Christmas is taking over Connecticut with many different holiday activities available throughout Fairfield County. With Fairfield County spreading 837 miles in distance, there is something available for everyone.
Sacred Heart University’s (SHU’s) Community Theatre takes on the holiday season by playing a series of different movies each year.
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Source: Instagram -@greenwichreindeerfestival
Matt Oestreicher, director of the SHU Community Theatre said, “Holidays are really exciting at the theatre, and we have the theatre all decorated for the holidays and I think we have about 13 holiday shows this year.”
Every week the theatre will be showing their holiday spirit, whether it’s by playing holiday film classics, or hosting live holiday performances.
“We have found that there are a few movies that everyone loves to see every year,” said Oestreicher. “We just showed ‘Elf’ to a large enthusiastic crowd, we will be showing ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ later this month, and ‘Polar Express’ has become a tradition that’s coming up on Dec. 17.”
The Sacred Heart Community Theatre offers free movie tickets to all SHU students. With just a 15 minute shuttle ride from the university to downtown Fairfield, every student is eligible to gain free access into a showing with the presence of their SHU ID.
Oestreicher said, “We would love to see more SHU students down at the theatre. We offer free movie tickets to every SHU student, so we are always welcoming SHU students, and we just want all SHU students to know they are welcome.”
The Community Theatre will also be hosting two live events performed by SHU students.
“The Performing Arts department will be at the theatre with their instrumental chamber ensemble on Dec. 8 and the SHU symphony orchestra on Dec. 10,” said Oestreicher.
The town of Fairfield also has many other events taking place.
Oestreicher said, “On Dec. 6 they’re doing a shopping stroll where all the businesses have food and drinks.”
The annual Shop & Stroll is an evening of local holiday shopping where shoppers can enjoy special discounts at participating stores and also enjoy other festivities around town.
Many other towns in Fairfield County will also be spreading holiday spirit. Greenwich will be hosting its 15th annual Reindeer Festival every day until Dec. 23. The festival allows visitors to have their photo taken with Santa, meet his three live reindeer and also enjoy Santa’s workshop where participants can write letters to Santa, partake in a reindeer coloring station and even enter their names into raffles and contests.
Junior Amanda Cosentino said, “When I was younger, my favorite family tradition was when my parents used to take my brother, sister and I to the festival to see Santa. They had so many different activities for us to do and it really made the holiday season special.”
Santa will also be at the Danbury Fair Mall, located in Danbury, Conn. up until Dec. 24. Children, adults and even pets will be able to take their photos with Santa.
Junior Brianna Taylor said, “I’m from Danbury, so my mom would always take me to sit on Santa’s lap and take photos with him. It became sort of a holiday tradition and sometimes she would even bring my dog.”
The New England Academy of Dance will also be performing The Nutcracker Ballet, featuring the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, in the auditorium of New Canaan High School. The show will be performed on Dec. 8, Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door.
“There are so many different holiday activities to do in Connecticut,” said Taylor. “I’ve lived here almost my whole life and feel that Fairfield County really makes the holiday season magical.”
