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Add Thames River Heritage Park to your holiday shopping list!
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Get a 25% discount on a Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruise Season Pass through December 31st when you use promo code MERRYDAYS.
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Purchase $100 in TRHP Gift Cards and receive a complimentary 4-pack for a Happy Hour or Sunset Harbor Cruise during the 2025 summer season.
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Gift cards may be used for history-themed boat tours; hop-on, hop-off harbor, full moon, sunset and fireworks cruises, Stories of the Thames Reception/Lecture Series, Docent Academy and merchandise.
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Show your receipt at Flavours of Life or Garde Arts Center box office to get your map stamped for a chance at the Santa Shopping Stroll merchant gift basket on Saturday, December 14th!
Gift Card | 2025 HOHO Season Pass
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Local Holiday Celebrations
Christmas Tree Lighting
FRI, NOV 29 | 5-6PM
Parade Plaza, New London
The commencement of the holiday season in New London will kick off with the Christmas Tree Lighting and Jeep Parade featuring Santa!
Christmas carols from multiple choirs, an illuminated Jeep Parade on Bank Street, pictures with Santa at The Golden Owl and more! Bring your family and friends to enjoy this magical evening of holiday cheer, music, and heartwarming community fun!
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Christmas Rock Opera
Wizards of Winter
FRI, NOV 29 | 8PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Featuring members who have performed with Classic Rock Giants – The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rainbow, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult and Trixter, along with Broadway and theater veterans. Weaving a story based on their latest album, along with other original music, The Wizards take their audience on a musical journey in search of the meaning of Christmas.
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A Night of Laughter
Comedy Bebop
FRI, NOV 29 | 8PM
Hygienic Art, New London
Don’t miss out on the best comedy show in town! Grab your friends and come early for the best seats. This is a night you won't want to miss! Hosted by Dame FK and featuring JT Moore, this show will feature six different comedians throughout the night. Get your tickets today.
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Support Your Favorite Shop
Small Business Saturday
SAT, NOV 30 | 8PM
Downtown New London
This holiday season, lean into supporting small business as you look for that extra something special for family, friends, loved ones, and maybe even yourself. Downtown shops will have specials, sales, and more including some entertainment options!
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Virtual Artist Talk
Exploring Exquisite Miniatures
WED, DEC 4 | 6-7PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, Zoom
Join LAAM for a virtual talk with Wes and Rachelle Siegrist, the artists behind the incredible works in Exquisite Miniatures. Their tiny treasures, as collectors often refer to them, typically measure less than 9 square inches and appear even more detailed when viewed under magnification! On display through January 26, 2025.
REGISTER TODAY
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Get in the Spirit
Groton Holiday Festival
THU, DEC 5 | 6PM
Municipal Building, City of Groton
The City of Groton Police Department will be hosting its Holiday Festival beginning at 6 pm at the City of Groton Municipal Building. Stop by to meet Santa and his helpers, mingle with the Department and friend, and enjoy special musical guests!
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Mix & Mingle with Friends
First Thursday
THU, DEC 5 | 5-8PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Guests of all ages are invited to join the monthly evening of art night led by a member of the Learning & Engagement Department. This months activity is Creative Collage. Get inspiration from the exhibitions on view for making an elevated collage with mixed media. Discounted admission & late hours are fun for everyone!
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Interactive Author Reading
Karen Warfield
FRI, DEC 6 | 6-7PM
Hygienic Art, New London
The Emancipation of Hannah Faythe Winslow: A Woman's Journey in Colonial America by author Karen Warfield is a work of literary fiction with historical facts woven throughout themes of deception and restoration. Based around the 1637 Mohegan and Pequot War, this tale is one for the ages. Come and learn more about this local author! Sponsored by Chelsea Groton Bank and The Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation.
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Shop For A Cause
St. Nicholas Bazaar
SAT, DEC 7 | 9:30AM-1PM
St. James Episcopal, New London
The Jumble Shoppe, adjacent to St. James, is hosting the St. Nicholas Bazaar this holiday season! Donations are currently being accepted each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Come shop for unique items, antiques, baked goods and more for this community fundraiser.
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A Journey Back in Time
Bank Street Walking Tour
SAT, DEC 7 | 10-11AM
Parade Plaza, New London
From its mercantile past to its years as the city's entertainment center, Bank Street has always been the lively heart of New London. Learn how the buildings and people in this part of the Downtown NL Historic District inform our current urban revitalization. Tour will be led by NLL Board president and historian Tom Couser.
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Holiday Extravaganza
Family Day at the Museum
SAT, DEC 7 | 10AM-2PM
Submarine Force Museum, Groton
Grab your family and friends to enjoy a holiday celebration unlike any other at the Submarine Force Museum. Fitch High School Jazz Band, Niantic Children’s Museum and several other organizations will be present with various hands on activities. The interactive displays are perfect for your little ones. Free admission and parking!
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Winter Wonder Day
Free First Saturday
SAT, DEC 7 | 11AM-1PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Each month on the first Saturday enjoy free admission all day at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum! Family artmaking takes place in the art studio so be sure to dress for mess. Santa will be joining Winter Wonder Day for photos, themed crafts and more. Open and free to all!
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Revel in Neighborhood Joy
Holiday Open House & Bonfire
SAT, DEC 7 | 11AM-2PM
Fort Griswold Battlefield, Groton
The Friends of Fort Griswold Battlefield cordially invite you to a festive gathering around a glowing bonfire on the grounds of the fort. Share a warm beverage and some tasty sweets with locals or do some last minute holiday shopping. You can roast mallows and enjoy tours by David Rose. Saxophone Santa will make an appearance at noon!
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Find Zen at the Library
A Winter Meditation
SAT, DEC 7 | 1:30PM
Bill Memorial Library, Groton
Join local author and Episcopal deacon Ronald Steed for a meditation program to reflect. During this moment of quiet, plan to sit with some of the themes of the season and discuss how to weave them into your lives. This class is free, but registration is required.
REGISTER TODAY
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Tubas at the Museum
Annual Winter Celebration
SUN, NOV 24 | 6-9PM
Custom House Museum, New London
It's a holiday sing-along, with tubas! Join in on the fun at the Custom House for their annual celebrations. This music-filled event is open to all ages. Folks are also invited to attend their Annual Meeting for updates and cake at 2:30pm.
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Folk Duo Take the Stage
Indigo Girls
SAT, DEC 7 | 7:30PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Over a thirty-five-year career that began in clubs around their native Atlanta, Georgia, the multi-Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray has recorded sixteen studio albums, sold over 15 million records, and built a dedicated, enduring following across the globe. Rolling Stone describes them as the “ideal duet partners.” Their latest record, Look Long is a stirring and eclectic collection of songs that finds the duo reunited in the studio with their strongest backing band to date.
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Local Community Fundraiser
Stuff a Cruiser
SUN, DEC 8 | 10AM-2PM
Municipal Building, Groton
The City of Groton Police Department will be holding its sixth annual “Stuff a Cruiser, Food and Coat Drive” family-friendly event. The collected items will be distributed back into the local community to families in need. There will also be a collaboration with St. John’s Christian Church of Groton to collect new and/or gently used coats that will be made available later for all.
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Tis the Season
Winter Pop-Up Market
SUN, DEC 8 | 11AM-2PM
Municipal Building, Groton
Vendors of all types will be present at the latest installment of Groton's spectacular indoor market that will occur on the second Sunday of every month through April! An amazing array of goods will be on sale for that special someone in your life.
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Gather The Entire Family
Pictures with Santa
SUN, DEC 8 | 1-3PM
Shaw Mansion, New London
Explore the Shaw Mansion and take in the historic backdrop with Santa! His visit every year marks the holiday season with family portraits. This New London County Historical Society event is made possible by a grant from Charter Oak Federal Credit Union.
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Homeschool Workshop
Cool Collectors
TUE, DEC 10 | 1-3:30PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
The Museum’s hands-on workshops provide a wonderful opportunity for students aged 5-12 to explore the collection, learn innovative art techniques and make new friends Next up: Learn what it was like to be an art collector with the exhibition Louise McCagg: The Artist’s Eye. Create a work of art inspired by the works on view.
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Blissworks Yoga
Garde Arts Center, New London
Yoga Basics
Tuesdays | 9AM
Thursdays | 5:30PM
Intermediate Yoga
Saturdays | 8:30AM
CLASS CALENDAR
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NLMS Lighthouse Tours
Pequot Light, 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. Thanks to a grant, New London residents may visit with a $5 ticket through December 2024! All are welcome.
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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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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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- New London 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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