Conn-opoly is finally on the table and it is Connecticut from corner to corner. The board runs through first settlements, old schools, forts, and little Nutmeg State landmarks you will recognize right away. We only printed 500 games in this first batch and shipping is free, so it is a perfect grab for Christmas gifts or winter family game nights. Every box also comes with a free digital Conn-opoly Field Guide so you can pick up extra CT history while you play.

We have been throwing a lot of stuff at the internet, so we decided to keep it simple and build one main Instagram home base: @connecticut_buzz. That is where you will find the good stuff in one scroll, from nonprofits and people doing cool things in CT, to live music, top events, free happenings, and quick-hit history reels about the weird and wonderful Nutmeg State.

We are sitting at 950+ followers and really trying to push this thing, so if you can follow, like a post or two, and share it with a friend, it is a tiny lift that helps us a ridiculous amount.

Here are a few Tolland County light displays to hit when you need that instant cozy holiday vibe. If you know another driveway, farm, or neighborhood that really goes all in on lights, let me know so we can add your favorites to the list.

Hebron Lions Lights in Motion | 347 Gilead St, Hebron
Load up the car and crawl a mile of synchronized LED tunnels and massive displays at the fairgrounds on most nights from late November through New Year’s Eve.

Stafford WinterFest Parade of Lights | Main St, Stafford Springs | 12/13 3-7pm

Stafford WinterFest turns Main Street into a glowing corridor with luminaries, a parade of decorated vehicles, live performances, and a big community bonfire. It is one part light show, one part small town block party, and residents treat it as the unofficial start of the season.

SATURDAY 12/13

Storrs | Shaboo Holiday Concert | 3pm $ - David Foster and The Legendary Shaboo Allstars will be performing at Jorgenson (2132 Hillside Rd), for a special benefit holiday show to benefit the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic and the UConn Husky Harvest Food Pantry in Storrs.

Foster is a Connecticut music legend, and he’s bringing a hugely talented group to back him up. This sounds like it will be a concert you don’t want to miss! Tix

Tolland | Veteran’s Coffee House | 10:30am-12pm - Veterans are invited to Tolland Senior Center (674 Tolland Stage Rd) for coffee and snacks with other who have served. Vets of all ages are encouraged to attend.

Tolland | Anniversary Party & Sale | 6-8pm - Shakeup Makeup (45 Industrial Park Rd W) is celebrating their 2nd anniversary in their Tolland location. Make sure to check out their special sale to mark the occasion.

Willington | Songwriter Showcase | 6-9pm - Listen to original music by local musicians at The Packing House (156 River Rd). Admission is free, but donations are willingly accepted.

TRIVIA

Bond 124 - Somers | 7-8:30pm

Andover | Paper Crafting for Xmas | 6-8pm - Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6) is holding a workshop on how to fold paper to make your own stars, snowflakes, and trees. Call if you would like to participate (860) 742-7428.

Ellington | Men’s Night Out | 6-8pm - Sorry ladies, this one is for the fellas. Old School Harley-Davidson (398 Somers Rd) is holding a men’s night out with bourbon tasting, professional cigar rolling, a specialty knife vendor, a barber, tattoo artists, and more.

Stafford Springs | Botanical Light Up Vase | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Get hands-on with a workshop at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St), turning a simple glass vase into something unique. No experience required!

Stafford Springs | Oracle Readings | 3-6pm $ - Hillary of Hany Healing will be at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) for readings. Appointments are suggested.

Vernon | Holiday Networking Social | 5-7pm $ - The Tolland Chamber of Commerce is holding a networking event at Little Mark’s BBQ (346 Kelly Rd). You don’t even need to be a chamber member to attend (but you may want to think about joining, Missy is the absolute best!). Tix

TRIVIA

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm

Andover | Polar Express Kids Only Movie Night | 5pm $ - Drop the kids off at Andover Community/Senior Center (25 School Rd) for a movie/pizza/cookies/cocoa night, while you get a little peace and quiet. $30/kid, with siblings $25 after that.

Bolton | Holiday Wreath Workshop | 5:30-7pm $ - Make a holiday wreath at Cropley’s Garden Center (1262 Boston Tpke) that you can show off to all your relatives. Tix

Coventry | Sip and Paint and Ponies | 6pm $ - Learn how to paint a horsey landscape at the Connecticut Equestrian Center (220 Talcott Hill Rd). Supplies, wine, and snacks will be provided. $50/person. Sign Up

Ellington | Holiday Marketplace | 4-7pm - The holiday marketplace is open for business at the Nellie McKnight Museum (70 Main St). Going shopping in a building from 1812 is pretty darn cool, in and of itself.

Hebron | Holiday Market | 4-6pm - The Flour Girl (16 Main St) is featuring ten local vendors, with handmade goods and goodies for a fun holiday shopping experience.

Mansfield | Mansfield Pickers Xmas Jam | 6:30-9:30pm - Have yourself a blue(grass) Christmas with this jam for all ages and skill-levels at Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd).

Stafford Springs | Arts on Main | 6-8pm - Take the drive and visit the local businesses on Main St. Several businesses will be hosting special events and special vendors. Make sure to wear an ugly or beautiful Christmas sweater to really get into the festivities!

Vernon | Holiday Toy Drive | 5-8pm - Asymmetry Salon and Barber (378 Kelly Rd) is hosting a toy drive along with vendors, snacks, and raffles. You’ll get 5 raffle tickets/new toy you bring.

Vernon | Mediumship Gallery | 6-8pm $ - The BoHo Experience (193 Talcottville Rd) is hosting spiritual medium Robin Attardi Zenczak for an evening of messages from beyond. Contact them on details on how purchase tickets.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Blackledge Tavern - Hebron | Walnutz | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Savage Brothers | 8pm
⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford | Aquanett | 8pm $15
⬢ Hilltop - Willington | Good Vibes | 6:30-9:30pm

Bolton | Kids Craft | 10:30am-3:30pm $ - Cropley’s Garden Center (1262 Boston Tpke) is holding an all-day reindeer ornament-making workshop. $10/ornament, no registration needed. Will also be running on 12/14.

Columbia | A Christmas Carol | 2pm - Professor Kenneth Noll will be performing a one man show as Charles Dickens doing a (shortened) reading of A Christmas Carol at Yeomans Hall (323 Rt 87).

Columbia | Winter Wonderland | 5pm - Come visit Columbia Rec Park (60 Hennequin Rd) for a beautiful Christmas light display, festive decorations, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and, of course, hot cocoa!

Coventry | Craft & Shop | 9am-1pm - Lavender Ridge Farm (44 Stage Rd) is holding an open house, with a bunch of lavender product to shop from, tea to sip on, a little taste of something lavender, and a complimentary ornament.

Ellington | Holiday Extravaganza | 9am-12pm - The Ellington Winter Farmers Market (37 Maple St) is celebrating the spirit of the season. Festive treats, holiday gifts, and some truly wonderful seasonal spirit.

Ellington | Interactive Play | 3pm - Ellington Baptist Church (264 Pinney St) is running an interactive play entitled Christmas in Every Season. Audience participation is very much encouraged.

Hebron | Storytime w/Santa | 2-3:30pm $ - The Flour Girl (14 Main St) is hosting a little holiday magic, with story time with Santa. Two stories will be read, followed by photo opportunities. Proceeds will be donated to HIHS, the local Hebron food pantry. Tix

Mansfield | Community Nutcracker Performance | 2pm $ - Local youths, ages 3-18, bring you a full The Nutcracker performance at Mansfield Middle School (205 Spring Hill Rd). This annual tradition will have several showtimes, that you can find here.

Somers | Champ’s Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Party | 3-7pm - Dig out your gaudiest holiday sweater and take a drive to Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). Live music, and a free raffle entry with your ugly sweater.

Somers | Holiday Market | 10am-4pm - The holiday market in Sonny’s Place (349 Main St) returns for another weekend at the North Pavilion.

Somers | Shoreline Ringers Holiday Concert | 7pm - This handbell concert is being put on by Somers Congregational United Church of Christ (603 Main St). A true carol of the bells.

Stafford Springs | Holiday Craft Market | 10am-4pm - Middle River Gallery (60 Main St) continues running their holiday market, featuring a revolving cadre of artisans. See what’s new there this week!

Storrs | Craft Fair | 9am-3pm - The Mansfield Community Center (10 S Eagleville Rd) will be hosting a craft fair in the gym. Check out a bunch of local vendors and find some stuff you didn’t know you needed.

Storrs | Orchestra Fall Concert | 3pm - The Willimantic Orchestra will be performing their Winter Concert at von der Mehden Recital Hall (875 Coventry Rd).

Storrs | Vendor Fair | 10am-3pm - The First Baptist Church of Mansfield (945 Storrs Rd) is holding a vendor fair featuring crafts, gifts, treats, and holiday décor.

Vernon | Bowling w/Santa | 10am-12pm $ - The busiest man this time of year will be at Spare Time (350 Talcottville Rd) for a little meet & greet. $15/person gets you a shoe rental, an hour of bowling, and some face time with the man in red. Register

Vernon | Reading w/Santa | 11am-1pm - Santa will be at Key Hyundai (21 Hartford Tpke) reading stories, taking pictures, and spreading holiday cheer.

Vernon | Signature Artists Opening Reception | 2pm - Art Center East’s (709 Hartford Tpke) annual signature artists exhibit kicks off this afternoon, with Artist Talks from 2-4pm.

Vernon | Xmas Novelty Candle Making Experience | 1pm $ - Create a novelty Christmas candle at Lighted Ambiance (630 Talcottville Rd). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Hidden Still - Ellington | The Peet Trio | 8pm
⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | Alex Hiller | 7:30-10:30pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | The Score | 6:30pm
⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford | Amanda Rowe | 7pm

Ellington | Holidays Around the World | 1-3pm - Indian Valley Family YMCA (11 Pinney St) wants to teach you about different holidays, make crafts, and try new foods. Must pre-register

Somers | Cookies & Stories w/The Grinch | 12pm $ - Lisa Bonacker’s Studio of Dance (40 Scitico Rd) is doing a story time with sweet treats, led by a certain green grump. $10/child.

Somers | Juliet’s Jacket Drive | 3pm - If you have any new children’s jackets laying around, bring them to Joanna’s (145 Main St) for a wonderful cause that has helped bring over 600 jackets to children in need. Food, raffles, and holiday cheer will all be on tap.

Somers | Perfect Pour Wine Cocktail Experience | 4-6pm $ - Get some tips and tricks on how to incorporate your favorite Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd) wines in creative cocktails. Tix

Stafford Springs | Little Maker Market | 12-4pm - Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) is hosting a market featuring all young entrepreneurs. Come support the next generation of crafters!

Storrs | Santa Appearance | 3-5pm - Hops 44 (625 Middle Tpke) will have Santa and Mrs. Claus around for pictures. Bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots and free pretzel on the same day.

Tolland | Messiah Sing | 3pm - The United Congregational Church of Tolland (45 Tolland Grn) is inviting everyone to come participate in a free singalong to Handel’s masterpiece. Scores will be available if needed.

Vernon | Holiday Music for Guitar and Mandolin | 3pm $ - If you love stringed instruments and holiday music, Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke) has the event for you! See Judy Handler and Mark Levesque bring holiday classics to life in this intimate performance. Tix

Willington | Parents Afternoon Off | 2-5pm $ - Hall Memorial School (111 River Rd) is giving parents a chance to get a few hours of quiet time. Drop off your kids ages 5 and up, where they’ll be entertained with movies & popcorn, creative crafts, and gym time. $15/kid, maximum cost of $50. Scan the QR code to register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford | Acoustic Rick | 2pm

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