We’re trying something new in the CT Buzz world: small, hand-picked dinners with good food, better conversation, and zero awkward name tags. This isn’t networking. It’s not a pitch fest. It’s six people around a table talking about life.

Why we’re doing this:

The best stuff doesn’t happen on Zoom or in a crowded bar. It happens over dinner.
When the plates hit the table, people relax, stories get honest, and the advice gets real. That’s the vibe we’re going for.

How it works:

Dinners will be happening in Hartford, where we’re gathering small groups for real conversation and local connection - all around one table. If Hartford is too far for you, let us know which area you’d like us to try for the next one.

Inaugural dinner: December 10th at 7:00 PM.

If you’ve been craving conversations with some actual depth - the kind that remind you why community matters - this is for you.

I’ve only opened this first dinner club to 42 seats so act fast if you want in!

Can’t make this one? Sign up anyway and we’ll ping you about future CT Buzz Dinner Club nights near you.

Thanksgiving weekend is officially here, which means the Christmas tree farms are firing up too. If you’ve been eyeing that perfect fir in your head all year, this is your sign to go bag and tag it before everyone else does. Here are a few in Tolland County to get you started but if I missed your favorite spot, hit reply and I’ll get a full county-wide farm page up on the site.

Last week’s poll about featuring cheap flights was basically a landslide - 100% of you said “yes, please.” So, ask and you shall receive: I found a total no-brainer deal if you’ve got the time and a little wiggle room in your schedule.

Hartford → Montego Bay, Jamaica for $240 bucks* roundtrip, Dec. 4-7th. See the deal!

Vernon | Food Drive | 10am-11pm - Bring a non-perishable item to Spare Time (350 Talcottville Rd) and receive a $10 Game Zone card to be used in there arcade. One card per person per day, but it could be the perfect thing to do to keep your kids busy leading up to Thanksgiving break.

Vernon | Winter Hills | 6-6:45pm - The Shenipsit Striders are running hills of the festively decorated Henry Park (60 Henry Pkwy). If you’re one of those people who enjoy that type of exercise (not gonna catch me there, sorry!) get in touch with them.

Coventry | Ugly Sweater Party | 6-9pm - Break out your gaudiest holiday sweater and head to Lakeview Restaurant (50 Lake St) for a pre-Thanksgiving ugly sweater party. Live music and a festive atmosphere.

Hebron | Turkey Day Eve Yoga | 9:15-10:30am $ - Get centered before all the hustle and bustle of everyone’s favorite over-eating holiday. Session will be held at Gilead Church (672 Gilead St), call/text Jen at (860) 531-2217 for more details.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Tino & Malone | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Lakeview - Coventry | Gerry Feeney | 6-9pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Change-Up | 6pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Trailer Trash | 7-10pm $10
⬢ Joannas - Somers | Nightshift | 7-10pm
⬢ Italian Villa Restaurant - Somers | Soapstone | 7pm

TRIVIA

Bond 124 - Somers | 7-8:30pm

Tolland | Thanksgiving Day Fun Run | 9am - If you’re skipping the madness of the Manchester Road Race, the Shenipsit Striders are holding an easy fun run at Shenipsit Trolley Trail (48 Tolland Stage Rd). About a 4-mile run with plenty of stops, all paces are welcome. Want more info? Shoot them a message.

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm

Bolton | Annual Reindeer & Wreath Sale | 8am-12pm - If you’re looking for handmade birch reindeer and custom holiday wreaths, swing by Luck of Bolton Farm (344 West St) to check out their wares.

Vernon | Dueling Pianos | 8:30pm $ - Now, I could’ve put this in the live music section below, but I wanted to make sure people knew how fun these are! Requests taken, sing-alongs, a little comedy, a lot of music, and an evening you’ll be talking about for a while. Head to the Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke) to get in on the fun. Tix

Vernon | Gravel Ride | 11am - Just because the weather has started getting colder doesn’t mean that gravel rides with Loom City Cycles (520 Hartford Tpke) have ended. Shoot them a message for more deets.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Joannas - Somers | Redhead | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Hops 44 - Storrs | Dwayne Wilson | 6:30pm

Columbia | Pet Photos w/Santa/Dog Adoption Event | 11am-2pm - PAWS New England is joining forces with Wile Hyundai (21 Rt 66 E) for a photo-op with Santa for your furry friends. While you can bring your own pups, there will be several dogs there looking for their fur-ever home. It should be an absolutely adorable time!

Coventry | Open Farm Day | 11am-3pm - Come meet and greet the alpacas at Round Hill Alpacas (56 Round Hill Rd). And while you’re there, check out their farm store with all sorts of alpaca-wool goodies.

Hebron | Sugar Plum Fairy Breakfast | 9-11am - Have a magical brekky with the Sugar Plum Fairies from the CT Concert Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at The Flour Girl (14 Main St). No tickets needed, some special Nutcracker-themed specials will be available.

Somers | Holiday Market | 12-6pm - The annual holiday market at Sonny’s Place (349 Main St) is back in the North Pavilion. Vendors, treats, décor, and more (couldn’t resist the rhyme).

Somers | Small Business Saturday | 10am-4pm - Help support a local small business by dropping into The Humble Fox (11 South Rd). Great for stocking stuffers, and everyone that spends over $25 will get their name put in for an Annual Goodie Bag giveaway.

Union | Holly Day Fair | 10am-1pm - Congregational Church of Union (976 Buckley Hwy) will have vendors, crafts, cookies by the pound, a tea cup raffle (there’s an amazing handmade quilt up for grabs), luncheon, and meet and greet with Santa for the kids!

Vernon | Annual Holiday Craft Fair | 10am-4pm - Make sure not to miss the annual Vernon Historical Society (734 Hartford Tpke) craft fair this weekend. Handmade items, treasures, and more. The craft fair also runs on 11/30 from 9am-3pm.

Vernon | Costume Competition | 7pm - Don your best Thanksgiving funny garb for a chance to win a gift card at Racks (500 Talcottville Rd). Make sure to get a couple games of pool in while you’re there.

Vernon | Paint Pouring | 4-6pm $ - Learn how to create a unique, fluid, piece of art at The Boho Experience (193 Talcottville Rd). Tix

Vernon | Santa Photos/Toy Drive | 1-4pm - Old School Harley-Davidson is teaming up with the Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke) for an afternoon of pictures with jolly ole St. Nick, and collecting new (unopened) toys for those in need.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | BackStage Pass | 8:30pm

Somers | Santa’s Mission Elf Family Fun | 5-7pm $ - Fortune Fuel (11 South Rd) is kicking off the countdown to Christmas. Writing and mailing letters to Santa, a secret Santa appearance, a reading of the Elf on the Shelf, and other festive activities.

Ellington | Music Performance | 3:30-4:30pm - The Ellington High School Music Honor Society (apparently brevity wasn’t a concern with that name) will be at the Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St) for a special concert. Let the senior center know you’re coming with a call to (860) 870-3133.