Wednesday, November 27th, Connecticut River Museum Holiday Train Show Opening

Steve Cryan’s exhibit is back on track at the Connecticut River Museum for its 26th year! A fully operational 26-foot train layout, tugboat and train memorabilia, “I SPY” scavenger hunts, and toddler-sized viewing layout are all part of the fun for all ages! See what surprises train artist Steve Cryan has created this year! Exhibit is on display through February 23rd.

Friday, November 29th & Saturday, November 30th

Shop Small and experience the big difference in how it feels – festive, thoughtful, unharried. An interesting collection of shops, good “old-fashioned” customer service, and a cheerful atmosphere throughout town, make holiday shopping enjoyable! Come shop our carefully-curated selection at our own store, Goods & Curiosities!

Trees in the Rigging Carol Sing & Boat Parade, 4:30 p.m. – The holiday season kicks off in Essex with this beloved annual tradition. It’s a lantern-lit carol stroll down Main Street where spectators are invited to bring their own lanterns or flashlights and join in with the Sailing Masters of 1812 Fife and Drum Corps and a parade of antique cars. The stroll steps off at 4:30 pm at the Essex Town Hall on West Avenue and ends at the Connecticut River Museum with a parade of vessels dressed out in holiday lights and passing in review along the Connecticut River. The best viewing is from the lawn of the Connecticut River Museum at the foot of Main Street. Santa and his elves will arrive by one of the parade boats for visits with children on the lawn of the Museum.  Come in and warm yourself with a hot toddy in our Tap Room, serving all afternoon, or a glass of wine at The Griswold Inn’s Wine Bar & Bistro, open at 4:00 pm for the occasion.

Saturday, December 7th, 10am-4pm

Essex Holiday House Tour & Essex Holiday Stroll 
Enjoy this festive self-guided walking tour featuring Essex village homes beautifully decorated for the Holidays. Tickets on sale at our store, Goods & Curiosities, 47 Main Street, just across from the Main Inn. The tour also affords a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the many unique shops and galleries throughout town: all will be in full holiday spirit – some offering special shopping deals, gifts with purchase, refreshment… As the Essex Holiday Stroll falls on the SAME DAY this year, merriment will abound! Our Store is always a beloved stop on the shopping trail! Our Wine Bar & Bistro will open early at 4:00 pm.

Saturday, December 7th, 5:00 pm

Ninth Annual Ivoryton Illuminations
It’s a holiday lightshow spectacle featuring 450,000 lights on display in Ivoryton village! The event includes carol singing, Santa’s Grotto, a Holiday Bazaar, and the lighting of one of the state’s  largest living Christmas Trees. The village will be lit up through December 31st so a drive-through is possible at any time. Tune your radio to 101.5FM to watch the lights dance to holiday music.