Here is a calendar to help readers navigate all the Light Up Old Lyme holiday events that are happening in Old Lyme during the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday.
We have also included a few events, which take place outside Old Lyme, because the hosts are Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Chamber of Commerce members.
The LOL Chamber pulled most of this information together and we have added a few more events of which we have been notified.
If we have missed any events, please let us know as soon as possible and we will add them promptly.
FRIDAY, NOV. 30
Community Tree Lighting hosted by the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce
4-4:45pm: outside Center School (inside if inclement weather).
Festive music by Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Band, conducted by Carrie Wind. Community carol sing. Seasonal refreshments provided by Essex Savings Bank.
Holiday Book Sale: Preview Night with Wine Reception hosted by Phoebe’s BookCellar
4-7pm: Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library:
Shopping, live music, and light refreshments. Gift quality – including rare and collectible- books available for purchase in the festively-decorated Reading Room. All BookCellar books half-price or less. All proceeds benefit the Library. Sale continues Saturday, Dec. 1, 9am-2pm.
Deck the Walls Opening Reception
5-7pm: Lyme Art Association
This annual member show features more than 200 works of art priced for holiday gift giving. Opening Reception Friday, November 30, 5-7pm. Gallery hours Wed- Sun, 10-5 pm, and by appointment. $5 donation suggested.
Delights of December Holiday Pops Concert by Old Lyme Town Band
7:30pm: Christ the King Church
Free admission.
A second concert will be given on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2pm, at Lymes’ Senior Center, Town Woods Rd., Old Lyme.
SATURDAY, DEC. 1
Cookie Walk hosted by Child & Family Agency
9am-12 noon: Old Lyme Town Hall.
Choose from a huge selection of beautiful, delicious, homemade cookies and other gift items. Benefits Child & Family Agency.
Pictures with Santa! hosted by Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau.
10am-12 noon: Old Lyme Town Hall.
Meet Santa and his Elves! Free. Donations benefit LYSB.
Elephants-in-Winter Christmas Sale
9am–2pm: First Congregational Church of Old Lyme Fellowship Hall
Assorted Christmas decorations, gifts, handmade craft items, and stocking stuffers for sale. , or add just the right touch to your holiday decor. Sale also sale includes special treasures from mission partnerships in South Dakota, Haiti and Palestine. Donations benefit Church missions.
Musical Masterworks
5pm: First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
Program includes Schubert’s Winterreise by baritone Randall Scarlata and veteran pianist, Jeewon Park. Join Edward Arron, Artistic Director, for a pre-concert talk before the performance at 4pm.
Tickets: MusicalMasterworks.org. or 860 434 2252. There will be a second concert on Sunday at 3pm with a pre-concert talk at 2pm
Magic of Christmas
Nov. 23 through Jan. 6, 2019: Florence Griswold Museum
Enjoy Miss Florence’s Artist Trees, Christmastime Teas, special events and hands-on crafts for all ages, and wonderful items in The Shop.
SUNDAY, DEC. 2
Cappella Cantorum Christmas Concert
3pm: John Winthrop Middle School, Deep River
Cappella’s Masterworks Chorus will perform Puccini’s “Messa Di Gloria” and Saint-Saens’ “Christmas Oratorio.” Featured soloists will be soprano Abigail Paschke, tenor Brian Cheney and baritone Paul Fletcher. Simon Holt will direct the chorus and professional orchestra. Tickets are $30 purchased in advance, $35 at the door. Tickets at www.CappellaCantorum.org or 860-526-1038.
MONDAY, DEC. 3
Annual Community Wreath Making Event hosted by Duck River Garden Club
6:30pm: Rogers Lake Community Center
Bring gloves, clippers, and clipped evergreens if you have some! Our community is invited to join Club members and create festive wreaths for town buildings.
FRIDAY, DEC. 7
Student Holiday Art Sale Opening Reception
5-7 pm: Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts of the Univ. of New Haven, Sill House Gallery
Art Sale on View: Dec. 7 – 14.
Con Brio Choral Society
8pm: Christ the King Church
Danielle Munsell Howard, Soprano; Louise Fauteux, Soprano; Allison Messier, Mezzo Soprano, and the Con Brio Festival Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Stephen Bruce. Open seating, unreserved. Tickets at conbrio.org or 860.526.5399, or at the door.
There will be a second performance on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3pm.
SATURDAY, DEC. 8
2018 Homes for the Holidays Tour hosted by the Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center
11am-3pm. Along Lyme Street.
Self-guided tour of beautifully decorated village homes & businesses.
Ticket stubs valid for free admission to Florence Griswold Museum Magic of Christmas that day. The Lyme Art Association’s Deck the Walls exhibit will also be open. Lyme-Old Lyme High School’s Select Singers perform at the OL Historical Society; Old Lyme Town Hall hosts a Holiday Boutique from 10am-4pm, featuring beautiful, hand-crafted items. Tickets $25 in advance, or $30 at the door. Call 860-434-1728, Ext. 1 and leave a message or purchase through Eventbrite @ olclchometour2018.eventbrite.com
Santa’s Trunk Show
9am-4pm: APC Driving Gallery, Old Lyme Shopping Center.
Car art, automobilia and collectibles for the holidays.
The Nutcracker by Eastern Connecticut Ballet,
1:30 and 7pm: at The Garde Arts Center, New London. Tickets at 860-444-7373 ext.1 or gardearts.org.
There will be a third performance on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 1:30pm
Holiday Sale of Old Lyme Historical Society Books & Gifts
Sat., Dec. 8 (am): at Old Lyme Post Office
Books, calendars, household items and other Society merchandise.
On Dec. 8, OLHSI’s 55 Lyme Street headquarters will be part of the OLCLC Home for the Holidays tour.
Book and gift sales will also be held in the morning and afternoon on both Saturdays, Dec. 15 & 22.
SUNDAY, DEC.. 9, TUESDAY, DEC.. 11 & TUESDAY, DEC.. 18
Holiday Gift Workshops hosted by LYSB
Gingerbread House Family Workshop 12/9, 12:30-2pm. An annual tradition Fee: $15/house
Festive Felt Stocking, 12/11, 4-6pm and Felt Holiday Ornaments, 12/18, 4-6 pm. Fee: $25. Registration required.