tables for a chance to win one of two family four-packs to see Frosty at the Kate on December 14th.

Of course, no holiday celebration would be complete without a visit from Santa, who will arrive by fire truck at 2:30 p.m. He will be stationed in front of the Town Green’s new gazebo until 4:30 p.m. Volunteers will be available to snap family pictures with Santa. Join us from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. for a sing-along and to sing in Santa when he arrives.

Heroes Tree Lighting

The Town Green activities will culminate with the lighting of the Heroes Tree at The Kate sponsored by the Gold Star Moms, in honor of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m., and Nicole Nalepa from WFSB will again serve as the emcee for this event which will include local dignitaries, songs by the Old Saybrook High School Chorus, and a dance performance by the Glitter Girls.

Stocking Walk & Main Street Shopping and Dining

The popular Stocking Walk sponsored by the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber returns this year from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Purchase a stocking for $5.00 at the Chamber office at 1 Main Street starting at 10:00 a.m. on the day of the event or get yours at the pre-sale December 4th – 6th at the chamber during normal business hours. Bring your stocking to participating Main Street businesses who will help you fill it with small tokens in the spirit of the season. Only 250 will be sold!

Many retail businesses on Main Street will be open till 6:00 p.m. for holiday shoppers, and a number of restaurants all over town will offer Starlight Specials ranging from military discounts to special cocktails to live entertainment. Keep up to date with all of the special offers by checking out the event website at https://www.sayoldsaybrook.com/saybrook-starlight-festival .

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides & Carolers

Good old-fashioned holiday fun on Main Street will also be part of the day, with free horse-drawn wagon rides from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Pick up your ride at the Town Green. And don’t miss Christmas and Hanukkah selections performed by Connecticut Yuletide Carolers who will stroll up and down the street dressed in Victorian period garb.

More Information

In the event of inclement weather, family activities that were scheduled for the Town Green will be moved to the Old Saybrook Middle School.

For more information about the day’s schedule, parking and restaurant specials, visit sayoldbrook.com. For questions email [email protected].