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Evenings at the Museum
First Thursday
THU, DEC 4 | 5-8PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Guests of all ages are invited to join this monthly evening art night. Each activity is inspired by a different exhibition, theme, or artwork. Grab your friends and join LAAM for evening hours while exploring the galleries and getting creative. Bank Square Books will be present with their Pop-Up Book Fair!
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Allison Gildersleeve Gallery Talk
Here Somewhere
THU, DEC 4 | 5:30PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
As she puts the pieces together, Gildersleeve's work skips through time at an erratic pace, shuffling the monumental with the mundane and twisting landscapes and interiors into compositional mazes. Discover insights into their artistic practice as she explores themes of time, place, and memory.
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Get Into The Spirit
Annual Holiday Festival
THU, DEC 4 | 6PM
Municipal Building, Groton
Meet Santa and all his helpers along with special musical guests. There will even be a chance for your child and family to take a picture with Santa! Kick off the start of the holiday season at this family-friendly event. Sponsored by the City of Groton Police Department.
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The Jumble Shoppe
Annual Christmas Bazaar
SAT, DEC 6 | 9:30AM-1:30PM
St. James Episcopal, New London
Get your holiday shopping list out for this annual holiday event. Shop for decorations, gifts, hand made quilts, baked goods and so much more. Proceeds go directly back into the community minded Jumble Shoppe.
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Museum Family Day
Holiday Extravaganza
SAT, DEC 6 | 10AM-2PM
Submarine Force Museum, Groton
This free event will feature the "Falcon Carolers" from Fitch High School and various vendors with hands-on activities for kids of all ages. Santa will arrive by firetruck at 12pm! Gather your family and lean into the fun.
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Film Screening and Discussion
Borderland: The Line Within
SAT, DEC 6 | 10:30AM
Bill Memorial Library, Groton
This film begins south of the U.S. border and follows the story of Maya human rights defender Kaxh Mura’l as he flees death threats for preventing mining companies from encroaching on ancestral lands. Followed by a discussion about the making of the film by award-winning director Pamela Yates and producer Paco de Onís & light refreshments.
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Free First Saturday
Winter Wonder Day
SAT, DEC 6 | 11AM-1PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Enjoy free photos with Santa, a hot chocolate bar with New London Rotary, two special performances with Mystic Paper Beasts Theater Company, and artmaking in the studio! Kick-off your December with Lyman Allyn’s annual Winter Wonder Day celebration.
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Gather Around the Fire
Holiday Open House
SAT, DEC 6 | 11AM-2PM
Fort Griswold Battlefield, Groton
Join the festivities around the fire, sip hot cocoa, enjoy tasty sweets and toast marshmallows. There will be a guided tour of the park at noon and the Groton Monument and Gift Shop will be open. In case of rain, the event will be help inside the Monument House Museum.
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Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Spectacular
SAT, DEC 6 | 3PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
This heartwarming concert promises something for everyone—familiar tunes, classical brilliance, and the shared joy of holiday music. Join the ECSO’s season ticket holder family and experience the magic of live orchestral music all year long!
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Community Collection
Stuff a Cruiser
SUN, DEC 7 | 10AM-2PM
Municipal Building, Groton
Sponsored by the City of Groton Police Department, this annual drive encourages everyone to donate toys, food and coats for local distribution. Come down and chat with local officials! You never know who might make an appearance.
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Meet and Greet
Santa at the Shaw
SUN, DEC 7 | 12:30-2:30PM
Shaw Mansion, New London
Join us as New London Historical Society once again welcomes Santa in the Long Parlor of the Shaw Mansion! Come meet Santa, snap a photo, and share with him your Christmas wish! Free and Open to the Public. Refreshments provided.
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Annual Holiday Celebration
Garry Buttery & Friends
SUN, DEC 7 | 2-4PM
Custom House, New London
Tuba musician Gary Buttery has once again gathered a merry group of tuba and euphonium players to toot out your holiday favorites — always fun! This will be their 3rd year performing at the Custom House. The hour-long concert is free to all.
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The Magic of the Season
Holiday Open House
SUN, DEC 7 | 3-5PM
Avery-Copp House, Groton
Experience the magic of Christmas past and explore the museum decorated for the holidays as it might have been a century ago. Refreshments will be served. This is a free community event where donations for the Groton Food Bank will also be collected.
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Care For Your Historic Home
Energy Efficiency Program
THU, DEC 11 | 5:30-6:30PM
NL Landmarks, Virtual (Zoom)
As winter closes in, and with heating prices through the roof, historic home owners face real strain. Join Marena Wisniewski of the State Historic Preservation Office and New London Landmarks to learn how to improve the energy efficiency. This free, digital presentation and discussion can help you equip yourself to best care for your home and budget.
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Gallery Talk
Season's Greetings
THU, DEC 11 | 5:30-7:30PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
With art that explores holiday cheer and the tradition of artistic gift-giving, Season’s Greetings delves into the Museum’s collection to showcase the artwork, cards, and gifts that artists make for friends, family, and patrons. Some pieces were mailed or given as holiday gifts, while others speak to the season more broadly with wintery imagery.
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Community Gathering
Family Holiday Sing-Along
THU, DEC 11 | 6-7:30PM
Bill Memorial Library, Groton
Bring your singing voices and your enthusiasm for Mary-Jane and her special music guests! Collections will be gathered for the Riverfront Children’s Center Holiday Food Drive. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is required for this all ages event.
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Endless Holiday Festivities
Santa Shopping Stroll
SAT, DEC 13 | 11AM-6PM
Parade Plaza, New London
Grab a map and explore the charming streets of downtown New London as you shop for holiday gifts. Make sure to visit all the locations to collect Christmas stamps on your map. Turn in your completed map to Flavours of Life for a chance to win a fabulous DNLA merchant gift basket. Enjoy this delightful day-long holiday shopping extravaganza!
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Eastern Connecticut Ballet
The Nutcracker
SAT, DEC 13 | 1:30PM
SAT, DEC 13 | 7PM
SUN, DEC 14 | 1:30PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Eastern Connecticut Ballet returns to The Garde to bring The Nutcracker for your holiday entertainment. This treasured holiday tradition features stars from Boston Ballet and a stage transformed into a New London winter seaport in the 1850’s.
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Annual Gathering of Service
Lessons & Carols
SUN, DEC 14 | 5PM
Pequot Chapel, New London
Dress warmly for an early evening of familiar songs around the holiday. The chapel will be collecting donations for the New London Community Meal Center and also selling silver bell ornaments to raise operating funds. Get into the holiday spirit!
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JIBBOOM Club #1
Claudia Kenyon
TUE, DEC 16 | 1:30PM
Custom House, New London
Storyteller Claudia Kenyon is bringing her musical group, the Ukeladies, to entertain at JIBBOOM! She's also invited several others to tell true maritime tales. Join New London Maritime Society for this end-of-year gathering! Jibboom is not a 'club', but a friendly gathering with a speaker and refreshments.
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Season of Light
Community Menorah Lighting
SUN, DEC 14 | 5PM
Parade Plaza, New London
Bring your family and friends to this beautiful event as folks come together to honor the tradition of Hanukkah. Enjoy festive cheer as DNLA lights up the night to celebrate the miracles of the season. All are welcome!
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Holiday Hootenanny
Old Crow Medicine Show
THU, DEC 18 | 7:30PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
OCMS brings their first-ever holiday tour featuring Christmas classics, fan favorites, and songs from their new holiday album. Joined by fiddle virtuoso Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, the GRAMMY-winning band delivers a festive, high-energy show celebrating over 20 years of Americana excellence.
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Game Night
Team Trivia Challenge
FRI, DEC 19 | 6-8PM
City Municipal Building, Groton
Each team will compete to score the most points and claim the prizes. Fee is $25 per 4-player team. It will be open to everyone, resident or non-resident! Register in advance to secure your spot for this evening of fun.
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Live from the Oasis Room
Sinner's Circle
FRI, DEC 19 | 8PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Sinner’s Circle is a Nashville-style songwriters’ circle in southern New England where local musicians share new material in a supportive, collaborative setting. It connects songwriters with peers and an engaged and encouraging audience. Featuring Marc Douglas Berardo, Louise Coombe and Sarah Mac.
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Lighting of the Kinara
Kwanzaa Celebration
FRI, DEC 26 | 5-6PM
Parade Plaza, New London
The City of New London and the New London NAACP will have a ceremony to light the Kinara for the first night of Kwanzaa. The community is invited to come out and enjoy the celebration. Dress warmly to watch the Parade Plaza honor multiple holiday celebrations.
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All Talents Welcome
Open Mic at the Museum
SUN, DEC 28 | 6-9PM
Custom House, New London
Hosted by Kenny 'Doc' Frasier, this monthly open mic welcomes music, poetry, prose, stand-up, or the opportunity to just state what is on your mind. Show up at 5:45 and get on the list to perform! Open to all ages and abilities for fun & camaraderie. It's a friendly crowd.
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An Italian Christmas Eve Feast
Garde Arts Center, New London
This dinner theater experience features a comedy about an Italian-American family celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tickets include a meal provided by Luigi's Wood Fired Pizza Risto.
December 4th & 5th - 7PM
December 6th - 7PM
December 7th - 2PM
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Bi-Weekly Cottage Tours
Monte Cristo Cottage, New London
Experience the historic charm of Monte Cristo Cottage, the boyhood summer home of America’s only Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Eugene O’Neill. Tours will take place on scheduled Saturday's through January.
11am-2pm | December 6th & 20th
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Open Collections Day
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Third Thursday of Each Month
Visitors have an opportunity to see staff at work in the Museum’s Hendel Library and gain new access to the Lyman Allyn’s vast collection of original art, artifacts and objects. Collections staff engage with visitors while working on research projects.
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New London Harbor Light Tours
NL Maritime Society, New London
Saturdays & Sundays | 12PM
Climb 116 steps up into the lighthouse lantern for spectacular views of the Sound in the oldest and tallest lighthouse in the country. Tours occur each weekend of the year for groups of up to five people.
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City of Groton Pop-Up Market
Municipal Building Auditorium, Groton
Second Sunday of the Month | 11AM-2PM
November 9th - March 8th
Continue to shop local this fall and winter at the indoor Pop-Up Market operated by the City of Groton. Support famers, artisans and businesses each month!
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Bill Memorial Library
Weekly-Monthly Programs
12/9 - Holiday Music & Movement
12/18 - Monthly Teen Program
12/18 - 12/21: Jolabokaflod
12/24 - 12/25: Closed for Holiday
Mondays - Fall Story Time
Tuesdays - Music & Movement
Tuesdays - Girls Who Code
EVENTS CALENDAR | 860-445-0392
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Blissworks Yoga
Garde Arts Center, New London
Relocated from their Bank Street location, their classes now takes place in the spacious Garde.
Yoga Basics
Tuesdays | 9AM
Intermediate Yoga
Saturdays | 8:30AM
CLASS CALENDAR
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Yoga with Kim
Hygienic Art, New London
Every Sunday | 9AM
Start your Sunday with Kim for a yoga experience at Hygienic Art sponsored by Yale New Haven Health. Best of all, it's FREE! Don’t miss out on this unique experience to practice and unwind in downtown New London.
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Gift Cards
Gift cards may be used for ALL historic and pop-up boat tours, Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruises, Lecture Series, Docent Academy registration and merchandise.
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Become a Member
Members receive a variety of special benefits, including recognition on our website to discounted tickets and season passes.
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Subscribe to Our Mailing List
Monthly Newsletters, Boat Tour Schedules, Heritage Site Updates and More
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Visit the Park's Heritage Sites
| Thames River Heritage Park Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to connecting, preserving, supporting and promoting the history and heritage sites along the Thames River estuary today and for generations to come. | | Thames River Heritage Park Institutional Partners are organizations committed to preserving and promoting our culture and history but may not have a site to welcome visitors. They are historic or cultural associations, “friends” organizations, and educational institutions. | |
- Connecticut Maritime Heritage Fest
- Connecticut Sea Grant
- Downtown New London Assoc.
- Friends of Fort Griswold
- Friends of Fort Trumbull
- Groton Bank Historical Assoc.
- Ledge Light Foundation
- National Coast Guard Museum
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- NL County Historical Society
- New London Landmarks
- New London Maritime Society
- Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition
- Southeastern CT Enterprise Region
- UCONN Avery Point Maritime Studies
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Thank you to our Sponsors and Grantors
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